Chapter 114 - 115: Progress
Three days later, Richard was again meditating in the white-metal chamber. He was alone; Lina was gone, managing Bytebull from a city away, observing him only through discreet cameras and remote sensors. Richard felt a sense of relief at her physical absence, the torrent of her thoughts no longer an immediate assault.
Three days. And finally... not silence, not yet. But not that deafening roar. Thank the System.
He noted that the constant hum of the mansion’s inhabitants’ thoughts was now merely background ’noise’, no longer overwhelming.
Richard consciously experimented with his Adaptive Perception. He understood the mechanics of his newly awakened telepathy. The volume and clarity of thoughts and visions depended directly on range. Beyond approximately 100 feet, they dissipated into an indistinct murmur. The closer individuals were, the louder and clearer their thoughts and mental images became.
His current, primary goal was to gain precise control, to filter out which voices and thoughts he would allow to consciously register. He was using his Quantum Breath and meditation as core tools to focus his Mental Perception on this task, specifically aiming for silence. It was a grueling process, but he felt a nascent control.
Jack entered the chamber, a rare sight in its usual solitude. He visited Richard frequently, offering support and a sense of normalcy. He saw Richard meditating, calmer than before.
"Hey, man. Good to see you not... coiled up in a corner. You seem more or less fine now," Jack said with audible relief.
Jack grinned, a mischievous glint in his eye. He leaned closer to Richard, a challenging thought forming in his mind, testing the boundaries of Richard’s abilities.
Alright, buddy. Let’s see how much of my private thoughts you can pick up now. Thinkin’ about... uh... hot babes on the beach. And a... very specific kind of movie. With lots of... plot points.
Richard, despite his concentration, felt the sudden, clear influx of Jack’s deliberate thoughts. A faint chuckle escaped Richard, a genuine, if strained, sound. He shook his head, a small smile touching his lips.
Jack, you son of a...