"Ever since the incident, they've suddenly become very close. They even Deep Dive together… I know how many of them there are, and they definitely have a problem."
The Little Hacker, facing Mercer and the others' gazes, first looked away at the ground, then mustered the courage to look at the Arasaka agent:
"I think they're definitely plotting something, because before, Lucy, Rosie Daichi, and Leon had a good relationship, but Mercer only joined after the incident.
And Mercer has changed a lot recently! This is definitely suspicious!
I'm willing to take responsibility for what I've said!"
The Little Hacker's heart was pounding. He knew that after this, he would definitely be seen as a traitor by his other companions, but… if he could successfully report them, perhaps he could survive!
He could escape this project, no, he could even become a senior employee with this merit!
Thinking of this, Sakata Yu's expression became resolute.
He was almost certain that this group of people was hiding something from others—everyone used to look like they were about to die, but recently, these few looked like they were laughing and chatting… He had secretly asked rosie before, but even Rosie asid it was just because it had been safe recently and they hadn't encountered an AI.
This wasn't right, because rosie as inherently timid, and now even he was more afraid than before when Deep Diving. How could rosie uddenly become brave?
"I have a lot of evidence to prove that they are definitely secretly plotting something, or hiding some secret!"
The more Sakata Yu spoke, the clearer his thoughts became, even getting excited: "Yes, it must be like this!"
But the Arasaka agent was indifferent to his words.
If even a kid could see it, did he really think Arasaka's employees were useless?
Every conversation between Lucy and Mercer and the others was recorded, and 24-hour monitoring of their communication signal fluctuations, biological vital sign data analysis, and other such packages had long been arranged.
It's just that although the data occasionally fluctuated, it didn't reach the standard for abnormality, and wasn't this audit for that purpose? Why did he need to say it?
"What other evidence?"
The Arasaka agent stared coldly at Sakata Yu.
Sakata Yu was stunned: "Evidence? I mean… they are abnormal. If they are strictly interrogated and questioned, something will definitely be found…"
"Baka yarou! Hurry up and queue for the audit! You're wasting my time."
The Arasaka agent cursed angrily. If he didn't lack the authority to punish him, he would have already given this kid a cybernetic lock + brain-computer overload.
He didn't need any hacker methods; he could do it just by using the authority granted to senior agents by Arasaka Corporation.
Sakata Yu opened his mouth hesitantly, but in the end, he could only walk dejectedly to the back of the line.
Mercer didn't even bother to look at him, his expression calm, and while he was dawdling, he even picked up the jacket from beside the hacker chair and put it on.
He walked lightly towards the elevator, while the expressions of the others varied.
Rosie looked very angry—because she had recently been advocating for bringing the remaining two Little Hackers still in the facility into their escape organization. Mercer was about to agree, but then this happened… rosie idn't even know how to talk to Mercer now.
Moreover, for a moment even she was a little scared, and it was fortunate that Mercer hadn't agreed before, otherwise if the plan were leaked by Sakata Yu… Lucy's expression was very cold.
Although she wasn't a bad person, to be honest, as long as she could get out alive… no, as long as she could escape with everyone now, she didn't care about anyone else.
Daichi Tetsuya and Leon exchanged glances, their expressions subtly worried. If things really came to the last step… should they escape now? But their preparations weren't complete enough… But when they saw Mercer walking at the front of the line, hands in his pockets, looking calm and composed, the unease in their hearts suddenly faded a lot.
It's okay, with Mercer, he can definitely do it!
As for the last Little Hacker, a girl who had remained silent all along, she just quietly watched everything, her eyes devoid of joy or sorrow, like a soulless doll, mechanically following the team forward… Taking the elevator down to the basement floor, Mercer, as expected, was the first to enter the infirmary for a cybernetic inspection.
The advantage of him going first was that if something went wrong, he could immediately use the quick hack already etched into the network access port's coprocessor to take action directly.
Dr. Oda stood by the operating chair, her expression subtly annoyed: "Come on, lie down. We need to test your cybernetic software program."
Mercer looked at her and smiled, teasing: "It seems Dr. Oda will be working overtime for quite a while this time."
"…I predict at least two days without sleep. In short, if you can save me some trouble, that would be great."
She waited expressionlessly for Mercer to lie down, then immediately plugged the detection machine's data cable into the slot behind his ear. After connecting the data, her fingers quickly checked Mercer's cybernetic data.
"Hmm… brain-computer readings are very high. What have you been doing in Cyberspace recently?" she asked.
"I was idle, so I dug up some data and wrote some programs with the help of server computing power. You can check the coprocessor yourself…" Mercer hadn't finished speaking when Dr. Oda interrupted him.
"I see… Hah, device takeover, cybernetic overheating, cybernetic malfunction, electromagnetic short circuit, target positioning… Hmm, the structure needs optimization. These few programs used up all the memory?
The technical team will check your software data later. Remember to report directly to the technical department after your physical examination."
Mercer nodded; of course, the structure was bloated.
He also hid programs like 'Synaptic Melt' which could directly burn an enemy's brain, 'Quick Decryption' for rapidly cracking passwords, and 'Memory Wipe' and 'System Reset' for silent assassinations.
With so much software hidden in the code, could the memory possibly be enough?
