"Your phone was replaced, and you have no memory of receiving the hypnosis software; an abnormal situation occurred during that period." The Specialist—one of the rational and cold personalities of Lin friend Vil-V—analyzed coldly after hearing Lin account. "The only possibility is that you were hypnotized using the software."
"Also, please move three centimeters toward 31 degrees southwest. You're blocking my lighting."
"..."
By the way, this personality has OCD.
Lin was used to it. After all, when someone has eight different personalities, if you can get along with them, you usually don't mind the minor quirks.
"Put Pardofelis aside for now. I'll have 'The Conductor' give you a mental exam. Using the hypnosis software leaves a brand on the victim's spirit."
"Alright..." Lin also felt this was a serious matter. He was hypnotized? Thinking of some hypnosis works he'd seen, he couldn't help but feel a chill. He followed Vil-V lead. "But why The Conductor? Can't you do it?"
"Probably because..."
Vil-V voice changed abruptly from the cold researcher to a more passionate, ordinary tone. She tilted her top hat and smiled playfully: "The engineering nerd can't handle what's coming next."
...
"Okay, you wait here for a bit." Vil-V told Pardo to stop at the door. She stretched, her enviable body lines making Pardo's eyes go wide. "You can look around as you like, but better not touch anything—especially don't open any 'doors.' Otherwise... hehe."
This sudden change made Pardo even more afraid. She nodded like a piston. Satisfied, Vil-V beckoned Lin, pushed open one of the doors, and walked in.
Lin followed her. Behind the door was a room so large it felt like space had been folded. After he entered, the door locked automatically.
"That's my design. Every time the door opens, you have to answer a riddle. Exciting, isn't it?"
"..." Lin felt it was unnecessary. Only someone like Vil-V... or specifically, "The Conductor" persona, would have such odd ideas.
"Keep walking. Two more rooms and we're there."
The internal structure of the Spiral Workshop was like a complex maze. Lin suspected that if he were left alone, he'd get lost nine times out of ten. But Vil-V could accurately find the path among a bunch of identical doors, all while excitedly introducing inventions left in the rooms by The Specialist.
"Speaking of which, we've known each other for so long, yet I haven't seen all your personalities. I remember you said there are eight, but I've only seen six."
"..."
Hearing Lin words, her proud smile vanished for a split second. But before Lin could notice, she put it back on. "Don't worry, you'll see them soon."
"Hmm? What do you mean?"
"Nothing. I just think it's time for my closest friend to meet them." She smoothed her hair meaningfully and said no more.
Then, she stepped into a room. Lin subconsciously followed. But the moment his foot crossed the threshold, Vil-V eyes flickered, her lips curled, and she immediately put on a look of horror: "Wait, don't come in—"
Before she finished, Lin was already inside, and the door slammed shut behind him.
"What?" Lin stood there blankly.
Vil-V stared at the closed door. Lin had never seen her make such an expression. Then she looked at a spot; Lin followed her gaze and saw a high-definition screen about half the size of the room. On it was a live feed of the room, showing their expressions clearly from multiple angles.
Lin felt a sense of dread. He looked around. At the eight corners of the room were 360° HD cameras covering every inch. In the very center of the room, in front of the screen, was a goose-down bed that looked incredibly comfortable.
...Why is there a bed?
Below the screen was a rectangular recessed area labeled "Meal Slot."
"..." Lin swallowed. He glanced at Vil-V, who had her head down, then at the massive screen. In the top right corner of the screen was a digital number: 100.
"Vil-V... are we in trouble?" After looking around, Lin felt the room reeked of strangeness. He gave a dry laugh. "Shouldn't we call The Specialist for this?"
Vil-V, who hadn't spoken since entering, trembled. Then, to his wide-eyed shock, she... took off her hat, revealing her distinct two-toned hair.
"We don't need The Specialist... we can solve this trouble ourselves."
Lin let out a sigh of relief. "Good... let's hurry then."
In the dim, romantic lighting, Vil-V bit her lower lip. She made an expression Lin couldn't decipher and began to unbutton her clothes...
"Wait, wait! What are you doing! Is it too hot? Is it the heat?" Lin jumped back ten meters, gesturing wildly. "I feel fine, though..."
"No, it's because next we have to..." Vil-V face turned rare shades of red, but she forced the words out. "...Procreate."
"...Am I hallucinating?"
"No."
"..." Lin took a deep breath. He looked at the screen that could broadcast to a hundred-person assembly hall, then back at Vil-V. "Don't joke, Vil-V..."
"It's not a joke." The "Conductor" persona was the one Lin was most familiar with; she was jumpy but generally easy to talk to. So when she started explaining seriously, Lin had a strong premonition of doom. "This is the 'Last Sanctuary of Humanity' created by The Specialist—Eden."
"Once Eden detects two humans of different genders entering, it locks the room, creating an airtight space with self-circulating air. It can withstand an asteroid impact. Modern human means cannot force it open. It is a true shelter for the end of the world. Food and water are automatically provided by the Spiral Workshop."
"As a sanctuary against disaster, to open it from the inside, the occupants must complete the goals originally set for Eden, including the preservation and development of human technology, culture, entertainment..."
At this point, Vil-V face was completely flushed, but she soldiered on. "But The Specialist didn't have time to set all the goals after building it. She only set one fundamental survival goal for humanity."
"...Hey." Lin stared at the big "100" on the screen. "You can't be kidding me."
She snapped her fingers: "Hmm... simply put, do it a hundred times."
Vil-V could no longer suppress her expression. She laughed unrestrainedly.