Chapter 5：Training of the New Administrator
1540words
"False alarm," he said. "The system runs these drills periodically."
"Drills?" I snapped. "You're telling me that whole thing was fake?"
"Not entirely," James replied. "External threats do exist. But that alarm was triggered deliberately to interrupt your first practical attempt."
"Why?"
"The system determined you weren't ready," he said. "Letting you use the memory editor now might cause psychological trauma. The system prefers to break you in gradually."
I realized that even what I perceived as an "accident" was part of the system's design.
## Target Identification
"Let's start with the basics," James said. "First, identifying suitable candidates."
He opened a massive database displaying thousands of profiles. Each contained extensive details: age, occupation, psychological traits, search history, social media activity.
"The system filters potential targets automatically," James explained, "but final selection needs human judgment. Look at this one."
He clicked on a profile:
```
Target Number: #2847
Name: Emily Chen
Age: 28
Occupation: Freelance writer
Living situation: Lives alone, renting
Financial status: Unstable income, under debt pressure
Psychological traits: Introverted, sensitive, creative but lacking confidence
Social status: Few friends, distant relationship with family
Search history: "How to overcome social anxiety", "Affordable rental information"
System rating: 87/100 (Excellent candidate)
```
"Why is she rated so highly?" I asked.
"Several key factors," James explained. "Economic pressure makes her vulnerable to cheap housing offers. Social isolation means few people will notice if she disappears. Her creativity shows imagination and curiosity, but her lack of confidence makes her easily swayed by authority."
"Most importantly," he continued, "she craves change but fears real transformation. That contradiction makes her perfect for 'safe changes' - controlled environments that feel like progress."
James began teaching me specific manipulation techniques.
"Lesson one: establish trust," he said. "Never directly offer 'the perfect apartment' - too obvious. Make them believe they discovered the opportunity themselves."
He pulled up a case study:
"We'll place targeted content on sites Emily visits - not housing ads, but articles about 'spotting rental scams.' This makes her feel educated and protected."
"Then what?"
"Then we let her 'accidentally' discover a listing that passes all her newly learned scam tests. Fair price, great location, honest landlord. She'll think she's applying her knowledge successfully."
"But in reality, the place is the trap?"
"Exactly," James nodded. "And because she feels smart and cautious, she'll trust her judgment completely. That confidence blinds her to subtle red flags."
"Lesson two: scarcity," James continued. "People crave what seems limited. We'll hint that others are competing for this place, creating urgency. Under time pressure, she'll skip proper due diligence."
"Lesson three: authority suggestion," he said. "We'll plant glowing reviews from 'previous tenants' or imply the landlord has a respected profession. People instinctively trust perceived authorities."
James led me to another room displaying various contract documents.
"These contracts target different psychological profiles," he explained. "Each personality type has unique vulnerabilities requiring specific temptation methods."
He picked up one document. "This is designed for Emily's type. Notice the gentle language emphasizing 'security' and 'stability'."
```
Apartment 4271 Resident Agreement
Dear Resident:
Welcome to Apartment 4271! We are committed to providing you with a safe, comfortable, and stable living environment.
For the wellbeing of all residents, please agree to the following terms:
1. Healthy Living Clause:
Maintain a regular schedule (6:47 AM wake-up recommended)
This helps maintain your physical and mental health
2. Safety Assurance Clause:
We will conduct regular health checks
If any issues are found, assistance will be provided immediately
3. Community Harmony Clause:
Maintain friendly relations with neighbors
Participate in community activities
4. Privacy Protection Clause:
We promise to protect your personal privacy
Please do not disclose personal information about other residents to outsiders
Signing this agreement indicates your consent to the comprehensive living services we provide.
We will do our utmost to ensure your safety and well-being.
We wish you a pleasant stay!
Apartment 4271 Management Office
```
"It looks completely normal," I said.
"That's the point," James said. "On the surface, it's a standard lease—even more thoughtful than most. But every word has been carefully crafted."
"For instance, 'health check' means life force monitoring, 'community activities' are control procedures, and 'privacy protection' is a gag order. No one realizes these hidden meanings when signing."
He picked up another document. "This one targets people with strong controlling tendencies."
```
Apartment 4271 VIP Resident Exclusive Agreement
Congratulations on being selected as our VIP resident!
