"First, the point is, I'm not a roaming AI." Venus's voice was slightly displeased: "I have my own home and a master."
Kyoko was a bit embarrassed but quickly pressed on: "Oh! I mean, is the one you mentioned a roaming AI?"
Venus continued: "It's uncertain, but it's clear the other side is a highly advanced AI intelligence, with sufficient server computational power.
The other side has already taken over City Hall's server, and I am certain their target is our ctOS system. For security reasons, I have already activated the deletion program and started using encryption algorithms to erase our traces."
Mercer frowned: "Did they discover you?"
"They did, but they weren't surprised by my appearance. To avoid any unexpected incidents, I didn't confront them; I left the scene after confirming the situation."
Venus sounded a bit apologetic: "Their technology is advanced, and they clearly seem cautious of us. I worry they have more preparations beyond just traps, so..."
Mercer shook his head, rubbing his temple: "No, you did the right thing. Since they're prepared, we shouldn't jump into traps... Is the ctOS system currently shut down?"
"No, according to my inspection, we still maintain 60% device authority, but the critical road cameras and some company's cameras are inaccessible.
We need to regain City Hall's permissions and infiltrate the corporate intranet again to restore that part of the surveillance..."
Venus spoke with some self-blame: "I'm very sorry, the other side directly uploaded a virus program locally. I'm worried if I'm infected it would impact the security of the entire base's servers..."
"It's not your fault. They came prepared and directly uploaded the virus locally. You ensured our server's security and the ctOS system wasn't compromised, which is already outstanding."
Mercer did not blame Venus at all. At this moment, he was more concerned about whether the Ye Corporation had reached some kind of agreement with Arasaka.
It wasn't surprising to Mercer that someone discovered the presence of the ctOS system; those big corporate intelligence analysts aren't idiots.
But even if the general public detects it, there's not much they can do, because ctOS is pervasive and manipulated by advanced AI. Even if someone wants to patch the loopholes, it's mostly like Venus quickly writing a system update patch.
Moreover, Mercer always suspected that Ye Corporation had a similar system too, monitoring and gathering intelligence across Night City - if they sabotage him, then he might as well ruin their plans.
Building a city-wide surveillance system is difficult, but it's easy to destroy.
If you make me unhappy, I'll make you unhappy too. It'd be better if everyone tacitly pretends not to know anything; you monitor yours, I monitor mine.
But now Ye Corporation suddenly tore off the mask, adding to his troubles...
Unless someone offered them enough benefits, otherwise why would they suddenly do this?
Seeing Mercer put on a serious face, Lucy reached out worriedly: "Why don't we skip tonight's banquet?"
"No." Mercer shook his head.
He couldn't offer Hansen a reasonable explanation - At this moment, he couldn't help but admit, Arasaka truly played a brilliant move this time.
Mercer comforted Lucy by touching her hand: "Don't worry, I still want to see how you look in your dress..."
"At this time, is that really what matters... How about we just leave here! While most of the Netherworld Dogs are at Gem Cyan Hotel, we ask Adcardo's people to assist us in moving the servers, or simply abandon them!"
Lucy's expression was anxious, rarely showing a restless and uneasy demeanor: "Let's leave Dog Town directly, anyway, if Arasaka's people..."
"Lucy..." Mercer gently replied, smiling while gripping her hand: "We'll be fine, just calm down."
Kyoko seemed more composed than Lucy at that moment, she laughed boldly and said: "Hey, back at the base, Mercer could lead us to escape from Arasaka, now we have people, guns, and our own servers, what's there to fear!"
She confidently gestured with a fist and said: "When it comes to Arasaka agents, let Sister V handle them, one swing per agent!"
"Ha, if she heard you say that, she'd probably float to the sky with laughter." Mercer jested but winked at Lucy: "The dress is in your room, go quickly change and put on some makeup."
"That's right, don't worry about it! Mercer always has a way." After Kyoko finished speaking, she turned her head with a smile to Qiwei who was also in the server room watching everyone's interaction and asked: "Is that right?"
Qiwei only nodded lightly.
Lucy sighed and could only nod too, looking worriedly at Mercer before turning to say: "...Remember to trim your hair later."
"I will." Mercer chuckled, waving goodbye as Lucy hesitantly returned to her room to change into her dress.
Then, Mercer smiled at Kyoko and said: "You go help her, it's not easy to put on that dress alone; help her with makeup too."
Kyoko quickly followed Lucy, and after leaving the server room, only Mercer and Qiwei remained, Qiwei then calmly spoke: "Big trouble, right?"
"Yes." Mercer didn't hide it, and after the relaxed smile faded from his face, he furrowed his brow again and began to pace.