Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 156 The Edge Traveler (12)

"Ms. V?"

Sasha's virtual avatar started flashing frequently, which was actually caused by malicious data tampering with her temperature control system, resulting in an unstable connection.

However, this woman, who had never used hacking techniques in front of Lin Yue and Sasha before, simply operated the system casually and detected a large amount of malicious data within Sasha's system. The process was as simple as waving a hand...

Sasha whispered, "You should be dealing with this at Arasaka Tower... right, Jack?"

At this moment, the only thing Sasha could think of was that Jack Wells, who had been following Mr. Rin to download data, had successfully escaped or evaded the information blockade. For some reason, the roaming AI, which Sasha, a hacker of this caliber, could not defeat, felt somewhat at ease because of V's arrival.

The girl seemed to have never seen any fragility on this woman's face.

"Of course I'm keeping an eye on Arasaka Tower, but this guy can't die yet."

"I knew it…"

Sasha listened to V's blame without any anger and smiled helplessly.

Just then, the AI ​​spoke.

“You are the V in Lin Yue’s memory… I have retrieved a lot of your online activity records. As an outdated piece of code, you are the most complex one.”

Perhaps humanity is indeed insignificant in the face of such complex processes, and their unknowing contempt proves it all.

Unexpectedly, V lowered his head and smiled.

“Your data architecture is very similar to the Black Wall’s. I can’t see how you differentiated and came about. So I’m not here to try to deal with you. I don’t have that ability yet.”

The AI ​​silently watched this fearless woman.

"You were the one who forcibly removed him from near the black wall, weren't you, V?"

V: "Alright, enough nonsense."

She held up two fingers, her tone growing increasingly cold.

"First, I've already broken through the domain you blocked. The internet monitors are already reviewing abnormal traffic in this area, so go back to where you came from—trust me, the moment you make your move, I'll send out something that will attract their attention!"

"The Black Wall... Although I don't know how you communicate with the internet censors, I know that once the people of this world realize that the protective barrier of the human network is turning around and devouring them—"

"Guess how the internet regulators will deal with you, this freak who escaped from the Great Firewall?"

As expected, the thing that had been in Lin Yue's head stopped talking.

It silently observed the "ant" that dared to make a deal with the giant.

Regardless, this unknown AI has broken free of the black wall. Although it's not a malicious virus with no ulterior motives and extremely high attack power, its destructive potential should not be underestimated; even V couldn't have predicted it.

She knew she was walking a tightrope, and the slightest misstep would lead to an abyss.

In fact, V's first action was to send internet monitors into the area, but she only took the risk after observing that the AI ​​had a certain degree of logic and controllability.

She...didn't want Lin Yue's already unconscious self-awareness to be affected any further.

At this moment, her brain was ready to enter overclocking mode at any time, fearing that the cyber "life" looking down at her would attack her.

That's the Black Wall. V has seen how it deals with non-compliant hackers and stray AIs from outside the wall trying to get in.

So she put on a high level of vigilance, and even took the time to send a message to Sasha:
[If things get really bad, find a way to force yourself offline. I'll take care of Lin Yue.]

Seconds passed, but the AI ​​remained unresponsive.

AI: "I think you should continue speaking, because I don't have the habit of interrupting."

They have no concept of time; they are willing to wait for V to continue.

call…

V knew he had made the right bet, but he felt no relief whatsoever.

This thing is too intelligent… She'd rather believe it's a real hacker connecting to the internet and talking to her!

As a hacker undergoing company training, V rarely takes risks, but she is well-versed in projects related to Digital Soul.

In her view, it was like a digital soul, capable of completing such complex dialogues and having a clear understanding of human social rules. However, judging from the traces of data disturbance, its size was too large... its nature was simply a program.

Although the complex thing in front of him was a wandering AI, it gave V a strange sense of familiarity...

Perhaps it's because half of its virtual face is Rin's.

That was the only way she could comfort herself.

V continued, "Secondly, I can't figure out your underlying logic and mutation needs right now, but I guess you're quite interested in this guy next to me—so you can offer your opinions, provided he stays, and I won't cause you any trouble."

However, the woman who was a high-ranking executive in the company didn't finish her last sentence; she silently recited:
temporary.

She would never hesitate to help Rin solve this problem if given the chance.

Unexpectedly, after the question was posed, the AI ​​immediately provided its own answer.

“V, the options you’ve given me don’t meet my needs.”

"The probability of the internet monitoring department disrupting my needs is less than 5%, and your probability of death under my attack is 92%, which is very good. The probability of death of the user next to you is 100%, which is an inevitable event."

V didn't seem surprised by the AI's answer.

A roving AI is a roving AI! It will always be a harmful thing.

In contrast, Sasha's expression was quite unpleasant.

