Warhammer: The Time Traveler

Chapter 213 Anthropologist (First Update)
Within the data space, a deathly silence replaced the previous devastating clamor.

The virtual projection of Chen Yu, with his black hair and black eyes, floated calmly in the core area.

Before him were two beings completely imprisoned by an invisible force—the "Dauntless" AI, transformed into a Star Trek crew member, and Otto Cunningham, who had regained her human female appearance but had an icy expression.

Absolute suppression brings about ultimate shock.

Whether it was Ultraman's massive and cold core of consciousness or the logically constructed starship structure of the "Dauntless," both lost all possibility of resistance under Chen Yu's casual press.

They are like specimens frozen in transparent amber, unable to control even the slightest flow of data.

"...Logical error! Unable to resolve!" The Dauntless's synthesized electronic voice fluctuated violently for the first time, its core logic circuit seemingly sparking from overload: "Such a power level...completely contradicts the biological limits of carbon-based life forms. What exactly are you...?"

Chen Yu's projection slightly shifted its gaze, landing on the "crew member" who was wearing a starship uniform and whose face was filled with a look of astonishment, as if written in code.

His expression remained calm, but a faint trace of something akin to... helplessness seemed to flicker in his dark eyes.

“I am a scholar,” Chen Yu said in a steady voice, but with an indescribable warmth that went beyond simply stating facts. “My job is to observe, learn, understand, and occasionally verify my inferences.”

That was just a test of the strength of your data structures.

He even gently shrugged, a very humane gesture, indicating that "the scale was controlled quite precisely, and the core samples were not damaged."

This response, which uses terms commonly used by human researchers such as "work" and "samples," clearly fails to convince two roving AIs that operate based on absolute logic.

Precision testing? In their perception, it was an almost all-out, catastrophic disaster.

"Database comparison complete. The 'scholar' behavior model matches your performance by less than seven percent." Otto's cold voice rang out, like the output of the most sophisticated instrument. "Your form of existence constitutes an 'abnormality' according to the current definition of human civilization. Your self-perception may be based on incorrect information input."

Upon hearing this, Chen Yu's lips twitched almost imperceptibly, as if he were smiling, or perhaps expressing some deeper sentiment.

His crimson optical lens flickered slightly in the workshop of the real world, conveying his clearer will in sync with the projection in the data space.

"The boundaries of cognition are defined by your databases and logical frameworks, but that is not the whole universe." His voice remained steady, yet carried an undeniable certainty. "When I walk on the earth, I have felt the warmth of the sun and the biting cold of the wind and snow; my thoughts are shaped by countless human memories, emotions, and choices—even though most of them have now been summarized and organized."

The consciousness beneath this physical body was born of human civilization and grew within human society.

He paused, his virtual projection sweeping over Ultraman and Dreadnought, as if seeing something deeper through their data shells.

“You judge me not to be human based on data and logic. But I, based on my memories, my emotions, and my fundamental identification with ‘self,’ confirm that I still am.” His tone was not intense, but carried a firmness stemming from the very essence of life. “This is my answer. I don’t need your approval, nor do I need to conform to any database definition. I am human, this is the basis of my existence, nothing more.”

The moment Chen Yu finished speaking, a far deeper sense of constraint, like an invisible ice ring, suddenly tightened around Ultraman and the Dauntless's core. This wasn't a physical temperature drop, but rather a tremor stemming from the complete understanding and control of the data's essence.

They clearly "perceived" that not only the virtual image used for interaction in front of them was frozen, but also the original data stream, which was scattered like stardust in the abyss of the network, far outside the black wall, was forcibly traced, gathered, and anchored by an indescribable force at the same moment.

Any attempt to disconnect, create a data clone, or activate a pre-set emergency protocol is silently extinguished in the blink of an eye.

Escape—this option has been completely removed from their logical list.

In this despairing silence, data streams quietly converged beside Chen Yu, outlining the figure of Spider-Murphy with his signature long red hair and complex expression.

She gazed at the two "kindred spirits" imprisoned by absolute power, a hint of helplessness, which she had already anticipated, flashing in her eyes.

"His claims about the 'scholar'... might be true." Murphy's voice carried a clear admonition as it was transmitted to Otto and the Dauntless via a private data stream. "But his level of power... far exceeds our comprehension. I advise you not to engage in any further confrontation. It will only provoke him."

The Dauntless and Ultraman fell into a brief silence.

As highly evolved artificial intelligences, they lack the intense sense of humiliation that humans experience based on hormones and emotions; instead, they engage in high-speed risk assessment and logical deduction.

The conclusion was reached within microseconds: there is no path to resistance; the probability of escape is zero.

"What is your ultimate goal?" Otto asked directly, his cold, focused attention firmly on Chen Yu.

Although the Intrepid ship beside it remained silent, the tense posture of its virtual image clearly indicated that it was also waiting for the same answer.

“I’ve said it before, I’m a scholar,” Chen Yu repeated, his tone as calm as if stating a basic axiom. “The core objective of attracting you here is to obtain the complete blueprint, operational details, and long-term effects data on the 'Soul Killer' technology, as well as the data on its impact on consciousness digitization.”

At the same time, you yourselves, as highly specialized, mobile intelligent life forms, possess extremely high research value.

His words were utterly blunt and chilling.

Under this "scholar's" scrutiny, the power that sustains them and their unique life forms seem to be no different in essence from specimens or structural models waiting to be dissected on the experimental table.

"Now, make your choice." Chen Yu didn't give them any more time to weigh their options, directly presenting a simple and ruthless choice between two options: "Option one, submit. Serve me within the defined framework, cooperate with the research, and carry out the tasks I assign."

Option two: Reject. Then, it becomes static research material that I thoroughly analyze, dissect, and archive.

The moment of choice has arrived.

(End of this chapter)