Chapitre 151: Milo Stanfield
The space was designed to reflect a cold, clinical aesthetic that matched the corporation's ambitions. Walls of glass adorned with the latest technological displays framed her path.
Her mind was firmly focused on the task ahead.
As she approached a large door labeled "Enclave Mk. II," the mechanism detected her presence and slid open with a hiss. She stepped inside.
The center of the room was dominated by seven white vertical pods, each encased in machinery. Monitors lined the walls, displaying data and fluctuating waveforms that reflected the states of the subjects contained within.
Around the pods, scientists in lab coats hovered over their computers, typing furiously and adjusting various dials. Beeping machines lent a soundtrack to the scene, amplifying the intensity of their work.
Dr. Kapoor walked along the second-floor railing, surveying her team with a keen eye.
Suddenly, a plastic water bottle clattered to the ground and drew her attention. It rolled beneath one of the pods, disrupting the cadence of the lab. She turned sharply, rage flaring in her chest as she caught sight of one of her subordinate scientists fumbling to scoop up the fallen container.
"You clumsy fool!" she barked.
The scientist froze, and colour drained from her face.
"Do you have any idea how crucial this experiment is? Do you think it's acceptable to let a water bottle roll around as if you're in some kind of playpen? One more incident like that, and you'll be facing the strictest disciplinary measures!"
The shock in the room was evident, with other scientists quickly retreating into their workspaces, their eyes averted from Dr. Kapoor.
The terrified scientist offered a trembling apology, which went unheard as Dr. Kapoor turned away, shaking her head in frustration.
With that incident behind her, she walked toward a glass door with a plaque that read "Ursula Von Der Leyen III." Today, she had a meeting scheduled with the CEO of Elysium, a dominant woman known for her exacting standards.
Dr. Kapoor rapped firmly on the door, receiving a mechanical response as her eye was scanned by the retinal display.
"Doctor Adaline Kapoor authorized. Please enter," a robotic voice intoned.
She could already hear Ursula's voice from inside.
Upon entering the room, Dr. Kapoor found herself in a space that exuded authority: sleek furnishings, an impressive display of plants, and the faint aroma of luxury in the air.
Ursula sat behind an immaculate desk, perfectly framed by the metallic sheen of high-tech gadgets.
"Mrs. Leyen," Dr. Kapoor greeted her formally, suppressing any hint of impatience she felt after the previous incident.
"Adaline," Ursula replied. "We're both busy, so I'll cut to the chase: how's the experiment going?"
"The participants are stable. Vitals are all within acceptable ranges—Ms. Schmidt, Mr. Rodriguez, Miss Dubois, Ms. Campbell, Mr. Reza, and Mr. Bennett haven't deviated from anything abnormal."
At the mention of Arthur's name, Ursula's expression shifted as she asked, "And the others? How are they acclimating to the environment?"
The doctor hesitated for a moment before continuing. "Everyone is adjusting well, though there's one concerning development I need to mention." She noted Ursula's brows knitting together, anticipating the punchline.
"And that is?" Ursula asked, leaning in.
"The virtual world… Mr. Bennett's recent death triggered the death message to the other players. His heart stopped for a brief moment."
"Is he still alive?!" Ursula sharply interjected.
Dr. Kapoor chose her words carefully as she answered, "Yes, he is. If we interfere more than necessary in the experiment, we risk jeopardizing the integrity of our results. But I assure you, Mr. Bennett's case is slightly different than the others."
Ursula scoffed lightly and said, "Continue."
Dr. Kapoor finally sat down, folding her arms as she prepared to reveal her findings. "Your decision to include Mr. Bennett in this experiment has some of us wondering. May I ask why him among so many others?"
Ursula smiled, letting out a small chuckle before her tone turned business-like.
"Adaline, each individual holds respectable value. Arthur is a faithful Christian. He possesses qualities that align with what I've been trying to expand on for years. Whether he lives or dies will only prove if he was worth the effort."
A shiver ran down Dr. Kapoor's spine.
That statement didn't sound like something an apathetic head would say. It was as if Ursula was equating Arthur and the rest to livestock.
"There must be something more, though," the doctor pressed. "What else is unique about him?"
Ursula rolled her eyes but seemed entertained by Dr. Kapoor's persistence. So she answered, "If you're so curious, you can read his file."
With an almost reluctant compliance, she handed over a file marked with confidentiality seals. The folder was simple, but Dr. Kapoor felt anxious as she opened it.
Inside, she found Arthur's photo in front of various documents attached to a paperclip. As she read through the details, her heartbeat quickened.
"Mr. Bennett's IQ is measured at 190…!" she exclaimed, scanning further. Incredulity flooded through her. "And his brain waves... they've been steadily increasing? This is significant growth since the moment he escaped prison in the game."
Sweat began to bead on her brow as she processed more of the data. Then she asked, "Was this same result achievable with any of the others?"
Ursula's smile faltered as she answered, "No… None of the others have matched his results without outside assistance." A drop of sweat trickled down Dr. Kapoor's face as Ursula continued, "I was ready to unplug one of them due to that alarming theta-wave spike. What was her name again?"
"Ms. Schmidt," the doctor answered. "But what are you saying?"
"Adaline," she explained, "After Arthur met that Schmidt girl, her levels finally calmed down."
