Ougandoji is a sprawling metropolis divided into 24 districts, all interconnected and monitored by an omnipresent network, the EBW (Eyes Bigger than the World).
This interconnected surveillance system covers the entirety of Ougandoji, scanning every alley and corner with relentless vigilance.
The data collected is accessible in real time to all citizens, providing total transparency, with only a few notable exceptions.
The EBW network is an indispensable tool for companies specializing in virtual reality and other advanced technologies. For instance, imagine you are at home and wish to see the activity in a specific part of your street without leaving your comfort. Simply connect to the EBW network to get a real-time view of the desired location.
This tool is also valuable for ensuring product quality and safety.
For example, if you want to verify the compliance of the food you consume, you can use EBW to directly observe the production process of your favorite items.
You could see how the meat was raised or how the vegetables were stored, as if you were present at each stage of the production chain.
EBW sensors and cameras are so minuscule that they blend seamlessly into the urban environment. However, all Ougandoji residents are aware of their omnipresence.
Have you entrusted a construction site to workers but cannot be there in person?
EBW allows you to monitor every stage of the work remotely, ensuring complete transparency and compelling workers to be honest about the progress. In such an environment, one might say that masons have become "franc-masons."
The 24 districts are split into two major zones: the upper zone, located on the surface of Pontera, and the lower zone, underground. In one of the twelve lower districts, Amon, an unprecedented event was unfolding.
At first glance, the person involved seemed as human as Ado.
Their difference lay in their sleeping environment, which resembled a coffin but had a plush interior that perfectly adapted to their skeleton and morphology. It was like sleeping in a cotton cocoon or the fur of an animal, without the usual inconveniences, and the temperature automatically adjusted to their sleep cycle.
This person appeared in excellent health, as if they had benefited from restorative sleep. When the nearby chair moved toward them, seemingly guided by an internal will, they sat down, and the chair directed them to their desk in a motion perfectly synchronized with their daily routine.
On their desk lay special glasses, which they picked up and put on. These glasses were not meant for traditional sight; they were, in fact, a terminal equipped with neurotransmitters allowing direct connection to the virtual network, Link Horizon.
Launching Link Horizon, though their eyes were closed, they could perceive information as images. They found themselves facing several floating icons and activated the EBW icon.
After selecting one among many options, they chose the view of a district in Amon, specifically D3-33.
It was like playing a third-person video game, except the experience was far more immersive.
The camera, shaped by the user's form, offered a consistent perspective, as if one were physically present in the chosen area. Movement was driven by thought and intention, simulating an experience very close to reality.
District D3-33, filled with towering skyscraper-like structures, lacked an artificial sky. Instead, diffused and uniform lighting emanated from a high ceiling, creating the ambiance of a city steeped in perpetual night.
The man found himself at the center of the district, freely wandering along a broad avenue, invisible to the residents who could not perceive his presence.
Then, something completely unexpected occurred: a completely naked woman suddenly appeared in the middle of the street.
Her presence shocked passersby, and even the man observing through the EBW network was stunned by this strange phenomenon, comparable to a lag or a bug, as if a character had suddenly spawned near him without explanation.
The woman looked around with a mix of curiosity and anxiety, as if trying to understand her surroundings.
The scene then blurred, and the projection ended, leaving the man perplexed in the Link Horizon home interface.
He initiated a chat in the public forum to check if others had witnessed the same phenomenon and verified that the video data was still recorded locally.
Surprisingly, he discovered that several chat rooms had been created just minutes after the incident, underscoring the urgency and speed with which the information spread.
Joining one of these chat rooms with his avatar, a Buuble T1 robot, he began a discussion with the participants to try and understand the nature of this strange incident.