Mythos Of Narcissus: Reborn As An NPC In A Horror VRMMO

With the individual components created, we began the delicate assembly, each step a carefully orchestrated series of placements, bindings, and calibrations. The paths and synapses were laid onto the silicon backing, creating a network of layered, conductive pathways, each infused with trace elements from our harvested and processed materials alike.

This process needed an immaculate and nearly-atomic level of precision.

Thankfully, with Kuzunoha' assistance and my hands' unbelievable dexterity, we managed to work it out, somehow.

Layering the Conductive Ink Paths: The Memory Ink Alloy pathways were applied in a branching pattern, akin to the branching of neural dendrites. Kuzunoha's precise sorcery allowed for an even spread of ink, ensuring connectivity without premature bonding or coagulation.

Each path was tested with faint electrical pulses, verifying that signal strength would propagate consistently without unnecessary degradation.

Embedding Synaptic Nodes: Each Wax Memristor was positioned at a branching point where pathways intersected. The material's ability to harden over time allowed these nodes to strengthen with use, creating lasting patterns that would reflect the Organic Calculator's 'learning'.

We adjusted their positioning carefully, using faint, repetitive currents to create foundational pathways, a process not unlike initializing a network in traditional machine learning.

Final Calibration with Lichen Adaptivity Bridges: The Lichen fibers were woven between clusters of Wax Memristors to enhance adaptability, allowing for subtle changes in pathway connections based on usage. This added an organic, flexible connectivity that would shift under specific patterns of stress, further mimicking neural plasticity.

"This place is getting poisonous," Lupina said while making a sour face. "The amount of artificial material and calamity-related chemicals are enough to kill an entire herd of sheep!"

"We haven't died, though," Verina casually replied.

"Huh, that's true." Lupina was put into a state of trance.

While we were working on these reactive materials, I made sure that everyone's Health tabs were opened, and Kuzunoha would be ready to administer my blood to any one of us except me when things went south.

As for me—my Valtherion blood appeared to be a greater addition to my immune system than I expected, so I didn't need to worry about myself.

"Things just went smoother than I expected," I murmured. "To the point that I'm scared of the progress we're making."

Shouldn't innovating stuff like this take days if not months?? We weren't even in this workshop for an hour yet!

Once the prototype was assembled, it was time to activate the device and begin the calibration process, testing if it could actually learn and retain simple patterns.

This prompted the Training Phase.

We initiated the training protocol by introducing basic voltage patterns induced with basic ohrtending, representing shapes such as a square, triangle, and circle.

With each shape, the pathways were exposed to repeated pulses, strengthening certain Wax Memristors in specific arrangements, while excess energy was safely absorbed by the Lichen layer.

Over time, we began to see the device develop lasting 'impressions'. When re-exposed to a square's voltage pattern, for instance, the pathways would quickly align to the familiar shape, suggesting that the Organic Calculator was indeed capable of rudimentary pattern recognition.

We then began monitoring the Synaptic Responses.

"Oooh, it glows," Kuzunoha said as she was using her image-inducing holographic spell to create a screen for us to observe the inner mechanism of the device. "They are reacting well."

As expected, the Blood-Bonded Gel Layer at each synapse allowed for short-term potentiation, amplifying currents in frequently used paths.

We noted that certain Wax Memristors grew increasingly resistant to low voltages, reinforcing their place as primary nodes in response to specific inputs.

Each test pattern produced a unique configuration of electrical paths, which the device began to stabilize over time, hinting at an emergent memory—a primitive form of 'recognition' that could now be recalled.

"Wow, we did it on the first try," Verina uttered with awe. "I didn't expect that this project would be this fascinating."

Well, it was intriguing because Kuzunoha was providing the imagery for us. Otherwise, we don't know jack shit on what was happening because all of those processes happen under the radar of our naked eyes.

After confirming the Synaptic Responses, we began verifying for Memory Retention:

We paused the training for a half an hour to let the device rest. We used this time to continue resting and do whatever the hell we planned to do before my sudden excursion to the workshop, and then we got back again.

We then reintroduced the patterns, and then we did it for two more times.

Each time, the Organic Calculator produced an identical voltage response to previously introduced shapes, confirming that it could recall patterns, demonstrating a form of associative memory.

"Should we call this a success?" Verina asked..

"It's still early to tell," I said. "But it is definitely a passing mark."

"Some parts are still not tuned well," Kuzunoha added. "The calculation and position that the first iteration of the schematic provided didn't fully account for the reaction between the Calamity Alloys and its modified counterpart, so we need to adjust things too before we can fully decide the success of this project.

"Though, it still doesn't diminish the fact that we managed to accomplish this extremely remarkable task in just under two hours," Kuzunoha smiled, almost as if she was congratulating us. "Good work."

After another hour of precise assembly and repeated calibration, we observed the Organic Calculator's first operational properties.

Efficiency in Low-Power, Adaptive Tasks.

The Organic Calculator operated on minimal energy, similar to a biological neural network.

We measured each pathway's current, noting how little voltage was required to activate even the more established pathways. This meant that the device could continuously learn and process patterns without drawing excessive power—a massive advantage in any remote, survival-focused bastion.

Not to mention, both Kuzunoha and Verina could fuel the needed voltage as easily as they were breathing, which was a plus in my book.

The prototype also already exhibited the trait of Adaptive Learning,

Its ability to adapt was its most core feature. After repeated exposure to certain inputs, the device could interpret variations on the original patterns. This adaptive feature would be vital for interpreting complex, varied data, such as distinguishing between subtle changes in terrain, enemy formations, or other environmental cues vital to our survival.

And many other important things, huehue~

I can't stop drooling from these thoughts. Read latest stories on empire

As for the current limitation.

While the Organic Calculator could remember patterns and respond predictably, it struggled with precision tasks. Attempts to use it for arithmetic resulted in inconsistent outputs, suggesting that while it could recognize and learn, it wasn't suitable for exact calculations—a limitation we noted for future iterations.

Conclusion: A New Path to Computation.

With every adjustment and test, the Organic Calculator began to felt like a bridge to a new era—a machine that could mimic organic memory and learning without relying on rigid programming or magical enchantments.

Though not fully conscious, its adaptive structure meant that each use refined its responses, making it an invaluable tool for a future bastion reliant on resilience and autonomy.

Verina and Lupina observed as I noted final observations in the schematics. "It's a start," I said, reflecting on the achievement. "It's not flawless, but it's alive in its own way—enough to learn, to respond, and perhaps, in time, to help us."

And maybe we might be able to implement them into our tools and equipment sooner than I thought.