Chapter 195 Ultimate Power
"Obey the decree of Paul Five!"
"From this day forward, whenever you hear this name and see the Purple Demon Eye, you shall heed my words as divine decree, without question or hesitation!"
The robed figures prostrated themselves, chanting in unison.
Elbert felt amusement and unease. His outlandish claims had landed perfectly. Steven's meticulous brainwashing had, ironically, paved the way for his own manipulation.
As ridiculous as it seemed, Elbert's words held a deeper significance, a calculated manipulation of their implanted consciousness. The brainwave modulation device was the key to this intricate operation.
Human consciousness was a multi-layered phenomenon. Most people only perceived the surface, believing their conscious thoughts and actions to be their entirety. However, beneath the surface lay deeper layers, subtly influencing their perceptions and beliefs.
The believers before him were a prime example. Their conscious minds performed their assigned tasks, driven by the implanted belief in the "Northern God's" will. Elbert's manipulation targeted a third layer, one above even the Northern God.
He was implanting the idea of Paul Five, a supreme being who existed beyond even the divine realm; one whose very word was law.
Moreover, what constituted this presence? Two specific triggers; seeing Elbert's glowing purple eye, and the mention of "Paul Five." When both conditions were met, this third layer of consciousness would activate, compelling them to obey his every command.
Elbert, now assuming the mantle of Paul Five, delved deeper, extracting information about Divine Network Nine. The fifty individuals before him weren't mere fanatics; they were leaders in their respective fields, handpicked by Steven himself. Moreover, they were all preparing for the "Godlike descent," the integration of modified humans into society which was just two months away.
Fortunately, it seemed The Northern Sea Pavilion was still expanding, content with consolidating its power base. They hadn't taken any overtly aggressive actions… yet.
An hour passed, and the believers left with admiring faces bowing deeply to their newfound deity, Paul Five.
Elbert turned his attention to the messenger standing beside him. Utilizing the brainwave modulation device, he implanted a fourth layer of consciousness, a directive to spread about Paul Five to the other eight Divine Networks.
The same name, the same triggers, the same veil of secrecy; all designed to remain hidden from Steven.
He already knew this man's identity; George Baker, a real estate mogul from Celestria City and Veridiania Business Association's chairman. He was also one of The Northern Sea Pavilion's three messengers, constantly traveling between networks and spreading their doctrine.
He was the perfect conduit, the key to infiltrating The Northern Sea Pavilion from within.
Steven, in his arrogance, believed his brainwashing to be flawless. He never questioned his followers' loyalty. With him focused on expanding and converting new followers, he'd never suspect that his trusted messenger had become a double agent.
He'd never suspect that his prized brainwashing technique was deciphered, but even surpassed.
As George Baker left with Elbert's will, Elbert slowly smiled.
"Brilliant move, Elbert," Robert's voice echoed in his mind. "You've infiltrated their ranks without disrupting their operations. When the time is right, you'll have an army of elites at your disposal."
"An army?" Elbert chuckled, shaking his head. "I don't need an army, Robert. This wasn't part of the plan." He took off the black cloak, tossing it aside. "Heavenly Emperor Paul Five? What a farce."
Later that afternoon at Lab Graveyard, Elbert took stock of his own abilities. The battle in the rain had pushed him to his limits, but it had also triggered something remarkable. His metabolic functions were now operating at 100 percent efficiency. He had achieved the first stage of new human combat consciousness liberation.
Even Robert, with access to human knowledge, was astounded. Elbert's neural conductivity and physical strength were off the charts. His only limitation was his body's physical density, the inherent strength of his cellular structure.
However, even that was surmountable. In combat situations, his consciousness could trigger an adrenaline surge, temporarily pushing his strength beyond its normal limits.
According to the Hell Leather Armor's analysis, his physical capabilities had increased by at least 7000 percent. He could now generate over 13000 pounds of force with a casual movement. It was enough to shatter mountains and tear through tanks like tissue paper.
On the cyborg strength scale, he was easily G-level or higher. The highest recorded cyborg level was B+.
Elbert was in a league of his own.
"Robert," he asked, "what kind of abilities do those B+ level cyborgs possess?"
He'd encountered two such cyborgs; Spade K and Steven. Their physical strength were inconsequential, but Steven's brainwashing… that was a different matter entirely. He'd used it to create a vast and powerful organization. If not for Elbert, he might've succeeded in reshaping the world order.
"Let's just say…" Robert began, his avatar shifting into a bespectacled professor, "those stories about folk masters and supernatural abilities… some of them are true."
Images flashed through Elbert's mind; an elderly man with unnaturally youthful skin, a figure cloaked in shadows summoning arcs of electricity, as well as a naked man walking through fire completely unscathed.
"These videos are real," Robert confirmed. "People dismiss them as tricks, or the information is suppressed. Most of these individuals end up recruited into government research programs."
He chuckled. "Not that they find much. It all boils down to genetic mutations; evolutionary quirks. Nature is full of surprises. Many creatures possess abilities that would seem supernatural to us."
"People don't find it odd that electric eels can discharge electricity. After all, they find that natural."
"There's also a type of volcanic rock shrimp that lives near deep-sea volcanic vents, in water temperatures around 842 degrees Fahrenheit. It's hard to cook them; if you put them in boiling water, they might even find it a bit cold!"
"Moreover, Steven's brain erosion has its basis too."
"The Japanese purple hairstreak butterfly, in its caterpillar stage, can control animals. It can make ants lose their aggression and even control them to fight."
Robert paced back and forth with his hands behind his back.
"Actually, many people have some degree of mutation. It's just that the abilities are too small to be noticed. However, it's different if they undergo modification experiments!"
"As their strength increases, these abilities will also manifest. Those B+ level cyborgs are in this situation!"
Elbert nodded silently, "Why don't I have these abilities?"
"You?"
Robert looked exasperated, "You're a new human, the future complete genetic form; you can have anything you want! Besides, what use are these little tricks with your current strength? Facing absolute power, they're useless!"
He pouted, "If you're interested in these little tricks, you can learn them. However you'll have to wait for the second stage of new human development—restriction liberation!"
"That is, human cell form liberation. Tiny cells, infinite changes, any ability is possible! However, I'd need to upgrade my sequence, to analyze and compile genes!"
Elbert nodded slightly, "Robert, I remember you said last time that you could upgrade your sequence again?"
"Always in a hurry," Robert muttered. "I'm still compiling data. I'm not some omniscient supercomputer, you know."
"Just asking," Elbert said with a sly grin.
"Hmph. I'm out of here." Robert's avatar vanished.
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