Chapter Twenty-Seven: Dr. Gates

Biological optical brain—what could that be? Luo Chen was perplexed. He had heard of computers, those marvels of high technology from the era of ancient civilization. Their functions were many: unrivaled computational power, vast information storage capacity; a single computer could easily hold the knowledge of tens of millions of books from the Weston Academy Library.

Yet this most significant technological advancement in human history had long since vanished during the dark period of calamity, when the beasts first invaded Earth. It had become mere legend. Though some electronic technologies survived in later centuries, they evolved only to complement martial arts and warfare, never to restore the computer to the world.

Luo Chen had only encountered records of computers in an ancient tome at the academy's library; otherwise, he would never have known such wonders once existed in the old civilization. But as for the biological optical brain, it was utterly foreign to him.

At that moment, Nicole continued, “I am inside the ring on your left hand. As for where we met, it was in the Hungry Ghost Marsh of the Forest of Fear.”

Luo Chen exclaimed, “You saved me?”

“Yes. But you were already unconscious, so you didn’t notice. Luckily, I arrived in time—had I been ten seconds later, we might never have met.”

Given the circumstances then, Luo Chen would have perished in mere seconds.

“Thank you.” Despite the many questions swirling in his mind, Luo Chen felt compelled to thank his life-saver.

“No need, Master. In truth, I should be the one grateful to you. If not for your arrival, I might still be buried underground, waiting who knows how long to see the light of day.”

“Regardless, Nicole, could you explain everything in more detail?” Luo Chen smiled wryly. “To be honest, I’m still bewildered. What are you exactly, to be able to hide within a tiny ring?”

“Very well. I must begin with my origin. My creator—you have heard of him. There’s mention of him in your Weston Academy history textbooks. His name is Gates, Dr. Gates.”

Dr. Gates!

Luo Chen drew a sharp breath. The name was indeed familiar. As Nicole said, he was a figure never omitted from the history books of Weston Academy, nor from any academy within the Eternal Alliance.

But Dr. Gates was infamous, notorious to the extreme. He bore the name “Demonic Guide,” blamed as the culprit who led the beasts to Earth and plunged humanity into catastrophe.

History books ought to record events objectively, but in the chapters concerning Dr. Gates, the writers’ contempt is unmistakable, painting him as a monstrous traitor, a hatred nearly palpable, short of outright profanity in the textbooks. Thus, every student grew up influenced by this portrayal, seeing Dr. Gates as the embodiment of evil. In religious scriptures, he was denounced as Satan’s servant.

Hearing the name Dr. Gates, Luo Chen erupted in anger and shock. “You mean you were created by that fiend?”

“Nonsense! The doctor was no fiend. He was once the world’s greatest, most brilliant scientist!” Nicole’s voice was tinged with anger, but she quickly calmed. “Forgive me, Master. My emotions got the better of me. But what you’ve read in the history books is a twisted account. I cannot bear to see my creator—whom I respect as a father—slandered so unjustly!”

Luo Chen frowned. “Then tell me—what are the true facts?”

Nicole spoke slowly, “Dr. Gates was a genius. In the twenty-first century—the pinnacle of technological glory, when talent abounded—his brilliance outshone all others. As Minister of the United Nations Science Research Division, Dr. Gates made tremendous contributions to humanity. His greatest achievement was his theory of alternate dimensions, and he successfully discovered a parallel universe intersecting with Earth. Moreover, he detected, besides abundant energy, unusual life signals—possibly extremely dangerous creatures. Dr. Gates was cautious. He believed humanity should not rush to explore this dimension until its dangers were fully understood and proper safeguards established.”

Luo Chen questioned, “But history seems to have unfolded contrary to his intentions.”

Nicole replied, “That was not Dr. Gates’s decision. He was responsible only for scientific research. The real authority was Antonio, then Secretary-General of the United Nations. Antonio couldn’t afford to wait—his term was ending, and he needed achievements to bolster his candidacy against his rival. Antonio believed humanity’s advanced weapons and military could easily wipe out any dangerous creatures, so, disregarding Dr. Gates’s warnings, he persuaded the council to support his decision and recklessly advanced into the alternate dimension. The consequences were disastrous, and you know what followed.”

Luo Chen was puzzled. “If things were as you say, Dr. Gates shouldn’t have been branded a criminal.”

“Indeed. The catastrophe was Antonio’s fault, but he represented the council, which refused to accept blame. To restore public trust, they needed a scapegoat—not a political subordinate, but someone prominent enough to deflect responsibility. Dr. Gates became the perfect candidate. The council accused him of insufficiently investigating the alternate dimension and failing to detect hidden dangers. From then on, Dr. Gates was reviled by the ignorant masses, burdened with a wrongful infamy.” As Nicole spoke, her voice trembled with righteous indignation.

“How do you know all this?” Luo Chen asked, still skeptical. Nicole’s words had shaken him; it was hard to reconcile them with the history books’ portrayal of the notorious Demonic Guide.

“Because I was created by Dr. Gates. He was like a father to me—I know him best.” Nicole continued, “After being wronged and vilified by the council, Dr. Gates quietly vanished, retreating to a secret laboratory he had built. He was deeply resentful—not only were his contributions erased, but he was maligned, and he mourned for those suffering in the catastrophe. He resolved to use his intellect to change everything and save the endangered world.”

Nicole paused briefly. “Dr. Gates discovered the source of the beasts’ power—the new energy in the alternate dimension, which you now call spiritual energy. He believed that if beasts could grow strong nourished by spiritual energy, so could humans. This became his research focus. He named the new project—God Emperor.”

[Thanks to all my brothers for the support. In the first week, the Thief soared onto the newcomer rankings, but the battle isn’t over yet. There’s a second week, a third week... The newcomer list is full of strong contenders, and many who published alongside me are formidable rivals. Either they surpass me, or I surpass them—the battle is fierce and brutal. So I need you all to keep supporting me through the new week, to keep me climbing up. A deep, 360-degree bow of gratitude~~~]