Viktor is lying inside the machine with a helmet on his head that is connected in the machine.

"Alright, Dr. Mikhailov. I'll scan your body now." Sophia holds the lever and push it.

The machine started to pulse and a small light emitted inside where Viktor is lying. The screen in front of Sophia shows the whole body of Viktor and a red dot is pulsing in his head.

Sophia look up and think for a moment before speaking, "There's something inside your head, Dr. Mikhailov."

"Yeah? What is it?" Viktor shouts inside the machine.

Sophia puts her hand on the screen and start to zoom in the head of Viktor, revealing a small metallic object lodged deep within his brain.

Sophia furrows her brows, analyzing the image carefully. "It looks like some kind of microchip—a highly advanced one at that. It's unlike anything I've ever seen."

Viktor tries to process this information. "What does it do?"

Sophia starts scrolling through the data on the screen, trying to decipher the purpose of the mysterious device. "I'm not sure yet, but it seems to be interconnected with your brain's neural pathways. It could be influencing your thoughts or actions in some way."

Viktor removes the helmet from his head and gets out of the machine to see what Sophia found. As he steps out, he walks over to the screen to get a closer look. The image of the microchip implanted in his brain is displayed prominently.

"This is unbelievable," Viktor mutters as he stares intently at the screen. "So this is what Ethan put inside my head."

He touch the screen and starts scrolling down the series of numbers, he grab the chip on the hologram and put it on the table.

As Viktor places the holographic representation of the chip on the table, Sophia leans in closer to examine it. Viktor tap the chip and a whole bunch of complex scripts emerges from it, taking over almost half of the room.

Sophia's eyes widen in astonishment as she observes the intricate scripts and data projections emanating from the microchip. She reaches out to touch the holographic display, marveling at the complexity of the technology before her.

"This is beyond anything I've ever seen," Sophia whispers, her mind racing with possibilities and implications of such advanced tech. "It's like a neural interface system, but far more sophisticated than anything currently available."

Viktor gazes at the holographic display, a concern look on his face. "I've seen more complicated scripts than this. This is a child's play to me, but I need your help to get it out of my head."

Sophia nods in understanding, her curiosity piqued by the challenge presented before her. "Removing a device embedded so deeply within your brain won't be an easy task, Doc. We'll need to proceed with caution to ensure we don't cause any harm."

"Then let's head back to my office, I need some time to contemplate." Viktor says, shutting down the hologram with a single gesture from his hand.

As they exit the lab, Viktor carries the tabletop hologram device containing the intricate chip data. Sophia follows alongside, pondering the implications of this unexpected discovery.

This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

As they head inside the office, Viktor and Sophia fell into a deep silence as Viktor paces back and forth thinking about the chip installed inside his brain.

He doesn't remember anything involving his disappearance, only before he disappeared he was taking a walk through Europe and suddenly he blacks out.

As Viktor contemplates his situation, memories start to surface in bits and pieces, like distant echoes trying to find clarity in his mind. Flashes of unfamiliar faces, mysterious places, and cryptic conversations flicker through his consciousness.

He closes his eyes, trying to grasp the fleeting memories that tease the edges of his thoughts. Each fragment feels like a puzzle piece waiting to be connected, providing hints to the bigger picture of his missing time and the purpose of the chip in his brain.

Lost in his introspection, Viktor senses a presence behind him. He turns to see Sophia studying him with a piercing gaze in her eyes.

"Can I ask who's this Ethan person is?" She asked with tone of curiosity.

"Wait, what?" Viktor look at her confusedly. "You haven't watched the news?"

Sophia shakes her head, "No, I don't care about the news. I only care about my work in NeuraCorp." She says with a straight face.

Viktor nods, realizing Sophia's dedication to her work at NeuraCorp. He takes a deep breath before explaining, "Ethan is like, the big bad guy for now. Authorities are finding him and a friend of mine is finding him too because he kidnapped his ex-girlfriend I guess."

As Viktor finishes his explanation, Sophia's expression goes back to his usual nonchalant face. She processes the information quickly, understanding the gravity of the situation.

"I see," Sophia replies, "So, you think this Ethan person might have something to do with the chip in your brain?"

