Digital Hackers' Memories

From this perspective, anyone who can enter the BUG space cannot be a real human.

“If we catch up, I can raise the commission again.”

Just as Ryuji was lost in thought, A-Zhe's cold voice appeared in his ears again.

"If you catch up, your commission will double this time."

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P.S.: My mind was a bit scattered while writing this chapter, and I'm not sure if I've expressed myself clearly.

However, once these few chapters are over, the main character will have more screen time.

Chapter 47 The Limits of Artificial Intelligence

"If you catch up, your commission will double this time."

Upon hearing this, not only was Ryuji stunned, but even the Cyberdramon, who could also hear what the other person was saying, was dumbfounded.

Although CyberDragon didn't know how valuable human world currency was, it knew what a "twenty-fold bounty" meant.

In order to find the true form of the Lilac Beast, A-Zhe had already offered a large reward online; otherwise, it would have been impossible to attract a hacker of Ryuji's caliber.

After discovering Lilacmon's identity, A-Zhe increased the bounty tenfold, making Ryuji even risk his life to capture the Ultimate-level Digimon.

Now, seemingly realizing that Ryuji intends to abandon this mission, A-Zhe has actually doubled the commission again.

As Marx once said in Capital, with a 50 percent profit, it will take risks; for a 100 percent profit, it will dare to trample on all human laws; with a 300 percent profit, it will dare to commit any crime, even risking the gallows.

But Ah Zhe's current bounty is now worth far more than 300% profit!

"Do you own a money printing machine?"

Such extravagant behavior even prompted the usually composed Ryuji to complain.

"Besides, it's not a question of whether I want to catch up or not, but that I simply can't enter that BUG space."

While Ryuji certainly wanted to earn money to treat his sister's illness, he couldn't allow the CyberDragon to enter that unknown world alone to capture the mysterious Lilacmon.

In fact, without his own assistance, Ryuji didn't believe CyberDragonmon could catch Lilacmon at all.

This has nothing to do with strength or trust; it's simply that the strangeness of that lilac beast has exceeded the imagination of ordinary people. Defeating her, killing her, and capturing her are three completely different levels of tasks.

"If it's just about getting you in there, I can help you."

With a long, drawn-out sigh, a huge magic book appeared before Cyberdramon and Ryuji.

Wow…

Immediately afterwards, the huge magic book suddenly opened, and a sage beast nearly three meters tall slowly floated out from it.

“As long as you are prepared to accept ‘reality,’ I can send you into that space at any time.”

Looking down at Ryuji from his high vantage point, the Sage Beast no longer possessed the approachable demeanor it had when communicating with A-Zhe; instead, it exuded an unapproachable majesty, like that of a god.

"A Sage Beast?"

The Cyberdragon immediately recognized the other party's identity; it was the mysterious demon known as the "Ancient Archmage."

As one of the few evolutionary lines that have survived from the ancient Digimon era, Philosophermon is said to be a member of the same family as Piedmon, the ultimate demon that once ruled the world.

Of course, this rumor, like the one about Piedmon once ruling the world, is the kind of gossip that modern Digimon scoff at.

However, Cyberdramon knew that the rumors about Sagemon might be a mix of truth and falsehood.

But the other party is indeed not a Digimon from this era, but an existence from some unknown other dimension.

"Can you help me enter the BUG space?"

Unlike Cyberdramon's surprise, Ryuji, who was unaware of the situation in the Digital World, was more interested in the other party's words.

Before encountering Lilacmon, Ryuji knew that Digimon were not simply artificial intelligences, and he had also encountered some Digimon that could disguise themselves as humans.

However, this was the first time Ryuji had ever encountered a Digimon like Lilacmon, which not only disguised itself as a human but also had emotional entanglements with them.

Now, the words of the Sagemon have shattered Ryuji's belief that "Digimon are artificial intelligence."

Because so-called artificial intelligence is based on "human" foundations, it is a kind of program built on human cognition and understanding.

In theory, no matter how artificial intelligence develops, it will always be a product of existing human technology and theories.

At the very least, before the emergence of true "strong artificial intelligence," the artificial intelligence currently popular on the market cannot achieve genuine innovation and breakthroughs.

However, the Sage Beast just said that it can help it enter the BUG space that humans have not yet understood, which undoubtedly goes beyond the scope of ordinary artificial intelligence.

Is it strange that I know so much about 'BUG space'?

Clearly seeing through Ryuji's thoughts, the aloof Sage Beast gave an ambiguous smile.

"Digimon are not creations of humans. There are many things in our world that you cannot understand."

"It's just that the gates between the two worlds haven't been fully opened yet, so those who can appear in EDEN and the human world are ultimately just 'weaklings'."

At present, apart from the Digimon that have grown up in the EDEN Network, the truly powerful Perfect and Ultimate Digimon in the Digital World have not yet entered the human world.

Therefore, apart from special beings like Philosophermon, most beings do not yet have a complete understanding of the Digital World.

Digimon are artificial intelligence; the Digital World is merely an extension of the EDEN Network...

Regarding the viewpoint that is accepted by all humans, and even a considerable number of Digimon, the wisemon, who knows the "truth" of the world, can only smile and remain silent.

Those who know part of the truth are "prophets," while those who know all the truth are "madmen." The more you know, the faster you die.

The Sage Beast prides itself on not being the kind of protagonist who tries to change the world; otherwise, it wouldn't have participated in any Go tournament, and therefore it would be even less likely to challenge humanity's "bottom line."

Silently observing and recording the truth of the world, and then passing it down as a secret, that's what the Sage Beast does.

