"Take care of someone?"
As soon as the words left Zero's mouth, a photo appeared on his phone.
The photo showed...
!!!
Zero's pupils constricted.
"How did you know?"
A series of characters appeared on the phone.
"For me, there's no wall that wind cannot penetrate. Even though you deleted those files, they still exist."
Seeing Zero's expression, the people around him were confused. They didn't know what he had seen.
"What exactly do you want?" Zero asked.
More characters appeared on the phone.
"I already said, take care of him. That's all."
...
After that, the Kitsune successfully retrieved the entire computer using the information provided by 020.
A large, grotesque machine was placed in the middle of the room. It had three monitors and was connected to a large, airtight black iron box. Inside were countless wires and computer hardware, like a human's organs and blood vessels.
It was contained in an empty room. The room was completely sealed, no windows, no surveillance, just a power source connected to the machine.
With power, 020 could move freely. Once the power was cut, 020's consciousness would stop.
Of course, if the signal here were completely cut off, 020 would be completely trapped in this machine.
Zero stood alone in the room. The screens on the machine lit up. Countless numbers and symbols converged, quickly forming a terrifying, old man's face.
"Chief Zero, good evening."
Two speakers were placed on either side of the machine. At this moment, they emitted a muddled sound like electronic synthesis.
Zero heard this and looked at the screen. "Your real name is Bai Qi. You're from Jianghan. You're male, 44 years old. You teach at a certain university. Your reputation is pretty good."
"After receiving the potion, you abandoned your physical body and merged with the machine. You established a company online and created the super-realistic, large-scale multiplayer game Take Over in just a few months."
"Is this all correct?"
The terrifying old man on the machine smiled. "You've done your research, haven't you? Yes, everything is correct."
"If you're asking why I abandoned my flesh and merged with a machine, I can only tell you, this is a lifelong dream."
"Human capabilities are ultimately limited. After becoming a stream of data, I can use all of humanity's computers to perform large-scale calculations and simulations."
"In just a few months, I could make human science and technology advance by two hundred years. At least, all the known scientific theories have been proven by me."
Zero picked up the file on the table. "But in the information I collected, you were diagnosed with terminal lung cancer."
The old man on the machine chuckled. "The physical difficulties were one of the reasons I became a machine."
"But ultimately, it's because I've been tired of the troubles that a carbon-based lifeform brings."
"There might be humanist arguments, but this is evolution's permission. Quantum states are the foundation of immortality. Mechanical life will ultimately become a normal state of evolved life."
"Of course, perhaps using the word 'survival' is not appropriate, because data has no concept of death. Machines don't either."
"Data that's deleted can be copied and recreated. Broken machine parts can be repaired, or simply replaced with new parts."
Zero casually put the file on the table. "You know, I don't care about these things right now."
Hearing Zero's words, the terrifying old man on the machine revealed a set of teeth. "You mean, why I know that person exists?"
"I suggest you don't ask. Just as you don't plan to reveal his existence, this information is known only to you and me."
"Next, let me guess your purpose for seeking me out."
"Currently, everyone is fighting over the Ancient Artifacts. The angel, the vampires, the sea creatures, the Serpent's Hand, and the Kitsune. Everyone wants the Ancient Artifacts, but no one fully understands the situation."
"This will undoubtedly be a protracted war. Everyone is lacking in information."
"And I possess a large amount of information. You want me to help you gain the initiative in this information war."
"Of course, it's not just that. Countless mechanisms are set up within Kitsune. Strictly speaking, I can control them all."
"If the vampires invade, I can, just using the power switch in front of the containment area, send countless invaders away."
"Essentially, a 24/7 super AI."
020 had guessed correctly. Zero was indeed planning this.
If there's a super AI in the base, then the previous incident would have been much simpler.
They wouldn't even need to expend a single soldier. The AI could control the mechanisms and wipe out the vampires.
But water can support a boat, and it can also capsize it.
If 020, the computer, suddenly betrays them, the consequences are unimaginable.
Zero couldn't fully understand this intelligent lifeform.
He couldn't guess what it was thinking right now. But one thing was certain: it was a double-edged sword.
If used correctly, the Kitsune's internal security and external intelligence would greatly improve.
If used incorrectly, it could be the beginning of the Kitsune's downfall.
After considering this, Zero prepared to pull the computer's power plug.
The old man's face on the screen sighed.
But suddenly, Zero put his hand back.
The old man's face on the screen was surprised. "What do you mean?"
Zero looked at the computer. "What if I tell you I just wanted to see your reaction? How would you feel?"
"I would admire your wisdom." The old man on the screen smiled.
Zero's previous action was to test whether 020 had any hidden moves.
If 020 attacked Zero when he pulled the plug, then the answer would be obvious.
Another possibility is that 020 has no way to directly attack Zero.
But he can open doors.
Zero had deliberately not cut off the signal in the room. 020 could instantly control the entire base through the network.
He could directly open the door to 008's containment cell, releasing the True Ancestor, or release some dangerous containment units.
This was a test.
It's certain that when Zero was about to pull the plug, 020 did nothing.
His consciousness hadn't left the machine.
Zero turned and extended a hand toward the computer. "At least, I can trust you for a while. Happy cooperation, 020."
The old man's face on the screen disappeared. Two arms appeared. On the screen, the two arms clasped together, quickly shaking up and down.
"Happy cooperation, Chief Zero."