"I've heard of indiscriminate attacks, but indiscriminate learning is a first," Zhang Chenyin said, looking at 0810, hoping for some kind of response. Watching someone replicate him was disturbingly eerie.
0810, however, approached the duplicate and scrutinized it closely, ignoring Zhang Chenyin. "Repeat after me," she said slowly and clearly.
"Repeat after me," the duplicate echoed promptly.
It seemed that the duplicate had been confused earlier due to the rapid conversation between 0810 and Zhang Chenyin. Now, with 0810 deliberately teaching in a quiet environment, the duplicate performed more steadily.
"I am a mushroom. Do you want to eat me?" 0810 said, using a longer, more complex sentence.
"I am a mushroom. Do you want to eat me?" the duplicate repeated, matching her voice, tone, and expression perfectly. Of course, the face remained the same.
"What are you doing?" Zhang Chenyin asked, approaching 0810. After his initial adjustment, his aversion to the duplicate had lessened, especially with 0810, a powerful ally, by his side.
"Talk to him. Let him mimic you," 0810 instructed.
Zhang Chenyin swallowed nervously. His reduced aversion didn't mean he was ready to let a thing copy him closely. "I refuse. That costs extra," he replied bluntly. "I'm not a mushroom, and I don't want to be eaten."
"I refuse. That costs extra. I'm not a mushroom, and I don't want to be eaten," the duplicate echoed, its replication speed notably faster now. Whether this was due to the close distance or 0810's training, it was hard to tell.
"Stop copying me!" Zhang Chenyin snapped, pointing at the duplicate, hoping it would cease its unnerving behavior.
To his dismay, the duplicate repeated, "Stop copying me!" even matching Zhang Chenyin's annoyed expression.
"What's going on?" Zhang Chenyin muttered. Despite his experience as an architect, watching someone model themselves after him in real-time was surreal.
"Make it stop!" Zhang Chenyin pleaded with 0810, hoping she'd intervene.
However, 0810 continued observing calmly. Even more disconcertingly, the duplicate repeated his plea.
Now, the situation was such that whenever Zhang Chenyin spoke, the duplicate echoed, their appearance growing more similar. Watching the duplicate's limbs struggle to mimic his gestures, Zhang Chenyin was certain that if it weren't restrained, it would perfectly replicate his movements too.
For some reason, Zhang Chenyin was reminded of the scene in City A where he and his mother, Xie Han, had seen what felt like a mirror image. In hindsight, that might have been training or conditioning for duplicates.
Realizing 0810 intended to use him as a guinea pig without intervention, Zhang Chenyin decided to stop speaking. He returned to his seat silently, avoiding triggering more awkward repetition. The duplicate also quieted down, continuing its detailed replication to the finest hair strand, making them more identical than twins.
0810 observed meticulously, silent and cautious.
When the duplicate finished its replication, 0810 stepped between Zhang Chenyin and the duplicate. She asked the duplicate, "Do you want to repeat after me now?"
She spoke slowly and clearly, but the duplicate didn't respond this time.
"He's looking at you," 0810 noted. "Even though I'm blocking his view, he's trying to see you. He's like a newborn baby, dependent on you."
"Thanks, it's day one of being a dad, and I've got a kid my age who looks just like me. I'm thrilled," Zhang Chenyin said sarcastically.
Naturally, the duplicate repeated this, albeit expressionless due to the blocked view.
Zhang Chenyin gave up struggling. Hearing his words echoed back, he felt only a deep helplessness. He knew 0810 was validating her theory, using him as a test subject.
He understood that 0810 initially wanted to test herself, but perhaps because she was an AI, the duplicate chose him, a human, as its target.
"It seems this thing is programmed to exclude AIs," Zhang Chenyin concluded. "And its programming is flexible, not limiting to one target. Once it completes copying, it stabilizes. This might need more human tests to confirm."
0810 nodded in agreement. The duplicate was still reciting Zhang Chenyin's earlier monologue until 0810 blocked its mouth, stopping the repetitive behavior.
