Dual Worlds: I Have a Doomsday World

Lin Qi stood beside the operating table, tapping the connected monitor to view the preliminary report the old doctor had prepared.

Brother Green Hair’s voice was weak as he said, "After getting off work last night, I felt like something was wrong, so I requested my company’s medical services."

"Based on my clearance level, I went to an A-Class medical clinic for a comprehensive examination, but the results were completely normal. They refused to issue me a report with an abnormal diagnosis."

"But I have a strong feeling I’ve contracted cyber psychosis. The problem is, I’m an A-Class security officer for the company, and without an abnormal diagnosis, I’m not allowed to have any of my Prosthetic Body parts removed."

"My only choice was to find other qualified Prosthetic Clinics in Red Fruit City to get a second opinion. I went to several, but the results were all the same as the first clinic."

"After those Prosthetic Doctors saw the data from the first clinic, they couldn’t even be bothered to re-examine me. They said they couldn’t file a false report and just threw me out."

"I was out of options, so I had to resort to underground channels. Coincidentally, I heard some friends from the gangs recommend the No. 1 Prosthetic Clinic. It wasn’t until I got here and stood in line that I learned this clinic is associated with Chairman Lin."

Brother Green Hair’s words were laced with emotion, revealing his agitation.

Doctor Lin, who was standing nearby, added, "I conducted a full secondary examination according to standard protocols. The instrument data is identical to the results from Liu’s Medical Clinic—it shows he’s perfectly healthy."

Upon hearing Doctor Lin, Brother Green Hair’s reaction suddenly grew more intense. "I am sick! I know I’m sick!"

Seeing Brother Green Hair’s agitation, Lin Qi quickly said, "Calm down. I haven’t even begun my examination."

Although the instrument data showed no issues, judging by his speech and body language, Brother Green Hair actually fit the characteristics of cyber psychosis well.

Doctor Lin just glanced at Brother Green Hair before continuing to speak to Lin Qi. "Based on the standard data, he really doesn’t show the indicators for cyber psychosis."

"But this old man hasn’t treated all these cyber psychosis patients over the years for nothing."

"Aside from the physiological changes, there’s another common data point with cyber psychosis. The brain produces a unique brainwave frequency, an indicator I call ’Consciousness Erosion.’"

"Fortunately... er, unfortunately, I found this exact frequency in your brain."

The old doctor really knew his stuff. In just a single afternoon, he had found an anomaly that Liu’s Medical Clinic had completely missed.

When Brother Green Hair heard Doctor Lin say that, he immediately turned to Lin Qi. "Chairman Lin, you see? I told you I was sick!"

Unfortunately, the old doctor next to him twisted the knife. "Regrettably, my personal discovery, the ’Consciousness Erosion indicator,’ is not part of the official diagnostic criteria for cyber psychosis. I can’t use this data to issue you an abnormal diagnosis."

Hearing this, Brother Green Hair felt like his world was collapsing.

By now, Lin Qi had more or less finished reviewing the old doctor’s data and understood his predicament.

If he were diagnosed with cyber psychosis, the treatment would be simple: either install a more advanced Suppressor or downgrade his Prosthetic Body.

But that was precisely the problem.

Lin Qi spoke up, "Even if we could get you an abnormal diagnosis, it would be pointless. Your problem doesn’t seem to be caused by neural erosion. I doubt even a Suppressor would do any good."

Conventional treatments for cyber psychosis are designed to address physiological changes.

But Brother Green Hair’s only issue was his brainwaves. His physiological signs were normal, making conventional treatments completely unsuitable.

Brother Green Hair’s head shot up from the operating table. He felt like his world had just collapsed even further.

Doctor Lin walked over to Lin Qi, pushed Brother Green Hair’s head back down, and said to Lin Qi, "This is why I called you back to help analyze the situation. This could be a completely new type of cyber psychosis case. I’ve contacted a few old friends and shared the data, but we’re still clueless about a treatment plan."

"I mainly called you back to see if you could devise a new approach using your expertise in Prosthetic Engineering or Pharmacy."

