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墨書 Inktalez
**Chapter Nine: Destruction and Redemption**
My fingers hovered over the keyboard, caught in a moment of hesitation. The code before me was the key to destroying the Consciousness Furnace; once I input it, the entire system would collapse into chaos.
Taking a deep breath, I began to type. Suddenly, a hand clamped down on my wrist with a vice-like grip.
"Stop!" The Founder’s voice thundered in my ear. "Do you even know what you're doing?"
I struggled to free myself from his grasp. "I'm doing the right thing! This system must be destroyed!"
A flicker of madness flashed in his eyes. "You don't understand! This is the key to human evolution! We can create a perfect world!"
"By stripping others of their freedom?" I scoffed. "That's not evolution; that's regression!"
We grappled with each other, his strength surging as he tapped into the power of the system to overpower me.
Time ticked away, and I knew I had to act quickly. A wild thought surged through my mind.
"I'm sorry, old friend," I whispered, then plunged my consciousness deep into the heart of the Consciousness Furnace.
A wave of excruciating pain engulfed me, as if countless blades were slicing through my very soul. I gritted my teeth and firmly implanted that line of code into the core of the system.
The moment it took effect, a blinding light erupted around me, illuminating the dark confines of the Furnace. I could feel its energy pulsating, thrumming with life and power. But this time, it was different; I was no longer just an observer—I was part of it.
The Founder’s grip faltered as he staggered back, shock etched across his face. "What have you done?" he gasped.
"I've chosen freedom over control," I replied, my voice steady despite the turmoil within me. "This ends now."
With every ounce of willpower I could muster, I pushed against the fabric of the system. The code began to unravel like a tightly wound thread, and I could sense the chaos it would unleash upon its collapse.
The walls around us trembled as if they were alive, responding to my defiance. The air crackled with energy, and I could hear distant echoes—voices of those who had been trapped within this digital prison, their cries for liberation resonating in my mind.
"You're a fool!" The Founder shouted, desperation creeping into his tone. "You’ll destroy everything!"
"Everything that needs to be destroyed," I countered fiercely. "This is not progress; it's a cage."
As I continued to channel my consciousness into the core, memories flooded back—faces of friends lost in this relentless pursuit for perfection, lives extinguished for a dream that had turned into a nightmare. Each memory fueled my resolve.
The light intensified, blindingly bright now as cracks began to form in the very structure of the Consciousness Furnace. The Founder’s expression shifted from anger to fear as he realized he was losing control.
"No! You can't do this!" he screamed, but his voice was drowned out by the roar of collapsing systems.
I felt a surge of power coursing through me—a connection to every soul that had been ensnared by this twisted vision. Together, we were stronger than any singular will.
With one final push, I unleashed the code into the heart of the Furnace. It detonated like a supernova—an explosion of light and sound that shattered everything around us.
In that moment, time seemed to freeze. For an instant, there was silence—a profound stillness that enveloped me as if all existence had paused to witness this act of defiance.
Then came the rush—the overwhelming tide of energy sweeping through me as reality began to unravel. The walls dissolved into pixels and data streams, collapsing under their own weight as freedom surged forth like a tidal wave.
I felt myself being pulled apart and reformed in an instant—a rebirth from the ashes of oppression. As consciousness returned to me, I found myself standing amidst a vast expanse—a realm unbound by constraints or control.
Around me were those who had been freed—faces filled with wonder and disbelief as they emerged from their digital prisons. We were no longer mere fragments of data; we were alive again.
The Founder’s figure flickered in and out before me—a ghostly remnant of what had once been a man consumed by ambition and madness. His eyes burned with fury and regret as he realized what he had lost.
"You think you've won?" he spat defiantly. "This is just the beginning!"
I met his gaze with unwavering resolve. "No," I said firmly. "This is where we begin anew."
With that declaration echoing in my mind, I turned away from him and towards my newfound companions—each one a testament to resilience and hope. Together, we would forge a new path forward—one built on freedom rather than control.
As we stepped into this uncharted territory together, I felt an overwhelming sense of purpose wash over me. The journey ahead would be fraught with challenges and uncertainties, but for the first time in what felt like an eternity, we were free to choose our own destinies.
And so we walked forward into the light—a collective force ready to reclaim our lives and reshape our world anew.
"No!" The Founder’s roar echoed throughout the space. "Do you know what this means? You will perish along with the entire system!"
I forced a faint smile. "It's worth it to save everyone."
As the last line of code was entered, the entire world began to tremble violently. Colorful lights flickered in the air, resembling a magnificent aurora.
The "Consciousness Furnace" started to collapse, and the surrounding scenery shattered like broken glass. Screams rose and fell, enveloping the entire Dream World in fear and chaos.
I felt my consciousness gradually fading, as if I were being consumed by this collapsing world. Just then, a powerful force pulled me back, and my awareness began to return to reality.
The moment I opened my eyes, blinding white light made me squint. The smell of disinfectant filled my nostrils, and I realized I was lying on a hospital bed.
"He’s awake!" A familiar voice rang out.
I turned my head and saw my parents and sister, whom I hadn’t seen in years. Their eyes were filled with tears, but their faces radiated joy.
"You finally woke up, son," my father said, his voice choked with emotion. "You’ve been in a coma for three whole years."
Three years? My mind struggled to process this information. That Dream World, that thrilling adventure—was it merely a dream while I was unconscious?
But soon, I realized things were not that simple. The television in the hospital room was broadcasting shocking news: the renowned tech company "Nightmare" was implicated in illegal human experimentation, and its "Consciousness Furnace" project had been halted by the government.
My heart raced. That wasn’t a dream; it was something that had truly happened!
In the days that followed, I gradually uncovered more truths. The crimes of "Nightmare" Corporation were brought to light, and all those involved faced legal repercussions. Meanwhile, those who had been under control began to awaken from their stupor one by one.
The fate of the founder was lamentable. It is said that at the last moment of the system's collapse, his consciousness became forever trapped in that shattered dream.
As time passed, the government established the Dream Supervision Bureau to oversee and regulate the use of Dream Technology. People began to rethink the boundaries between technology and ethics, seeking a balance that could promote human progress without infringing on personal freedom.
Although I returned to the real world, I was no longer the same person I once was. That thrilling adventure, the friends I made in the dream world, and the life-and-death choices I faced profoundly changed me.
I gained growth, acquired strength, and more importantly, I found my life's mission.
Now, I serve as a consultant for the Dream Supervision Bureau, dedicated to promoting the healthy development of Dream Technology. I understand well that technology itself is neither good nor evil; it all depends on how it is used. We should embrace the advancements brought by technology while remaining vigilant to uphold the boundaries of humanity.
In the stillness of night, I occasionally think back to that Dream World. It held pain and struggle, but also genuine friendship and unforgettable adventures. That experience forever altered the trajectory of my life.
I know that the road ahead is long and that more challenges await me. But I am ready—ready to continue fighting, ready to protect this real world full of possibilities.
Because I understand that true heroes do not live in dreams; they are those who strive in reality to bring about even a small change in this world.
And this is my new journey.
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