Reality Programming Association

Chapter 49: Chapter 21: Red Alert for Super Rainstorm

Wen Xiao’s words still rang in his ears: ”drowsiness,” ”like they’d lost their soul,” ”coma.”

’These keywords are easy to link to TDI. This so-called research project looks like a giant trap, no matter how you look at it.’

’Spend 5,100 yuan for a chance to become one of the walking dead, or the next ”Smiler”?’

”Bro, you there? Why’d you go quiet?” The person on the other end saw he hadn’t responded and sent another message:

”You’re not backing out, are you? I saved this spot especially for you. If you don’t want it, I’ll give it to someone else.”

Yu Xian took a deep breath. He’d found this invitation code seller by pure chance. From the looks of it, the threshold for obtaining a code was constantly rising, and on the market, supply couldn’t keep up with demand.

More importantly, if he missed this opportunity, the trail for many mysteries would go cold. He admitted he was feeling a bit of FOMO—the fear of missing out.

”Paying now,” Yu Xian replied. He closed his eyes and mentally prepared himself.

He entered the last digit of his payment password, and a green checkmark appeared, confirming the successful transaction.

He received a text message. The balance of the bank card he’d just deposited money into had dropped by a large chunk.

Heartache, fear, and a shiver of anticipation from being on the verge of touching something unknown.

A few seconds later, the seller sent a string of characters—a complex, random, jumbled mix of letters and numbers.

They followed up with, ”Pleasure doing business with you! If you don’t know how to use it, just ask! Sweet dreams!” and then went silent.

Ever since his phone call with Wen Xiao yesterday, he had been mulling over one question: should he participate in the TDI experiment?

So far, his conclusion was that the risk was too great.

It wasn’t that he was unwilling to take risks. In fact, he’d always considered himself a bit of a gambler, but he didn’t want to make a meaningless sacrifice.

Before he could figure out if there was a connection between TDI and the ”Smiler suicide case,” rashly turning himself into a guinea pig would not only be irresponsible for his own life, but also for his cousin, who was working so hard on the case, and for Wen Xiao, who had helped him peek at the case files.

’If something happens to me, too, then all the secrets will truly be buried forever.’

’Xia Li is still waiting for me. The truth about my parents is still waiting for me. I can’t fall here for nothing because of some reckless act.’

But even though he didn’t plan on using it right away, he still decided to go to the website and enter the invitation code to see what this so-called ”Targeted Dream Incubation” project was all about.

On one hand, he wanted to gather more information and intelligence. On the other, he was worried the invitation code might expire.

The page redirected, and the loading bar spun a few times.

There was no cool, high-tech, mysterious interface like he’d expected, nor were there any flashy slogans or case studies.

On the screen, there was only an extremely simple, grayish-white login box.

Above it was a single line of small English text: Targeted Dream Incubation Phase III - Beta.

’Targeted Dream Incubation Phase III - Beta version.’

Below that were two input fields: one for an ”Invitation Code,” and one for a ”Device Code.”

Yu Xian frowned. ’Device code?’

’Does this project require a specific device? I don’t remember seeing anything about that on the website.’

He hovered his mouse over the small question mark next to it, and a line of English text appeared: Supported Platforms: Android (All versions), Windows, Linux, TDI Device OS.

’So the range of supported devices is quite broad. A regular user can just use their phone; they just need to enter the phone’s MAC address here.’

A MAC address, also known as a physical address or hardware address, is a unique identifier for a device like a phone, router, or network card. It’s globally unique and never repeated, basically serving as a global ID card for an electronic device.

’Does this mean that to participate in this experiment, one activation code can only be tied to a single device? Is this to prevent one code from being used multiple times?’

’But what’s strange is that the range of supported devices includes all Android and PC devices, and even less common enterprise-level systems like Linux. But, ”due to hardware limitations,” it doesn’t include iOS devices like iPhones.’

’What commercial software nowadays doesn’t support Apple? And the reason is Apple’s hardware limitations? Hasn’t the iPhone’s hardware always been powerful?’

He couldn’t figure it out. But that was fine; Yu Xian’s phone was an Android anyway.

He clicked around the page. Besides the input fields, he couldn’t see any other way in.

There wasn’t even a button for ”Register,” ”Log In,” ”Forgot Password,” or ”Contact Support.”

’What kind of setup is this?’

’Why does it seem like a one-time use thing?’

’If I enter the info and then accidentally refresh the page, will I be locked out forever?’

The website was like a tightly locked gate, giving no one lingering outside even the slightest chance to peek at the world within.

Other than ”Enter,” it left visitors with no other choice.

He hesitated for a long time but decided not to enter his phone’s MAC address for now. The transaction for the invitation code was done through a platform, and the 5,100 yuan amount was significant. The seller wouldn’t dare sell the same code twice, and the confirmation window for the transaction was long, so he could afford to wait a couple more days.

The biggest sticking point right now was still the unproven theory: was TDI the main culprit behind the Smiler suicide case, or just an accomplice?

Right now, the only clue was the indirect symptom of ”drowsiness” that Wen Xiao had provided. While it was highly suspicious, it wasn’t enough to form a closed logical loop.

If he wanted more concrete, irrefutable proof, his cousin was the only one who might have it.

The police had all the physical evidence: the victims’ phones, computers, browsing histories, and even data from deeper technical investigations.