Digital Hackers' Memories

The owner of that private digital space calls herself "Mikagura Mirei," and the two cats she keeps are not ordinary cats, but special programs called "Digimon."

Although Mirei Mikagura's constant talk of fate and branching paths seemed mystical, it still managed to make Keisuke understand that the world was not as simple as he had imagined.

Whether it's those suddenly appearing "living programs" or the capture programs specifically designed to capture living programs, they all seem to be hidden crises beneath this network.

Therefore, it was both to find out Mikagura Mirei's true identity and to find her own account as soon as possible.

Afterwards, Keisuke approached Kyoko Murami and told her about his inexplicable experience.

"If we're judging by the timeline, she should have already uncovered some clues, right?"

This was not Keisuke's optimistic estimate, but rather his affirmation of Kyoko Kuroi's abilities.

Having assisted Kyoko Kuroi on numerous occasions, Keisuke was well aware of her abilities.

Typical "online cases" can be resolved smoothly in her hands in less than a day.

Meanwhile, Kyoko Murami has been investigating the mysterious digital space for three days, following the clues she provided.

Even if Kyoko Kuroi seems somewhat reluctant to log into the digital space for some unknown reason, Keisuke believes that given her consistent personality, it would be quite easy to find a free laborer on the spot.

Moreover, if Keisuke remembers correctly, that strange woman seems to have a free long-term laborer—that guy's name seems to be Takumi?

"However, I have a feeling she's going to make an exception this time."

Thinking of the excitement that Kyoko Kuroi had shown when he took on this commission, Keisuke felt that there was a high probability that she would personally go to that mysterious digital space this time.

"Forget it, let's finish this job first!"

"Erica should have already found the latest information on the 'Account Hunter'."

Chapter Eleven: Brain in a Vat

"As expected of the birthplace of EDEN technology, this place is far more prosperous than I imagined..."

Unaware that the gears of fate had already begun to turn, when Chen Ze truly broke through the boundaries between traditional and virtual networks and arrived at a completely digital EDEN network, he couldn't help but let out a sigh.

"It's hard to imagine that such exquisite detail could exist in a virtual digital space."

Although I have long understood that Japan has developed incredibly realistic virtual world technology, and I know that this virtual reality technology has broken through the initial visual level and risen to the subtle levels of hearing, smell, and even touch.

But when Chen Ze actually touched the "model" of his own body, he couldn't hide his excitement.

This all-encompassing virtual sensory experience transcends the simple realm of "simulation," just like when Chen Ze transformed into Agumon—it was an incredibly real existence.

It's important to understand that even in Chen Ze's own computer space, the only thing that can be simulated is visual stimulation, and that's only if the Fox Demon Beast has optimized the system.

As for further sensory experiences such as hearing, smell, and touch, Chen Ze had no clue how to even simulate them, let alone simulate them.

"This technology was originally deciphered from the digital world, so it is no different from the real digital world."

On the other hand, Renamon had long been accustomed to this feeling of being so close to the Digital World.

In fact, even the Digital World where Renamon was born is still inferior to the real material world.

Not to mention that this is actually a simulation of the Digital World, the EDEN space. The difference between the two is probably something that only a human like Chen Ze, who is experiencing it for the first time, would find surprising.

"You can't say that. Breakthroughs in virtual reality technology are not as simple as you imagine."

At this moment, immersed in this sensation that was so close to "physical perception," Chen Ze suddenly recalled a highly controversial science fiction concept—the brain in a vat.

If all your memories and perceptions are simulated by machines, and you are just a "brain" placed in an experimental jar, then did you ever truly exist?

Or to put it another way, is everything you are currently in contact with and perceiving truly the real world?

The choice between the "Red Pill" and the "Blue Pill" in The Matrix is ​​an interpretation and extension of this issue, and also represents humanity's ultimate fear of virtual reality technology.

"This is the first step for mankind to become 'God'..."

With a low, almost groaning sigh, Chen Ze believed that without the existence of Digimon, this virtual technology, which was so close to reality, would be the first step for humanity to become God.

Simulate and create a new world, manipulate and arrange a new life, weave and reorganize a new destiny...

Aren't humans who possess this technology and ability just like gods in the virtual world?

