That night, Ethan lay awake for a long time.
He turned from one side to another, unable to settle his thoughts. His mind felt strangely calm, yet something deep inside him refused to let him sleep. It was as if a quiet voice kept whispering from the darkness, warning him… but he couldn't understand it.
Eventually, exhaustion took over, and he fell into a deep sleep.
---
Late into the night, when the entire temple and all the outsiders had fallen silent, the Buddha Hall lit up faintly.
One by one, figures appeared.
These were not ordinary monks.
They were the highest-ranking Cyber monks of the Nine Lotus Temple.
At the center stood Master Rowan, calm and composed, his presence carrying authority. Around him, several senior monks formed a circle. Their bodies remained still, but their black bionic eyes flickered constantly in the darkness.
The hall was completely silent.
No one spoke.
Yet within that silence, something intense was happening.
Streams of red light flashed rapidly in their eyes, as if invisible messages were being exchanged faster than words could ever carry.
---
Inside the data space.
Master Rowan's voice echoed calmly:
"Amitabha. Report the situation in Mang Village."
Brother Caleb responded immediately:
"Everything is stable. The villagers are following all instructions."
Master Rowan nodded slightly.
"And the man who questioned us? The one who said we were controlling them?"
Brother Caleb replied without hesitation:
"He has been dealt with."
A faint smile appeared on Master Rowan's face.
"Good. Your actions were timely."
He paused, then continued:
"Now… the only one left is that boy, correct?"
Brother Caleb nodded again.
"Yes. He has been locked inside his house for several days. He kept trying to escape and expose us."
Master Rowan's tone turned cold.
"Then act immediately. Do not allow any complications."
---
At that moment, golden streams of data flowed through the monks' vision.
Commands were transmitted instantly.
---
"Buzz… buzz…"
The phone of Mang Village's chief began vibrating violently.
The man woke up in shock, his hands trembling slightly as he grabbed the phone.
On the screen, a notification appeared.
From the app:
Vanin.
The message was simple.
"Report the boy's location."
The chief swallowed nervously and spoke into the phone:
"We followed instructions. He is locked inside. But he keeps trying to escape… he said he wants to go down the mountain and expose everything."
---
Back in the Buddha Hall, Master Rowan listened.
Then he issued another command.
---
A golden signal spread instantly across the entire village.
At the same time—
Every single phone in Mang Village lit up.
---
Villagers woke up one by one.
Their faces were expressionless.
Their eyes were empty.
They all opened the Vanin app.
The same command appeared on every screen:
"Gather outside the boy's house."
---
Inside a small house, the boy lay on his bed.
His eyes were closed.
But he wasn't asleep.
He was pretending.
For days, he had been locked inside. He had tried to escape again and again, but failed each time.
Tonight, he had made up his mind.
He would wait until everyone was asleep… then run.
He slowed his breathing, pretending to be in deep sleep.
---
Then—
He heard movement.
His mother.
She got up from the next room.
The boy's heart tightened instantly.
His mother never woke up at night.
Something was wrong.
He opened his eyes slightly, just enough to peek.
What he saw made his chest burn with anger.
His mother was staring at her phone.
Her face was completely blank.
She walked toward the door like a puppet.
---
"That damn app again…"
The boy clenched his fists.
But then—
He realized something.
This was his chance.
Everyone else should still be asleep.
His mother was leaving.
If he didn't run now, he might never get another chance.
---
He moved quietly.
Got out of bed.
Picked up his jacket.
Step by step, he walked toward the door.
His heartbeat pounded in his ears.
He reached the door.
He opened it—
---
And froze.
---
Outside…
The entire village was there.
Countless villagers stood in silence.
Each one held a glowing phone.
Their faces were pale.
Their eyes were empty.
The light from the screens illuminated their lifeless expressions.
It was like standing in front of a wall of ghosts.
---
At the center stood his mother.
She looked at him.
But there was no warmth in her eyes.
No recognition.
No love.
---
The boy trembled.
He turned and tried to run—
But hands grabbed him.
Rough.
Cold.
Unforgiving.
They threw him to the ground.
---
"Mom! MOM!! It's me!!"
He screamed desperately.
His voice cracked.
His body struggled.
"Please! Wake up! It's me!!"
---
But his mother didn't move.
She stood there like a puppet.
---
A new command appeared on her phone.
From Master Rowan.
"Knock him out."
---
Without hesitation—
She bent down.
Picked up a wooden stick.
And—
Struck her own son's head.
---
Everything went black.
