"What’s that supposed to mean?"
"That is what I am about to explain. If you would listen patiently, Executioner Yuan Qiuyuan, you wouldn’t have to ask."
Tian Yu raised her pointer, and the image on the screen changed to show a brain-like object covered in numerous tentacles.
"The brains of Third Limit Fighters are highly Mutated, and they tend to possess immense Spiritual Power, so they can usually keep themselves in check. But that doesn’t mean they never lose control. When they do, it manifests differently. In most cases..."
She pointed her pointer at the bizarre brain on the screen. "Even if it gains its own consciousness, it will stay put. But the person is no longer the same person.
They are more cunning and intelligent, not driven by pure instinct. They observe their surroundings, perfectly mimicking the original host’s appearance, habits, and every little mannerism. Even those who knew the person well would have a hard time telling the difference.
But there’s another possibility: it doesn’t even know it has changed." At this, she pushed up her glasses and looked at her audience. "It might even still believe it’s a normal human being."
Yuan Qiuyuan clicked his tongue.
The female subordinate then raised her hand.
Tian Yu looked over. "Executioner Qin Qingque, do you have a question?"
Qin Qingque asked earnestly, "Instructor Tian, if someone like that is among us, how are we supposed to identify them?"
"Good question. We have a metric for assessing this: the ’Activation Index.’
The Activity Index is scaled from zero to one hundred. Anything over thirty is considered the warning stage. Above sixty is the danger stage, and above ninety is the metamorphosis stage. One hundred signifies the completion stage."
She paused, then said gravely, "At that point, it’s irreversible."
She walked to the side and turned on the lights. Then, using her Realm Token, she sent a notification. Three orderlies entered, walked over to Chen Chuan and his team, and handed each of them a metal case.
Tian Yu said, "These are ’Active Lines.’ By connecting this to your Realm Token, you can see your Activity Index in real-time."
The three of them opened the cases. Inside, each contained what looked like a coiled, jade-colored tendril, which was quite beautiful. The moment one of them reached for it, the object stirred. One end spontaneously coiled around their wrist, while the other connected to their Realm Token.
Chen Chuan tested it. The line felt incredibly durable, yet didn’t hinder his movements at all. Once it was connected, a single green number appeared on his Realm Token.
Zero.
Tian Yu explained, "The ’Active Line’ constantly senses the active changes in your body. The number will be green during the normal stage, yellow during the warning stage, and red during the danger stage.
Squad members can choose to share their readings with each other. I strongly recommend you do so. That way, even if you fail to notice a change in yourself, your teammates can spot the problem in time.
Oh, and I forgot to mention something. Once the brain of a Third Limit Fighter undergoes Activation, the body is no longer its most important component. Under certain conditions, it might even switch to a new host.
The closest teammate is the most convenient choice. It will kill its teammate, enter the body, devour the brain, and take up residence inside the now-empty skull.
Yuan Qiuyuan grimaced. "How disgusting."
Tian Yu said, "That’s why you must monitor your own Activation Index, as well as your teammates’. If it gets too high, you need to find a way to bring it down.
Third Limit Fighters can usually do this through sheer spiritual suppression, but the effect is mediocre at best. We have specialists here who will teach you a more effective Breathing Technique designed specifically to counteract Activation.
Since you’ll be operating in the field and might not have time for this after intense combat, there is also special medication that can provide temporary suppression."
She stressed, "But do your best not to become reliant on the medication. Because once you adapt to it, the Activated part of you might adapt as well."
At that, Qin Qingque raised her hand again. Once permitted, she asked, "Instructor Tian, I have one more question. Is the brain the only part that can be Activated?"
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