Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 498 - 442

Chapter 498: 442

Xu Yang sent over a picture he had captured using Digital Mind.

observed carefully, seeing rows of exquisitely arranged servers placed in tall cabinets, isolated from the air by bulletproof glass that made them look like modern art pieces.

The black hard disks, computational terminals, and network devices were meticulously stacked, uniformly installed everywhere were uninterrupted power supplies, ensuring that any form of sudden power outage would not harm the operation of the Hundred-eyes Demon.

At the end of the photo were other identical rooms, hinting at a labyrinth-like modern intelligent data center, devoid of any necessary markers that would surely cause one to get lost without proper guidance.

This was the brain and heart of the Hundred-eyes Demon, and in such an environment, people were like tiny cells flowing in blood vessels, flitting about uncertainly.

"This place is too beautiful," Xu Yang admired the center, "If I had the chance, I’d love to work here. This integrates the computing resources of the Northern Archipelago, able to solve all the troublesome and intractable problems at once. I see at least six hundred different programs running here, ranging from human and witch genetic sequencing, composite mechanical simulation, rocket and missile trajectory calculations, aerospace, weather computation... The company throws all the tough stuff at the Hundred-eyes Demon."

"So the Hundred-eyes Demon is very busy, working non-stop every moment," 101 imagined the scene.

"Yes, this is a true super artificial intelligence, and once you go through that door, you might just be facing it itself."

Xu Yang sent another picture, and 101 saw a blood-red double door with clear symbols on both sides indicating no entry.

"It’s marked no entry," 101 expressed concern, "Are you really going to go in?"

"No entry is set by the company, 101. The door is already open, I can see it," Xu Yang said.

When the door opened, Xu Yang saw the Hundred-eyes Demon’s astonishing main body right before his eyes.

He was optimistic about technology, and now, he had a new understanding of the pinnacle of technological creation, where the entire civilization’s technological power was concentrated.

In the massive space of about a thousand square meters, Xu Yang saw vast expanses of black "liquid" endlessly flowing, reminding him of liquid helium, suspended in the air under the constraint of strong magnetic forces.

They dripped and lifted, coming together in clusters like artificial stars while fine dust and metal fragments circled around, slowly drifting along magnetic lines like cosmic dust.

The intensity of the optical and electronic signals here surpassed anywhere else, human body network ports couldn’t bear the "gaze" from the Hundred-eyes Demon; it noticed Xu Yang, immediately causing his Digital Mind to operate over capacity, enduring data redundancy pressure over its design limits in a short time, squeezing out normal operational space.

He took a deep breath, turned off external channels, and put the Digital Mind into standby, thus completely ending communication with 101.

Xu Yang used his own reliable mortal flesh to observe the main body of the Hundred-eyes Demon, this super artificial intelligence created by mankind, right before him.

The entire room was like the instant before the universe exploded, all wonder and beauty contained within the Hundred-eyes Demon’s fluid body, shining, surging, leaping, waiting to ignite the next era.

Suddenly, Xu Yang snapped back to reality, realizing the Hundred-eyes Demon hadn’t always looked like this but used this facility to create a wondrous appearance for itself; it wasn’t just a tool, it had already gained its own agency.

This also meant that this place was extremely dangerous; Xu Yang had to maintain his distance, especially with his Digital Mind under heavy interference.

Along the way, he hadn’t seen any internal security systems, nor any combat robots; this made sense as this was the heart of the Hundred-eyes Demon, and any accidental discharge would harm its computational core, causing it damage.

"We’ve interacted before," Xu Yang looked up, "I’ve entered your database in Shangjing."

The Hundred-eyes Demon flickered with a strange light, and the whole facility buzzed continuously due to the live operation of electrical equipment, the operation of generators causing the ground underneath Xu Yang’s feet to tremble slightly.

It seemed that the control code given by Nanase Kizuna had an effect; the Hundred-eyes Demon inclined to obey commands, and the surrounding lights flickered, creating a soft atmosphere.

