Conspiracies always look ridiculous once revealed. Especially when the truth isn't "aliens abducted the government" or "ancient gods devour the world," but this:
Someone was using nightmare energy to fuse humanity's consciousness into one bland, monotonous brain.
—
The clue surfaced in a scrawled note on the margin of an old dossier page:
"Objective: eliminate conflict, achieve consensus.Method: smelt nightmare energy, erase individual differences.Side effect: all subjects may become idiots."
Ethan nearly spat coffee onto the file."So the solution to thousands of years of war and division… is to turn everyone into morons?"
Carl coughed, then added dryly: "Well, morons don't fight wars. Strategically sound."
—
The scheme's masterminds were none other than the Bureau's remnants and government think tanks. They proclaimed it humanity's greatest project:
Harness nightmare energy to build a "Global Brain Network."Plug every human mind into a nightmare resonance system.
Delete "dangerous" traits: free will, critical thought, distrust of authority.
The result: a perfectly unified human consciousness.
In other words: Earth would become one giant group chat, the only message being "Received."
At a secret summit, a minister pounded the podium:"Comrades! Once we unify thought, there will be no election disputes, no protests, no wars! Humanity will be a flawless machine!"
Another raised a hand timidly:"…Do we still need food?""Of course! Everyone will eat the same meal and feel the same fullness. Utter fairness!"
Thunderous applause followed, though unease rippled beneath. It sounded less like salvation, more like a world-class lobotomy.
—
Ethan and Carl eavesdropped from the shadows, nearly choking with laughter.
Carl snorted: "So the ultimate conspiracy is… to turn mankind into one puddle of brain soup? Compared to that, the Nightmare God looks like a philanthropist."Ethan shrugged. "Humans don't fear death half as much as thinking. If someone deletes their thoughts, they'll thank him for it."
—
The plan moved fast. Volunteers donned nightmare helmets, wired into the system. Within minutes, their eyes glazed.They spoke in perfect unison:"We are happy. We are happy. We are happy."
The broadcast looped everywhere, like global background music. Proud scientists noted: "Happiness index: 100%, no deviation."
Some critics muttered: "Isn't this mass brainwashing?""No—this is unified consciousness. The inevitable future of advanced civilization."
"And who controls the system?""Why, the think tank, of course. We must retain independent thought to manage the happy collective."
Absurdity so complete, even Hell would roar with laughter.
—
That night, Ethan and Carl passed a poster:"Join the Nightmare Network—End Your Loneliness! Free Trial, Eternal Happiness!"
A long queue formed below, citizens buzzing with excitement—like lining up for the latest phone release.
Ethan sneered. "See? That's humanity: if it saves them effort, they'll hand over their brains without hesitation."Carl sighed. "Maybe they really are happier. At least they don't have to choose anymore."
Above, the World Gate gaped. Deathrealm's onlookers chuckled:"Tsk. You mortals really outdo us. We only harvest souls—you bring your brains on a platter."
—
Finally, the conspiracy stood naked:Not salvation, but a puppet farm.Nightmare energy, the most exquisite shackle, cheered for by its captives.
Ethan watched, laughter cutting like sobs:"Absurd, isn't it? We bled and fought to resist the nightmare, only to see humans toss their freedom into the trash on their own."
Carl lit a cigarette, the smoke warping under the blood-red sky."Maybe this is evolution: from voluntary to lobotomized."