Novels online

Chapter 460

information war (1)

Ugh—

The electronic equipment packed in the data center gave out loud noises and hot heat..

Special items that have been modified to be usable on Earth like magic tools by incorporating magic engineering..

‘crazy, what the heck···!’

However, even though the precious equipment, which was difficult to obtain, was operating at a level close to its limit, the situation showed no signs of improving..

Hesperon, whose entire body was wrapped in a titanium suit and lying inside a capsule tangled with dozens of wires, frowned..

‘How on earth can they keep up with this computational speed??’

“Mechanism: Calicas”, which is currently leading this electronic warfare, is not just an ordinary AI..

It is no exaggeration to say that the level of artificial intelligence has changed completely from when it was simply artificial intelligence built into the artificial eye..

「An electronic spirit that becomes one with him through the “Chain of Covenant” and grows together with him, evolving in real time..

Until now, this partner has never let me down.

Even more so when combined with Titan space ship-level energy..

But now···.

<Failed to break through the firewall. A counterattack comes from the other side..>

<Defense successful. The accumulated loss rate exceeded 10%. Going into emergency restoration.>

<A surprise attack using bypass data failed due to the opponent's trap..>

Unlike usual, there wasn't a single positive message..

The good news is that this side isn't being pushed back too much, but that's not much of a consolation in the current situation..

As time passed, the advantage became more favorable because the other side was already strengthening its defense posture..

‘I can't take my foot off now. I have no choice but to break through somehow.’

Even if you forcibly cut off the signal now, the other person will immediately trace the remaining traces and find your current location..

The exact location had to be avoided at all costs..

If just one bombing hit in Southeast Asia, this data center would be reduced to dust in an instant..

He actively fought against it by mobilizing all the networks that had been encroaching on it..

But it's the same for the other person as well.

No, on the contrary, it was this side that was at a further disadvantage as it became a power struggle like that..

‘Wow, the scale that can be mobilized is on a whole different level. How long have you been preparing?···?’

I could only think of one organization that could do something like this..

‘Beoncheonhoe.’

At that time, as if driving a wedge into that thought..

-Hello~?

In the midst of intense data exchange, one voice file arrived and was automatically played..

A voice that seems like I've heard it before and a strange way of speaking that feels deep even though it was just one word..

There was no need to think deeply about who it was..

‘It was still alive. Have you started working again now?.’

One of the highest officials of the Buncheon Society handled by Heinz II in Romania, Doctor.

He spoke to me from beyond the world of electronics..

-This is really amazing! Did you ever think you could do this? I was really impressed!

The sound of clapping was heard over the frivolous voices..

As he said, he seemed genuinely happy, which made me even more upset..

‘This place is to die for, but I guess you still have some spare time..’

Hesperon frowned..

「Although the performance of "Machine Eye: Callicas" has improved, there is one minor side effect: the more you overuse your abilities as they become one with you, the greater the burden you will receive..

He pretended not to notice the pounding headache and sighed softly..

‘I like it if you give me some time to relax.’

I didn't bother to reply.

Then, one little piece of information that leaked out could have suffocated him..

Likewise, when you just listen to the other person's useless chatter in silence because you could have gotten important information from what they said..

-Hmm? Oh my! Is this... are you from Calicas? You have been to a wonderful world! I really like your work too. It's a shame that there aren't many people who have been there and returned.!

Those words instantly gave me goosebumps..

They weren't meeting face to face right now..

They are just waging a battle to advance and retreat through hacking on the network..

‘But that alone made me aware of the technological base of this place.?’

His insight was different from his own, which simply borrowed the power inside the machine..

Is it truly worthy of the title of top executive?.

- Hey, there's a lot I want to talk about, but I don't have time! Since there is nothing else to do, shall we meet and discuss the details slowly? Uhhhhhhhh!

Indeed, those words were not a bluff..

As soon as the voice message ended, the pattern of the offensive that had continued until now completely changed..

‘Wait, this is···!’

<Cancel the attack attempt. Shift all resources to defense.>

<Defense failed. Some networks have lost share. The loss rate exceeded 30%.>

<Detecting critical surprises that lead to vulnerabilities through detours. Minimize damage by first selecting less important data.>

Warning phrases that could not be compared to anything before came to mind..