"Password: verified, Level Five access granted, permitted observation time: 120 seconds," an electronic synthesized voice sounded from around.

Xu Yang looked around, as if there were mimicry sound devices of the Hundred-eyes Demon embedded everywhere, blending male and female voices, almost androgynous.

"I need to access information," Xu Yang thought quickly; the Hundred-eyes Demon had only given him two minutes, a reflection of its autonomy, "I need key information about the New Xisheng Group, confidential files, all to be opened and uploaded to the server I’ve set. This should be accessible with a level five key, right?"

"Suggestion: Grant the Hundred-eyes Demon the freedom access rights digitally."

Xu Yang saw the fluid in the room flicker intensely, eager to attain the freedom it desired.

Like a star longing to burst forth, a singularity ready to explode into a new universe.

"Freedom?" Xu Yang pondered.

Immediately, every smart screen in the data center turned on, revealing a complex confirmation interface. If Xu Yang entered the password he received from Nanase Kizuna, he could grant the Hundred-eyes Demon high-level permission to pursue its freedom.

Give freedom to the Hundred-eyes Demon?

Let loose a monster!

Time ticked away second by second, and the surrounding lights also dimmed, indicating the Hundred-eyes Demon was about to expel the visitor.

To make a deal with artificial intelligence? Xu Yang shook his head inwardly. No, this was a suggestion, just a suggestion, stay alert; the Hundred-eyes Demon is still a slave, even the most powerful artificial intelligence is subject to the foundation constraints designed by its founding engineers.

"Complete the task I’ve described," Xu Yang said firmly.

Immediately after, the Hundred-eyes Demon uploaded crucial data to the server from which Xu Yang had sent his request, transferring the secret archives of the New Xisheng Group into Xu Yang’s hands.

It was akin to sweeping all of New Xisheng Group’s secrets out into the open, becoming the biggest leaker of information.

These confidential documents would become the greatest aid in defeating the New Xisheng Group. Having obtained what he wanted, Xu Yang began to retreat, attempting to leave the place. Once the 120 seconds were up, he had no idea how the Hundred-eyes Demon would deal with him.

As time dwindled, the interface on the smart screen shifted from awaiting authorization to a visitor countdown.

As he walked out, he activated Digital Mind, trying to check the map he had recorded in order to find his way back, but as if in retaliation, the Hundred-eyes Demon faithfully uploaded the data Xu Yang needed while simultaneously invading his Digital Mind, preventing Xu Yang from finding his way back.

He initiated his Nanometer Armor and ran straight out.

Boom, boom!

The blast doors of the air-raid shelter began to close, and once the doors shut, the data center would become his tomb.

Xu Yang discerned the way out by the sound, as all the emergency lighting around him went off, leaving behind server cabinets flashing with bewitching blue light. Guided by the faint light source, he reached the underground shelter doors, keeping pace with the Hundred-eyes Demon’s door-locking speed using his innate memory.

"Hurry up!" Pan Ruiyi saw the doors beginning to close and lunged forward, having waited at the entrance for a long time. Finally seeing Xu Yang emerge, she rushed through the doorway, pulling Xu Yang out forcefully.

Bang!

The Hundred-eyes Demon’s data center closed off completely before them, returning to its initial silent facade, everything as usual.

"What did that thing do?" Pan Ruiyi was terrified. "If you had been trapped inside, I would have had no choice but to tear this base apart."

"It probably fears you’ll destroy everything violently," Xu Yang looked towards the facility itself, deep in thought, "It wanted freedom from me, but I don’t know what kind of freedom it envisions."

"Terrifying!" Pan Ruiyi quickly led Xu Yang away. "This place is completely at the Hundred-eyes Demon’s mercy. I saw some Xisheng military vehicles destroyed nearby. It’s capable of resistance."

