The Seventh Personality

The shadow of the dark web

March 15, 2024, 9:15 p.m.

On the tech team's computer screen, an encrypted Web address flashed. Xiao Zhou is cracking a stream of data from the dark web:

【 Forum post 】

Title: Sequoia Project experimental record

Poster: Observer_404

Date: March 17, 2017

"The experiment succeeded at last. With specific drugs and mental stimulation, we can implant memories of one personality on top of another. Dai Xiangyang is the perfect test subject, he believes that he is Zhang Kaiwen's younger brother..."

"Found the IP address!" Chow shouted, "The poster is... Dai Jianguo's private terminal."

Chen Mingyuan was about to speak when the computer suddenly popped up a video window:

[Surgical Records of 2017]

In the operating room, Dai Xiangyang is strapped to the experimental table.

Dai Jianguo: "Start injecting memory activator."

Kevin Zhang: "The dose is too high! It will damage him..."

Dai Jianguo: "Shut up! Go on!"

Dai Xiangyang suddenly convulsed violently: "I am... Who am I? Kevin?"

Zhang Kaiwen's face changed: "How could he..."

The video cuts out and is replaced by another conversation:

Wang Desheng: "The experiment was a great success. He not only received Zhang Yuxuan's memory, but also regarded himself as Zhang Kaiwen's younger brother.

Dai Jianguo: "Very good, now we have the best weapon. A perfect agent who can switch identities at will."

"Team leader!" Gu Yuwen rushed in, "The children's ward found this!"

A medical kit with seven syringes neatly packed inside. Each one contained a fluorescent green liquid with a label that read:

"Memory Reconstruction Reagents - Project Code: Alternatives"

Pressed to the bottom of the case was a yellowed photograph of a young Kevin Zhang and his sister Yuxuan Zhang. On the back of the photo was a small line:

"I'm sorry I let you take his place."

Chen Mingyuan's mobile phone vibrates:

"Don't you get it?

Dai Xiangyang is long dead.

Now 'Dai Xiangyang' is just a body implanted with his memory.

And the real killer...

It's on the top floor of your hospital.

-- Kevin Zhang"

"No, you've all been deceived." Another text followed:

"I'm Dai Xiangyang.

That Kevin Chang, he's just a persona of mine.

You want to know the truth?

Find out where those seven syringes came from.

Each represents an identity.

Every identity wants revenge.

- The scavenger."

Gu Yuwen suddenly found a document hidden in the mezzanine of the medical box:

"Personality Integration Program Final Report:

Subject: Dai Xiangyang

Implanted memory: Yuxuan Zhang (with emotional connection)

Secondary Personality: Zhang Kaiwen (doctor identity)

Unintended effect: The creation of a third personality..."

Just then, the nurse from the children's ward rushed in and said, "No! What did Dr. Chang just inject into a little patient?"

Surveillance footage shows a doctor wearing a mask pushing a medicine cart out of a children's ward. His work card reads: "Dai Xiangyang".

And on the wall of the corridor he passed, fresh scarlet letters were dripping:

"Tonight at 10:30.

Seven identities.

A trial.

For everyone involved in the Sequoia Project.

PS: Captain Chen, your daughter will soon learn what it's like to be a substitute.

- We're all scavengers."

In the ward, Chen Mingyuan's daughter was sleeping, an empty syringe on the bedside table.

The clock says 9:45 p.m.