Doctor Lin was being blunt. He had identified the problem but couldn’t find a solution.

Lin Qi finished reading Doctor Lin’s report, his brow furrowed. "I actually haven’t researched cyber psychosis much... Forget it. We’ll just have to study it live."

Lin Qi pulled over the specialized rig used by Prosthetic Doctors and sat down.

Facing Brother Green Hair, Lin Qi began the diagnostic process from scratch.

First, he offered some reassurance. "Brother Green Hair, relax. Trust me, I can help you. If it really comes to it, I can use my position as a director at United Pharmaceutical to approve the removal of your Prosthetic Body."

Only then did he begin his questioning. "In your medical complaint, you repeatedly mentioned that you feel something is wrong. May I ask what that is? Or, to put it another way, what are you feeling that makes you think you aren’t normal?"

In the previous consultation records, Brother Green Hair had been tight-lipped on this subject. Even Doctor Lin hadn’t been able to get him to describe the specific feelings.

Brother Green Hair fell silent.

Doctor Lin spoke from the side. "Son, you can’t hide things from your doctor. This condition of yours is already difficult enough. If you aren’t honest and cooperative, forget about a humble Prosthetic Doctor like me—even the top medical team from the Intercontinental Stability Trauma Emergency Company won’t be able to help you."

Brother Green Hair finally let out a sigh and began to explain. "Yesterday, I was planning on... patronizing her business..."

He had just begun his account when Doctor Lin interrupted. "Be clearer. Who is ’she’? Your condition is deeply connected to your subjective consciousness. If you don’t spell it out, the two of us won’t be able to make a diagnosis."

Brother Green Hair seemed to choke on his words.

He then collected his thoughts and rephrased. "Yesterday, I was preparing to visit the Celestial Palace club to see my first love. She’s now an S-Class courtesan there..."

Hearing this, Lin Qi and Doctor Lin both raised their eyebrows in nearly identical fashion.

They intentionally quieted their breathing, listening to Brother Green Hair’s tale.

"I really miss the old days. Back then, I could be with her every night for free..."

"But now, it costs ten thousand Credit Points just to see her. And if I want more... services, the price is even higher."

"But I can’t help it. I have to go see her once a month."

"Yesterday, I paid Celestial Palace eighty-eight thousand Credit Points, ready for an unforgettable night."

It was a touching story. Lin Qi and Doctor Lin didn’t dare interrupt, even though it seemed to have absolutely nothing to do with cyber psychosis.

However, at this point in the story, Brother Green Hair stopped again.

Doctor Lin quickly prompted him, "And then?"

Brother Green Hair lifted his head from the operating table and looked at Doctor Lin.

Doctor Lin quickly pushed his head back down. "Keep your head on the table. It has a built-in brainwave detector, and I need to record the real-time data."

Brother Green Hair could only stare up at the surgical lamp and continue his story.

"So, I met with her as planned. Celestial Palace might be expensive, but their service is guaranteed. Plus, she has professional chips implanted..."

As Brother Green Hair’s story reached this point, it naturally arrived at its turning point.

"Usually, I would never waste so many Credit Points. The eighty-eight thousand tier of service is something I only indulge in once a year."

"In theory, the moment I saw her, I should have been able to make her feel completely immersed in love, like a river, like a vast ocean..."

"But the very instant I saw her, I knew something was wrong with me!"

"I didn’t feel the slightest bit of love. She even secretly activated the one-hundred-and-twenty-eight-thousand-credit chip function for my sake, and I still didn’t feel that familiar passion."

"An inexplicable, primitive desire welled up inside me. I felt like a tiger that hadn’t eaten in ten days. I felt... an appetite."

"I was worried I’d hurt her, so I immediately ended the session and left Celestial Palace. But that feeling hasn’t faded one bit."

"To be honest, even now, looking at you, Chairman Lin... I can barely resist the urge to bite your neck, drink a mouthful of arterial blood to quench my thirst, and then..."

As he spoke, Lin Qi and Doctor Lin clearly saw a glistening trickle of saliva escape the corner of Brother Green Hair’s mouth.