"You always manage to surprise me... or cause trouble, Mercer."
When Ena Tanino spoke her first words, Mercer knew the general tone of this conversation.
Hmm, next there should be a big stick before giving a sweet date.
"You know, after you attracted the AI and caused the server to suffer losses, you were likely to be dealt with along with your former supervisor.
Especially since you were directly contacted by the AI...
As a hacker, you should be well aware that you were supposed to die the instant you made contact.
Now, can you tell me why you're still alive?"
Mercer felt bored, but outwardly he displayed a somewhat frightened expression:
"I don't know... I, I didn't even know I was contacted!
When Kyoko told me about it...
Honestly, even now, I think maybe Kyoko was mistaken. Please, you must believe me, Director Tanino!"
"Mercer, of course, I'd like to believe you, after all, I conducted the investigation and interrogation myself. But... you should know that in Arasaka Company, people in my position always have countless eyes watching, not just competitors but also some past enemies.
I'm willing to trust you, but others may not. If this gets out...
Sigh, truth be told, the current progress of the project is not promising. A large amount of funding has been mobilized, yet there's been no result or even progress for so long, and I'm under a lot of pressure."
Ena Tanino's words made Mercer suddenly get goosebumps, why does this plot feel familiar?
Next won't be the 'you wouldn't want others to know...' kind of line, right?
"So now, we need to help each other, and coincidentally, I happen to have a win-win solution at hand."
Ena Tanino smiled, stood up, and surprisingly invited him to sit on the sofa beside her, even picking up her teapot: "Sit, let's talk slowly."
She poured tea unhurriedly, without speaking.
Mercer just acted carefully, sitting upright, but his eyes were observing the teapot and tea leaves, sniffing the aroma.
To be honest, after being in the Cyber World for so long, eating those garbage synthetic foods in the canteen every day, smelling such natural tea leaves makes one's mouth water a bit.
Ena Tanino didn't know that her deliberate pause and pressuring instead aroused Mercer's cravings, seeing him nervously pursing his lips, she chuckled to herself, he's still a kid after all.
"What do you think?" She poured two cups of tea, and leisurely sat on the other end of the sofa.
"The thing you want me to do... what is it?" Mercer looked extremely nervous.
"Before I was transferred to this project, I was in charge of prosthetic development related to hackers.
The prototype model in the laboratory has been developed, but because the initial concept was... somewhat idealized.
So, strictly speaking, it's not a single prosthetic, but a whole set of prosthetics related to hackers.
Since the prosthetics must be installed as a set to be used, correspondingly, it requires very high demands on the user.
Even for daily use, it requires the user's brain neurons to have very high intensity.
Additionally, because it is a whole set of prosthetics, it also requires a high mental attribute and prosthetic tolerance from the user.
The previous experimenter was an Arasaka hacker agent, who got a head burn during an overclocking attempt and was sent to Japan for recovery.
Currently, that whole set of prosthetics is undergoing secondary adjustments. The original adjustment purpose was to lower some functions to reduce user demands...
But you, Mercer, you might try to endure the full version of the prototype prosthetics, becoming the most perfect adapter for this set of prosthetics.
Do you know what it means if you can bear this set of prosthetics?"
Ena Tanino raised her tone, her eyes glowing as she tempted: "It means you will become Arasaka Group's 'Adam Heavy Hammer' in the hacking field!"
Damn, how much have they changed it? I'm not even prepared for a mechanical ascension!
Mercer showed hesitation, pretending to timidly ask: "What exactly is this set of prosthetics... can you explain it in detail?"
Ena Tanino just chuckled softly and directly transmitted the data to him.
Mercer chose to accept, and then saw a simple display and data description of the entire set of prosthetics.
[Brain-Computer Interface - Obsidian Neural Link: Supports 0.01ms delay thought-control devices, suitable for dedicated Network Access Vault.]
[Operating System·Network Access Vault·'Soulkiller':
Can use the Soulkiller Protocol to launch fast hacks on enemies.
Once the fast hack is completed, all enemy consciousness data will be destroyed and then automatically copied and uploaded to an available storage chip.
Coupled with the Obsidian Neural Link, it effectively reduces network latency by over 50%.
Built-in eleven standard units of memory, the usable Soulkiller Protocol can spread infection to up to four marked targets.
Paired with the 'Obsidian Co-processor', this processor can speed up fast hacking entry speeds by approximately 40%.
Comes with Brain-Machine Overclocking capabilities, significantly enhancing computing power in overclock mode.
Drawback: Noticeable heating, needs to be paired with professional hacker cooling prosthetics and strong neural endurance.]
[Arasaka NetSpecter V3 Cyberoptic:
Can see network devices and connected targets within a 32-meter range, visually seeing connection signals in the air.
Supports hackers in tracking network signals in the air for backtracking searches, accomplishing remote hacks.]
[Frontal Cortex·Guardian ICE:
Enterprise-grade electronic countermeasure unit, effectively blocking data attacks.
Triggers an automatic disconnection function when detecting attacks that cannot be resisted, requiring a manual restart to reconnect to the network.]
[Circulatory System: Black Shark Blood Cooler:
Injecting the cooler into the blood allows it to be cyclically used and safely metabolized, effectively enhancing brain cooling in the bloodstream.
