The top-level rune control system is the most mysterious part of the entire device.
Hundreds of complex three-dimensional runes float in the air.
Each rune rotates, transforms, and reorganizes at different frequencies, creating a dazzling three-dimensional kaleidoscope.
"Ladies and gentlemen."
Ron stands in front of the device, facing the gathered audience.
His voice, amplified by magic power, reaches every corner of the experimental hall with a natural sense of authority:
"Today, we will witness a significant breakthrough in the field of Abyss exploration training."
Miller sits in the front row, his face filled with anticipation and doubt.
As a seasoned exploration leader, he is well aware of the limitations of existing training methods:
"Ralph, to be honest, I’m still a bit worried about your device."
His voice carries the straightforwardness unique to explorers:
"We’ve seen too many seemingly great new inventions that ultimately cost lives. Can you guarantee this thing is really safe?"
Ron appreciates Miller’s pragmatic attitude, not minding such skepticism:
"Captain Miller, I understand your concerns. In fact, safety was our primary consideration during the design."
He points to the rune array suspended above the device:
"We’ve established a triple independent safety mechanism.
A physical emergency circuit break can cut off all energy supply within 0.1 seconds;
A mental anchoring system ensures the user’s consciousness never fully detaches from reality;
And a forced exit program that can pull the user’s consciousness back to reality within three seconds no matter what happens."
Wayne, the supervisor, raises his hand, his half-petrified face filled with worry:
"But... but directly controlling human consciousness has already touched on some taboo areas."
His voice carries deep unease:
"History is full of examples where excessive pursuit of technological breakthroughs led to disasters..."
A brief silence falls over the experimental hall, as Wayne’s words touch on a deep-seated worry in many.
"Supervisor Wayne."
Ron’s voice remains calm, but a sharp glint flashes in his eyes:
"I understand your concern, but consider the reality we face.
Every month, explorers die in the Abyss due to lack of preparation. Isn’t their death a greater taboo?"
His words carry a compelling logic:
"Scientific progress always involves risks, but that doesn’t mean we should stand still.
The key is how to reasonably control these risks, not to forego progress out of fear."
Dale stands in a corner of the experimental hall, her golden eyes attentively monitoring subtle changes in the air.
Through a telepathic link, she reports her observations to Ron:
"Master, the humidity distribution around the device is very even, with no signs of energy leakage.
All magic power flows are within preset parameters."
"Very good."
Ron nods in satisfaction, then looks at the volunteer tester among the explorers:
"Rex, are you sure you want to proceed with the test?"
Rex is a senior member of Miller’s team, a man in his thirties with a thick beard.
There is a deep scar on his left arm, a memento from the last Abyss exploration.
In recent missions, his reaction speed and judgment capability have declined, making this targeted training necessary.
"Since the Captain trusts you, what do I have to worry about?"
Rex laughs heartily, but his eyes reveal a hint of nervousness:
"However, let me preface by saying, if this thing messes up my brain, my family will surely come after you."
His words elicit a benign laughter, easing the tense atmosphere in the experimental hall.
"Then I must be doubly careful."
Ron also shows a rare smile, playing along with the joke:
"I wouldn’t want to be responsible for taking care of your family."
The laughter in the hall grows louder.
Rex walks to the consciousness access platform at the center of the device, a special ergonomically designed seat.
The seat’s surface is covered with a breathable biofilm, which can automatically adjust its shape according to the user’s body contour.
As he sits down, the biofilm begins to gently envelop his body.
Dozens of slender nerve tendrils extend from the chair, accurately connecting to his key neural nodes.
"How do you feel?"
Ron inquires while monitoring various physiological parameters.
"A bit itchy, but not uncomfortable."
Rex responds honestly:
"Like someone is lightly stroking my skin."
"Good, this indicates the neural access is working properly."
Ron begins activating the system’s components:
"Now I will start the consciousness access program.
You will experience slight dizziness, which is normal.
Remember, this is just a simulation, not the real Abyss."
As the system starts, the device emits a low, rhythmic hum.
The wriggling frequency of the nerve fibers visibly accelerates, and the sparkling particles in the nutrient solution become lively like fireflies.
The rune array rapidly reassembles, forming a complex three-dimensional surveillance network.
"Consciousness access initiated, target environment: Abyss second layer simulation area."
Ron’s voice becomes more professional:
"Danger level set to beginner, the system will adjust in real-time according to the tester’s reaction."
Rex’s eyelids grow heavy as his consciousness is guided into a whole new world.
Moments later, his body fully relaxes, and his breathing becomes deep and rhythmic.
Through the device’s monitoring display, the audience can see the virtual experience he is undergoing.
The screen displays the typical twisted scenery of the Abyss’s second layer.
Numerous space bubbles of varying sizes drift slowly, each fragment containing a different ecological environment.
"This is the real environment of the second layer."
Captain Miller explains to the young explorers beside him:
"It looks chaotic, but it actually has its own order. The key is to learn to adapt to this chaos."
On the screen, Rex’s virtual image cautiously navigates through the space bubbles.
His movements are skillful, clearly an experienced explorer.
But soon, the first threat appears.
A corrosion bug emerges from the void, its body resembling a transparent jellyfish, but filled with acid inside.
This creature is one of the most common threats on the Abyss’s second layer, feeding on corpses but not rejecting fresh flesh and blood either.
Rex immediately enters combat mode, drawing the rune short sword from his waist to maneuver with this dangerous creature.
To the audience’s surprise, this virtual corrosion bug exhibits behavior identical to a real monster.
Its timing of attacks, movement trajectory, and even its reactions when injured mirror the real situation exactly.
"This level of realism..."
A young researcher exclaims in awe:
"It’s just like bringing a real monster into the virtual environment."
Even more impressive is the adaptive adjustment of the system.
When Rex easily handles the first corrosion bug, the system immediately assesses his skill level and accordingly increases the challenge difficulty.
The second corrosion bug appears, followed by a third...
Even a noticeably stronger elite individual appears, its surface sparking with dangerous poisons.
"The system is analyzing the tester’s reaction speed, judgment ability, and combat skills in real-time."
Ron explains to the audience:
"It will continuously adjust the threat intensity to ensure the training difficulty remains optimal.
It won’t be too easy to lower vigilance, nor too hard to make people despair."
After an hour, the system determines that the training has achieved its preset goals.
Rex’s performance in the virtual environment is comprehensively evaluated, and his weaknesses are accurately identified.