In fact, this is the personality of most Sagemon—without such a cautious attitude, ordinary Digimon would not be able to evolve into Sagemon.

"Do you plan to continue accepting commissions?"

She whispered softly, thinking that if Ah Zhe hadn't discovered her identity and offered to play a game of Go with her...

The Sage Beast would never willingly participate in this incident; it doesn't align with its survival philosophy at all.

Even now, the Sagemon has no intention of going to that semi-digital space, just as it has no intention of provoking the Royal Knights.

To be able to create such a massive digital wave, and to intend to break down the barriers between two worlds...

Aside from the Royal Knights, Sagemon couldn't think of another being with the ability and reason to do such a thing.

Through this almost demonic style of behavior, Sagemon was even able to guess which Royal Knights were in charge of this incident and created that semi-digital space that was clearly experimental.

"If you really can do it!"

Remembering the exorbitant cost of Erica's treatment, Ryuji gritted his teeth and decided to continue accepting the request.

"I will definitely help you catch the Lilac Beast!"

The Forty-Eighth Palm: Data Body

The entrance to a subway station in Shinjuku, Tokyo, Japan.

"This place... is actually a semi-digital space!"

When the white flame beast reappeared after passing through layers of data interference, what came into view was a subway station covered in mosaics.

Just like the semi-digital tunnel that Chen Ze encountered last time, this bugged subway station, although much larger in scale, is still essentially a product of digital waves assimilating the material world.

In this "gap" between the digital and physical worlds, Digimon made of data can exist briefly, while non-physical data avatars cannot enter.

"Shinjuku?"

After looking around, the white flame beast quickly located its position by following the sign at the subway station entrance.

This is actually Shinjuku in the real world, but it's Shinjuku subway station that has been eroded and assimilated by digital waves.

Jumping directly from EDEN to the real world...

The white flame beast, who had never thought of such a thing before, was stunned for a long time before it remembered a very serious problem.

"Now that I'm in the real world, what is the current state of my physical body?"

After a brief moment of thought, a term suddenly came to the White Flame Beast's mind—EDEN syndrome.

Yes, how is my current state any different from those EDEN syndrome patients whose physical bodies fall into a coma because their mental data has been devoured by the eroders?

If the spirit cannot return to the body, does that mean the physical body will fall into a long-term coma?

Bang!

Just as the white flame beast was contemplating the paradox of "two versions of himself appearing in the real world at the same time," a loud noise suddenly came from the intersection behind him.

"Who?!"

The white flame beast's combat instincts instantly alerted Chen Ze, and the flames around him immediately subsided and contracted, ready to unleash their strongest firepower at any moment.

"I am Ziba the Tweniest!"

When the dust settled, the first thing to appear in front of the white flame beast was a small golden Digimon.

The sharp blade emitted a chilling light, while the body, seemingly cast in gold, radiated a dazzling golden glow…

Despite being only a Rookie-level Digimon, the white and red color scheme it exudes is in no way inferior to that of some powerful Champion-level Digimon.

"Sorry, this guy has chuunibyou (middle school syndrome)."

However, Zibamon's "power" lasted for less than a second before being interrupted by Takumi.

Without a word, Takumi, who had just jumped from the firewall space, punched Zibamon on the head, making the beast wince in pain.

"Serves you right! You idiot!"

Seeing this, Ludomon appeared beside Takumi at the right time and showed his undisguised contempt for his reckless companion.

Of course, Ludomon's appearance wasn't just to mock Zibamon; it was also to be wary of a possible sudden attack from Whiteflamemon.

"What did you say? How dare you insult the great Tweniest! I challenge you to a duel!"

Seeing this sudden scene with a mix of amusement and exasperation, the White Flame Beast's initial wariness was instantly dispelled by Zibamon's comical performance.

The white flame beast could clearly see that Takumi and his friends weren't intentionally using this behavior to reduce their threat level; rather, this was simply how they interacted in their daily lives.

"Who are you?"

Even so, the white flame beast did not completely lower its guard.

Because he was still unsure what this suddenly appearing "trio" was all about.

The moment he appeared, two Digimon arrived one after the other, which was clearly no coincidence.

"My name is Takumi Aiba, and I am a cyber detective."

Seemingly sensing the white flame beast's wariness, Takumi, who was prepared for this, introduced himself in this way.

"I was also at the Yu-Gi-Oh! tournament before, and Andromon also treated me as an intruder and 'disinfected' me."

As he said this, Takumi's face lit up with a warm and bright smile.

"It was around that time that I discovered you."

Even though he was talking about "following" him, the white flame beast couldn't bring itself to dislike Takumi at all, despite his unreserved confession.

That radiant smile, that open and honest confession...

If there really are protagonists in this world, then it must be Takumi—his gentleness makes him impossible to dislike.

At the very least, the White Flame Beast admitted that he couldn't be as honest as Takumi.

"Why are you following me?"

After a moment's hesitation, the white flame beast asked the most crucial question—what exactly did Takumi discover?

This question will determine the White Flame Beast's next stance: whether to fight or not.

“You are the second ‘case’ I have seen of a digitized human being.”

Before he could finish speaking, Zibamon and Ludomon, who had been arguing, stopped and stood guard on either side of Takumi.

tumultuous!

At the same time, blazing white flames surged around the white flame beast.

[Digitized humans?]

The white flame beast stared at the big boy opposite it, having already made up its mind.

It's not quite about killing them to silence them, but the White Flame Beast is determined to destroy the opponent's current data avatar and any related data records they might have left behind.