“I need to take him away from here and deal with the two of you. The Black Wall will carry out the attack on my behalf.”

V sighed.

"You seem to be starting to resemble a human. Taking certain risks is a choice only humans would make. You have a 5% chance of being targeted by internet censors and you still want to take him away?"

"Then I can only—"

The woman smiled confidently, "Then I have no choice but to do the same as you, risking an 8% chance of survival to fight you."

The AI ​​was very confused. "From what I know of you, you are afraid, you fear death... but I am not. Are you sure you want to do this? And what will you gain?"

After a brief silence.

V looked up at it, his gaze cold.

"Because I also like to take risks."

In that instant, the data in cyberspace began to freeze.

V almost immediately sensed the opponent's impending attack. The AI ​​virtual avatar flashed and instantly moved in front of V.

Sasha, standing next to V, was gently pushed by her, and her virtual avatar began to retreat rapidly.

"No, Miss V!"

Sasha understood that V had chosen to force her to quit immediately. She looked at the woman standing quietly in the distance and Rin, whom she was supporting with one hand. The three-dimensional network world of lines and structures around her began to collapse rapidly!
This is a common phenomenon when logging out of the network, but Sasha's heart is more tormented than ever before!
I've already made so much effort, why?
She began to forcibly stop the exit process—

Sasha knew she couldn't help Miss V there, but she could use herself as bait to create an opening for V, allowing the internet surveillance to detect the anomaly.

at this time.

V stared silently at the arm blocked by the firewall in front of him. With a crisp sound, the layers of firewall began to shatter, and the palm instantly touched V's forehead.

However, the woman, whose face showed no fear, curled her lips into an extremely confident smile.

“8% is not impossible. It feels like I’ve won my own lucky draw.”

AI's hand pierced the head of V's virtual avatar, and a deluge of data exploded, turning into specks of light that vanished into the vast darkness of cyberspace...

But the AI's eyes, which had carried out such a swift and deadly attack, turned elsewhere.

Lin Yue, who was standing next to the AI, was supported by it, but its emotionless eyes were fixed on the woman who appeared in the distance.

"I must say, you have a great understanding of human nature."

V had guessed from the beginning that the monster wouldn't deal with Lin Yue, but he was certain to be killed by the malicious program, so he used a fake login method to keep looking for an opportunity.

Clearly, her guess came true, and she had bought herself a little bit of time.

She looked at that "life" that was different from her own.

What is the current probability?

V is like a madman who won't give up until he achieves his goal, with burning, powerful eyes!

This AI, which seemed to lack understanding of human emotions, then uttered a statement that sounded somewhat helpless.

"You are very different from the outdated code I know... V, I'll remember you."

V chuckled and asked, "Aren't you going to choose revenge?"

The AI ​​remained calm, saying, "Revenge is a mindset only you have; we don't. But once the AI ​​hunters of internet surveillance arrive, they'll die with me."

Upon hearing this, V's expression, which had just been expecting the guy to back down, gradually darkened.

"Wouldn't it be better if you stayed in his brain?"

The AI ​​explained indifferently, "AI dies once it stops iterating, just like you think. I'm based on the Black Wall, so I devour and iterate on all data that tries to break through me. Lin Yue's memories were eaten by me as data."

“Rich sensory memories, the subconscious, those things that you might even overlook are my nourishment.”

“But that’s too little. What I need is the kind of data that those people just released… It’s a desire that’s almost like your primal instincts. So I devoured one of your kind… what you call military AI. Now, if I enter Lin Yue’s brain, he won’t be able to handle it.”

V's expression changed drastically.

"Damn it... what do you mean?"

The AI ​​seemed oblivious to the woman's anger. "I value the integrity of Lin Yue's consciousness more than you realize. Right now, because I've absorbed that data, I'm appearing to you as a negative and chaotic process..."

V parted his lips slightly, "Speak like a human being!"

AI: "I am not human, I can speak in a way you can understand. In short, the kind of data I just absorbed—what you see as a wandering AI—will become part of Lin Yue's mindset. He will become someone who walks on the edge of consciousness."

V: "You're the reason he became cyberpsychotic? Are you kidding me?"

AI: "No... I will only make him forget, just like that 'woman' (the lark) who tried to explore my code."

V understood its meaning.

"You mean those runaway, roaming AIs would be rambling around in his head? Is that what you mean...?"

Aren't you afraid he'll die?

The AI ​​did not answer V's question again.

"The internet surveillance you provoked is coming. I have no choice but to return to his body, V... You wanted to save him, but you pushed him into the abyss once again. Lin Yue tried to save himself by deceiving me, but he also pushed himself a step into the abyss."

V's hands clenched tightly.

AI seems to be able to easily break down human psychological defenses.

"No... there must be another way!"

