Chapter 258: Inception and Truman Show (Part 1)_2

The Globe head gave a slight shake, though no one could truly tell if he had or not, considering the globe was constantly turning.

"The Dionysium, or as I prefer to call it, the 'Dionysus Factor', can be understood as a liquid form of a brainwave amplifier..."

"Brainwave amplifier?" Victor frowned, "I've studied theories about brainwaves. I've heard of theories around controlling people's minds by interfering with their brainwaves. But you're saying that a special liquid can enhance a person's brainwaves? Isn't that a bit too..."

"We don't need to crack its principle; we just need to know its effects. Anyway, the Father gave his Dionysium research to the Court of Owls, and the Court of Owls used the Dionysium to create the persona of Alberto…"

"So, where is he?" Evans looked around. Shiller explained, "His house is being built at a critical point, that's why you're here."

"In any case, after confirming this with the Father, I understood that the Dionysus Factor might relate to a person's world of consciousness."

"I happen to have other relevant liquids at my disposal. I asked another biology friend to mix them to achieve a brainwave-maximizing effect. I call it 'Mad Liquor'."

"At first, I wasn't sure if it would work, so..." Shiller turned to Jack, who grumbled, "So, you slipped this stuff into our drinks when we were drinking..."

"Then our worlds of consciousness indeed became connected, and an annoying guy from your world of consciousness popped out, trying to trick me into your world of consciousness and take his place in prison."

"So just now, I invited you to my mansion and offered you some wine. Each of your drinks had a few drops of this Mad Liquor. That's why now, we are sitting here —"

"Welcome to my consciousness space, everyone."

Everyone suddenly sobered up. Victor recalled how he had arrived at Shiller's mansion on a rainy day and had a sip of wine. Cobblepot and Victor remembered how they had entered and hung up their coats and umbrellas. Shiller explained, "When you first came in, there was going to be an adaptation period where you might not distinguish between reality and illusion; hence, you wouldn't find anything amiss."

"Just as you wouldn't think it odd to see an upside-down skyscraper in a dream, there's an adaptation period from wakefulness to dream. Of course, if I reveal the truth, this adaptation's speed will speed up."

"I understand that..." Victor turned to Shiller, asking, "But why did you turn your head into a globe?"

Shiller touched the globe on his head, "Not just me, you too, can transform. Although this space is my consciousness, when our brainwaves merge, you also have some autonomy here."

As he finished speaking, Jack's head changed into a "fried chicken wing" with a big smile. Jack's voice came from the cracked mouth, "This is what I was having tonight. It's quite good, although the inside was a little raw and stinky…"

Evans looked shocked at the chicken wing head Jack beside him, even smelling the aroma of the fried food.

"How... How should I do it?"

Before he could attempt it, a weirdly shaped Freeze Gun appeared in Victor's hand. He curiously observed the gun, remarking, "This is my latest design concept; I haven't yet gotten the chance to build it. I'm amazed it can be so realistic."

"In the consciousness space or dream, what you can do depends entirely on your imagination, or 'what you believe is what you'll achieve'. And the more specific your imagination is, the more specific the result. I assume you've already fleshed out your gun design?"

"True, I finalized the design a week ago. So, can it fire?"

As he spoke, Victor pulled the trigger, discharging an ice cone and freezing Joker in an instant.

"As long as you believe it can shoot, it naturally will, just as in a dream if you believe you can fly, you will fly."

"Hey, you made my head cold! Don't you know that cold fried chicken is the grossest food in the world?!" Joker grumbled loudly from the large mouth on his chicken wing head.

Cobblepot pinched the red ball on his nose, which transformed with a "pop" into sharp cone, much like one often seen at parties.

Evans scratched his head, "Can I change my hair color? I've always wanted deep brown hair like the Godfather's, but dyeing is such a hassle."

While he spoke, his golden hair slowly darkened to brown. Shiller's globe head moved slightly, "I think golden suits you better."

"Is there a mirror?" Evans looked around, as if seeking something reflective to see his current appearance.

"You just need to 'think' about it."

Evans pondered for a moment then traced a square in the air. The skewed square turned into a mirror and fell. Evans clumsily caught it, peered into it and said, "Indeed, blond looks better…"

As he spoke, his hair gradually returned to its original color.

Victor picked up his wine glass, asked Shiller, "So why did you bring us into your consciousness space?"

"I didn't particularly have any significant business; I just wanted you all to be entertained."

"Entertained? What's there to entertain us?"

"Because there isn't anything entertaining, we have to create some. Not only me, but I think Mr. Jack also concurs, right?"

Jack, who had transformed his head into a toilet brush and was fidgeting with the bristles, declared, "Gotham without Batman is seriously boring. If I don't find some entertainment, I'll go insane!"

"Alright, what are you planning to do?"

Shiller moved to the side of the sofa and leaned against the sofa armrest, "Right now, there's a very professional psychologist, my colleague, sitting in Arkham Mental Hospital. Soon, I am going to take over his shift…"

"I will have a theoretical discussion with him, and then invite him for a drink…"

"Are you planning to bring him here too?"

"No, no, no, this is the audience seat, while he…"

Joker on the opposite side joined in with a grin, "He will be an actor, a very terrible actor."