Murder in Wonderland
a-4
원우
We call this the Avatar phenomenon.
김여주
Abara?
원우
Avatar. Refers to an incarnation of a god in Indian mythology.
원우
Although he is in reality a god, he temporarily sends an incarnation to earth. For example, in Hinduism, Buddha is considered the Avatar of the god Vishnu.
원우
Likewise, we believe that our Avatar exists in a virtual world called ‘Wonderland.’
김여주
It's a bit like a character in a game. It's not me, but it's a reflection of me.
원우
yes.
김여주
So who created that virtual world?
원우
I know.
김여주
Huh?
원우
I don't know. I can't even guess. Maybe it wasn't created in the first place.
김여주
Could virtual worlds arise spontaneously?
원우
Because nothing is impossible in this world.
김여주
But to build a virtual world, you need a computer.
원우
The human brain could be used as a substitute for a computer. In a broader sense, even ordinary dreams and fantasies could be considered a form of virtual reality.
원우
For example, we think that our brains are interconnected and form a network.
김여주
Is that possible? Our brains aren't wired together.
원우
No one knows. It might be connected to some unknown signal, or a surprisingly weak electrical signal might be the key.
김여주
These days, so many different types of electromagnetic waves are being emitted. Brain waves and such won't even be detected properly.
원우
Extracting meaningful information from a mess of signals isn't a complicated skill.
원우
However, we can only say that we do not know whether the human brain has such a function.
김여주
Well, if that function existed, the ability to communicate through voice would not have developed.
Wonwoo's eyebrows twitched for a moment.
원우
As I said before, this is just a hypothesis for now.
원우
Of course, we cannot rule out the possibility that some conspiracy-like plan is underway to link a specific human mind with an artificial virtual reality.
김여주
Did someone plant something in our brains?
원우
That's a possibility.
김여주
If that's the case, then it's a crime. You should report it.
원우
Are you trying to say, ‘Who planted something in our heads, so please catch the culprit?’
Wonwoo said sarcastically.
김여주
A bug in my ear...
The female protagonist muttered softly.
원우
Huh? What did you say?
김여주
No. Something just suddenly occurred to me.
김여주
Let's create evidence. We'll examine the brain with X-rays or ultrasound.
원우
That's another way. Go to the hospital and say, "I have a terrible headache, so please do a brain scan." That's more realistic.
김여주
Then I'll go to the hospital right away.
The heroine got up from her seat.
원우
wait for a sec.
김여주
Why? Do you still have something to say?
원우
I told you I had something important to tell you.
김여주
Isn't that what we've been talking about so far?
원우
Of course that's important too, but... based on what we've said so far, what I'm going to say from now on is the most important.
김여주
Really? Tell me quickly before the hospital closes.
원우
What would happen if Alice were arrested for murdering Humpty Dumpty?
김여주
As I said before, you'll end up in jail.
원우
What if the judge was the queen?
김여주
It must be beheading. The Queen says, "Behead!" to anyone, regardless of their crime.
김여주
But the person who actually had his head cut off...
원우
They weren't actually caught for a crime, so no one had the heart to execute them.
원우
But it's different if you're a murderer.
김여주
Alice is really going to be executed.
김여주
But virtual reality... what's wrong with a dream character dying?
원우
Let me tell you something important. I don't think now is the time to be concerned about whether your heart is strong or not.
Wonwoo got up from his seat and looked straight at Yeoju.
원우
In Wonderland, Mr. Dee's Avatar was Humpty Dumpty.
김여주
huh?
Yeoju was momentarily confused, not knowing what Wonwoo meant by that.
And as I slowly began to understand what he meant, my hands began to tremble.
원우
It is possible that the deaths of the two worlds are connected.
원우
In that case, if Alice dies, you in reality will die too.