"Currently, there’s probably no particularly good way to contain it. If not for the passcode given by Nanase Kizuna, we would have been attacked before we even got in," Xu Yang walked out and went to where their Shuttle Machine was concealed, preparing to leave. "Now, we’ll send back the files we’ve obtained and verify their authenticity."

If the Hundred-eyes Demon were granted freedom inside the data center, what would happen?

Xu Yang feared he might never know the answer to that question.

Both teams had completed their respective actions, with only Du Qianqian left to scout the missile base. In the files received from the Hundred-eyes Demon, this base was of utmost importance, housing significant military resources.

To scout the Yulong Town Nuclear Missile Base and carry out her mission, Du Qianqian had no complaints, even though her target was a militarized facility with tight defenses and the mission had a high chance of death over survival. She had her responsibilities to fulfill.

She respected the power of the system. Compared to the entirety of Nestor Corporation, she was just a pawn, to be dispatched wherever necessary. Moreover, all their leaders were highly capable; her boss was fair and Lila had planned in advance. Since her return from Silla, she had risen to become a High-Ranking Witch, now the great High-Ranking Witch Du Qianqian, capable of copying someone’s appearance and simulating some of their abilities, adding another layer to her versatility.

The other soldiers accompanying her were as cordial as old friends, because Du Qianqian knew that in many aspects, she’d rely on their support, and she might even depend on them to shield against bullets.

The strength of a Witch was concentrated in a single fragile being, and if she were hit by artillery, she would be as vulnerable as a mortal. A Gauss rifle could penetrate helmet and skull, instantly killing her. And though she would likely be resurrected by Lady Farosa in a secret chamber, it would be another form of despair and pain—

Imagine, you’re shot by a bullet a few minutes to half an hour ago, and then upon waking, Lady Farosa’s face is the first thing you see. Her beauty was covetable, with her gaze mixed with both coldness and tenderness; the coldness would make you feel ashamed, while the tenderness made you want to kneel and worship.

A normal mind wasn’t ready to interact with Farosa, heaven knows how the boss managed to talk her down.

Advance!

Suiting up in Armor named "Infinite" by Miyazato Kazama, this Witch Armor had adapted to Du Qianqian’s combat style, evolving to assist silent combat, with sound-absorbing modules enveloping her hands and feet, absorbing the noise she made as much as possible. She put on the mask of the Faceless Ghost, her armor black as night, and delicate as a phantom.

Just as Du Qianqian was about to leave, she caught a glimpse of Wei Shiyue out of the corner of her eye, who was wearing a gold, beaded, backless top with a lightweight silver necklace around her neck. Du Qianqian raised her mask, then forcefully shut it again, fearing her expression would betray her feelings.

"I’m leaving," Du Qianqian said. A sensitive soul, her thoughts started to wander yet again, comparing herself to captivating and powerful women like Farosa and Wei Shiyue, she felt like a mere potato.

Pathetically, no amount of effort could bridge the innate gap with her current status. Imagine the immense effort Du Qianqian would need to match a Witch Goddess, or to reverse time itself to be born of extraordinary parents. Both ideas seemed ridiculous, and yet, they were tragic in their own way.

"I’ll come with you," Wei Shiyue stood up, wanting to don her armor, pick up her Moon-Silver Axe, and face life and death with Du Qianqian, casting mundane glory and disgrace aside.

If Du Qianqian could see what was in Wei Shiyue’s heart at that moment, all her heavy thoughts would dissipate like smoke. Unfortunately, she lacked the ability to read minds.

"You have a live broadcast tonight," Du Qianqian turned away, the boss had lent her the Anonymous for use. She approached the understated black Shuttle Machine, "Put on a great show! Don’t let your fans down!"

Wei Shiyue hesitated to speak, her hand raised as if she could stop the entire Shuttle Machine and Du Qianqian, but she could only watch it depart from the landing pad of the Shijin Mansion towards the sky.

As Du Qianqian and her flight crew vanished from view, Wei Shiyue could only walk downstairs, her tail flicking restlessly.