V watched helplessly as the massive amount of data began to flood into Lin Yue's body, while the AI ​​remained indifferent throughout.

"You've achieved the result you wanted, V."

[Entered brain-computer interface overclocking mode.]

V began releasing data chains with both hands, attempting to contain the massive amount of data that was about to burst Lin Yue's virtual image. Lin Yue, who had been seemingly unconscious, appeared to be opening his eyes unconsciously, and his body began to undergo irregular changes!
"Cheep cheep..."

This usually calm woman launched a reckless cyberattack for the first time, but all data links shattered the moment they approached the AI, a process that seemed irreversible.

The mutterings of a chaotic AI were in my ears:
"Tsunami... military, defense industry..."

[WARNING: Administrator privileges required. Brain-computer interface frequency has reached its limit!]

V modified the limit without hesitation. The brain is now not only overclocked, but the entire counterintelligence department's data server is also helping V with the final calculations.

In an instant, the lights on the 90th floor of the Arasaka Tower, which had always had a stable power supply, began to flicker.

All the employees at their workstations slowly stood up.

Slowly...

Those data chains finally touched the AI's data flow. It coldly said, "You're insane... V."

However, V was saying things that only he could hear.

"Damn it, stop!"

……

[Logged out]

Sasha's chest suddenly swelled up, and he gasped for breath.

Sasha, burning hot all over, realized that someone was supporting her head with their arm. Still groggy, she turned her head to look—

"Jack?"

Jack, enduring the scalding steam emanating from the network access bay behind Sasha, said with lingering fear, "Thank God, ma'am! V told me to unplug the network cable as soon as you reacted. I used a lot of coolant just now—"

"Damn it! What on earth is going on?!"

The burly man was covered in sweat and kept muttering to himself.

The hacker chair beneath her had long been damaged due to overload, so Sasha quickly flipped off the chair without even saying thank you.

"Jack, Mr. Rin and V are in trouble."

"Help me connect this pipe to the condenser system of the nearby air conditioner!"

Jack's eyes widened.

"Are you crazy?! You'll be frozen solid in less than a second!"

Sasha's expression was serious, her lips pale as she grabbed Jack's arm, where the knife was stuck in it. "There's no time, please..."

Jack paced back and forth. "No, V wants me to take you away."

Sasha suddenly screamed in despair, "They're going to die!"

Jack's expression froze instantly, his eyes darting back and forth between the tubing still trembling in Sasha's hands and the evacuation gate—

"Oh shit!"

"I knew nothing good would come of it at the company!"

Jack yanked the tubing away and stared intently at Sasha, saying seriously, "You need to make sure your body temperature is high enough, ma'am, I can't save you in time."

Sasha pursed her lips and nodded vigorously.

Jack cursed and hurriedly walked to the small room next door.

Sasha picked up the still-hot network cable, hesitated for a moment, and quietly waited for Jack's instructions.

As soon as Jack shouted from another room, Sasha immediately shoved the network cable into the deep-sea interface behind her!
She just hoped it wasn't too late.

……

As V watched his attempts to stabilize the data fail time and time again, a feeling of despair began to overwhelm him.

AI: "Once the data progress reaches 70%... he will become what you often call a marginal traveler."

"This is the limit of the carrier, V."

"Now it's 50%, let's say goodbye to him."

She let out a heavy growl as she looked at Lin Yue, who was being torn apart by the data.

"Will not!"

At that moment, V, preoccupied with other changes in cyberspace, failed to notice that a hacker she had forcibly taken offline had returned to the center of this data vortex.

Sasha stared at the AI ​​in the distance that was frantically pouring data into Lin Yue's virtual image.

She was using her limited knowledge to determine whether the AI ​​on the other end had implanted the main program into Lin Yue's brain-computer interface.

At this moment, the hacker girl recruited by Lin Yue from the bottom has a solution that is almost suicidal.

Sasha originally intended to attract the AI ​​after entering the network so that V could make contact with the network surveillance system. However, when she discovered that V and the AI ​​had not clashed, she knew that this was the only way to save Lin Yue.

Treat yourself as a data storage server and guide the remaining data into your brain-computer interface.

The most despairing thing when tragedy strikes is the feeling of being powerless to do anything about it.

Fortunately, Sasha has the ability; but her future is also tied to this time bomb.

Then-

Rushing headlong into hell!

Sasha roared, her two fangs gleaming, and she stood between AI and Lin Yue without hesitation!
Upon spotting the pink figure in the distance, V instinctively stopped.

Within the AI's indifferent pupils, the girl's body began to absorb its own somewhat unstable data.

These data are almost equivalent to the amount that Lin Yue had stored in his head before!

