The Decaying Dream of America: I Assemble Corpses and Confront Madness

The café was filled with a strong, bitter, burnt smell, mixed with the damp air brought by the icy rain outside the window.

"This shows that Professor Finch's experiments were not isolated."

Evelyn Reed's fingertips gently traced the crystallized nerve sample, her shock replaced by a deep worry.

"The 'Gene Weaving' company that Arthur mentioned may be the precursor to Finch's 'Emotion-Rationality Dynamics' project, and there may be many such projects."

Lin Zheng felt a tremendous sense of powerlessness and exhaustion wash over him once again.

The city lights outside the café were blurred by the rain.

Only now did he realize that he was standing on the back of a colossal creature, unable to see the whole picture at a glance, only having a limited and partial view, like the blind men touching an elephant.

He uncovered the flesh-and-blood factories of the slums and the mind control within schools; these were merely parts of a vast system.

It uses the entire country as an altar for its sacrifices.

Professor Finch, and the entity behind him, is unimaginably large and unshakeable.

He was nothing more than a mantis trying to stop a chariot, or an ant trying to shake a tree—a mere speck of dust.

Lin Zheng's clenched fists trembled slightly, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his palms. This overwhelming difference in strength brought a profound sense of powerlessness.

He doubted himself, thinking he was just a low-level "Gundam" assembler who had been dragged into this, a student with poor research skills.

Whether everything he did was truly a moth drawn to a flame, ultimately failing to even create a ripple, and whether he would be "dealt with" like Josh Vic, with all clues disappearing without a trace.

Only the heavy breathing of the three people and the howling wind and rain outside the window remained in the air; the whole city seemed to be weeping silently.

Evelyn cleared her throat, trying to break the heavy silence.

"We have physical evidence against Josh."

Her voice no longer trembled; instead, she regained her resolve as a doctor.

"The crystallized nerve samples and microfiber implants are irrefutable evidence of Professor Finch's crimes."

"From a scientific point of view, the very existence of these things is enough to attract the attention of the academic community and government departments."

Her gaze toward Lin Zheng held hope, but also a hint of pleading.

"If the truth can be made public, Finch's research will have nowhere to hide."

Arthur Morgan's voice rang out again, and his hand patted Lin Zheng's shoulder heavily, the long-lost warmth coming from his rough palm.

"Kid, we're just the ones who start the fire, but you're the one who has to become the burning light. It's up to you to decide."

Although the old detective's eyes were tired, they revealed an unquenchable flame of justice, a stubbornness that refused to be extinguished even in the darkest abyss.

Lin Zheng has already rejected the normal; he wants to stand on the side of the abnormal, on the side of "treating people as human beings."

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, his Adam's apple bobbing with difficulty, suppressing all his fear and doubt.

He looked at Evelyn and Arthur, his eyes no longer filled with confusion, but instead with a calm, almost stubborn determination.

"I agreed."

His voice was soft, yet carried an undeniable certainty.

As the night outside the window was gradually replaced by the hazy dawn, Lin Zheng returned to his simple dwelling.

The room was filled with the smell of disinfectant and old dust, which was a normal part of his life and also part of his mental fortress.

He sat in a wobbly chair, re-examining his ability to "anatomize dreams".

This ability is his only weapon, and also a sharp blade that hangs over his head at all times. Every time he uses it, it severs his connection with the normal world.

Lin Zheng's gaze fell on a corner of the desk, where the pale blue crystallized nerve sample was placed.

In the dim light of dawn, it glows with a cold, eerie light. It is a sealed world, a universe in which countless intricate pains are intertwined.

He reached for the sample, stopping when his fingertips were millimeters away.

This is not an item that can be touched at will.

Each time he focused his mind on contact, he faced Josh Vick's despair before his death, further depleting his sanity.

Lin Zheng decided to carefully preserve the crystallized nerve sample and microfiber implant and carry them with him.

