Thrive in Catastrophe by 焦糖冬瓜

Chapter 88 Bait

This is a complicated topic.

Burrowing into the enemy's thoughts means you become the target of those thoughts within the subject. Having the power to construct and control the thinking of the subject requires a higher skill level than your opponent. The possibility of being killed is greater than the subject being invaded; you are also more likely to suffer from neuronal damage. Just like when Heine and Shen Bing invaded Renault, Shen Bing can no longer enter the subconscious mind of another.

For the subject, once you invade, and the barrier is breached, then you can mine information from their brain and even alter their thinking, causing chaos and damage. Such as when Xiao was hit by the blocker and trapped himself in his own subconscious to trap the blocker from his thoughts.

Xiao raised his brow and thought deeply on the question.

General Xia looks at his serious expression and laughs out loud. "I am pleased that you didn't just give me an impulsive response."

As the formidable torture specialist sipped his coffee, Xia brought his own cup to his mouth.

"Ah! So bitter!"

Xiao has decided that he enjoys black tea much more than coffee.


"Haha." Xia is amused by Xiao's reaction and the solemnity of the moment relaxes.

"Although coffee is something I enjoy, it may not be to your tastes."

"...so it is like coffee. Everyone will react differently. With my interface rate, no one can match my speed, even the most experienced blocker. At the least, he must be as fast as I am. My brain is my territory, I can construct everything. For me, luring the enemy into my brain is the most advantageous strategy. "

Xia leaned back into his chair and looked directly into Xiao's eyes. "I cannot tell you if your ideas are correct or not. You determine your own success. I can only show you the techniques. Today I will give you your first lesson. Not how to scatter thoughts so a blocker cannot mine your brain, that information Colonel Burton has already shown you. I will teach you how to level up the construction of your thoughts, to lure one into your subconscious."

"The more rapid one is able to process, the higher their vigilance. He can easily shatter any trap I lay down!" Xiao recalls his own experience with Valentin. If Casey had not also invaded Valentin, he doubted that he would have been able to exit.

"The main thing to remember is you need to show the person what they want to see. Allow them to achieve their goal or pursuit. That is your bait. Once he gets close, he will want more. That is when you tighten the string and pull them further. A real master of thought invasion will force the enemy to sink into the illusion and destroy themselves. Once you do that, you have not only locked them in, you will have the opportunity to analyze and explore their mind. Our most primitive desires are not based in morality or rationality."

Xiao Yan cannot imagine what bait he needs to use, but he understands the concept of using a carrot and a stick to draw the enemy in.

"This is not enough to guide you." General Xia punctuated his statement with a clap and his officer entered the room with two terminals. "Now I will enter your mind and allow you to experience how I lure you into my brain."

Xiao Yan is startled. General Xia means to enter his brain first and then force his thoughts into him?

General Xia has tortured countless dangerous criminals, his brain must be a minefield.

"Do not worry. You are my student I won't let you die."

Xia placed the terminal on his head and Xiao took a deep breath as he sat face to face with the foremost torture specialist in the Shire. He watched as Xia closed his eyes and completely relaxed.

The system prompt for neuron calibration sounds in his ear.

Xiao Yan sighed and calmly accepted Xia into his mind.

Xia pushed past the troposphere of Xiao's mind. Xia's thoughts were endless... infinite, he couldn't find a gap in the interminable data. Every thought was inseparable from the next. The most incredible thing to Xiao is that he cannot find any signs of Xia's interrogations here. All that is present is a limited view of his life. For example he and Ervel playing bridge, uniting to best Gordon, his adjutant making silly mistakes, the type of coffee that he prefers... on and on. It was a perfect manipulation of controlled transparency. As he invades, the flowing thoughts bring in more repetitive daily memories. All vital information is hidden. Xiao Yan attempted to sift through his consciousness and analyze his thoughts. Xia didn't resist. As Xiao was completely immersed in separating and breaking down the information, an alarm sounded from overhead.


"Alarm! Alarm! Channel I node is compromised!"

"Alarm! Alarm! Channel J node is compromised!"