—K423.
Luo Li silently read the identification code.
What did this code mean?
Some kind of contact password?
The secret to some location?
The serial number of a powerful weapon?
Or was it... a codename exclusive to Kiana?
Luo Li was curious, but seeing Kiana's expression, he knew now was not the time to ask.
Just as Luo Li was considering whether to give her another round of psychological counseling, he noticed that this time, Kiana didn't seem overly despondent and quickly returned to normal.
She looked at Luo Li, her smile as sweet as ever, like a girl next door.
Luo Li chose not to press the issue. Since Kiana said this code could attract Schicksal's attention, that was enough.
The key was how to draw them out without knowing anything about them.
Pondering this, he led Kiana out of the alley.
Instantly, the view opened up before them.
Above the skyscrapers, ads filled the sky.
[The world's first full-dive open-world game, 'Eden', begins its public beta today!]
[Shicksal Entertainment, leading the next era of gaming.]
Kiana clearly noticed the ads in the sky as well.
Luo Li searched his memories. As a qualified Schicksal operative, gathering intelligence had become almost second nature to his former self, so he quickly found the memories he wanted about Shicksal Entertainment.
Shicksal Entertainment was a subsidiary of Shicksal Pharmaceuticals, a way for the biotech company to cash in on its advancements in neuroscience.
From its inception, it had touted the slogan of leading humanity into a new era of gaming, claiming it would create a virtual open world that could accommodate the entire human civilization simultaneously.
ARK City was just a pilot program in their plan.
Shicksal Entertainment had invested heavily, building a giant theme park in the heart of ARK City, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, as a model for the future of gaming.
The scale of this theme park in ARK City was beyond imagination, claiming to have enough immersion pods for tens of millions of people to be online at the same time.
In the coming decades, it would propel ARK City's gaming industry forward, making it the global benchmark.
In return, they would bring a large number of jobs to the local population.
At least, that's what the slogans claimed.
Normally, Luo Li wouldn't pay much attention to this kind of entertainment.
But the ARK City theme park project was essentially a breakthrough in neuroscience for the biotech company Shicksal Pharmaceuticals.
Schicksal always kept a close eye on technological advancements around the world, so this world's Luo Li had also done some research on this game.
Simply put, it was an extremely realistic fictional world.
Players would embark on adventures in a new world called 'Eden'.
It was worth noting that this game required real-name authentication, and each person could only register one account.
Because the game was so realistic, to avoid criticism over moral issues, it had a robust good-and-evil evaluation system.
Of course, according to the official game description:
In the new world, everyone would return to their original essence, that of Adam and Eve.
Goodness was the only standard, and all evil acts were forbidden.
Luo Li wasn't very interested in the game's content, but its good-and-evil system gave him an idea.
"A paradise where evil is not allowed to fester..."
Luo Li suddenly had a way to find those reinforcements.
Then he looked at the girl beside him.
"Kiana, are you ready to become famous?"
At Luo Li's words, the white-haired girl tilted her head slightly, her sapphire eyes filled with curiosity.
"Eh?"
---||---
While Luo Li was preparing to stir up some trouble with Kiana, inside the theme park...
Jackal adjusted the mask on her face, silently looking at the completely black screen in front of her.
"Found a good hiding spot, huh!"
If it were anywhere else, even in the bustling city center, she would have killed them without a second thought.
After all, to be able to sacrifice their lives for the Serpent's grand plan was an honor for those mediocre people.
But not here.
With her main plan having failed, the theme park, especially its mainframe area, was her last resort.
She really couldn't make a move here.
But unfortunately, that rat didn't know that this was also the most heavily guarded place. Even her own laboratory's security level wasn't this high.
"What's the point of hiding in there like a rat?"
"Your companion, that Valkyrie, had some skill. She killed quite a few of my pets."
"But I'm a very generous person, so I personally turned her into my new pet."
Jackal counted on her fingers, a hint of regret on her face.
"A pity she's dead now, killed by her own teammate."
"Doesn't it feel fateful?"
"If you come out now, I can save you a good spot on the operating table."
"I'm very interested in your versatile abilities."
Jackal knew the other person could hear her words.
But as expected, no one responded.
Jackal's face soured.
This made things difficult for her.
Although she had closed the net, completely sealing the other party in a fixed space, their power was not weak. Ordinary Death Weavers couldn't contain her.
To suppress her, she would have to use numbers.
But using numbers would create loopholes in the blockade, giving the other party a chance to escape.