---
The last thing the boy saw…
Was a sea of empty faces staring at him.
---
Back in the Buddha Hall—
Master Rowan spoke calmly:
"Mission complete. Return to sleep."
---
The villagers dispersed.
Silently.
Like nothing had ever happened.
---
The red lights in the monks' eyes slowed down.
The hall returned to stillness.
---
"Everything went smoothly," Master Rowan said.
"Next… we focus on Ethan."
---
Brother Caleb hesitated.
"Master Rowan… what exactly is the power he has? Why are we being so cautious?"
Master Rowan shook his head slowly.
"I do not know the full details. But I know this—"
"It is related to reincarnation."
"And anything connected to that… is never ordinary."
---
He looked around at the other monks.
"Be patient. Whatever it is…"
"It will soon belong to us."
---
Suddenly—
The monks began laughing.
Not the calm laughter of monks.
But something twisted.
Unnatural.
---
"Mine… it will be mine!"
"Hahaha—!"
"Yes… YES!!"
---
Their laughter echoed through the Buddha Hall.
Cold.
Disturbing.
Inhuman.
---
And in that silent hall—
The sound of the Vanin system quietly hummed.
---
Morning came.
---
Ethan woke up as usual.
He washed his face, feeling refreshed.
Today felt peaceful.
Light.
Clear.
---
He planned to go to the black signal tower again to chant scriptures.
It was part of his preparation for the final Braindance simulation.
According to Master Rowan, chanting would calm his mind and suppress the instability caused by Johnny Silverhand.
And it worked.
For days now—
Johnny had not appeared even once.
It was as if he had been completely suppressed.
---
Ethan walked along the temple path.
Trees lined both sides.
Birds chirped softly.
Everything felt pure.
Peaceful.
---
Breakfast was vegetarian, as always.
He had gotten used to it.
Even the alcohol in his luggage had remained untouched.
Strangely…
He no longer wanted it.
The smell of alcohol now felt unpleasant to him.
---
When he looked in the mirror earlier, he felt satisfied.
His face looked brighter.
Healthier.
Calmer.
Like Adrian Cross in his prime.
---
Even the urgency to find his sister had faded.
He felt…
There was no need to rush.
---
"Brother Caleb."
Ethan greeted him politely.
"Good morning."
Brother Caleb smiled gently.
---
As they passed each other—
Ethan paused slightly.
That smile…
It felt familiar.
---
He shook his head.
It was a good thing.
A peaceful smile meant a peaceful heart.
---
As he continued walking, other monks greeted him.
All of them smiled the same way.
Some had two bionic eyes.
Some had five.
But all of them…
Felt strangely comforting.
---
Too comforting.
---
Ethan reached the dining area.
And saw someone.
---
Master Rowan.
---
"Good morning," Ethan said with a smile.
Master Rowan folded his hands.
"Your condition has improved again."
---
Ethan laughed.
"Yes. Ever since the second Braindance simulation, Johnny hasn't appeared."
---
"Perhaps even he fears the Buddha," Master Rowan said lightly.
---
Then—
His expression turned serious.
"I came to find you."
---
Ethan's heart skipped a beat.
Then excitement surged.
"Does that mean—"
---
Master Rowan nodded.
"The final Braindance simulation will begin tonight."
---
"Success or failure depends on this."
---
Ethan felt his chest tighten with excitement.
"Thank you, Master!"
---
That morning—
His chanting was louder than ever.
---
At noon—
He met Adrian Cross.
---
But something…
Was wrong.
---
Adrian looked calm.
Too calm.
---
"Your condition is good," Adrian said slowly.
"Have you learned the scriptures?"
---
Ethan smiled and recited:
"Form is emptiness…"
---
They exchanged a few lines.
---
Then Ethan said:
"After tonight, I'll go find my sister."
---
He paused.
Realizing what he said.
---
But Adrian didn't react.
Not at all.
"That's good," Adrian said calmly.
"Family reunion is a good thing."
Ethan frowned.
Something wasn't right.
---
"What about your sister?" Ethan asked.
---
Adrian smiled.
The same smile.
The same as everyone else.
---
"Sister? I've always been an only child."
---
Ethan froze.
---
Adrian stood up.
"I'm done eating."
And left.
Ethan sat there.
His mind went blank.
"He forgot…?"
"How is that possible…?"
"I can't forget…"
"My sister…"
He tried to remember her face.
And suddenly—
It was blurry.
Ethan's entire body turned cold.
Something was very, very wrong.
-------------------------------------------
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