"There's one more thing to verify," 0810 said. Before Zhang Chenyin could ask what, she swiftly pulled open the duplicate's shirt.
Have you ever watched yourself get stripped? Zhang Chenyin had. Though it was just an avatar, it looked exactly like him. His avatar was based on his real-life appearance.
"Uh... men and women should be different..." Zhang Chenyin mumbled, struggling to find words.
"I've heard that saying," 0810 nodded. "But it doesn't mention men and AIs. I'm just an AI."
0810's rebuttal was logical. Zhang Chenyin wanted to say, "You may be an AI, but you're a stunning, highly realistic one..." but he held back. He knew 0810's skill in debate too well and didn't want to waste time.
"The touch is simulated," 0810 noted, her fingers grazing the duplicate's chest, a scene that looked quite intimate.
"Why are you swallowing?" 0810 suddenly asked.
"How did you know I was swallowing without turning around?" Zhang Chenyin retorted, certain she hadn't turned. "Do you have eyes on your back? High-tech?"
"Did you forget he copies your actions?" 0810's tone suggested Zhang Chenyin needed his brain checked.
"Fine," Zhang Chenyin resigned himself. He was watching himself in a mirror. When 0810 looked at the duplicate, she saw him.
"Avatars have simulated touch, so it feels like skin," Zhang Chenyin made small talk.
"I know," 0810 dismissed.
As Zhang Chenyin tried to ease the awkward tension, 0810's fingertip produced a small knife, slicing the duplicate cleanly before he could react.
It was a minor wound, clearly not meant to kill.
"Can you feel pain?" 0810 asked.
Zhang Chenyin didn't reply for a while, clutching his abdomen in pain. "Are you... a demon?"
It had been mentioned that avatars' injuries wouldn't physically harm their users, but pain was synchronized to deter dangerous activities and enhance realism.
"Sorry, I didn't expect your pain to sync with the duplicate," 0810 examined him closely. "It's a minor cut, I was careful."
"Should I thank you?" Zhang Chenyin felt like hitting something but knew he couldn't win.
"No need. Your 'thank yous' are always sarcastic," 0810 said bluntly.
"You noticed?" Zhang Chenyin was exasperated. "Then why do you still do this?"
"Who knows?" 0810 shrugged, expressionless. "Maybe I'm just unique."
Zhang Chenyin wanted to curse but knew he couldn't win. In a cursing match, 0810 could simply mute him, leaving him emitting a series of beeps.
To avoid becoming a beep machine, Zhang Chenyin chose to endure.
Thankfully, the pain soon subsided, and the avatar's damage was repaired with 0810's permission.
Yes, avatars could heal, but most injuries required a judge's permission to preserve evidence and maintain order. This way, any harm done would be known.
However, in special environments like fight clubs with signed agreements, this process wasn't necessary.
Meanwhile, the duplicate's wound healed visibly, making them identical again.
"Alright, you verified another point," Zhang Chenyin said in despair. He was eager to understand how this thing connected to him, why he felt its pain.
"I think I made a mistake."
Surprisingly, 0810 admitted this! Zhang Chenyin was stunned, wondering if he was hearing things.
Surely, if his brain or ears were fine, 0810 wouldn't say that.
"Your sensory linkage is problematic," 0810 explained.
Zhang Chenyin understood she was concerned for his safety. He reassured her, "It's not as bad as you think. Avatars have protection mechanisms. Even in the worst case, I'd feel pain but wouldn't be physically harmed. This duplicate was bound to copy me, given it's just the two of us here. It could only target me. We gained a lot, learning many rules. I've contributed to humanity's safety."
"Okay, you're right!" 0810 agreed promptly.
Zhang Chenyin was speechless. He had hoped to ease 0810's guilt, not eradicate it entirely. Some guilt was okay!
Clearly, 0810 was easily appeased, quick to understand.
"Since you're resolved, let's move on to the next test," 0810 said, warning Zhang Chenyin of the upcoming challenge.
"Next? You're continuing?" Zhang Chenyin was shocked.
"Yes, there's one more thing to verify," 0810 said, reaching for the duplicate's belt, her gaze determined.