“Meme is an independent noun. To put it in simple terms, it can be described as viruses in the form of messages which continuously mutates as it spreads. It has similarities to the MD5 code in transcoders or the DNA fragment in ribosomes. The spread of memes is essentially the spread of information.

“For example, someone who sees something funny will naturally share it with the person. This is the transmission process of memes. The meme begins to spread when the next person to hear the joke shares it again with someone new.

“Humans have a natural incentive to spread the information they collect. This is otherwise known as a 'self-reward mechanism'. Simply put, spreading information brings people joy.

“To make themselves happier, people will gladly share something that may be entirely unrelated to themselves. Sometimes, they may even do so at their own expense, for example…”

“Celebrity wors.h.i.+p.”

Little X's voice could be heard pa.s.sing through the speakers. With the research results in the Gantz dimension combined with applicable knowledge in the real world, Little X had almost figured out the mechanisms of the mysterious phenomenon.

She unloaded a stream of information to Chen Chen in hopes of providing more options for him when dealing with the mysterious phenomenon.

“Of course, the 'self-reward mechanism' of humans isn't a product of the digital era. Even in villages where there's simple gossip circulating around, local opinions also greatly differ from one another during ancient wartime. In the Yanhuang era, clans and tribes would exchange their agriculture and weapon craftsmans.h.i.+p knowledge. This dates as far back as the stone age when our ancestors preserved knowledge of building fire and crafting tools… This self-reward mechanism is deeply ingrained into human DNA. It was already present back when humans were still primates.

“Memes are viruses. They're extremely contagious and p.r.o.ne to mutations while also being extremely hard to control. In this current era of rapidly developing internet platforms, memes spread almost effortlessly.

“In this era dominated by the Internet connecting people around the globe, memes can sustain themselves longer while also spreading at a larger scale. Combine this factor with the mutational characteristics of memes that closely resemble viruses, I wouldn't be surprised if the Basilisk pattern eventually shows up in the real world in the future.”

Little X explained, “Because the concept of memes encompa.s.ses a mult.i.tude of things. It can be a simple word, a sentence, a line of thought, it could even be a color. Memes are messages.”

Chen Chen reflected thoughtfully on Little X's summary. “In other words, to a certain extent, the Basilisk images are an extreme rendition of mutated memes. It's this mutation that allows them to become agents of death, is that it?”

“That's an apt summary, but it's not completely true either.”

Little X explained, “Common messages by themselves shouldn't be able to manifest itself physically to kill people. There should be another layer of mechanism that we're unaware of that is working behind these messages and directly causing the death of its recipients. If we can find out the working theory behind it, we may even be able to manufacture memes that fit our specified purposes.”

“Are you suggesting memetic technology?”

This was an enthralling idea to Chen Chen. If he was able to somehow weaponize memetic technology, even nuclear weapons would have to take a backseat. Such technology could potentially wipe out entire civilizations effortlessly, even the technologically superior aliens could not withstand its might.

Unless the aliens possessed memetic technology in their a.r.s.enal as well.

Upon further contemplating it, Chen Chen shook his head, deciding that he was getting ahead of himself. If memetic technology was an essential aspect of modern civilization, then it made no sense that humans would equip it while aliens do not.

As it was, the reason that mankind had not been able to harness the potential of such technology was that such ent.i.ties that posed a direct effect in the physical dimension had yet to appear in the real world.

Chen Chen frowned upon considering this. “That's not right, if physical manifestations of memes didn't exist in the past, then why are there so many ghost stories? Why is it that the products of the meme phenomenon are so similar to the 'ghosts' that humans have such a strong impression of?

“No, a better way to put it would be that it is these ghost stories that brought the memetic effect to fruition.”

Little X explained, “You can think of it as a back-and-forth interaction between the message mediums. In the battle between humans and viruses, humans continuously develop antibodies to combat the viruses, don't viruses do the same thing as well? The motive of viruses isn't to kill humans, they're only doing it for reproduction and survival. Powerful viruses aren't able to continuously spread. It's the mild viruses that parasitize the human body and slowly fuse into one with humans to evolve together.

“It is the same for memetic effect. Perhaps it's the idea of ghosts in olden times that pushes meme mediums in the direction of the ghost stories shared by people. Still, this is only a small sample as this doesn't occur in most cases. For example, memetic effects such as 'Ghost in the Window' don't shape itself to reflect the ancient ghost stories.

“After you exit the isolation zone, we can start conducting experiments on the earliest form of memes, which are the Basilisk patterns.”

Little X encouraged Chen Chen. “I believe that the secret of the memetic messages will be unraveled by us.”

“Hold on!”

It was then when Yoru Kamidera became startled and cut into their conversation. “Your Excellency, previously you mentioned that the memetic effect shouldn't occur in this parallel dimension. In that case, are you not worried that researching these cursed things in this world will eventually plunge it into the same predicament as the other world?”

“There's no need to worry about this.”

Little X explained, “I've already mentioned this before, the memetic effect could be said to be an essential part of technological development. Even if we don't research it, it'll eventually be discovered one way or another as we continue to advance scientifically. Besides, their mutation doesn't occur spontaneously. Just like regular viruses, it can only mutate continuously when it spreads outward.

“In other words, the emergence of various variations of memes in your previous world is caused by them spiraling out of control on the Internet. As long as we contain the range of its spread, we can get a handle on the meme itself.”

“Isn't there always the possibility of something going wrong?”

Yoru Kamidera appeared to be terrified of this thing. After finally getting away from the d*mnable world, he was about to witness Chen Chen and his crew researching the very thing responsible for his world's destruction. He asked in a quaking voice, “What if something went wrong? Does that mean this world is doomed as well?”

“It's unavoidable.”

Little X explained sheepishly, “Nuclear energy can lead to the destruction of mankind, but why does each country still insist on researching it? Antimatter is more dangerous than nuclear energy, has that ever stopped the major forces of the world from researching it? This is because they don't only have the potential to destroy the world, they can also change the world and help mankind take the next step. It's the same for memes, it's not just a weapon. If utilized properly, it just might change our lives, just like the Gantz server machine.”

“Little X is right.”

Chen Chen nodded in agreement. “The journey toward the scientific progression of mankind had never been a smooth sail. Just because you choose to avoid these things doesn't mean they will cease to exist. Yoru-kun, it's time to change your att.i.tude. You're the first person I've ever brought back from an alternate dimension, do you know why I chose you?”

“Because of my profound experience in memetic subjects…”

Yoru Kamidera was drenched in sweat at this point. He quickly lowered his head as if he was surrendering. “I understand now. Please forgive me for my previous comments. Your Excellency has nothing to worry about, I'll dedicate all my efforts to fulfilling your great vision!”