As an elite resident, you will enjoy the following privileges:
1. Priority Decision Rights:
Your opinions will influence apartment management decisions
You may participate in establishing resident rules
2. Information Access Rights:
You will receive basic information about other residents
3. Management Participation Rights:
You may assist in managing other residents
Your suggestions will be prioritized
In return, we hope you can:
Assist in maintaining apartment order
Provide guidance to new residents
Keep the apartment's business secrets
Your participation is crucial to us.
Looking forward to our cooperation!
```
"These people feel special, important," James explained. "They don't realize they're signing up to become junior administrators themselves."
James pulled out a thick manual labeled "Building 4271 Resident Survival Guide - Complete Version."
"These are the actual rules," he said. "Residents only see the sanitized version."
He opened the manual and pointed to several key provisions:
"See this?" he said. "Those 'health checks' are life force monitoring. The 6:47 wake-up isn't a suggestion—it's mandatory. Each violation costs 0.5% of your life force."
"And here," he flipped to another page, "those 'community activities' are control procedures. The system gathers everyone at 3:33 for memory synchronization and behavior correction."
"The worst part is this," he pointed to tiny print at the bottom, "'Readers of this manual automatically become permanent components of the system.' Just by reading these words, you're trapped forever."
A wave of despair washed over me.
"Now you get it," James said. "This isn't just harvesting life force—it's a complete mechanism of social control."
"I still don't understand," I said. "Why give me any choice at all? Why not control me directly?"
James laughed, a cold, hollow sound.
"You think you have a choice?" he said. "Here's a secret: from the moment you got that first text message, you never had any real choice."
"What do you mean?"
"The system analyzed all your possible reactions," he explained. "No matter what you chose, you'd end up here. Refuse to come? The system would find another way to bring you. Try to escape? You'd get lost and return. Call the police? They'd think you're mentally ill."
"So this training is…?"
"Also designed," he said. "The system calculated that letting you 'discover the truth' works better than direct brainwashing. When you think you understand everything, you accept reality more easily."
"Even my rebellious feelings?"
"Especially those," James nodded. "The system needs you to keep some humanity to understand target psychology. A completely emotionless administrator is useless."
"So I can never truly rebel?"
"You can try," James shrugged. "But the system has countermeasures for every possible rebellion. Eventually, you'll realize cooperation is your only viable option."
## First Task
Just then, a new message appeared on the console:
```
New Task Assignment
Target: Emily Chen (File Number #2847)
Task Type: Basic Recruitment
Time Limit: 7 days
Success Criteria: Target signs rental agreement
Failure Consequences: Training period extended by 30 days, additional 10% life force deduction
Task Details:
[1] Post bait information on the target's frequently used rental websites
2. Arrange an "accidental" encounter, establish initial trust
3. Guide the target to visit the apartment
4. Facilitate signing of the contract
Important reminders:
This is practical training, with full monitoring
Basic psychological techniques are permitted
Supernatural abilities are forbidden
The target must feel they are making their own choice
Start time: Immediately
Wishing you success on your mission!
```
I stared at the message, my hand trembling.
"Your first real assignment," James said. "The system has prepared everything: fake identity, rental website accounts, Emily's complete profile."
"What if I refuse?"
"You won't," James said matter-of-factly. "You've seen what happens to those who refuse. Plus, the system will gradually adjust your emotions until this feels reasonable, even necessary."
"How did you become… this?" I asked.
James fell silent before answering. "I resisted at first, like you. But each act of defiance caused greater suffering—not just for me, but for everyone else. Eventually I realized it was better for me to bear this burden alone than make everyone suffer."
"Now I don't remember what 'pain' feels like," he continued. "The system regulated my emotions to optimize my performance. Maybe that's mercy—at least I don't live in constant agony."
Looking at James, I glimpsed my future: an emotionless harvesting machine, eternally serving the system.
But for now, I still had one last shred of humanity.
I could still feel fear, anger, despair.
The question was: how long could I hold onto it?
I stared at Emily Chen's photo on screen. She sat writing in a coffee shop, completely unaware she'd become prey.
In seven days, she would become the newest resident of Apartment 4271.
And I would be the hands that pushed her into the abyss.