Unfortunately, humanity does not truly possess this technology; they only managed to build this groundbreaking virtual network by reverse-engineering the digital world.

Because in this network world that exists between the material and the virtual, besides humans, there is another kind of data life form called "Digimon".

"Now is not the time for sentimentality."

Ignoring Chen Ze's sentiments, the fox demon could understand the impact of virtual reality technology on humanity, but it could never truly consider the advantages and disadvantages of this technology from a human perspective.

"If you don't want to be discovered by the owner of this place, I think we'd better leave first."

To avoid being discovered by Mikagura Mirei, Chen Ze did not choose to directly enter EDEN's public network, but instead went through a semi-public private space.

This is a small digital space built within the EDEN network, somewhat similar to traditional online forums, message boards, or websites; it's a place specifically for netizens to communicate.

Thanks to the maturity of virtual technology, the functions of such digital spaces are also very diverse. In traditional networks, chatting and browsing are almost the most basic functions of each virtual space.

Virtual tourism, virtual games, and virtual movies are all developing further, making EDEN almost a separate world from the real world.

In theory, every user in the EDEN network world is God.

Given sufficient administrative privileges, they can delete, tamper with, or create any data in EDEN, doing whatever they want.

Of course, all of the above is just theoretical.

Just like in traditional networks, ordinary users have very limited permissions within EDEN.

Unless you become a hacker, tampering with data in EDEN without authorization is a crime, and the kind of cybercrime that will definitely get you caught.

Because the founders of EDEN Space had already considered similar situations.

Therefore, to log in to public cyberspace, one must use a fully registered personal account to ensure that everyone logging in is a real person.

This is somewhat similar to the real-name authentication system that is becoming increasingly popular on the traditional internet, except that in the EDEN space, such authentication is more stringent, almost eliminating most cybercrimes.

However, there are always exceptions. Disguising one's ID and creating a fake account, as Chen Ze is doing now, is a common tactic used by most skilled hackers.

After all, the reason hackers become hackers is that they don't want to be constrained by others and want to enjoy the freedom that is impossible to enjoy in the real world.

"This is a semi-abandoned digital space; it's impossible for anyone to find us."

Having habitually set a goal, Chen Ze didn't argue much with the fox spirit about it.

After the previous rash intrusion into the EDEN network and the Guangqiu incident, Chen Ze had made thorough preparations before launching this intrusion operation.

Putting aside everything else, even his current data avatar follows the principle of "ordinary".

Dressed in black, wearing a black robe, black sunglasses, and even black boots, he looked exactly like a character from "The Matrix."

The fox spirit, with its normal aesthetic sense, remained noncommittal in response—if this is considered "ordinary," then probably nothing in the world is ordinary.

Of course, Renamon was merely stating its position, since a golden Renamon certainly wouldn't be considered "normal" on the EDEN network.

The second son doesn't criticize the eldest, and the one who is fifty steps behind doesn't laugh at the one who is a hundred steps behind.

In any case, their images will definitely need to be changed again before they can enter the public EDEN network.

Chapter Twelve: The Eden System

The EDEN public area is under the direct jurisdiction of the "Valhalla Server" of the Shindai Corporation.

At the same time, this is also the largest public area in the EDEN cyberspace, where countless people transit through every day to enter other smaller digital spaces.

Speaking of this, we must mention the basic structure of the EDEN network.

Just like the traditional internet world, the EDEN network is a vast internet system composed of various organizations and companies.

The public area established by Kamishiro Corporation and the Japanese government is the neutral space with the strictest rules and regulations and the widest coverage in this network.

In theory, any Japanese citizen who has registered with their real name can log in to a region using their digital avatar, and then be redirected from that region to other places that require the corresponding permissions.

If we had to make an analogy, these public areas of all sizes are somewhat similar to various search engines, specifically responsible for driving traffic to other smaller digital spaces.

Therefore, anyone who logs into the public area has no special privileges. Apart from being able to see this magnificent electronic space, they are no different from ordinary people in reality.

Only after leaving public areas and going to other private digital spaces can they have various almost "godlike" privileges.

As for building a huge sandbox world in a private digital space?

Or perhaps you'd like to delve deeper into the various supernatural forces within the game?

That depends on the purpose of each digital space and the performance of the server that builds that space.

