Matrix Survival: One random treasure chest per day

Chapter 518 Am I a clone?
Looking at the middle-aged man walking out of the small room, Li Zheng finally remembered where he had seen Yakumo and Yelan before.

"Are you the cloaked figure who helped me extract my genes?"

Li Zheng pointed at Yakumo and exclaimed in surprise. When he first encountered Kamui, he was forced back by the opponent's powerful strength. It was this petite guy in front of him who helped him draw a vial of Kamui's blood.

I was actually quite grateful to her back then.

"You only just recognized me?"

Yakumo's voice carried a hint of amusement: "Last time, the terminal transferred some of the receptionists into the Matrix to guard those newly warped creatures. As you can see, I have a good relationship with 'The Doctor,' so he told me about your mission."

Otherwise, I wouldn't have helped you get that vial of blood in the first place.

"I see." A look of realization dawned on Li Zheng's eyes. It turned out that his biggest role back then really was just running errands!
"But that doesn't make sense. Shouldn't the doctor be a businessman in the Matrix right now? How come he's here?"

He looked at the middle-aged man in the white coat.

The doctor pushed up his glasses, the light reflecting off them with a bright, dazzling gleam: "It's just some minor projection techniques. The clinic I've set up in the Matrix is ​​sufficient to handle most medical needs; all I need to do is place a fragment of consciousness projected there."

"Oh!! No wonder, I thought it was a projection from the start."

Li Zheng nodded: "So this is your original form? It looks exactly like an Earthling?"

"Pfft~"

The doctor remained silent, but a suppressed laugh came from under Yakumo's hood: "This isn't his true form, it's just a cyborg body, a kind of... well, you can think of it as a robot, pieced together with bionic organs and a metal skeleton."

"Robot... intelligent humanoid?" Li Zheng was surprised. Wasn't this just like his own intelligent humanoid?
"No, strictly speaking, androids should be considered an advanced version of intelligent humanoids. You can never get these blueprints in the Matrix."

Yakumo explained, "Because the materials used to make it are too complex and the process too complicated, the rigid rules of the Matrix cannot support its existence."

"The main problem is that there are too many bionic organs, and the Matrix doesn't have the environment to cultivate them. Bionics are simply too inefficient to be used in the Matrix. It's not that the rules can't support them."

The android doctor was noticeably less aloof than the projection doctor and talked more. Seeing that Yakumo's explanation wasn't detailed enough, he added, "There is an even more advanced system above androids, but it was recently added to the 'prohibited list' by the terminal. No one is allowed to use it, and even the related research data was forcibly erased."

A more advanced system.

Realizing something, Li Zheng asked, "You're not talking about 'cloning' technology, are you?"

"You knew?" the doctor asked, somewhat surprised.

"What's this?"

Li Zheng laughed and said, "We developed the relevant technology on our planet a long time ago, but it was completely banned because it was too anti-human... Hmm?"

At this point, Li Zheng's expression shifted slightly.

The fact that the Matrix disabled cloning technology reminded him of the attitudes toward this technology on Earth, and they were surprisingly similar.

The doctor was increasingly surprised: "The terminal's initial explanation for banning cloning technology was too anti-human. You know, I originally had relevant technical data, but since it was banned, even the memories I had in my mind have been taken away."

"Memorized in your head?" Li Zheng was shocked. How could this brain be so big? It could actually remember information about an entire scientific and technological field?

"You seem surprised?"

Yakumo said from the side, "Don't forget, he is now a cyborg. His brain is a bionic brain connected to a high-energy memory chip. Remembering some information is as easy as storing files in a computer, and he won't get confused."

"..." Li Zheng remained silent for a long time before uttering two words: "Awesome!"

It's uncertain whether this bionic technology will be compromised by hackers. However, if it can effectively counter hacking techniques, it would undoubtedly be the best tool for technological research and development.

Imagine this: information that would normally be stored on a computer is now stored directly in your brain, and you can access it anytime, anywhere when you need it.

What could be more convenient than this?

"There are limitations too." The doctor shook his head: "The biggest drawback of androids is their lack of innovation. Once you control this body, the brain is like being shackled, and can only be used for work involving known technologies."

"...Oh, then it's alright."