These were the key points through which he infiltrated Professor Finch's inner circle, and also the trump card he could only use in crucial moments.

He closed his eyes, trying to calm his inner turmoil. He knew that once he faced Professor Finch, he could no longer be just a "Gundam" assembler, merely dissecting and observing.

He will become an actor, an undercover agent, and a clear-headed individual walking on the edge of a knife.

He will play the role of a newly recruited research assistant who is eager for academic pursuits and deeply respects his professors, immersing himself in Finch's laboratory and social circles as a student.

Lin Zheng knew the importance of disguise. His main task was to secretly observe Finch's behavior patterns, look for clues about the experiment, and try to identify other possible victims.

Every step he took was fraught with risk; a glance, a gesture, or even an unconscious habit could expose him to the watchful eye of Professor Finch, a highly intelligent hunter.

He picked up an old book from the bedside table; his name and major were scrawled on the title page.

His dream was to become a top bioengineer, but the harsh reality and his lack of academic ability led him astray, turning him into a "Gundam-building" technician who made a living by assembling dead people.

His original plan was to work under his current mentor for a few years, and then quickly return to China.

Now, he doesn't participate in a high-end project for research and results, but to expose the darkness behind knowledge.

This plan is extremely risky; every step is teetering on the edge of a precipice.

If you take the wrong step, you will fall into the abyss.

He re-examined the gradually brightening sky outside the window; the city appeared exceptionally pale after being washed by the icy rain.

Miskatonic University.

The afternoon icy rain continued to fall in a drizzle, shrouding the entire Emerald Dream City in a hazy gray.

He picked up his phone, and the moment his fingertips touched the screen, he felt an unprecedented pressure.

This is the last door before he steps into the abyss.

Taking a deep breath, he tried to suppress his fear and vigilance, and lightly tapped his finger to dial the phone number for Professor Finch's office.

The phone was answered quickly after only two rings, without a long wait or an inappropriate secretary.

"Oh, is this Mr. Lin?"

Professor Finch's gentle yet magnetic voice possessed an indescribable charm.

All the surrounding noise was swallowed up by it, leaving only Lin Zheng's own heartbeat echoing violently deep in his eardrums.

The voice carried a seductive power, causing Lin Zheng's mental barrier to tremble slightly, as if an invisible hand was trying to pull him into a gentle yet dangerous vortex.

Professor Finch's voice carried just the right amount of surprise, as if he had anticipated this phone call.

Lin Zheng took a deep breath, trying to make his voice sound slightly tired, yet full of thirst for knowledge, like a student who had long yearned for knowledge.

"Yes, Professor Finch."

His voice was a little dry, but he tried his best to keep it steady.

"I have carefully considered your invitation and have also... studied several of your papers published in Advances in Psychological Science."

He paused for a moment, mimicking his stereotype of scholars, trying to project the image of an "academic fan".

"I think your project, 'Emotional-Intellectual Dynamics in Urban Environments,' will be groundbreaking."

Professor Finch chuckled softly on the other end of the phone, a laugh that easily penetrated Lin Zheng's eardrums, carrying a subtle confidence and amusement.

"I am deeply honored to receive Mr. Lin's recognition. I also have very high expectations for your research talent."

Lin Zheng's heart was pounding faster, but he remained calm on the surface, continuing this psychological game.

"I feel deeply honored to have the opportunity to participate in such cutting-edge research."

He emphasized the word "honor," attempting to cater to Professor Finch's arrogance.

"Therefore, I accept your invitation. I am ready to report to you at any time."

Professor Finch's voice became more cheerful, even carrying a hint of barely perceptible anticipation.

"Very good, Lin, I look forward to working with you."

"My lab will be open to you, and I am very much looking forward to the research we will be conducting together."

Lin Zheng hung up the phone.

He looked out the window; night had completely fallen.

The magnificent spire of Miskatonic University is faintly visible in the distance.

He knew that this was no longer the ivory tower of light and knowledge he had once longed for.