Doctor Otto was conducting research in his makeshift laboratory on the Bugster virus he had collected, trying to find a way to control and utilize it.
"Why is it that I still can't find any way to control this virus?" Otto muttered irritably as he scratched his head.
Having personally witnessed the miraculous properties of the Bugster virus, Otto was deeply convinced that it possessed limitless potential.
It could directly control energy—a power capable of creating reality from the virtual.
If he could successfully discover a method to control and apply the Bugster Entity, then perhaps it would enable a breakthrough in humanity's existing technology.
He was certain that, by relying on this, he could achieve great fame and become a legendary scientist remembered through history, just like Newton or Einstein.
However, up to this point, he still had no real solution.
"It seems that relying purely on computational machines and information technology can't bring out the capabilities of the virus. Using human genetic cell samples for experiments doesn't work either.
"So in the end, does it still need to be combined with the human body?"
"Or else…" Otto stared at the virus pulsating inside the instrument, contemplating whether he should carry out human experimentation.
After all, the virus he had encountered at the Stark Industries Expo only displayed the ability to form a structured, physical shape after it had fused with a human body.
"Perhaps I could create a device that stores and controls the bugster virus, then connect it to the human body.
"To avoid causing irreversible harm to the human body, before I can fully control the Bugster virus, I must not allow it to directly make deep-level contact or fusion with the human body."
With this idea in mind, Doctor Otto immediately began working.
Following a flash of inspiration that had once crossed his mind but had never been turned into a real prototype, he started manufacturing a biomechanical device capable of neural connection.
Inside the mechanical device were artificial neural cells that could directly link with Otto's own nervous system.
In theory, this would allow the creation of mechanical arms that were entirely controlled by the user's nerves, moving as naturally as one's own limbs.
In essence, this was the core technology behind the mechanical tentacles of the not-yet-existent Doctor Octopus.
"Not a bad idea."
Just as Otto was about to inject the Bugster virus into the neural mechanical device, Genm and Parado suddenly appeared in the laboratory.
Otto was startled and immediately went on guard, staring at the two of them.
"Who are you? Why are you in my laboratory?"
"We're here to give you an opportunity," Genm replied with a question of his own.
"Haven't you always wanted to explore the mysteries of the virus and successfully harness its power?"
"You can help me?" Otto asked, half believing and half doubting.
Genm smiled faintly.
"We were born from the virus. Unlike fragile humans, we are a brand-new, perfect form of life.
"When it comes to understanding and using the virus, no one should be more knowledgeable than us."
"Bugster beings?!"
Otto looked slightly astonished."But you look exactly like humans."
Parado scoffed. "What we can do is far beyond what a species like humans is capable of."
As he spoke, his body became illusory, transforming into yellow points of light and instantly shifting position.
"A being born from the virus can reach this level?"
Doctor Otto felt his horizons greatly broadened.
Genm nodded lightly and spoke with deeper meaning.
"Compared to humans of flesh and blood, a NUgster body is composed entirely of the Bugster virus—essentially a body of energy.
"As long as its information exists, it is immortal and indestructible.
"Flesh will eventually age, machines will eventually decay, but energy and information endure forever."
Hearing this, Otto's eyes lit up, as if he had grasped something crucial.
"You said you came to help me. How exactly do you plan to do that?"
Genm took out a Virus Memory and handed it to Otto.
"This is a miraculous item known as a Gaia Memory. I obtained it from an organization called Foundation X.
"With this Gaia Memory, the user can gain the ability to control various viruses.
"After acquiring it, I reconstructed it using the Bugster virus.
"If you use this brand-new Virus Gaia Memory, you may be able to gain the power to control and utilize the Bugster virus."
Otto accepted the Virus Memory, his gaze flickering.
Could this so-called Gaia Memory really grant him the ability to control and use the Bugster virus?
While doubts lingered in his heart, he asked aloud, "You're helping me this much—what exactly is your purpose?"
"Purpose?" Genm et out a mysterious smile.
"Of course, it's to explore and uncover more possibilities and applications of the virus.
"Ordinarily, a being is born through a human becoming infected with the Bugster virus, until the virus completely erodes and assimilates the human.
"The infected human disappears, and only then can the Bugster monster become a complete form."
"But that means the birth of a complete Bugster being must rely on a human host.
"Honestly, if everything were always the same, the game would become rather boring."
Doctor Otto felt as though he understood somewhat, and his expression turned slightly uneasy.
"You want to explore other ways for Bugster beings to be born.
"To create more Bugster entities?
"But if a large number of Bugster lifeforms were to appear, it would surely threaten humanity's position."
No matter what, Otto believed he could not help Bugster beings oppose humanity.
Genm suddenly laughed, her tone playful.
"Do you really think we want to lead the Honkai-Origin in a racial war against humanity and replace them?"
Otto frowned slightly. "Isn't that the case?"
"Don't project your human ambitions onto us—things like racial supremacy or fighting for dominance. To us, those things are utterly meaningless."
"What I'm doing is simply to make the game more interesting," Huanmeng said calmly.
"A game? Interesting?" Otto's voice was full of confusion.
"That's right. For a game to become more interesting, it needs diverse elements and a greater sense of the unknown."
"And why should I believe you?" Otto fixed his intense gaze on Huanmeng.
"I'm merely letting you enter the game and add more fun to it.
"As for what you choose to do after entering the game, that's entirely up to you."
Genm spoke with an almost indifferent expression.
"In other words, I don't need you to trust us at all—you can act entirely according to your own will."
"You really don't care what I do?"
Otto felt uncertain and uneasy, unable to comprehend the mindset of this beings.
"Enough overthinking. Come with us," Parado said impatiently.
"Go where?" Otto asked instinctively.
"To collect Bugster virus and activate your Virus Memory."
Genm chuckled softly.
"The doctors have more or less confirmed the location of the Demon Dragon boss in the Dragon Knight Hunter game I designed.
"A game that infects multiple humans at the same time will certainly produce a massive amount of Bugster virus."
"By 'doctors,' you mean…?" Otto asked with mild curiosity.
Genm cast Otto a casual glance.
"You should know. You were infected with the virus before.
"The fact that you've remained unharmed until now means those doctors must have used the Rider System to purge the virus from your body."
"So it really was the doctors at Holy City Hospital."
A sharp gleam flashed in Otto's eyes.
(End of Chapter)