If that Death Weaver made from the A-Rank Valkyrie was still around, she wouldn't be in such a passive position.
"Damn piece of trash."
Jackal cursed the rat that had ruined her plans again.
But she didn't dwell on it for too long. As long as she could guard the key exit points, once Raven arrived, everything would be fine.
Thinking of this, she suddenly realized something.
"Why is Raven taking so long?"
After a moment's thought, she opened the communicator.
"Raven, where did you run off to?"
"Oh? It's Jackal!" Raven's figure appeared on the screen. "I'm getting something for you."
Jackal saw that Raven was currently fighting a blue-haired man.
Or rather, it was a one-sided beatdown.
The blue-haired man seemed to be able to manipulate gravity, tearing the ground to pieces with every move.
It looked impressive, but he was no match for Raven.
The invisible gravity seemed to have no effect on Raven. Even Jackal could tell it was a completely one-sided fight.
But the person involved didn't think so.
"Bastard, I am the Sovereign of Anti-Entropy! How dare you ignore me!"
Sovereign of Anti-Entropy?
The title caught Jackal's attention.
But it was quickly exposed by Raven.
"Give me a break. I've already killed three self-proclaimed Sovereigns of Anti-Entropy since we started."
Jackal understood. It was a clone of the Anti-Entropy Sovereign.
But what the hell did Cocolia instill in these clones? Why do they seem so dumb?
"The thing you want is in his hands." Raven pulled her hood down slightly. "I'll come help you after I deal with him."
Jackal nodded, but then she had a new idea.
"I've changed my mind. Leave him alive. I'm a little interested in the clone of the Anti-Entropy Sovereign."
"But he's very troublesome. I'm not sure I can capture him."
Looking at the clone being toyed with like a cat by Raven on the screen, Jackal knew what Raven was up to.
"I can pay you an additional fee."
"No problem." After hearing Jackal's prompt offer of payment, Raven's attitude immediately changed. "Do you want him whole or in pieces? To prevent him from running away, I can break his limbs."
The way this clone looked at her was disgusting. She wouldn't mind being a little rough.
"No, I want him whole."
"As you wish, boss."
Raven was relaxed, but to the blue-haired man, it was the ultimate provocation.
His face was contorted, his eyes looking as if they wanted to devour Raven.
"What nonsense are you spouting!"
"Bitch, how dare you look down on me!"
"I was going to give you a chance to serve me, but since you're like this, you can just die!"
With him as the center, the ground cracked, then was flattened by an invisible pressure.
"One hundred times gravity! Crush her!"
But at his move, Raven's face was filled with nothing but mockery.
"Sovereign of Anti-Entropy?"
"You're not worthy."
Before her words had even faded, Raven moved.
Countless afterimages ignored the gravity, beating the clone like a rubber ball.
A few breaths later, the clone fell to the ground.
He looked at Raven with resentment, but the light in his eyes was rapidly fading.
Raven clapped her hands, then took a box with the Schicksal logo from his chest.
"Come pick up your package. I'll be over to help you soon."
Jackal nodded in satisfaction.
Aside from her money-grubbing personality, Raven's ability to get things done was indeed satisfactory.
So she said smugly to the black screen, "Did you hear that, you damn rat? My backup will be here soon. You can't escape."
"Wait, what are you doing?" Raven on the screen suddenly had a bad feeling.
And at her question, Jackal said matter-of-factly, "Of course I'm putting psychological pressure on the enemy to make sure I can force her out."
"How did you do that?"
"By playing our conversation for her to hear, of course! I even turned off the encryption for it!"
Seeing the matter-of-fact look on Jackal's face, Raven froze.
Finally, she sighed faintly.
"Seriously, Jackal, sometimes I really suspect you're a spy from another organization."
At Raven's words, Jackal instantly flew into a rage.
"Raven! How dare you question my loyalty to the organization, to the Lord!"
However, at her words, Raven's tone was resentful.
"If you were a spy from another organization, I could accept it. But if you're truly loyal to the organization, I won't be able to rest in peace."
Jackal was provoked by Raven's words.
"Raven, what do you mean?"
But Raven no longer had the desire to argue with her, just saying faintly, "Wait for me to get there. Don't do anything until then."
Jackal's face was twisted with anger.
"Ciora, you muscle-brained brute, are you trying to rebel? I'm the one in charge!"
