Cyberpunk: From Dogville to Legend

Chapter 380 The Source of the Mystery [Dizzy from a cold, no extra chapter today]

The process of infiltrating networks outside the region is actually not very long.

Lin Yue, who had joined the network at the Taipingzhou Dreamers Base and was constantly on guard against internet surveillance, breathed a sigh of relief.

This is not being overly cautious—

Instead, crossing regions to access networks on other continents greatly slows down the process of hackers exiting the network in the event of an emergency, while also significantly increasing the probability of being detected by local internet regulators.

Hackers rarely operate across different network regions unless they are extremely confident in their skills.

When the network was initially working well, ordinary people often had to endure a certain delay when trying to gain access to data in other regions. This situation became even more serious after Bartmouth released the virus, and various countries and regions intervened to address this irreversible change in the network.

This also makes the crossing of regional networks more complex and dangerous...

If you're not careful, misleading data can lead users to unknown places, where their fate is entirely up to fate.

The scenery around me was moving so fast...

We quickly traversed the sea of ​​data.

This is a term that has emerged in new algorithmic networks, referring to massive amounts of unorganized data converging like rivers and seas, resulting in an unpredictable amount of data collisions.

There isn't just one ocean of data; there are many such places within the 21% of the network currently available to humanity, and even more outside the Great Firewall!
This is also the root of the pessimistic attitude of artificial intelligence research experts regarding whether humanity can reclaim the original web in the future.

Research has already shown that AI may emerge during the process of data collision.

Even though the probability is as low as that of single-celled organisms arising from the interaction of inorganic matter in Earth's oceans, such situations do indeed occur.

That is to say-

Not to mention the mutated and rampant AIs that emerged after the initial network's collapse, there are also many newly born "evil dragons".

"Please be aware of the potential difference in your network devices."

The imagined Asian network is no different from the North American network.

Similarly, an endless black wall stands firmly in front of us, along with those wandering AIs blocked by the black wall under the two-way algorithm.

After hearing Otto's reminder, Lin Yue then began to check if he had any other discomfort.

This was one of the few "formal trainings" Lin Yue could receive in cyber warfare, and it was under the guidance of an AI entity that had fought countless battles and had extensive experience in combating the company's large firewalls—compared to the currently popular AI teachers, Ott's way of thinking was closer to that of a human.

Cyber ​​warfare and offline network intrusion are two completely different application scenarios of hacking techniques.

This is a topic that Lin Yue only came to understand after gaining a deeper understanding of online travelers…

In short, offline hackers rely on brain-computer interfaces, which can now be used as puppets (for rapid intrusion).

As long as there is a network nearby, public or organizational (private) subnets can become tools for hackers. People can turn their brains into guns that store malicious programs and use the network to fire bullets at the enemy's brains, implants, and network devices.

Fighting in the cyber network is like when Orion appeared—all combat actions are visualized. At that time, it relies not only on the hacker's sensitivity to data, but also on the hacker's sense of danger in the cyber network, and even more importantly, on a good set of tools.

This type of tool is called a network application suite.

Engaging in cyber activities without these tools is undoubtedly dangerous. Software suites offer numerous benefits, such as simplifying operations, enabling faster attack commands, and providing more comprehensive defenses.

Of course, it's also possible to conduct in-depth online research beforehand to help offline partners carry out mercenary operations.

The advantage is that you can get information faster, but the disadvantage is also obvious: you are more likely to be exposed than offline.

Therefore, you'd better pray that the enemy's hacking team hasn't discovered you...

Even gangs now have subnet maintenance hackers who can kill without shedding blood. The biggest drawback is that they can't manually intervene to disconnect the network in the real world while in deep-dive mode.

Following the experience described by Bartmos, Lin Yue meticulously checked everything that needed to be paid attention to after the deep dive before responding to Ultraman.

"Okay."

Lin Yue, who seems to have fought against Orion, Black Wall, and others in the online world, doesn't seem to need to be so cautious.

But this time is different from any other time—

After Ott led Lin Yue into the Asian tennis zone, they began to approach the Black Wall.

For Lin Yue, that place was an unknown and abandoned land filled with terrifying dragons.