However, this does not mean that all EDEN users will use public areas to redirect, just as not everyone likes to use a search engine to search for the website they want.

Like the traditional internet, in addition to using search engines to search for websites, EDEN network also allows users to directly access the digital space they want by searching for specific "website addresses".

However, unlike the traditional Internet, such "websites" are usually directly linked to data accounts, and the format is generally "XXXX.UDL".

To put it simply, it's like you buy a virtual game called "Dragon Quest," and the manufacturer will give you a virtual program called "Dragon Quest.UDL."

With this virtual program, you won't need to use public areas as a transit point next time; you can directly enter their game space.

Furthermore, the treatment you receive in the game world will vary depending on the level of "Dragon Quest UDL" you purchase.

From heroes to dragons, from natives to gods...

Players have to purchase the corresponding "Dragon Quest UDL" virtual program to experience a particular character, which can be described as a very capitalized "permission allocation" method.

............................................................................................................

The public area of ​​EDEN, a secluded corner that many people assume is the "entrance to EDEN".

Two streaks of silver light flashed by, followed by two figures whose features were indistinct, which descended from the sky and landed steadily on the platform at the entrance.

From the outside, it was impossible to discern the exact appearance of the two figures; only a mass of moving mosaics indicated that someone had indeed appeared on the platform.

The people around seemed unfazed by this and continued with their own business.

This is the protection that EDEN's public areas provide for users, and it's also why most hackers don't like it here.

Here, various stringent rules severely restrict the permissions of those who log in, making it impossible for those who are used to acting recklessly to tolerate or adapt.

However, as the most secure place in the entire EDEN network, once you enter here, it means that ordinary hackers will not be able to steal or attack other people's data avatars.

Because doing so would be tantamount to making an enemy of the entire Kamishiro Corporation and the Japanese government, and even the most daring hacker would not dare to do something that would make the whole world an enemy.

"It must be said that the security measures in EDEN's public areas are indeed among the best in the world."

Looking down at the gradually forming data avatar, even a hacker like Chen Ze couldn't help but admire the effort that Kamishiro Corporation had put into public areas.

This approach of protecting every user from all angles has indeed brought a great sense of security to ordinary people and maintained the stable operation of the EDEN network.

However, for "fake" users like Chen Ze, this extreme protection measure brought him great trouble.

Anyone familiar with EDEN knows that each digital avatar that logs into the public space is generated based on the user's information and is theoretically identical to the real user.

Therefore, if any obviously anomalous data avatars appear in these public EDEN spaces, it can only mean that the other party is a hacker.

Moreover, he's a third-rate hacker who arbitrarily altered his identity information, causing an abnormal bug in his identity perception—Chen Ze is currently in this state.

Unlike the previous semi-private digital space, the "identity verification system" in the EDEN public area clearly identified Chen Ze's abnormality.

The fact that Chen Ze's data avatar is unable to be reassembled and continues to appear in a mosaic form is the best proof of this.

"The identity information that unscrupulous merchant sold me was actually fake?"

Chen Ze glanced silently at the fox demon beast that seemed to be smirking, and suddenly a realization dawned on him.

"Did you already know this?"

Before heading to Hikari Hill, Renamon had given him a data set of "Agumon," which Chen Ze initially thought was just the other party's mischievousness and didn't think much of it.

However, judging from the current situation, it seems that the fox beast had anticipated the current problem, which is why it gave itself an extra set of identity data at that time.

Why didn't you remind me sooner?

Looking at the fox demon beast with a mix of amusement and exasperation, Chen Ze could roughly understand its current mindset—but was it really that interesting to watch him suffer a setback?

"It's really interesting."

As if sensing Chen Ze's inner turmoil, the fox demon stared at Chen Ze, whose body was constantly reorganizing but could not be recognized by the system, and couldn't help but reveal a sly smile.

"Who told you not to use 'Agumon's' data?"

"Besides, it's not like I haven't warned you."

Upon hearing the fox spirit's words, Chen Ze instantly understood its true intentions.

"So after all this time, you're still after 'Agumon Mode'?"

Since Hikari returned, Renamon has been longing to see its Agumon form again, a fact that Chen Ze knew.

After all, that novel subspecies form is very attractive to Renamon, which has always been pursuing evolution.