Generally speaking, Arasaka Mk.3 network receivers paired with a coprocessor only had six default quick hack slots.
The fact that he could fit so many meant he had optimized the program memory very well.
"Hmm… almost done. Any recent traces of monowire usage?" Dr. Oda continued to press.
"I practiced a bit in my room. I haven't used it in a long time, and if I don't get familiar with it again, I'm afraid I might cut my own fingers when I use it."
"Good, being prepared is a virtue."
Dr. Oda squinted at the data for a while, then said:
"Your brain nerves… have almost recovered?
No, not just almost recovered, your 'Intelligence' attribute should have increased!
Incredible… Please wait, I need to update and upload the data to your medical examination log."
Mercer suddenly became interested.
The 'Intelligence' that Dr. Oda spoke of was actually like the stats in a game, used to evaluate a person's various physical attribute potentials and strengths.
Generally speaking, physical talent needed to be at least 12 points to accept cybernetics like heavy Gorilla Arms or Berserk systems.
And programs like Sandevistan not only required physical talent but also reaction talent to be above 12 points to be used.
The Intelligence attribute, on the other hand, determined a hacker's upper limit for computation, reaction speed in Cyberspace, and so on.
Cybernetics such as Kerenzikov and Synaptic Accelerators, which speed up nerves, often had their effects related to Intelligence and Reaction attributes.
The Cool attribute determined people's tolerance for cybernetics.
The higher the Cool attribute, the less likely one was to be troubled by cyberpsychosis, and it also meant being able to handle more cybernetic installations.
"After the check-up, can you tell me all my current attributes? I haven't paid attention to this in a long time."
"Yes, have you taken your cybernetic medicine course? If so, the examination report can also be sent to you, so you can understand yourself better."
Perhaps seeing something interesting, Dr. Oda's mood was noticeably better.
"I'm currently taking intermediate courses," Mercer said.
"Not bad…" Dr. Oda raised an eyebrow: "My assistant only just graduated from the advanced course… You still have time to learn this?"
"I've been cramming recently, after all, such a big thing happened to me." Mercer's answer was flawless.
"Mm-hmm… Alright, the results are out. Body… 11?
You're only fourteen this year, right? That's a great score.
Reflexes… 16? Young people are truly amazing.
Cool is… 19?
Intelligence…"
Dr. Oda stopped speaking. Instead, her cybernetic eye lit up.
Mercer guessed she was making a call.
He sat up without changing his expression and secretly glanced at the screen, where a line of Japanese was written.
[Detected Intelligence attribute exceeding conventional evaluation values. Object 'Mercer Han' automatically saved and information sent to Arasaka talent reserve list.]
Hmm, I'm indeed a genius among geniuses.
Mercer waited unhurriedly. After a moment, Dr. Oda immediately turned to look at Mercer: "Alright, you don't need to go for program inspection. Go find the director first. The director's office is on the top floor."
"Understood." Mercer asked curiously: "What does this mean?"
"This value means that as long as you don't make any fundamental mistakes, you will quickly become a formal senior agent and receive senior agent training.
After the training, depending on the results, you can be assigned to an assistant director, deputy director of a project, or a special department.
Mercer, in the future, even I might need your help."
Dr. Oda's expression became increasingly benevolent.
"Then I'll trouble Dr. Oda to take care of my friends… That agent manager doesn't look very friendly."
After Mercer finished speaking, Dr. Oda nodded crisply:
"Small problem. Anyway, you've all just been audited. At most, they'll ask about your Deep Dive experiences and use a lie detector chip. I'll tell him not to make it too unpleasant."
This attitude made Mercer chuckle—no wonder everyone in the company wanted to climb to the top so desperately… If he didn't know Arasaka's true nature, he might not even want to leave.
Unfortunately, his mind was made up.
What he had to do next… Mercer thought as he walked out—the possibility of making a huge profit from Arasaka before running away seemed to have increased significantly… As he stepped out, Lucy, who was second in line, looked at him with concern. Mercer just smiled: "Just a simple check-up, everyone don't worry."
The Arasaka agent's sharp gaze was fixed on him, blocking his way: "This isn't the way to the program team. Where are you going?"
"Top floor, director's office. You can confirm."
Mercer met his gaze. Although his current body looked only about 1.6 meters tall, he showed no signs of backing down when facing this agent who was over 1.8 meters tall.
Although he respectfully used Japanese honorifics to address him, his attitude truly made the agent feel a bit itchy to strike.
How are these young brats being educated these days? Not only do they lack any sense of seniority, but they've even forgotten how to respect their superiors?
The agent was very displeased, but he still dutifully sent a message to the director. After receiving a reply, he stepped aside.
"Watch your attitude, hacker."
"Ah, I'm truly very sorry." Mercer bowed slightly in the characteristic Japanese style, without any sincerity, then strode away.
The agent narrowed his eyes, then turned to glare at Lucy: "What are you looking at? Get in for your check-up!"
You brat, don't you dare fall into my hands.
The Arasaka agent ground his teeth in annoyance.
As Mercer entered the elevator and pressed the top floor button, the elevator display quickly showed permission granted, and then the elevator began to accelerate upwards.
When the elevator doors opened, he was met with a luxurious large office. Mercer walked in and saw Tano Ena resting with her eyes closed in a chair
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