"Not might..." Viktor shake his head, "I know he put that chip inside my head to control my transformation and it quickly backfired because I become an uncontrollably monster that rampaged endlessly."

As Viktor recalls the chaotic events of his transformation, a shiver runs down his spine. The memories of being a mere bystander in his own body, watching as the uncontrollable force within him took over, are still fresh in his mind.

Sophia's eyes widen slightly as she processes the gravity of the situation. "That must have been terrifying," She remarks, her voice laced with concern.

Viktor nods solemnly, his gaze fixed on a distant point beyond the office walls. "It was like being trapped in a nightmare from which I couldn't awaken. I felt powerless, at the mercy of a force I couldn't comprehend."

...

The room fell in deep silence, only disturbed by the faint hum of the air conditioning. The weight of Viktor's words lingered in the air, casting a somber mood over the office.

After a moment of silence, she spoke softly, "I can't even begin to imagine what you went through, Doc. To have your own body turn against you in such a way... it's beyond nightmarish."

"And I don't want to feel that again.. I need to remove this chip in my head." Viktor approach his table and tap a button under it. "I'll start making some plans to get this chip out of my brain safely."

As the holographic display flickers to life above the table, Viktor begins mapping out potential strategies for removing the chip from his brain. His mind races with possibilities, considering the risks involved in such a delicate procedure.

Sophia watches intently, her analytical gaze locked on the holographic schematics unfolding before her.

SOMEWHERE...

"Wakey wakey,"

Ethan whisper to the ear of Lisa who is lying on the bed unconsciously. He caress Lisa's arm and kiss the back of her hand.

Lisa stirs, slowly regaining her consciousness. She opened her eyes and quickly jumps out of the bed, kicking Ethan on the face.

Ethan wipes the dust out of his face and smile, "That hurts." He chuckles softly.

"Where am I?" Lisa asked, looking around the room with disbelief.

The room is filled with advance technologies like hologram, computer, and a gauntlet resting on its chamber.

"Welcome to my world." Ethan says proudly, gesturing towards the high-tech gadgets in the room. "This is where I work on my inventions and experiments."

Lisa glares at him and grabs a knife from the table beside her, "You sick freak. Get away from me!" She threaten, pointing the knife towards Ethan.

Ethan smile at her, "Oh, so scary." He taunts with a wide grin on his face. "Let's be for real, there's no one coming to save you as long as they don't know where I'm hiding."

Taking a deep breath to calm her nerves, Lisa slowly lowers the knife, trying to buy some time. "What do you want from me?" She asks, her voice trembling slightly.

Ethan's expression shifts from amusement to a more serious tone. "I want your expertise, your skills," He replies. "You're the best out there, and I could use your help in perfecting my latest invention."

Lisa eyes Ethan warily, her hands caressing the knife beside her. "What makes you think I'll help you?"

Ethan leans back, crossing his arms casually. "Because you don't have a choice," he says with a sly grin. "You can either cooperate and contribute to something amazing, or... well, let's just say the alternative won't be pleasant for him."

Ethan step to the side, revealing a hologram footage of man chained inside the a dark room. Both arms spreading out wide and a large chain on his neck that goes all the up to the ceiling.

Lisa's eyes widen in shock and horror as she sees the hologram of the man in captivity. She remembered that face it's her brother, Marcel, who had gone missing for three years. Fear and anger grip her heart, and she clenches the knife even tighter.

"You monster!" Lisa exclaims, her voice trembling with rage. "What have you done to him?!"

"I haven't harmed him, if that's what you're worried about," Ethan retorted, his gaze fixed with a grin. "He's perfectly fine for now, but his safety depends on your cooperation."

Lisa's mind races with conflicting emotions of fear for her brother and hatred towards Ethan. She knows she's trapped in a moment she never expected to face, having to choose between her morals and her loved one's life.

"You can't be serious," Lisa chokes out, her voice filled with desperation. "I won't help you with whatever twisted plan you have in mind."

Ethan's smile fades, replaced with a look of disappointment. "I was hoping you'd see a reason, but it seems we have a long way to go." He gestures to the hologram once more, the image of Marcel looking tired and helpless. "Think about it, Lisa. Your brother's fate is in your hands."