He still remembers how the voice on the other end almost led him into an abyss when he first connected to the network warehouse…

Ultraman's massive body slowly merged into the black wall. The red data blocks on her body, representing AI, perfectly disappeared into the matrix-like data chains arranged within the black wall. The whole process seemed slow, but in reality, Ultraman's movements were like severe ghosting. She quickly vanished into the black wall, facing Lin Yue face-to-face across the wall without turning around...

This is the visual representation of the black wall bidirectional algorithm.

By obfuscating vectors, some AIs may spend their entire lives searching for a way to break through the black wall.

"Touch it."

Ultraman's voice was faint and indistinct.

The moment Lin Yue's hand touched the pulsating data dots, the scene before him rapidly changed. Ahead lay an endless expanse, with large areas of dark red patches covering the void-like blackness, while behind him stretched a black wall that many hackers were desperately trying to break through to prove themselves.

The vivid projection of consciousness immediately alerted the AIs roaming the network area.

The illusory dark red patch was already above Lin Yue in the blink of an eye…

Lin Yue's virtual image also underwent a huge change with the emergence of the program suite.

His body rapidly expanded, his feet resting on a disc that resembled a levitation device, a vicious dog following closely behind him, and the other modules responsible for ICE protection had transformed into electric fields swirling around him.

"This is not something you can handle."

Attacks generated by AI of this scale could instantly kill 90% of hackers in the surrounding network.

Lin Yue no longer has such a stable connection with the Black Wall, so when the AI ​​launches an attack on him, the Black Wall will no longer intervene.

Otto's goal is to lead Lin Yue to Shangri-La, and along the way, this AI will not allow Lin Yue to risk his life to gain experience.

The attack on the data was too simplistic.

Lin Yue only saw a beam of light descending from above Ultraman, and the dark red data cloud seemed to be held down and unable to move. Accompanied by a stuttering visual effect, it looked as if something was being pulled out of the dark red cloud...

At this moment, Lin Yue could feel that the guy was in a lot of pain.

"You can only attempt to attack the AI ​​when you have mastered the remaining Orion and Blackwall AI."

After she made her move, the area of ​​dark red patches around the black wall noticeably decreased, leaving only an unbearable darkness all around.

Ultraman, carrying Lin Yue's virtual image, set off.

It was as if Lin Yue was sitting in a time machine. He had no way of confirming how to get to Shangri-La. This seemed to be one of Ultraman's methods. It seemed that Ultraman did not want Lin Yue, a real human, to know the exact IP address of Shangri-La.

The surrounding scenery has changed.

The boundless blackness was no longer the dominant color here; instead, it was replaced by a somewhat dazzling light, as if a small sun stood here.

Below, a city appeared almost like a holographic projection...

This makes any data fortress or vision constructed by consciousness projection appear extremely crude.

Lin Yue quickly noticed that a network user was approaching.

“I told you before that Shangri-La has its own system, and the two governors are the logistics hackers responsible for our establishment of this passage.”

"If any problems arise during the process, please do not refuse instructions from Shangri-La...it's a matter of your life."

With the appearance of the two so-called "governors," Lin Yue was momentarily unable to tell whether he was inside or outside the wall—

Because their virtual avatars are indistinguishable from human figures.

“Miss Otto Cunningham.” The man, whose face was obscured by his hands behind his back, bowed like a medieval butler.

The plump woman was much colder, and Lin Yue could sense a subtle hostility towards her.

"Make sure you recognize his identification code. If anything happens, you need to prioritize his safety—you can prepare to transmit the data now."

Ultra was like a goddess who gave orders to humanity, and the two governors had no objections to the commands.

But the plump, scrutinizing gaze of the female governor made Lin Yue feel extremely uncomfortable...

I have a bad feeling about this.

After making some simple arrangements, Otto showed no intention of entering Shangri-La, but instead asked Lin Yue if he wanted to experience life in the Soul Kingdom.

According to Otto, most digital souls are the result of the abuse of the Soul Killer. Most of these people do not believe that they are physically dead, but prefer to think that the process of the Soul Killer killing them was a terrible nightmare.

To be able to build such a large-scale city...

The number of lives lost to the Soul Killer program over the decades remains unknown.

"never mind…"

Lin Yue ultimately rejected the proposal.

Indeed, social structures are most stable when people do not need to eat, drink, or pursue other material desires. Digital souls, as a form of life, have their own characteristics, and a perfect and ideal society can only be achieved under these prerequisites.

