"So what I need to do is..." Mercer cautiously confirmed.
"No."
Bartmos firmly gave a definitive answer:
"Your existence itself has already changed this world, like a butterfly effect—look, haven't you already altered the original course of events?
Arasaka's... uh, mining project, hasn't it changed because of you?
Think about it, you've accomplished all this in just a few days.
Did you really do something special?
No, just your appearance has changed everything.
Even if you do nothing from now on, the variables have already appeared, and all the calculations have changed, that alone is enough.
No matter if your existence accelerates destruction or leads this world to another ending, for us, the goal has been achieved.
Your life belongs solely to you—please, if I have to arrange a so-called destiny for you, then what's the difference between me and those idiot corporate dogs?
Freedom!
Mercer!
Humans should be beings of freedom! From now on, even if you become one of those people who wear Mewtwo all day, lying on the street without pants..."
Spider Murphy and Ultraman's gaze made Bartmos restrain himself, he coughed and laughed:
"Anyway, that's it, the reason we chose to meet you again is also to reassure you.
Otherwise, always feeling like someone is watching over your shoulder, those days wouldn't be easy."
"As for you feeling like you're an AI... I'll explain it in simple terms."
Bartmos stretched out two hands, the left holding a paper model of Mercer, the right depicting his 3D model before crossing.
"Your consciousness was compressed from 3D to a paper form, but the energy loss is actually minimal. To put it in a way you can understand...
It's like having a 1TB of data, compressed into a 10MB-sized file.
Sounds incredible, but that's the reality.
So, even if you appear to be only 10MB in size, your data volume far exceeds the average person.
Even surpassing many AI, which is why you feel invincible...
Because you inherently differ from us.
This process can't be explained by current theories, and even we have been secretly observing... uh, I mean trying to analyze and understand this phenomenon."
"This high-dimensional characteristic allows you to rapidly absorb our knowledge and use it in a remarkable way.
I think, once you assimilate enough knowledge, you may independently bring about a technological explosion, even alter some existing rules."
Spider Murphy shared her view:
"Besides that, the changes you've made to your own body are extraordinary—the severe brain nerve damage you suffered was irreversible, but you changed it with your will.
From my observation and speculation, your body will continue to undergo miraculous changes, like becoming stronger, more agile in thought, more emotionally abundant...
In other words, it's like you're playing a game.
A regular person can't change a game's character attributes, everyone is born with a limit, only modifiable through technology.
Yet, you can subtly enhance your attributes with pure will.
This process isn't governed by your personal intent, but your instincts—because you are inherently a higher-dimensional being, your will aligns your body to your desires."
Ultraman also offered his perspective:
"You might possess a unique ability, similar to the 'Waaagh!' power found in the world of Warhammer series games.
Indicating that if you truly believe you can do something, the probability is that you can achieve it.
Just like writing a program, if you think you can, you do it, if not, then you truly can't.
Hmm... perhaps this too is a high-dimensional trait?
The ability to freely create according to one's will in a lower-dimension world? But this power certainly has its limitations, or..."
Ultraman seemed to ponder, his eyes' red glow flickering.
Bartmos clapped his hands with a smile:
"Alright, that's enough for now.
Regarding the last thing you asked about the 'Twilight of the Gods' initiative, I'm sorry, but we can't tell you that for now, even if you knew, it would only add unnecessary worries, so better left unsaid.
Is there anything else you'd like to ask?"
"...Seems like there's nothing else, just hoping you could offer some help."
Mercer straightforwardly said: "The Guardian AI that Arasaka sent is really troublesome for me right now, I temporarily don't feel the 'Waaagh!' power activating."
"Hmm... feeling? Once you become an AI, all feelings turn into probabilities... frankly, I don't think that's a good thing."
Bartmos murmured, then suddenly, a cat composed of red data appeared next to him, transforming into blue the instant it landed.
Then, it affectionately crawled to Mercer's feet, circling around, rubbing its neck against his ankle.
"This cat can help you solve Arasaka's sub-AI—it's the evolved version of the 'Demon' virus I used before.
An extremely powerful icebreaking (targeting ICE cracking) program, now I call it...'Desire for Death'."