"Host, would you like to access the original person's memories? The System has already stored them after extracting his origin. Assimilating with these memories would help you understand this world more quickly," the System offered.
Gu Fanyu's eyes narrowed at the suggestion. He knew the potential value of those memories but chose to decline. "No need. I don't want to invite trouble."
The System chuckled, a teasing edge to its tone. "Hehe... You're quite cautious, host!"
Gu Fanyu's face darkened at the remark, realizing that the System had been aware of the hidden dangers all along. Assimilating with someone else's memories might seem like a quick path to knowledge, but it was fraught with risks the System hadn't fully explained.
What is memory?... Gu Fanyu mused. It's the essence of human emotion.
Emotions could be both a source of strength and a crippling weakness. By taking on someone's memories, he'd risk their emotions seeping into his own psyche. Over time, those foreign feelings could grow stronger, especially when encountering people or situations the original person had cherished.
The thought unsettled him. What if the original Brian Lee had been deeply attached to his family? Would Gu Fanyu be able to resist those emotional ties? He wasn't willing to take that gamble.
Although Gu Fanyu prided himself on his strong will and indifferent nature, he was still human, susceptible to the complexities of emotion. He needed information, but he wasn't about to lose himself in someone else's life.
"System, at least tell me something about the original person—his name, for starters."
[Ding!] A virtual screen materialized before Gu Fanyu's eyes.
Name: Brian Lee
Age: 25
Status: Ordinary Human (Citizen of the United States of America)
Even with this basic information, Gu Fanyu felt a lingering unease. What concerned him most was how Brian had died. If it had been natural or a suicide, there wouldn't be much to worry about. But if he had been murdered, that would spell trouble for Gu Fanyu.
For several minutes, Gu Fanyu pondered how to uncover the circumstances of Brian's death. The best plan he could devise would take days, maybe longer, to succeed.
Suddenly, the System's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Host, there's actually a safer way for you to gain the knowledge you seek."
Gu Fanyu's interest piqued. "What's the method?"
"Information transfer."
The System elaborated, "Unlike memory assimilation, which makes you feel as if you're living through the experiences, information transfer is akin to reading a book. It's purely data—no images, no sounds, just raw information."
Gu Fanyu considered this. The idea of absorbing knowledge without the emotional baggage was appealing. "Alright, I need to know everything. Transfer it."
[Ding!] The process began.
In an instant, a flood of information surged into Gu Fanyu's mind. It felt like a relentless wave crashing against his consciousness, leaving him reeling. The sensation lasted for a full 20 seconds before the transfer was complete.
For several minutes afterward, Gu Fanyu sat quietly, processing the influx of data. His brow furrowed at times, while at other moments, he seemed relieved. Finally, he shook his head and let out a long sigh.
"What a messy life," Gu Fanyu muttered to himself, reflecting on the chaos that had been Brian Lee's existence.
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