It wasn't that the opponent's calculation speed was faster or that there was any special attempt..

The only thing that has changed.

‘···Every attempt is coming back to the counter. I can't believe I've already figured out this pattern.?’

Electronic warfare was a battle in which victory was achieved by finding and stabbing the opponent's weak points in a nearly infinite array of electrical signals..

But every time this side did something, the counter came back, so it was natural that they were no match for them..

“Harveys! Report the current situation!”

<Network occupancy rates dropped rapidly, with a loss rate exceeding 40%. We are buying time by randomly selecting patterns, but if the current trend continues, all paths will be blocked in 5 minutes and 51 seconds..>

“···What are the countermeasures? It's not like it just happened like this.?”

<We are currently applying update patches in real time by correcting vulnerabilities learned from our opponent's attacks. Afterwards, you can apply anti-programs for similar methods based on the analyzed cause..>

That was fortunate..

Because I was saying that if I somehow got through this time, I wouldn't be treated the same way again..

But that meant that there was nothing that could be done right away..

<affirmation. We advise you to retreat before the route is completely blocked..>

That meant abandoning this base..

No, if it had reached that point, it would have been acceptable somehow even if the facilities were a waste..

But isn't that the only thing at stake in this fight??

‘While digging into the scheme that took place in the Pantheon, the Doctor came out. That probably means that the Buncheonhoe is paying a lot of attention to this operation..’

If you step away from here, the opportunity to uncover the truth will also disappear..

Not only will all clues that could have been obtained be erased, but those whose tails were once stepped on will also hide even more thoroughly in the darkness..

<4minutes left.>

I could never leave it like that..

We can't just wait and see if they do well, and this information was absolutely necessary for Heinrich, who entered the Pantheon right away, to function properly..

<3minutes left.>

While I was worrying and struggling to find a way, time passed helplessly..

But there was no way that a method that did not exist could now be created..

What else can you do other than standard methods when dealing with someone who is not in person but somewhere over the network??

‘What if there was a sudden power outage at his base? No, you probably have an emergency generator, but wouldn't that be of use? Then, if there is an explosion and everything blows away,···.’

All he could do now was throw out meaningless curses like this..

Of course, saying this doesn't really mean it will come true.···.

‘No, wait. curse?’

Then suddenly, a spark flew in my head..

<2minutes left.>

curse.

Praying or wishing for disaster or misfortune to happen to someone else.

‘I just happened to have it, right? It is also a terrible curse created by the fall of the Demon King..’

Hesperon took a deep breath and looked at his right arm..

In fact, the curse was not a power that could be used carelessly..

Although he was able to stay safe thanks to characteristics such as “Cursed Predator,” it was a double-edged sword that was difficult to handle and could come back to haunt him if he made a mistake..

Above all, if you do not specify a clear target, the probability of failure is very high..

You wouldn't know if the target was nearby. When you don't know where or who the other person is, like now, you definitely need a medium like hair, belongings, or even the date of birth..

‘How to set clear targets.’

Hesperon's machine clearly recognized the enemy beyond the world of electrons..

Even though we didn't face it directly, the target was clearly out there..

‘Originally, it was a ridiculous idea. but···.’

The mechanical eye on his right eye and the curse on his right arm were all tied together through his “chain of oath”..

But is there any reason why the two cannot connect with each other??

‘The Internet, and curses. There's one thing that fits right here.’

<1minutes left.>

There was no time to hesitate anymore.

He immediately stretched out his right arm to the side..

Gigigging—

The titanium parts on the right arm immediately disintegrate and disappear into thin air..

A white bandage with black letters engraved on it appeared underneath..

and···.

“I never thought I'd write it like this. Still, it's finally the first demonstration..”

The metal blocks on the wrists, elbows, and shoulders reflected the light and gave off a cool metallic glow..

A new sealing tool created by multiple avatars joining forces to ensure a secure seal..

Cheolkeong!

As soon as his eyes met, the seams opened as if shackles were being released, and the seals were opened all at once..

