In the time that followed, Mercer diligently transformed into a code farmer.
During the day, he relentlessly exploited Arasaka servers in Cyberspace, writing programs, running data, and conducting tests.
After work, he continued to relentlessly exploit Arasaka educational software, learning all sorts of technologies.
Initially, the other Little Hackers were a bit uneasy.
But as Mercer would lie down on the ground every time he entered Cyberspace, then brazenly write programs and conduct research, the other Little Hackers finally relaxed and began to imitate him, studying hacking techniques.
Performing a Deep Dive with the support of a large server was absolutely a dream for hackers, a wonderful time to quickly improve hacking skills.
With the support of computing power, programs that previously required long periods of contemplation and testing could be formed and tested at an extremely fast pace, without worrying about one's brain overheating.
Moreover, Mercer was also by their side — it was during this period that these Little Hackers finally understood just how strong Mercer's talent truly was.
Difficulties that stumped them were a mere glance for Mercer; programs they painstakingly wrote would have five or six optimization points that Mercer could casually point out.
Any unknown or missing technology could be asked of Mercer, and even if Mercer hadn't learned some things, he could still find solutions through analogy.
The Little Hackers, who had made almost no technological progress since entering this underground facility to mine, felt a long-lost sense of learning, just like when they were at Arasaka Academy.
The originally unsettling rogue AI also seemed to have completely disappeared.
Even the dangerous red programs wandering the Old Net seemed to intentionally avoid Mercer, and even if some unintelligent dangerous programs drifted over, they would become Mercer's targets.
He even occasionally took the initiative to find some data wandering the Old Net for testing, which, according to him, was to test the attacks of some puppet viruses.
Sometimes, he was trying to extract certain code features and attempting to forge Old Net programs — this was for future necessary moments, to use disguised Old Net AI to induce the Blackwall to launch devastating attacks.
He even occasionally engaged in his old profession, which was extracting scattered data from the Old Net, commonly known as Cyberspace archaeological mining.
Not to mention, there were indeed many good things in the Old Net; much of the data left behind in the Old Net were various treasures stored by major corporations back then.
For example, weapon blueprints, code for certain AI designs, and even texts containing corporate secrets.
Some of these weapon technology blueprints were even no worse than current technology!
No wonder Arasaka came up with this 'Stardust Project,' sending people in to dig for data; it really was profitable.
However, in Mercer's opinion, the risk-to-reward ratio of using ordinary hackers for such a task was completely disproportionate.
But he was different; with the kitten Bartmoss gave him, any rogue AI with a bit of intelligence would run away at the scent, and as for AI without intelligence... you know what, Mercer is bolder now, he actually encountered one, to test how much damage his 'Death Wish' could inflict against a mature AI.
Although it was an AI specifically designed to counter defensive AI, Mercer, after careful study, understood the nature of this thing.
There's no distinction between defensive AI and offensive AI; AI is AI.
An AI that can kill firewall-type AI can kill other types of AI; the only difference is efficiency and speed.
It's like a siege missile; it might not be as effective or accurate against a moving target as it is against a fixed target, but if it hits, the target still dies, and it might even cause greater effective damage.
The truly terrifying aspect of rogue AI is that they can run if they can't win; the escape speed of AI truly far exceeds human imagination.
The more Mercer studied AI, the more he felt the limitations of humans in certain aspects; even with the aid of large servers, the effective operations the human brain can perform in a unit of time are limited.
AI, however, is different; the computing speed of AI only depends on computing power.
This means that if humans, with the support of computing power, can accelerate their thoughts in Cyberspace and make a hundred judgments and operations in one second, then with the same computing power, AI can make a thousand, ten thousand, or even hundreds of thousands of judgments and operations.
This is a limitation of the human brain, unless one completely abandons the brain and uses pure data to support one's thoughts, completely replacing the human brain with computing power for calculations — which is the current situation for Bartmoss and a few others.
Otherwise, AI still has too great an advantage over humans on the network.
The only thing that can destroy them are programs that also possess AI characteristics.
