Having successfully enslaved Anomalous Item-1026, Luo Shu began sifting through its memories—only to be sorely disappointed.
The anomaly's mind was a kaleidoscope of faces, reflections of every victim who had ever seen their "familiar person" in it.
Other people's memories held no interest for him.
He only cared about his own.
Yet, the sole reflection Item-1026 had drawn from Luo Shu was that one image—the soft-featured, ordinary man in the mirror.
"Seems even mental strength has its downsides."
Item-1026 couldn't dredge up anything deeper from his psyche.
With a sigh, he flipped open the Anomalous Item Compendium.
[Page: 162]
[Item No.: Anomalous Item-1026]
[Item Name: "An Old Acquaintance"]
[Class: Euclid]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Special Containment Procedures: …]
[Abilities: A Mind Like Clear Mirror. "The Bodhi is no tree, the mirror has no stand. Originally there is nothing—where could dust alight?" What you see is what you truly desire.]
[Status: Enslaved]
[Interaction Log: Click to Play]
[O]
Item-1026 was now part of his Anomaly Overlord Milestone, joining Anomalous Item-126 (The Unseen Friend) as his right-hand "echoes."
Since enslaved anomalies still contributed 10% mental amplification, and Item-1026 might prove useful later, Luo Shu spared it.
As for physical decay? Unlikely.
Having seen its true form, he knew it wasn't biologically human—its flesh was just a projection, molded by observers' minds.
Midnight Approaches
Glancing at his watch, Luo Shu noted the time: almost midnight.
He still hadn't used today's two Anti-Meme Seals.
After reviewing Site-33's Euclid-class memes, he moved swiftly to his next target:
Anomalous Item-4022—"The Vast Nothing."
The "carrier" was an elderly New World man with advanced dementia, his mind hosting a meme known only as "Nothing."
The name was mandatory—any other term would spread infection.
Those aware of Item-4022 who didn't use "Nothing" would become its hosts.
Like Anomalous Item-2737 (The Dead Lamprey), "Nothing" would slowly devour their minds, eroding speech, comprehension, and recognition.
At the final stage, the host died, and "Nothing" returned to the old man, carrying stolen mental energy.
Classified as Euclid due to its human vector's mobility, its mechanics were nearly identical to the lamprey.
Since absorbing it offered no new benefits, Luo Shu deployed his first Anti-Meme Seal without hesitation.
[Page: 163]
[Item No.: Anomalous Item-4022]
[Item Name: The Vast Nothing]
[Class: Euclid]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Special Containment Procedures: …]
[Abilities: Empty Your Mind. "People these days complain about stress—always wanting to 'clear their thoughts.' Let me help. I'll empty your mind so thoroughly, you'll forget how to be human."]
[Status: Suppressed]
[Interaction Log: Click to Play]
[X] (Sealed—ability inaccessible.)
The Compendium's snark was getting bolder.
Sealing Item-4022 brought no mental boost—proof "Nothing" hadn't consumed enough minds yet.
The optimal (and ruthless) move would've been releasing it, letting it feast before reclaiming its power.
But that violated Luo Shu's principles.
At his core, he was still that harmless shut-in, thrust into this role by necessity.
After facing Item-1026's mirror, he'd resolved: no excuses for corruption.
Degradation brings fleeting pleasure—but the reckoning is yours alone.
Henceforth, he'd limit using Psychic Devouring—never against innocents.
The Last Seal
His final target: Anomalous Item-868—"Mnemonic Meme."
Those familiar with the Foundation might recognize this as the precursor to amnestic adjuvants.
Indeed, it enhanced memory and resisted amnestics—a nightmare for an organization reliant on memory wipes.
Past leaks had nearly doomed the Foundation, sparing Item-868 only because sometimes, they needed unforgettable agents.
Site-33 housed two D-class "sources"—living factories for memory adjuvants.
Luo Shu's goal? Sever this supply line.
With the Anti-Meme Division gone, few needed adjuvants anymore.
More crucially, he refused to let anyone exploit Anti-Memes again—whether for truth, folly, or "The Gods'" schemes.
The sealing was effortless.
In moments, the D-class subjects were stripped of "potency," reduced to spent husks.
[Page: 164]
[Item No.: Anomalous Item-868]
[Item Name: Mnemonic Meme]
[Class: Euclid]
[Image: …]
[Description: …]
[Special Containment Procedures: …]
[Abilities: Enhanced Recall. "For authentic memory enhancement, choose genuine Mnemonic Meme™! All other brands are bootlegs. We reserve the right to sue!"]
[Status: Suppressed]
[Interaction Log: Click to Play]
[X] (Sealed—ability inaccessible.)
From now on, once existing adjuvants were exhausted, Luo Shu's Compendium would be the only source of this power.