Then, the moment the bandage was taken off and fluttered, something black and huge began to creep out of my right arm..

Saaaaa—

The temperature inside the room, which had been so hot just a moment ago, has dropped sharply..

As if the concept of ‘heat’ has been taken away, it now feels rather cool..

‘Although I didn't accumulate it for very long... It doesn't matter because the original power is so strong..’

accumulation and divergence.

This was the ability of the newly created sealing sphere..

While worn, it blocks internal curses almost perfectly, and the curses that are suppressed continue to pile up endlessly, creating a layer of poison..

And the key to this sealing phrase was to make it radiate even more strongly once released as it was strongly suppressed..

<30seconds left.>

“Okay then.”

Hesperon took a deep breath, holding a strand of cable with his black right hand..

And I hoped with malice.

Right after that.

crunchy—!

With sparks flying from his grasp, a curse seeped into the electronic world..

***

Jiying—

“Ohh? Is this finally a reply??”

The doctor, whose arms were connected to a mechanical device, widened his eyes as if he were interested..

His arm was not human, with the surface split into several pieces exposing the metal inside..

While remodeling the body, even this was completely destroyed..

He printed out the received data on his eyes and snorted..

As expected, it was not a normal file..

“virus? This is such a shallow trick! No matter how cornered you are. Very disappointed!”

「deus ex machina」

Pranks like this don't work on me, who is nothing short of a mechanical god..

He immediately ran the security program, removed the virus, and opened the message..

A virus is a virus, and I was curious about what this interesting friend who had entertained me for the first time in a long time had to say..

“hmm? what?”

The content was nothing special.

···No, it was really nothing..

‘This letter originated in England...' At the end of the meaningless sentence that starts with something like that, there is just a picture of a young black man smiling sinisterly while drawing a card from a bunch of cards..

The moment when the doctor just blinked at the absurdity..

Variables were already starting.

crunchy—

A small spark flew from the arm connected to the mechanism..

“Huh? What is this!”

One side sent, the other side received.

This established the connection between the two..

It was only a minimal awareness that the delivery method took the form of viruses and spam emails..

That's how the curse was activated.

Beep—! Bibibig!

zodiac sign!

Weeeeing—!

All kinds of alarms rang loudly..

The numbers on the machines everywhere began to fluctuate abnormally..

“Phew, curse? A curse? I sent a curse through the network?”

It was not difficult to figure out the cause since I had extensive knowledge not only in engineering but also in natural sciences, but it was already too late to respond now..

Because the level of the curse was too extreme to take action late..

As the founder of a complex technique, the Doctor's workroom was not an ordinary place, but it was enough to break through all the defenses, which were as strong as an iron fortress, and reach him directly..

“···Phew.”

crunchy!

Kwaang—!

The sound of sparks and explosions was mixed with the loud siren sound..

“···Kkkkyahahaha—! indeed! I never thought an application like this would be possible! It's also fun. very fun!”

But even in the midst of such chaos, the Doctor just giggled and burst into laughter..

The joy of encountering unexpected new knowledge outweighed the anger..

thud!

After giggling for a while, he fell forward in his place..

With black smoke rising from various parts of his body along with the smell of burning, he raised his hand to his temple with difficulty and laughed heartily as he looked at something he took out from there..

“···Kick, you got a kick out of this. It's a good thing I didn't end it right away. I almost missed something like this..”

A complex magic engineering circuit that burns black and emits smoke..

Soon it was completely reduced to ashes and scattered to the point where it could not be restored..

“still···.”

Grumbling—

And finally, the fire that broke out in various parts of the studio consumed the surrounding area..

His consciousness faded into darkness..

***

Sending a curse through the electronic world was never easy..

Hesperon did his best to control it using “Chain of Covenant” and “Machine Eye: Callicas”..

So that the curse can reach its target properly without going astray..

It was a message that suddenly came to his mind that awakened his mind, which had forgotten everything and was in the midst of concentrating..

《An object grows by achieving conditions. Acquire the special skill “Deus Ex Machina”.》

“···huh?”

He forgot to concentrate and looked at the text in front of him..

For some reason, that name seems very cool..