And it was precisely while Mercer was diligently exploiting resources and studying hard that Director Tano Ena, also located in the facility, who had initially boasted about launching the second phase of the 'Stardust Project,' began to look rather displeased...
"Why?"
At this moment, Tano Ena stood behind the network technology team and the surveillance squad, her expression somewhat irritated as she frowned tightly:
"Didn't you say the frequency of AI attacks was increasing rapidly before?
Why is it that now, when we specifically search for AI, and even stay at the same IP address on the Old Net for extended periods, no AI appears?"
"This... could it be related to the Guardian's ICE?"
A technician speculated:
"Many of those rogue AI possess high intelligence; upon discovering the Guardian ICE on our hackers, they might consider it a trap and are still observing."
"So, the ICE we deployed for them, the Guardian sub-program server specifically brought in, has instead become an obstacle for us?"
Tano Ena's brows were tightly furrowed.
The technical team leader shook his head and said:
"You might not understand AI very well. Generally speaking, the wandering AI that actively attack human hackers are the batch of AI most severely corrupted by Bartmoss back then.
Their core logic will not allow them to abandon their attack targets; those AI, no matter how difficult the opponent, will only think about how to hunt down the target, and will not consider retreating.
In fact, in a sense, the Arasaka Corporation's ICE that we deployed is precisely the large target that those AI love to attack the most.
So... I am more inclined to believe that the previous attacks on hackers, which caused server shocks, were very likely truly Alt Cunningham, as for that male AI... we hope he is Bartmoss.
But since the end of the Fourth Corporate War, for so many years, there has never been any recorded sighting proving his existence on the network.
So we are more inclined to believe that it is an unknown Old Net AI that Alt created or enslaved on the Old Net."
"...I only want results. How exactly do we lure out that group of AI?
Even without Alt, at least there must be results that can be reported!
Even if it's just capturing some wandering AI, I can go back and report."
As Tano Ena's voice fell, the technical team leader's face showed difficulty.
He could only finally answer cautiously:
"How about we continue to execute the first phase of the mission... perhaps the act of digging for data will provoke a reaction from those wandering AI?
The excavated data can also serve as project achievements, and if important information is dug up, it will also be considered a Merit."
"What about that child named Mercer?"
Tano Ena said coldly: "After such a long period of monitoring, have you found out what was left on him by the AI when he was in contact with it?"
"I am truly very sorry! We only speculate that he may have received certain consciousnesses, but what the AI transmitted through our server, and where it was transmitted... I understand, I will continue to observe Mercer further, and I request a stricter examination of him, including a device inspection in the real world.
And in Cyberspace, a data inspection will also be conducted; the former will be handled by Dr. Oda, and the latter I will personally complete through a Deep Dive."
The technical team leader immediately provided an answer before Tano Ena's cold gaze fell upon him.
Tano Ena then withdrew her gaze and, after a moment of thought, said: "However, regarding the cybernetics... let's check them first. After the check, have Dr. Oda report to me separately.
The data inspection in Cyberspace is mandatory; you will go personally.
Also, for subsequent Deep Dives, find someone to take them in; the purpose is to actively search for AI, and I will have the Guardian AI increase computing power.
You will personally confirm whether there are any errors.
If there is no return within this month... it means it is very likely that the AI we previously encountered will not come again, and that AI attack must have had a deeper reason.
Afterward, the focus will be on the data that caused the server overload when the AI last appeared.
Damn it, I've allocated so many Relics; do you know how much one Relic costs?"
The technical team leader could only repeatedly bow and admit his mistake.
Tano Ena took one last look at the surveillance screen, then let out a long sigh, shook her head, and returned to her office, calling Dr. Oda.
"Director Tano, how may I assist you?"
Dr. Oda's virtual bust appeared in her cybernetic eye.
Tano Ena said coldly:
"Immediately after the Deep Dive today, take Mercer for a full cybernetic examination, both software and hardware, as well as the condition of his brain nerve recovery.
If it can be confirmed that he is that rare type, I will allocate that batch of experimental cybernetics.
You must record the data in advance and hand it over to me.