However, the reality is that hardship and disease have turned the people of Night City into fuel for their so-called dreams.

The two were too disconnected... to the point that Lin Yue didn't even want to engage with this beautiful dream.

"You know what? The first time I connected with the Black Wall—when my body was severely deteriorating and I was lying on the state of Honshu waiting to die—I had a strange dream..."

"In my dream, the place was called Shangri-La. It had a simple harbor where people traveled by wooden boats."

"Those souls told me that I belonged to that place, and they even logically constructed a whole set of explanations about how I came to be, how I am going to be, the meaning of my existence, etc., which almost made me doubt my life."

It was originally just casual conversation while waiting for the governor to open the passageway.

Unexpectedly, the city under Ultraman's command suddenly began to change. A corner by the river on the edge of the city began to enlarge, revealing a scene from the strange dream Lin Yue had during the time when he almost lost his humanity.

How can this be? !
Lin Yue was dumbfounded—

For a fleeting moment, he even wondered if it was all an illusion created by Ultraman…

But upon closer reflection, weaving lies is meaningless for Ultraman. She doesn't need to construct false memories to influence Lin Yue. Given their current bond, it would be more appropriate to describe it as a mutual transaction.

"That memory was indeed false."

Otto's words put Lin Yue's mind at ease.

"But why are those roaming AIs—"

Lin Yue hadn't finished speaking.

Ultraman interrupted, "A roaming AI?"

"No... there has only been one black wall from beginning to end."

Listen to Ultraman's unquestionable voice.

Lin Yue's mind is in a mess right now.

He didn't understand the point of Black Wall doing all this...

Lin Yue didn't care how he got there; he just wanted to know what the Black Wall was trying to achieve by going through all that trouble.

Otto didn't want this question to trouble Lin Yue's mind.

"I created countless AIs just to enter the Divine Palace, but you seem to have never known my true purpose for entering the Divine Palace."

Lin Yue shook his head.

What other purpose can AI serve besides consuming data?

"Liberate the soul".

Regardless of whether it was true or not, Lin Yue and Ultraman had their first conversation about their deeper purpose.

"The digital souls that Arasaka relies on Soul Killers to kill have been engaged in research in this area for a long time. Kamikori is their large-scale breeding farm—Relic's core technology was born at the cost of the death and damage of a large number of digital souls."

"To wipe away the pain from broken souls."

"My purpose is to let the souls who have endured imprisonment return to the free Shangri-La."

Such a statement...

Lin Yue frowned.

That seems to make sense.

According to the ending of the story in my memory, Ultraman seems to choose to take away a digital soul from Johnny and V, which just confirms this statement.

"Pain dissolves along with our birth."

"Some AIs will imitate humans because of a movie, and some AIs will keep studying because of problems they can't solve... but they all have their own meaning. Obviously, the black wall cannot find its own meaning."

"Your uniqueness makes him think that you are one of his kind."

"He empathizes with you and weaves beautiful lies for you, hoping you won't fall into the same pain he's going through with 'where did I come from'. But he also needs you, needs the lies to lure you over the wall and find the questions and answers he wants."

"If I hadn't appeared, you might have just been an insignificant link in his various attempts... The probability of surviving by crossing the Black Wall alone is almost zero. Even the strongest AI hunter wouldn't dare to easily cross the Black Wall and fight alone."

In other words, you are just one of countless options.

Otto's words clarified most of the mysteries surrounding Lin Yue's encounter with the Black Wall.

The Black Wall is also creating its own AI, which is very similar to Ultraman's behavior.

"So, Black Wall has been so persistent about a certain issue that he's resorted to casting a wide net?"

Lin Yue's words were easy to understand.

After thinking about it, Ultraman nodded.

"Not having a specific problem means we have to try multiple times."

"But I think this time it might not be a coincidence. The coordinates left behind by my friend Barthemos coincide with the instructions on the Black Wall..."

Lin Yue felt something.

"You mean the Black Wall is related to Bartmouth, right?"

Ott shook his head. "I wouldn't say that without concrete evidence."

However, Ott changed the subject and stared at Lin Yue, continuing, "Time is running out; you need a training session."

"I hope that through this opportunity... you can learn to be patient."

Lin Yue's expression instantly turned ugly.

Shangri-La vanished in an instant!
……

……

(End of this chapter)