Weird Rules Rumor: At The Beginning, He Insisted That He Was Not Dead-Chapter 112: Genetic Tower (11)

"You mean to say someone altered my memory, making me believe you existed several days ago?"

Lin Ya frowned slightly, sensing something amiss:

"Given current scientific capabilities, it’s indeed possible to alter human memory using neuroengineering and neural interface technology."

"To my knowledge, brain-computer interfaces can measure electrical signals via scalp electrodes to access thoughts and memories."

"Another approach involves deep learning algorithms. They simulate human cognition by analyzing vast datasets to identify patterns and make predictions."

"But in any case, altering memory requires physical contact with the subject. The process would also likely be… painful."

She studied Bai Liang and added:

"Yet I’ve felt no discomfort these past few days. Could memory alteration truly leave no trace?"

"Even if such technology exists…"

She trailed off, confident he understood her implication. If this technology did exist, employing it so frivolously would be nonsensical—unless the perpetrator was profoundly bored. But even then, involving two people in such a farce seemed absurd.

Unless it’s Wang Long and Feng Zhu, she thought wryly.

"Discussing science inside a supernatural dungeon…" Bai Liang fell silent, then recalled a title effect he could leverage: Century Traveler. It allowed him to fixate on any past event within the dungeon.

"Century Traveler—it anchors moments in time. Worth a try."

He activated the title’s power. Now he needed to select a temporal anchor. He met Lin Ya’s gaze:

"When’s your earliest memory of me?"

She answered without hesitation:

"If I recall correctly, early in our freshman year."

"No need to go that far back. Just after we entered the Genetic Tower will suffice," Bai Liang amended.

"Three months ago, when we stepped into this building," Lin Ya clarified.

Three months ago…

Bai Liang closed his eyes, retracing time. Space compressed around him as fragmented scenes flickered past: researchers shuffling through labs, Lin Ya reviewing data, fresh biological specimens being delivered. Yet in none did he appear—not even among the other players.

His focus settled on Lin Ya’s team entering the Genetic Tower three months prior.

"Just as I thought," he murmured, finding no trace of himself.

But as he prepared to withdraw, a figure materialized in the timeline—gold-rimmed glasses, parted hair, sleek suitcase. Himself.

Bai Liang’s eyes snapped open as the vision dissolved.

"Something’s wrong here…"

The presence of "Dr. Bai" dismantled his earlier theories. This version of him had entered with Lin Ya’s team… yet vanished from all subsequent records. He’d disappeared shortly after arrival, just like the other replaced players.

Captured by the mothership? Memory-wiped and rebranded as test subjects?

"What’s wrong?" Lin Ya asked, noting his tension.

Bai Liang’s expression cleared, a faint smile forming.

"I’ve got it. The key isn’t who the players were—it’s the biological samples in this building."

"Finding a hundred samples is impossible because they don’t exist. Ninety-nine players collecting two each? Only 198 samples."

"Yet you said even a hundred biological datasets are unattainable. Meaning the collection task can’t be completed—unless we kill all players, which is even less feasible."

"The solution’s hidden in the mission itself: survive fifteen days inside an escape pod until the mothership retrieves us. That’s the baseline clearance."

"But... that’s a low-tier rating at best..."

The path to a Perfect Rating crystallized in his mind. He’d unraveled the dungeon’s core.

"What did you realize?" Lin Ya pressed, perplexed.

Bai Liang refocused, smiling at her.

"Nothing. Stay here. I’ll honor our agreement."

He withheld the truth: she was the dungeon’s lynchpin, the only path to its ultimate secret. Bringing her now would be reckless. Their contract would ensure he missed no detail—and he never broke contracts.

As Lin Ya opened her mouth to protest, he raised a hand.

"I’m leaving."

He turned, strode into the dim corridor, and vanished without looking back. Lin Ya lingered in the doorway, watching until darkness swallowed his silhouette.

...

Meanwhile, Outside Lab 16

Two shadows converged at the sealed laboratory entrance. Their analyzer visors flickered with text:

【Experimental Subject #001 located. Capture team activated…】