Apocalyptic Wasteland Simulator

Chapter 74 - 73 Hesitation! Smart Brain Terminal Xiaoyouzi
Lying on the soft bed, Chen Pingchuan was enveloped by the comfortable duvet, yet sleep eluded him. His eyes were wide open, his gaze shifting between the tranquil starry sky outside the window and the dazzling purple crystal in his hand.

Am I becoming more and more strange?

Chen Pingchuan started to doubt his previous deduction. Even if he really was a member of some secret organization, thus possessing physical abilities beyond his peers, that could *barely* make logical sense. But how could he explain the azure attribute panel?

As he was pondering this puzzle, a spark of inspiration flashed through his mind. Chen Pingchuan remembered the computer terminal he had just activated. Why not ask it? Maybe it could solve his confusion. He raised his right arm and gently called out, ”Xiaoyouzi.”

”Master, I’m here!”

”I’m not sure if I’m hallucinating or what’s going on. A virtual light screen has inexplicably appeared before my eyes. I can’t touch it, and it seems only I can see it. Based on the information in your database, please give me a reasonable analysis.”

”Please wait. Xiaoyouzi is sweating profusely while searching...”

A moment later, Xiaoyouzi responded.

”Search completed. Based on the master’s description, the possibilities for this outcome are as follows.”

Schizophrenia...

Bipolar disorder...

Severe depression...

Post-traumatic stress disorder...

Dissociative disorder...

Alcohol-induced hallucinations...

As the smart terminal explained each term, Chen Pingchuan immediately latched onto one. No doubt, I have post-traumatic stress disorder. Just as he thought he had finally found a reasonable explanation, he realized something was wrong. If this is all a hallucination, how do I explain the money? I can’t possibly buy real things with fake money.

Just as he was puzzling over this, a sweet female prompt sounded in his ear.

”Master, please grant authorization to scan your physical condition.”

Chen Pingchuan raised an eyebrow in surprise.

Huh? It has a function like that? ”Scan authorized.”

”Please remain lying flat or standing. Scan beginning...”

With a BEEP, several rays of light shot out from the edge of the silver bracelet, scanning Chen Pingchuan’s body from head to toe. Five minutes later, the smart terminal completed the scan and provided a detailed report on his physical condition.

”Subject: Young male. Appearance: Conforms to standard human aesthetic norms. Assessment: A bit handsome!”

”Height: 184cm. Weight: approximately 65kg. Bone mass: abnormal. Bone density, muscle strength, cardiac strength, and other metrics are all consistent with the level of a Grade One Genetic Warrior...”

Chen Pingchuan was quite satisfied with the terminal’s analysis. Regardless of its accuracy, the sheer number of detailed analytical items gave it an air of professionalism. However, the following results were rather unexpected.

”Analysis of the master’s head has detected eight shadowed areas. Based on shadow density, distribution patterns, existing data, and relevant literature, it is concluded that these traumas were formed at different times. The overall assessment is as follows.”

”Finding: Multiple, non-contemporaneous cerebral traumas. These are the suspected primary cause of amnesia and hallucinations. Analysis complete. Does the master have any other questions?”

??? Chen Pingchuan was stunned. Multiple? Non-contemporaneous? So they bashed my head in more than once?

”Xiaoyouzi, provide a reasonable explanation for the following situation.”

”Master, I am here. Please describe the problem.”

”I can open a black space by making a wish, and Federation Coins will fall out of it. This is not a hallucination; it happens in reality. Please explain.”

”Understood, Master.”

”Please wait. Xiaoyouzi is sweating profusely while searching...”

Listening to this strange response, Chen Pingchuan was speechless. Just say you’re working hard. What’s with ’sweating profusely’? Don’t use such potentially misleading phrases. Ignoring whether the program was still processing, he asked directly, ”Xiaoyouzi, can you remove the phrase ’sweating profusely’?”

”Yes, Master. The choice of prompts is simulated based on data parameters such as your personality and preferences. If you are unsatisfied with this prompt, you may set a custom one. The phrase ’sweating profusely’ has now been deleted.”

Two minutes later, the AI spoke again.

”Search complete. Analysis of big data leads to the following conclusion: There is a 90% probability that this is a fantasy induced by the master’s cerebral trauma. As for what is real, individuals with mental disorders are often unable to distinguish fantasy from reality.”

”Alternatively, there is a 10% probability that the master was once a genetically enhanced individual with a combat power of level four or higher. This individual would have awakened a rare-type spatial talent and once possessed a large amount of Federation Coins, which were stored in a personal space.”

Chen Pingchuan listened to the smart terminal’s explanation, still finding it hard to believe. He pressed on stubbornly.

”And the azure virtual light screen? How do you explain that?”

”Based on big data analysis, the azure light screen is most likely a figment of the master’s imagination. It is not real.”

”Scan the purple crystal in my hand.”

”Understood, Master.”

”Scan complete. The object is a high-grade purple Energy Crystal. As a high-quality and scarce energy source, Energy Crystals are widely used in advanced technology, including spacecraft, aircraft, aerospace equipment, laser and electromagnetic weaponry, exoskeletons, and large-scale Mechanical Battle Armor.”

”Just tell me how much it’s worth.”

”Understood, Master. According to data analysis, its minimum value is fifty million Federation Coins. However, it has a price but no market, meaning there are no conventional channels through which to acquire one.”

”Alright, I understand. Xiaoyouzi, enter sleep mode.”

”Acknowledged, Master. If you require assistance, please call for Xiaoyouzi. Wishing you a pleasant life.”

As the mechanical female voice faded, Chen Pingchuan continued to stare blankly out the window. He had already gone through the process of having the purple crystal assessed right after activating the smart terminal. This was just a repeat performance.

If I want to resolve these doubts, all I have to do is ’charge’ this purple Energy Crystal into that simulated light screen.

But that could lead to two outcomes. If the simulated light screen is real, the crystal will probably be gone for good. If it’s fake, then I’ll have my answer and put these doubts to rest.

Just as Chen Pingchuan was hesitating...

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP...

”Master, you have a new message!”

Without even checking, Chen Pingchuan knew who the message was from, as he had only added one friend on this new smart terminal.

”Open the message!”