(Needs re-injection every three months)]
[Obsidian Evil Shark Super Cooling:
An integrated cooling system installed in the brain, neck, and back after modification, effectively reducing body heat during network connections, with a cooling strength about 12% higher than the professional cooling of Internet Supervision.]
[Neural System: Obsidian Neural Synaptic Accelerator:
Can slow down time by 72% during use, but thinking speed remains unchanged.]
[Hand: Obsidian Super Data Connection:
Provides more efficient data connection functionality, with almost no data delay when paired with the Obsidian Neural Link.
Can use hand data cables to connect directly to servers or advanced devices for control and hacking, effectively reducing hacking delay and increasing data transfer speed.]
[Skin: Obsidian Cooling Coating:
Can be paired with Evil Shark Cooling to significantly enhance body's own heat dissipation.
Drawback: Due to its excellent thermal conductivity, it severely absorbs external heat; currently undergoing improvements, selective installation available.]
[Arm: 'Neurofly' Single Molecule Line:
Can automatically upload stored quick hacks from memory unit upon hitting target, can implant malicious program 'Neurofly' when sharpness is not activated.
After the program dies, it leaves network location data in the target's data; the Soulkiller Protocol can automatically locate the target, allowing ultra-long-distance quick hacks via the network.]
Mercer was a bit stunned.
This...
I was just trying to score a little... but you went and fed me the whole sheep!?
Top-notch, absolutely top-notch.
Mercer thought, with just this set of prosthetics, he could fiddle, repair, and upgrade them, and use them until 2077 — they're top-tier equipment!
Not to mention, just the built-in Soulkiller Protocol network access alone... this thing is practically on par with the super network access developed by the military science division with the built-in 'Black Wall Gateway' protocol.
The Black Wall is pure destruction, while the Soulkiller not only kills but leaves an imprint of your consciousness, allowing manipulation of your consciousness in any way desired.
And this cooling system...
Just by looking at the design schematics, Mercer knew this thing would be amazing — purely based on appearance, it resembles the cooling system used by Netwatch agent Bryce in the game by eighty percent!
It must be noted that the gear on that agent was Netwatch's cooling system from 2077, and now it's only 2071!
The Single Molecule Line is also phenomenal, paired with the Soulkiller Network Receiver; it becomes an assassination tool!
Imagine, during the day, use the Single Molecule Line with sharpness off, touching you like a string, and at night, you can go home and remotely use the Soulkiller to find your IP and remotely hack and assassinate you.
It will even package and bring back your soul consciousness, and from then on, all your secrets are gone, even your consciousness no longer belongs to you.
Your soul can even be transformed to act as a small AI to continue serving the corporation... that is the terrifying aspect of the corporation.
Moreover, with this level of cooling, as long as it can withstand Brain-Machine Overclocking, it's equivalent to relying on a mini server, to fully unleash the hacker's potential.
The Guardian ICE can also provide more robust protection while saving network access vault memory.
"Confident?"
Ena Tanino curled her lips; she knew no hacker would refuse this set of equipment; ambition... haha, there's no one without ambition in the company.
"...I, I want to try it."
Mercer replied with difficulty, then raised his head: "I'm willing to install them."
"Great." Ena Tanino showed a calm and gentle expression again: "Mercer, I knew you wouldn't disappoint me! Rest assured, from today onwards, you won't need to deep dive.
I will dispatch a hovercar for transport; the items are in Vancouver, and tomorrow morning, you'll see your prosthetics!"
Mercer suddenly had a thought.
"Hovercar? What I mean is... really, we don't need to waste resources, no need to rush."
Mercer suddenly looked frightened, trying to find an excuse to delay.
Ena Tanino curled her lips: "This is Vancouver, Canada; no one would dare fight Arasaka here, besides, it's just one hovercar, and such resources mean nothing to me."
Mercer hung his head, seeming resigned.
Ena Tanino nodded in satisfaction: "That's settled then, you may go back and rest; be ready to install new prosthetics tomorrow morning."
"I understand..."
Mercer glanced at the cup — forgot to drink tea; damn.
"Like it? I have a new tin here, take it."
Ena Tanino! You damn woman, you're so tender! You'll make my conscience itch when I take action!
Mercer felt a bit embarrassed, so he simply didn't talk, took the tea leaves, and left; this tea was better not drunk, make tea at home instead.
Ena Tanino didn't care that he didn't bow when entering, nor when leaving.
It doesn't matter, even if Mercer has ulterior motives, as long as the prosthetics are installed...
Haha, by then he will be completely under Arasaka's control.
Soulkiller will imprint and transform his soul, making him a loyal dog, and a dog loyal to her.
For cute and capable dogs, Ena Tanino has never been stingy with kindness.
This made Ena Tanino feel incomparably pleasant, sitting in her office chair, gazing at the distant desert outside the window.
This damned base really ought to be left behind sooner; once the prosthetics installation is complete, this dumb Star Project can be whoever's responsibility.
She thinks there are likely some huge secrets hidden here, and to live long and well, it's best not to delve into these secrets that might relate to rogue AI.
She imagined she could both escape this suburban base to return to the city, and possibly use Mercer to redeem her previous failures on the Soulkiller project...
Ena Tanino only felt the sunshine become warmer, the chair more comfortable.
"Mercer, don't let me down..."
...
[Mercer: Fish dead nets ruined, leaving tomorrow!]
Mercer returned to his room and, after gathering his small team, immediately made a decision on the encrypted channel.