If the plan does not go smoothly, we will revert the Stardust Project to phase one, then prepare to abandon the project and shift focus to Mercer.
If he can successfully control this batch of experimental subjects, I will have unearthed talent for the company and obtained valuable experimental data."
"Understood." After Dr. Oda agreed, Tano Ena hung up the phone.
When she hung up the phone, she couldn't help but fall into deep thought.
Something was wrong... very wrong... Ever since she arrived here, this sense of incongruity had always lingered in her mind. What exactly was wrong?
Tano Ena pondered back and forth, and finally, her focus landed on Mercer.
The more she thought about him, the more she felt that this guy was very strange. Initially, she thought Mercer might have simply undergone a personality change after a brush with death.
For a child, this was a very normal thing.
Whether he had broken down and given up, or had broken through and awakened, these were all highly possible things at his age.
But now it seems... could it be?!
So, she immediately sent out a message.
[Tano Ena: Have the staff responsible for monitoring and recording this batch of hackers send me Mercer's evaluation report, detailed action logs, and daily records and evaluations.
Remember, I want daily records!]
[Secretary Inoue: I apologize, Director Tano, but the person previously responsible for recording was a direct subordinate of the former director, and when he left, he took all the records with him...]
[Tano Ena: Then have him send them back to me!
Baka yarou!
Are work logs something he can take with him? Why wasn't this reported before?]
Tano Ena slammed the table in anger and immediately began the internal Arasaka process — trying to make things difficult for me?
Then go to hell!
This bastard probably found something, which is why he took them... Damn it, is there some pitfall here that I don't know about?
The more Tano Ena thought about it, the more panicked she became, and then, she simply gave a direct order.
[Tano Ena: Immediately stop the Deep Dive. All personnel who were at the base on the day of the incident must undergo cybernetic equipment inspections!
No fly gets out until the inspection is complete! Have the medical team work overtime!]
[Secretary Inoue: Yes!]
...[All personnel, stop the Deep Dive and return immediately!]
The moment the message appeared in their retinas, the Little Hackers gathered around Mercer in Cyberspace all showed uneasy expressions.
Mercer thought for a brief moment, then directly said:
"I'm sending you a program. This program can be used to crack lie detector chips, but it must be run before the chip is loaded, remember that!
If you encounter an interrogation, just run the program and don't say anything you shouldn't, there's no need to be nervous.
But if you encounter a situation where you need to remove your network receiver, immediately send me an encrypted message, and our escape plan will be implemented immediately!
I will first use the network to release a puppet virus, attacking the Guardian AI of the server. After causing chaos, everyone should immediately find a safe location to hide or stall for time.
I will return to take down the server and deal with the agents and inspectors before taking further action. I will use the cameras to plan your evacuation routes after confirming the security is disarmed.
Don't worry about other situations.
These days we have completed the cybernetic cracking and log disguise; they won't find anything, just trust my technology."
After speaking, Mercer immediately went offline, and the others exchanged glances and also immediately chose to go offline.
When they opened their eyes, what appeared before them was the Arasaka agent, heavily augmented with cybernetics and appearing very tall.
"Please explain why your offline time was 7.3 seconds later than usual."
"A sudden alarm occurred, and we instinctively activated the Guardian ICE first, then sequentially passed through the Blackwall, and collectively went offline after confirming safety, which caused the delay."
Mercer explained with a normal expression, the Arasaka agent's tactical goggles flashing with a cold red glow, then he coldly looked at the others.
"Tamura rosie, please immediately explain why your heart rate suddenly accelerated and your neural activity is abnormal."
"I... I'm scared."
Rosie lowered her head with a somewhat uneasy expression: "You... you're a bit intimidating."
The Arasaka agent's mouth twitched slightly for a moment, but then he just stared at her coldly: "Very good, I will personally be responsible for your audit — everyone, proceed in formation for cybernetic inspection and re-interrogation."
However, before they could speak, suddenly, a Little Hacker raised his hand.
"I, I want to report!"
In that instant, it was as if even the oxygen in the room had thinned by several degrees.
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