Wizard: Unlimited Profession Slots Chapter 762 - 348: Storm Messenger (Part 3)

The pinnacle rune control mechanism forms the most enigmatic core of this entire apparatus.

Hundreds of intricate three-dimensional runes hover suspended in the atmosphere.

Every rune spins, morphs, and rearranges at varied rhythms, crafting a mesmerizing 3D spectacle of shifting patterns.

"Ladies and gentlemen."

Ron positions himself ahead of the apparatus, confronting the assembled crowd.

His tone, boosted by magical force, echoes through every nook of the testing chamber with an innate commanding presence:

"Today, we will witness a significant breakthrough in the field of Abyss exploration training."

Miller occupies a front-row seat, his features blending eagerness with skepticism.

As a battle-hardened expedition captain, he fully grasps the flaws in conventional training approaches:

"Ralph, to be honest, I’m still a bit worried about your device."

His speech reflects the candid directness hallmarks of true explorers:

"We’ve seen too many seemingly great new inventions that ultimately cost lives. Can you guarantee this thing is really safe?"

Ron values Miller’s no-nonsense outlook and welcomes the doubt:

"Captain Miller, I understand your concerns. In fact, safety was our primary consideration during the design."

He gestures at the rune formation dangling over the apparatus:

"We’ve established a triple independent safety mechanism.

A physical emergency circuit break can cut off all energy supply within 0.1 seconds;

A mental anchoring system ensures the user’s consciousness never fully detaches from reality;

And a forced exit program that can pull the user’s consciousness back to reality within three seconds no matter what happens."

Wayne, acting as overseer, lifts his hand, his partially stone-like visage etched with concern:

"But... but directly controlling human consciousness has already touched on some taboo areas."

His words drip with profound apprehension:

"History is full of examples where excessive pursuit of technological breakthroughs led to disasters..."

A momentary hush descends upon the testing chamber, as Wayne’s remarks strike at a primal fear shared by many.

"Supervisor Wayne."

Ron keeps his composure steady, though a keen spark ignites in his gaze:

"I understand your concern, but consider the reality we face.

Every month, explorers die in the Abyss due to lack of preparation. Isn’t their death a greater taboo?"

His argument pulses with irrefutable reason:

"Scientific progress always involves risks, but that doesn’t mean we should stand still.

The key is how to reasonably control these risks, not to forego progress out of fear."

Dale lingers in a shadowy corner of the testing chamber, her golden gaze keenly tracking faint atmospheric shifts.

Via a psychic connection, she relays her findings to Ron:

"Master, the humidity distribution around the device is very even, with no signs of energy leakage.

All magic power flows are within preset parameters."

"Very good."

Ron nods approvingly, then turns to the volunteer explorer:

"Rex, are you sure you want to proceed with the test?"

Rex, a veteran from Miller’s squad, is a burly thirty-something with a bushy beard.

A jagged scar marks his left arm, a grim souvenir from his latest Abyss delve.

Lately, his reflexes and decision-making have waned, necessitating this specialized drill.

"Since the Captain trusts you, what do I have to worry about?"

Rex booms with laughter, though unease flickers in his stare:

"However, let me preface by saying, if this thing messes up my brain, my family will surely come after you."

The hall fills with warm chuckles, lightening the heavy mood.

"Then I must be doubly careful."

Ron cracks a uncommon grin, joining the banter:

"I wouldn’t want to be responsible for taking care of your family."

Laughter swells across the chamber.

Rex strides to the central consciousness interface platform, an ergonomic throne tailored for immersion.

The throne’s skin gleams with a permeable bio-layer that molds seamlessly to the occupant’s form.

Upon settling in, the bio-layer softly cradles his frame.

Dozens of fine neural filaments snake out from the seat, linking precisely to vital nerve junctions.

"How do you feel?"

Ron asks, eyes fixed on streaming vital stats.

"A bit itchy, but not uncomfortable."

Rex replies candidly:

"Like someone is lightly stroking my skin."

"Good, this indicates the neural access is working properly."

Ron initiates the system’s modules:

"Now I will start the consciousness access program.

You will experience slight dizziness, which is normal.

Remember, this is just a simulation, not the real Abyss."

The apparatus hums with a deep, pulsing cadence as activation begins.

The neural strands twitch faster, while glittering motes in the nutrient fluid dance like swarming fireflies.

The rune cluster swiftly reconfigures into an elaborate 3D oversight grid.

"Consciousness access initiated, target environment: Abyss second layer simulation area."

Ron’s delivery turns crisp and technical:

"Danger level set to beginner, the system will adjust in real-time according to the tester’s reaction."

Rex’s lids droop heavily as his mind slips into an alien realm.

Soon, his form slackens completely, breaths deepening into steady cycles.

The chamber’s viewers glimpse his virtual ordeal via the apparatus’s display.

The monitor reveals the warped vistas signature to the Abyss’s second layer.

Countless space orbs of diverse scales meander lazily, each pocket harboring unique biomes.

"This is the real environment of the second layer."

Captain Miller briefs the novice explorers nearby:

"It looks chaotic, but it actually has its own order. The key is to learn to adapt to this chaos."

Rex’s avatar on-screen threads warily amid the drifting orbs.

His motions exude expertise, marking him as a hardened veteran.

Yet peril strikes swiftly.

A corrosion bug bursts from the emptiness, its frame like a see-through jellyfish brimming with corrosive venom.

This fiend ranks among the second layer’s frequent hazards, scavenging carrion yet eager for live prey.

Rex snaps into battle stance, unsheathing his rune dagger to clash with the lethal foe.

To everyone’s astonishment, the simulated bug mimics a genuine beast flawlessly.

Its strike timing, path of motion, and wound responses replicate authenticity perfectly.

"This level of realism..."

A junior technician gasps in wonder:

"It’s just like bringing a real monster into the virtual environment."

Even greater is the system’s dynamic scaling.

As Rex dispatches the initial bug with ease, the apparatus gauges his prowess and ramps up the peril.

A second bug materializes, then a third...

An elite variant emerges too, its hide crackling with toxic sparks.

"The system is analyzing the tester’s reaction speed, judgment ability, and combat skills in real-time."

Ron addresses the onlookers:

"It will continuously adjust the threat intensity to ensure the training difficulty remains optimal.

It won’t be too easy to lower vigilance, nor too hard to make people despair."

After a full hour, the apparatus deems the session’s objectives met.

Rex’s virtual exploits receive a thorough assessment, pinpointing his precise shortcomings.