As expected, it conforms to the rules of the matrix: the more powerful something is, the greater the restrictions.

As a result, androids cannot develop new scientific research projects and can only do things that follow the old ways.

However, it can be very useful in certain specific situations.

Even a tech novice like Li Zheng could think of several scenarios that could be used, such as entering an environment unsuitable for human survival to solve certain problems.

If Chernobyl had had androids back then, would they have needed anyone else to volunteer to die in dealing with the nuclear leak?

Or perhaps it could be sent to a space station as a flexible information transmission tool?

If Yutu-2 were a cyborg, the photo that supposedly shows structures on the moon would have already been removed from the list of "supposedly".

A submarine malfunctions while submerged in the deep sea and needs to be taken outside for temporary repairs.

"Alright, enough of the pleasantries." The doctor looked Li Zheng up and down a few times, then asked Yakumo, "Did you bring him here for a medical check-up?"

“That’s right. He had some problems controlling his body when he came, so we brought him here to take a look.” Yakumo nodded and said, “He also wanted to exchange some white crystal coins.”

"guessed."

The doctor told Li Zheng, "Leave your pets outside and then come with me."

Then, ignoring Li Zheng, he turned and went through the door he had come out through.

After settling Miriel in, Li Zheng told her to wait outside with Sakura and the Red Porings before following her inside.

Yakumo was not invited, so he naturally had to stay outside.

The space behind the small door wasn't large either, but it was divided into several different areas by the doctor, with a different mechanical device in each of the partitioned spaces.

"Go to the third room for your physical exam. Don't move while facing the machine."

The doctor pointed around a few times and sat down in a place that looked like a control room.

The physical examination process was very simple, much gentler than that of the ancient tribes.

The doctor simply took a few X-rays of Li Zheng's bones and internal organs, and then drew two tubes of blood for testing.

About twenty minutes later, the results came out.

Overall, there's nothing wrong with your health.

The doctor, holding the electronic report, said, "However, we found a small amount of a mixture of sensory enhancer and petrochemical No. 3 in your blood. The dose is small, and it is estimated that it will be completely metabolized in another thirty minutes."

Also...do you remember the time I asked you for a little blood?"

Li Zheng nodded. The doctor had said his genes were "interesting" and had asked for a portion for research.

“From your genetic map, I found that your cells appear to be very active, but in fact they are aging rapidly.”

The doctor flipped through the report, which showed the results of Li Zheng's previous blood and genetic tests: "Look here, there are gaps in your gene chain where there shouldn't be any. We don't yet know how these gaps will affect you. But strangely, after testing your blood again just now, these gaps have actually been repaired."

Moreover, your cells regain vitality after the gene chains are repaired, which is very similar to the effect of gene-based drugs produced by a gene factory many years ago.

"Furthermore, I suspect that when you gave me the blood last time, the genes had already been partially repaired."

Do you know what this means? "

"Uh... what?" Li Zheng was confused. "It means your genes weren't repaired back then, and you won't live for more than a few days."

The doctor's words struck Li Zheng like a thunderbolt.

"You mean... when I first entered the Matrix, I was actually not far from death?" Li Zheng asked incredulously. He had asked Lao Pu about genetics before, and the reply he received was that there was a recessive gene for diabetes. He had never heard of such a serious gene deletion.
“Theoretically speaking, yes.” The doctor nodded and then said, “But you don’t need to worry now, because your genes have been repaired, and in that respect, you are healthier than most of this year’s players.”

Channel 995 now has a large number of players, and the doctor has also obtained some genes from other people, a conclusion reached after comparison.

"But...why is this happening?"

Li Zheng was completely baffled: "Genes are supposed to be inherited, right? Does that mean if I hadn't been captured by the Matrix, I would have died soon after?"

"I've done some research on this in my spare time and have come to two conclusions."

The doctor adjusted his glasses: "Firstly, as you said, it's a matter of congenital heredity. Your life was destined to end earlier than others from the moment you were born."

Secondly…

Under Li Zheng's gaze, the doctor uttered a conclusion that sounded utterly absurd to him.

"You might be a clone!"

Human clones?
How is this possible?
Who would clone themselves?

Besides, cloning technology is strictly prohibited on Earth. Who would dare to conduct human cloning experiments in secret?