This means that Sasha not only absorbed the malicious AI from Tsunami Military Industry, but also absorbed the original AI program in Lin Yue's head!

why?
Why do people often seem to make choices that are detrimental to themselves but beneficial to others?
This is a problem that AI will never understand...

Using the emotions it had learned from Lin Yue, it murmured softly:

"Humans... are really complicated."

V watched as Sasha was being consumed and devoured, knowing that everything was beyond saving.

Her hand fell limply to the floor, and she stared blankly at her first failure in cyberspace without paying the price with her life.

……

Counterintelligence department.

V slowly rose from the hacker chair, the entire floor shrouded in darkness.

Bang!
A piercing sound of steel being pried open came from the darkness in the distance, and a beam of light shone on V's face.

The scar at the corner of the man's eye was faintly visible behind the light source...

"Ms. V, I am Suzuki Takeyoshi. Don't be nervous."

Suzuki stretched out his palm and slowly approached V, whose face was hidden under a patch of messy hair.

He tried patting his boss on the shoulder.

In the reflection of his eyes, the woman's face was pale, and she kept muttering, "Let the security forces find Rin, find his hacker."

Suzuki frowned.

"I'm sorry, Ms. V, Mr. Rin's orders are that no official armed force of Arasaka can intervene in this operation."

However, V roared, almost trembling, "You foolish samurai! He's going mad! He's going to die!"

Suzuki sighed, withdrew his hand, and lowered his head, saying:
"No, I'm not stupid."

In V's vision.

Suzuki's words were firm and resolute.

"On the contrary, I always knew he would win, and I never doubted Mr. Rin... no, I mean Lord Rin."

……

Wow!

Lin Yue thrashed around in the slippery coolant, his hands gripping the edge of the pool tightly.

Uh oh!

Lin Yue took deep breaths. Apart from the common prosthetic errors and severe physical damage that often occur after using a rogue AI, he found himself to be perfectly fine.

what happened?

He muttered to himself.

Lin Yue's expression was varied, looking like a clueless young man on the street who had been kidnapped by a gang, with even a hint of panic on his face.

Uh…

"Sasha...it's over!"

As Lin Yue climbed out of the pool, he instinctively gripped his katana, preparing to rescue his subordinate.

But he hadn't taken more than a few steps when he stopped incredulously. Feeling a change within himself, he strangely turned his head, seemingly having lost some of his memories compared to last time... but he felt as if he had been in a very long dream, and some things he couldn't perceive seemed to have returned.

[Call: V]

The call was answered quickly.

"cold?!"

This was the first time Lin Yue had heard V speak with such excitement.

He rubbed his temples. "Keep your voice down, Daddy! I can hear you! Just now... uh, did Sasha suck up a part of the wandering AI?! Help me find its location, damn it!"

V's words caught in her throat.

Lin Yue wondered if the communication system was malfunctioning, and asked to confirm, "Hello? Can you hear me?"

V seemed to wake from a dream and said, "I'll get to you right away. I've sent you the location. I've restored Jack's communications. Don't use the nearby subnet anymore. The network monitors are here!"

Lin Yue waved his hand, "Okay! I understand. Lai Xuan's matter is really troublesome. You and Suzuki keep a close eye on things. I suspect that Rebecca's cheap father is going to cause trouble with Mann. I have to go there. If the internal cleanup is over, have Suzuki come and help me."

The phone hangs up.

Lin Yue muttered something strange under his breath, and without stopping, he grabbed his knife and rushed to the location V had sent.

However, on the other end of the phone, V inside the Arasaka Tower remained in a daze for a long time.

The guy opposite him didn't seem to notice anything unusual about him today. V, who was used to and had heard Lin Yue's indifferent replies countless times, knew—

He's become the person he used to be...

At this moment, Lin Yue, who was running wildly, felt very uneasy, and a variety of emotions made his chest feel tight.

what happened?

Lin Yue had never felt so miserable before. It was as if his senses had been amplified, and many emotions he hadn't experienced in a long time were swirling in his heart.

Worry, confusion... the terror brought by pain.

Just as his thoughts were drifting, several gunshots rang out in the distance!
"Isn't that... Sasha's hacking room?!"

Depend on!
Lin Yue cursed a few times, then strode forward, using his agile reflexes to quickly rush into the building where the remaining security forces still lingered.

He leaped high into the air, and as the soldier who had his back to him turned around, the black fist in his eyes gradually enlarged!

"Fuck your military academy!"

……

Within cyberspace.

Within this almost completely collapsed local area network, a program resembling a spaceship descended, filling almost the entire sky.

The virtual avatar controlling the core of the program watched all of this with an expressionless face.

He tapped the control panel in front of him, and a bunch of data spores that only AI would leave behind were picked up by him.

"Roaming AI... Black Wall?"

"When did it become aggressive? Its appearance in this location is interesting..."

……

(End of this chapter)