When Ursula made that statement, the doctor finally understood its implications: each time Arthur interacted with the others, their hearts and minds were steadily changing. The scientific term for this was known as "affective modulation," and the Christian term was "awakening" or "spiritual enlightenment."
A chill settled over Dr. Kapoor.
The implications of Arthur's growth were enormous; she was certain of it. So she asked, "What happens if he continues on this path?"
"Who knows?" Ursula mused. "He might live or he might die; it'll be a good test of his faith."
The doctor didn't like that answer. Ursula truly was a devil, playing with the lives of others in the name of science. She herself was no better since she was participating in this act.
Ursula studied Dr. Kapoor's features, seeming to know what she was thinking.
"Imagine—what if he exceeds the other players in intelligence and begins to predict their actions? All their behavioural patterns, even those of the AIs, will change."
"Is such a thing genuinely possible?" the doctor asked in shock.
"Absolutely. This experiment is exceeding expectations due to that man's actions."
Actions? What did that mean?
As far as the doctor understood, Arthur's feats were indeed impressive, but they weren't anything out of the ordinary. Or was "ordinary" the right word to use here?
He escaped prison far faster than they expected; he defeated various NPCs through mere wit; he beat the odds despite being given the weakest of characters; he even perfected some of the higher-ranked techniques through perseverance; he slaughtered an entire species of supernatural primates; he single-handedly took over an entire country and was managing quite well; and, more importantly, he outsmarted death.
Many had forgotten that Arthur had performed the impossible. These feats were by no means "ordinary."
"How is one man doing all of this?" Dr. Kapoor pressed, feeling trepidation.
"Have you ever heard of Milo Stanfield?" Ursula asked.
Dr. Kapoor hesitated at the name but shook her head.
"Milo is a fictional character, a man who can manipulate an entire situation with a single ballpoint pen—setting off a chain of events leading to someone's demise without ever being detected."
A single pen? That was definitely eye-catching. Ursula continued explaining in a languorous tone.
"To achieve that, he manipulates over one hundred twenty variables in a dynamic system of differential equations, resulting in outcomes that are mathematically impossible to solve."
Dr. Kapoor's mind tried to connect the dots as she asked, "And you believe Mr. Bennett can achieve levels of manipulation similar to this fictional character?"
"Imagine," Ursula continued, leaning closer. "Let's say that player William Rodriguez decides to hunt Arthur—if he discovers Arthur is still alive. Arthur would predict that William is hunting him before William even realizes it himself. But if William anticipates that, Arthur will predict that he will predict that, spawning an infinite loop of prediction."
Confusing as that might sound, Dr. Kapoor's eyes widened as she grasped the implications.
"So the cycle continues indefinitely," she said. "Mr. Bennett would always find a way to stay several steps ahead. He'd become invincible…"
"Exactly," Ursula confirmed in a low voice. "Think about what that means for our experiment."
The doctor moved to process what had been laid before her—a world of possibilities seizing her thoughts. In a contemplative mood, she voiced her opinion, saying, "Nobody even remotely close to this would exist."
"And the aftermath of this experiment becomes boundless, but…" Ursula hesitated with an odd smile. "That's only if he continues on this path."
"What are you suggesting? You believe he'll fall back?"
Ursula's laughter became abrupt as she replied, "Regress? After the investment is made? Goodness, Adaline, this is not a playground where we allow failures to walk free!"
Catching the infectious laughter, Dr. Kapoor tried to keep pace, but the chuckle died in her throat when Ursula abruptly hurled her mug at the wall!
It dramatically shattered as the coffee spread across the expensive, makeshift rug.
"Understand this, Adaline," Ursula growled, rage contorting her features. "I will not tolerate failures—regressed or otherwise! If one of those people fails because their lives lack worth to Elysium, then I'll wipe away their existence from this world so as not to tarnish my reputation. That includes my son!"
"Of course," Dr. Kapoor managed, feeling her pulse quicken under the heavy scrutiny. "I apologize for stepping out of line, Mrs. Leyen."
Ursula's expression softened, but the danger was still evident. "It's fine," she said coolly before retrieving her phone and ordering a new mug.
The doctor took a deep breath, forcing herself to regain composure as she said, "I'll ensure that the team remains focused on this crucial progress."
"See that you do," Ursula snapped, shutting her phone. "Keep things on track, Adaline. I need results, and Arthur's going to be crucial for what comes next."
Dr. Kapoor nodded as she stood up and slipped out of the office. The door closed silently behind her, breaking off the tense atmosphere of the meeting.
An uncomfortable weight fell on her shoulders. She had wanted a calm, professional meeting. But what was she to expect from her boss?
As she returned to the experiment room, her thoughts diverged into concern about Arthur. If he truly held such potential, would he become a viable asset—or a dangerous threat?
From what she recalled, the scientists were making jokes about how he planned to "destroy the world."
Activity in the room continued as she approached one of the pods. She glanced at the scientists and felt the undercurrents of fear and ambition in them. The stakes had never been higher, and the true experiment was just beginning.
Her fingernails brushed over the console of the pod in front of her. She then muttered under her breath, "I wonder how you'll impress me this time, Mr. Bennett."
With one final look, she prepared herself for the rapidly approaching challenges.
The games loomed like a shadow over Elysium's powerful ambitions. There were consequences for trying to manipulate life and death, and the doctor had no choice but to play her part.
Behind every calculation lurked the potential for both glory and undoing. All she could do was navigate until his path would shift again.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone