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Code Implantation: Nightmare Elimination Plan
墨書 Inktalez
My name is Gu Qing, a recent college graduate feeling a bit lost.
The sunlight during graduation season was glaring, yet my heart was shrouded in clouds. After finally completing my psychology major, I found myself like a drifting weed, struggling to land a job and facing repeated setbacks.
After yet another failed interview, I squatted by the roadside, staring blankly at my phone screen. I had lost count of how many times I refreshed the job recruitment app when an inconspicuous message caught my eye—"Nightmare Company is hiring a Dream Architect."
What is this? I frowned.
The job description left me baffled, but the salary was dazzling. After much hesitation, I decided to apply.
To my surprise, I received an interview notification the very next day.
The company was located in an ordinary office building in the city center. The moment I pushed open the door, I was taken aback.
What lay before me was not an office but clearly a laboratory. People in white coats moved back and forth, and various instruments beeped and whirred. I swallowed hard, contemplating whether to make a run for it when a bespectacled middle-aged man approached me.
"Gu Qing? Follow me."
Before I could react, I was pulled into a small room. For the next two hours, I underwent the strangest interview of my life.
There were all sorts of bizarre psychological tests, nonsensical situational simulations, and a bunch of professional jargon I had never even heard of. By the end of it all, I felt like a lab rat being tossed around, dizzy and disoriented.
"Alright, you can go now," the man with glasses finally spoke. "Wait for our notification."
I stumbled out of the building, thinking that this job was probably not going to happen.
The next morning, my phone exploded with notifications. It was an offer from "Nightmare" company.
I stared at the astronomical salary, unsure whether to feel happy or worried. What exactly did this job entail? Why would they offer so much money?
“Dad, Mom, I found a job,” I said cautiously during dinner.
“Really? Where?” My mom's eyes lit up.
“Uh... a company called 'Nightmare.'”
“Nightmare?” My dad frowned. “I’ve never heard of it. What do they do?”
I stammered through an explanation, even I felt the job sounded dubious.
“Son,” my dad put down his chopsticks, his expression serious, “you need to think this through. These days, money doesn’t just fall from the sky; be careful not to get scammed.”
My mom chimed in with her worries: “Exactly, it’s better to find a stable job. Look at the son of Old Zhang next door; he got into a bank—how impressive!”
I lowered my head and picked at my food, feeling anxious.
That night, lying in bed, I tossed and turned, unable to sleep. On one side was the outrageous salary; on the other was the vague job description. Logic told me to heed my parents' advice, but deep down, a voice urged me: what’s the harm in giving it a try?
As dawn broke, I made my decision.
"I went," I said to my reflection in the mirror, "if it doesn't work out, I can always quit."
On my first day at "Nightmare" Company, I walked in with a sense of trepidation.
"Welcome aboard," the receptionist smiled as she handed me a document. "Please sign the confidentiality agreement first."
I glanced over it quickly; the dense clauses made my head spin. The last one stood out particularly: any disclosure of work content is strictly prohibited, with severe penalties for violators.
After signing, I was led into a classroom. About ten other young people, roughly my age, were already seated there.
"Ladies and gentlemen," a middle-aged man stepped up to the podium, "welcome to 'Nightmare.' From today on, you are all Dream Architects."
The training that followed completely shattered my understanding of reality.
It turned out that "Nightmare" Company was a high-tech enterprise specializing in Dream Technology. And we, the Dream Architects, were to learn how to manipulate other people's dreams.
"Dreams are not just ethereal illusions," the Instructor explained. "They are projections of the human subconscious. With our technology, you can enter someone else's dream and even alter its content."
I listened in stunned silence. Wasn't this the plot of a science fiction movie?
"Now, please put on your helmets," the Instructor instructed. "Let's begin our first dream experience."
Nervously, I donned the device that resembled VR equipment. As darkness enveloped me and I opened my eyes again, I found myself standing in a vast wasteland.
The sky was an eerie shade of purple, with a few floating islands in the distance. A winged cat flew past me.
"Is this... a dream?" I murmured to myself.
"Indeed," came the voice of the Instructor from behind me. "This is a standard training scenario generated by AI. Here, you can attempt to change everything around you."
Skeptical, I reached out my hand, thinking about wanting a can of cola.
Bang! An ice-cold can of cola appeared out of thin air in my hand.
I was so startled that I nearly dropped the cola. This was incredible!
For the next while, I indulged in the dreamscape. If I wanted a castle, there it was; if I wanted to soar into the sky, I could fly. The feeling of being unrestrained was utterly addictive.
"Time's up," the Instructor's voice rang out again. "Get ready to exit."
Reluctantly, I opened my eyes and found myself still sitting in the classroom. Yet, that sense of freedom lingered on.
"How was the experience?" a deep male voice asked beside me.
I turned to see a stern-looking man who had somehow appeared next to me.
"It was amazing," I said sincerely. "I can hardly believe it was real."
The man nodded, "I am Shen Mo, your mentor. You can ask me any questions you have in the future."
"Thank you, Mentor Shen!" I said excitedly. "I have so many questions to ask! For example..."
"Now is not the time for questions," Shen Mo interrupted me. "Remember the company's rules: do not discuss unrelated matters during work hours."
I closed my mouth awkwardly. Shen Mo turned and left, leaving a chill in the air.
In the following days, I gradually adapted to the rhythm of Nightmare Corporation. I arrived at nine every morning, donned my helmet, and entered Dream World. After lunch, there were theoretical classes, and in the evenings, I had to stay late to practice.
Slowly, I realized that the atmosphere here was completely different from what I had imagined a tech company to be. There were no lighthearted conversations or open creative discussions. Everyone moved hurriedly, as if shrouded in an invisible pressure.
"Hey, what do you think of this job?" one day, I couldn't help but ask my colleague Xiao Zhang.
Xiao Zhang glanced around warily and lowered his voice. "Don't ask such questions; it will get you into trouble."
I was taken aback. What was going on? Why was even ordinary conversation off-limits?
The more I pondered, the more questions filled my mind. Was this job a blessing or a curse? Had I found an opportunity in life or stumbled into a dangerous trap?
Looking at my slightly haggard reflection in the mirror, I felt doubt for the first time about my choice.
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