Player Reload
Chapter 453 - 420: Contract_2

Chapter 453: Chapter 420: Contract_2

The hacker’s brain housed the [Neural Wanderer], not merely an auxiliary cybernetic component, but a more advanced electronic brain with synaptic structure modification privileges, surpassing the relic chip Joker of the Wild Laughter Troupe once possessed.

’According to neurobiological theories, memory resides in neurons, categorized into transient, short-term, long-term, and permanent memories.’

Li Cheng’s thoughts raced, transient and short-term memories can only store information for several seconds or minutes, their chemical mechanism possibly involving reversible conformational changes of key macromolecules, such as phosphorylation and dephosphorylation.

Long-term and permanent memories, however, involve enhanced synaptic function, synaptic structure modification, formation of new synapses, and irreversible synaptic structural changes.

For instance, certain patients experiencing accidental amnesia may forget all past relationships, yet remember their names and commonly used languages, because these memories have been inscribed into the permanent synaptic structures, becoming unforgettable for a lifetime.

The relic chip Joker formerly held by Wild Laughter Troupe facilitated altering the synapses in others’ brains, transforming them into new Jokers, achieving his immortality.

The [Neural Wanderer] of Binary Tree, however, performed more precise operations, directly severing some synaptic connections within the brain to physically delete those life memories that could evoke ’feelings of shame’!

This move could be described as pulling the rug from under one’s feet since personality is a composite of memories; it’s those beautiful, awful, joyful, and angry memories that form one’s identity.

Moreover, neuronal synapses don’t exist independently like a USB; they form a complex and diverse network. Severing synapses means losing numerous related fragmentary memories and impacting future cognitive functions.

Truly a bold, all-or-nothing gamble.

Electronic eyes within Binary Tree’s eye sockets sparkled with electric light as he reflected on his past, choosing to eliminate all memories that would induce feelings of shame.

Failures in confessing to a girl, being caught by a teacher while sneaking out of school to surf the internet, playing truth or dare with friends... even not admitting wetting the bed as a child and deceiving his parents by saying he accidentally spilled iced tea.

One by one, each memory faded into grayness.

If you can’t remember them, there’s no shame.

’Damn, how come this programmer is such a gambler? Self-mutilating the brain is extreme.’

Respect welled up unexpectedly, prompting Li Cheng to stand at attention.

Not mad, not alive—this programmer appeared gentlemanly, yet his core was ruthless.

Time ticked by, second by second,

At the eye of the storm, Binary Tree slowly reclaimed control over his body, the puppet-like tendency at his limbs gradually receding, and his mouth involuntarily uttered: "I won..."

"Is it?"

The Horse-headed Man S opened his horse mouth, displaying gleaming large teeth, his eyes blazing with orange-red light.

The next instant, Binary Tree’s limbs all turned marionette-like, face frozen in astonishment, the visage transforming into wood carving.

Crunch.

Time was perfectly aligned to the last second, his entire body stiffened in place, motionless.

"You’re cheating!"

Red Spider suddenly drew his gun towards the Horse-headed Man, though he wasn’t entirely sure what transpired, the noise emanating from Binary Tree’s brain roughly indicated he used the electronic brain.

The Horse-headed Man stared straight at the barrel, his hands transformed into illusions, swiftly capturing Red Spider’s wrist, directing the gun towards himself.

"Had I cheated, the magic contract would have already harmed me,"

The Horse-headed Man spoke dispassionately and turned to Li Cheng, "Wouldn’t you agree?"

Li Cheng was silent for a moment, then earnestly said: "You revived the memory."

"Hahaha."

The Horse-headed Man laughed aloud, snapped his fingers, and Binary Tree’s puppet form rapidly shrunk, reverting to a child of four or five.

The child stood before the TV, singing loudly along with the 2005 talent show , shaking his hips, oblivious to the parents who had entered the house unnoticed.

"Memory stems from the variability and plasticity of neurons. This companion of yours indeed deleted a large portion of memories by severing neurons. But he overlooked that some memories simply can’t be recalled."

The Horse-headed Man chuckled softly and said, "During a child’s growth, new neurons frequently sprout in the hippocampal area of the brain, compressing and suppressing old neurons, causing them to regress and even fall off.

This leads to memory loss, marking the boundary of ’remembering things’.

As a child, Binary Tree indeed had this memory and first experienced feelings of shame. However, he’s physically forgotten that experience.

If it can’t be recalled, deletion is irrelevant."

As he spoke, Binary Tree’s childlike puppet repetitively replayed this vivid scene.

He was completely under the Horse-headed Man’s control, just like the Blood Lion Roar.

"I won."

The Horse-headed Man crossed his arms, interest piqued as he looked towards Red Spider and Li Cheng, "So, shall we gamble again? Win once, and I’ll release both of your companions."

"..."

Red Spider was silent, seemingly with options, yet truthfully, he had none.

From the moment his player’s essence was usurped and trapped within the Secret Realm, there was no room for retreat.

"I shouldn’t have set out on this treasure hunt."

He shook his head with a bitter smile, taking a deep breath before stepping forward.

"Wait."

Li Cheng suddenly said, "Spider bro, you’re a member of the Suited Thugs guild, right?"

"...Either call me Spider or Red Spider, alright? The name Spider bro feels strange."