Moreover, my memory is very complete. I remember my parents died in a car accident, I remember being raised by my grandmother, and I remember being taken in by a kind landlord...

If he were a clone, how could he have such a realistic life?
And if I am a clone, why didn't I find anyone who looked exactly like me after I made a name for myself in the Matrix...?

Oh, so I'm suspected of being a time traveler...

Things suddenly became complicated, and Li Zheng couldn't accept it for a while.

"Of course, the second conclusion is just speculation, and there is no actual data to support it, so you don't need to take it to heart." The doctor added, "Just consider it as a congenital deficiency. In any case, the current result is good."

"is that so?"

It was supposed to be a guess, but when the doctor uttered that conclusion, it really startled Li Zheng.

"Hmm... everything else is normal. Twenty white crystal coins, cash or card payment?"

The doctor reviewed the report, confirmed there were no further issues, and then took out his own custom inscription.

"...You're making money way too easily! Twenty white crystal coins for a single physical exam?!" Li Zheng was shocked by the price; it was way too expensive!
The doctor adjusted his glasses: "Actually, it's the cost of two tests. Because we did a genetic comparison before and after, the previous test is also included."

In addition, I also have to pay Yakumo's agency fee, so it's normal for it to be a bit more expensive.

"Huh?" Li Zheng was even more shocked: "Why do you have to pay the brokerage fee for Yakumo through me?"

The doctor shrugged: "Because I need to make a living, I have to earn some money."

This sales pitch sounds familiar.

Li Zheng glanced at him and asked, "If I hadn't been introduced by Yakumo, how many white crystals would you have charged me?"

"Also twenty." The doctor pushed up his glasses.

Li Zheng: "..."

really!

This guy's pricing is just like those derivative stores that raise prices because of rising pork prices; when pork prices fall back down, the prices that have already been raised will not be adjusted back down.

In short: It's time for me to make some money.

I should really thank that wandering merchant, because he was the only one who told me to stockpile resources before entering the outer city.

Now it's really in use.

"Give me some white crystal coins..." Li Zheng said weakly.

Trying to renege on your debt?
That is impossible.

Don't be fooled by the fact that the doctor is just an android; his abilities are actually ridiculously strong!

Name: Unknown (Doctor)
Race: Android (as stated in the target's own words)
Grade: ???
describe:???
Old Pu: Don't count on me, he's even stronger than that guy outside! I suggest you do as he says, otherwise I'm afraid he'll dismember you and sell your organs.

"Okay, let me tell you about the exchange rate here first."

The doctor had anticipated that Li Zheng would say this, and immediately replied, "First of all, I only accept all kinds of biological materials here, and I don't accept anything below the platinum level."

Platinum-grade biological materials can be exchanged for 70 to 1.

Thirty diamonds for one.

Five for one,

One Star-level player can be traded for three.

One player can trade nine for one.

A godlike trade of one for twenty.

How much do you want to exchange?

The price is indeed much cheaper than the official exchange, but it's frustrating that they don't accept materials below platinum, because Li Zheng has the most blood materials in the range of black iron to gold.

"Change to fifty." Li Zheng clicked his tongue, feeling extremely distressed.

He didn't have many platinum-grade materials to begin with, and exchanging them for fifty white crystal coins instantly reduced his resources by almost half.

After Li Zheng took out the items, the doctor used a special inscription to transfer thirty white crystal coins into Li Zheng's card.

Li Zheng looked at the pitiful two-digit number on his card and felt like crying.

If I had known this would happen, I should have listened to Xiao and plundered the Matrix!

Ugh……

The main problem was that the terminal, that terrifying whale, suddenly forced me to enter the outer city, disrupting my plans.

Otherwise, in a few more days, I'll definitely have even more materials on me!
Doubling it is not a problem.

"Ok?"

Li Zheng remembered that the mechanical mantis in his capsule was still being slowly manufactured, so he quickly stopped the plan.

I glanced at the gene serum section; with no orders coming in, the few robotic figures were just standing there blankly, not producing anything haphazardly.

I need to find a way to make money...

Li Zheng's expression was complicated. He never expected that he, the number one fighter in the matrix, would have to worry about money after entering the outer city.

It's amazing!

(End of this chapter)