"You'd better be fully 'in charge'!" Raven kicked the "Welt" lying on the ground a few times and sighed. "After this mission, I'm never teaming up with you again."
"With an idiot like you as a teammate, I'm afraid I won't live long enough to get my money!"
"I'll say it again, don't act on your own. Wait until I get there."
Seeing Raven hang up, Jackal was furious.
"Brute, idiot, good-for-nothing!"
Forgive her for being a cultured person; she couldn't think of many insults.
After fuming for a while, Jackal took a deep breath.
"Arrogant fool."
"Hmph!"
Jackal had no intention of doing as Raven said.
That rat scurrying around the mainframe area was constantly changing her appearance using the identity of a World Serpent employee, making her completely unrecognizable.
To prevent her from escaping, she could only block the key nodes and then check them one by one.
And a single Death Weaver couldn't hold her even if they found her. To keep her, she had to send more troops.
But sending more troops would create loopholes at the entrances and exits, and proceeding step by step would give the other party a chance to escape.
It was a catch-22.
And Raven's idea was for her to block her, and then come and deal with her personally when she arrived.
But now Jackal didn't want to listen to her advice.
After all, she was the one in charge of this plan. She wanted to show that muscle-brained woman, Ciora, what she was capable of.
A dilemma?
Doesn't exist!
She didn't like making choices, so she chose to eliminate the people causing the problem.
"My order, shrink the encirclement. Anyone on the alert list, no need to identify, kill on sight!"
Jackal's face was ruthless.
If I kill all the hostages first, the enemy won't have room to maneuver.
As for the people who died?
They should feel honored to sacrifice themselves for the great plan of World Serpent!
---||---
Shicksal Entertainment mainframe area.
Looking at the Death Weavers blocking the door, the faces of the uniformed staff were filled with terror.
Thanks to Shicksal Pharmaceuticals' high employee benefits and good public image, they had thought it was a great job when they were hired.
But now they only felt their worldview collapsing.
These biologically modified monsters... should they really exist in this world?
Did this world go wrong somewhere?
And among the crowd...
A middle-aged woman with glasses was comforting a young man beside her.
The woman couldn't help but look at him.
Very handsome, quite to her taste.
So, as someone who had been working there longer and knew more secrets, she immediately offered comfort.
"Ahem!"
"Don't worry, they just look fierce. They won't actually hurt us."
"Just think of them as those autonomous robots. They're no different from those security guards."
Her comfort seemed to work. The panic on the young man's face gradually disappeared, replaced by curiosity.
"Is Shicksal Pharmaceuticals' biotechnology really that advanced? They can even create things from sci-fi novels."
"What you see is only the surface of this world." The woman was very proud. "When you reach a higher level, you'll understand that even Shicksal Pharmaceuticals is just the part of It that's above water."
"Deeper down, it's a depth you can never imagine."
Just then, the crowd panicked.
Because the Death Weaver had moved, and more were pouring in after it.
"Don't worry, they probably found that spy who sneaked in."
The woman's face showed no panic. She had seen this many times. When a Death Weaver came up to her, she even waved at it.
"See, I told you they wouldn't hurt us." The woman smiled and turned back.
"Watch out!"
Watch out for what?
The thought had just formed in her mind when she felt her vision rapidly rise.
Her vision spun, and she vaguely saw a headless body gushing blood.
She understood. She was the one who died.
Watching the head fly.
The young man seemed to be scared stiff, frozen on the spot.
The Death Weaver was just a soulless killing machine. It didn't give the young man a second glance.
Its chelicerae swung out like a scythe, completely unstoppable by an ordinary person.
In its expectation, the prey before it should have its head fly off in the next moment, just like countless other prey before.
But this time, it swung at empty air.
Then, a fist filled its vision.
BANG! The Death Weaver was sent flying.
"Getting impatient, are we?"
Looking at the woman who was now just a rolling head, and then at the terrified crowd, the young man sighed softly.
Without getting entangled with the Death Weaver, he quickly put distance between them and ran deeper.
The monsters were clearly targeting her. Staying here would only make these ordinary people targets.
If she could lead these monsters away, they would probably survive.
After all, they wouldn't be crazy enough to kill their own people, right?
As the young man left, and the other Death Weavers arrived, about to give chase...
The crowd finally relaxed. The person they were looking for had appeared. They should be safe now.
But the Death Weavers, which should have left, stopped.
Because in their minds, Jackal had given an order.
"Don't give her any room to disguise herself. Kill them all!"
In an instant, screams and wails filled the space.
And just a few breaths later, it fell completely silent.
Then, the Death Weavers moved their chelicerae and chased in the direction the target had fled.
---||---
On the other side, the young man paused for a moment after hearing the screams of the crowd, but ultimately did not turn back.
And as he left, a hazy mist enveloped him, his size and appearance constantly changing.
Man, woman, old, young...
Finally, he transformed into a white-haired, blue-eyed girl no taller than 1.5 meters.
After confirming her direction, she slipped into a narrow passage.
Finally, she curled up as much as possible among various pipes.
"Principal Theresa's size is quite suitable for hiding."
"I've only been changing into people with a similar body type. Good thing it's Cleo chasing me this time. She probably wouldn't think I could change my body type."
The girl curled up in the space, a conflicted look on her small face.
She, Ghost.
A natural Stigmata holder, a Schicksal A-Rank Valkyrie.
Not long ago, she had fallen into a huge crisis.
At first, it was just an ordinary surveillance mission, monitoring the Kaslana codenamed K-423 with another squad.
When she received the mission, she thought the organization was giving her a few days off because she had been on too many missions recently.
But then she was unexpectedly caught up in the Shicksal Pharmaceuticals vaccine incident, and a crisis that concerned the lives of tens of millions of people swept over her.
If left unchecked, it could even become a crisis that would engulf the entire world.
Every time she thought about it, she felt like she was in a dream.
Shouldn't it be a Valkyrie like Durandal who handles this kind of cataclysm-level event?
If not, any other S-Rank Valkyrie would do.
She was just an intel operative. She had come to ARK City to take a vacation, to go on a shopping spree in this international metropolis.
Why did she get caught up in a disaster of this level?
To be honest, the fact that she was still alive, that she had managed to blow up their vaccine warehouse and still be alive, was all thanks to the power of her Stigmata.
Her Stigmata gave her the ability to transform into anyone. This transformation could even reach the genetic level. As long as she touched someone, she could become them.
But unfortunately, it was just a cosmetic change.
A 100% pure physical body, but she couldn't gain the other person's power.
Thinking about it, it made sense. If she could really copy other people's powers at the same time, she wouldn't still be an A-Rank Valkyrie.
So, she could only do intel work.
Compared to other A-Rank Valkyries, she didn't have much combat power. She had already done her best to struggle this far.
Perhaps she should also thank the enemy for having a woman like Cleo who could screw up most things. In a way, if not for her incompetence, she probably wouldn't be alive right now.
If it were just that woman in the dodo bird costume, she would probably be dead long ago.
But this was all she could do.
To blow up the vaccine warehouse, her comrades were also gone. Now she was the only one left in the entire squad.
Of course, there might still be that Kaslana girl.
Ghost didn't know what was so special about her that required two Valkyrie squads to guard her.
But she knew that the Kaslana girl's power was only at the level of a B-Rank Valkyrie. Getting involved would definitely be suicide.
It was better to let her move freely. With her importance, HQ probably noticed her disappearance.
HQ probably wouldn't let it go.
If they could send a sufficiently powerful Valkyrie because of this, then this city might still be saved.
If it was too late, then it would be up to fate.
At least, she probably wouldn't live to see the reinforcements.
Sighing silently, a thin mist appeared around her body.
The sound of rustling passed by, but no one noticed her.
To hide herself, she made her body fit the surrounding environment as much as possible, ensuring she wouldn't be discovered.
With the number of monsters outside, once she was discovered, she would be dead.
When the sounds had gone far away...
Ghost took out her terminal, fumbled for an interface nearby, then pulled a cable from the terminal and plugged it in.
She was just trying to see if she could contact the outside world.
She didn't have much hope.
But the result...
"Hmm?"
"It works? That woman didn't cut off the internet here?"
For a moment, she suspected it was a trap.
But thinking of Cleo's usual outrageous behavior, she felt she had overestimated her.
She had survived this long all thanks to this pig of an enemy teammate.
Connecting to the terminal...
Based on her preset search terms, the outside intelligence was compiled.
And according to priority, the news about K-423 was at the top of the list.
It was clearly written on it.
[Tragic news from the gaming community: the world's first 'Eden' player to be banned has appeared.]
[Player K-423 has been banned for slaughtering hundreds of people online, causing mental trauma to many.]
[Eden officials remind you that the game is not a lawless land. Building a good public order and morality requires our joint efforts.]