Chapter 4
The cyberspace near the Erebus Line wasn't much different from the world I knew. Blue data nets stretched out, with data streams racing along them like veins in a body. I was used to it by now. The only difference from when I'd met Alphabet was that this place felt like a sort of 'village.' Neat rows of large and small data blocks stood in orderly lines, waiting for human hands—like streets in a town.
According to the AI, these were data boxes positioned near the Erebus Line, holding the materials to operate it and emergency vaccines that activated if the defense line collapsed. Sure enough, a massive red barrier loomed in the distance. That must be the Erebus Line. Compared to my body, its height alone was at least several dozen meters... though metaphors like that felt iffy in cyberspace.
Around us were excited kids who'd just dived into cyberspace, and the man we'd seen earlier was watching us with a tense expression.
How strong is this Erebus Line thing?
> Effective defense against nearly all cyberdemon attacks.
Against Alphabet?
> No more than a sandcastle.
I got a rough idea of the wall's caliber.
"N-Now... e-everyone, pay attention!"
The man suddenly shouted. His tone was like Enora Fontaine's kindergarten-teacher voice, but it lacked any confidence or force. Still, a faint data stream flowed from him, weaving through the kids. Same trick as Enora—hacking. In cyberspace, the power in his voice didn't matter anyway.
> Hacking skill far inferior to Enora's.
A spark of static crackled behind me. The AI had blocked the hack, and the man hadn't noticed.
> Target failed to detect hack defense in cyberspace. Σ(°△°|||). Astonishingly incompetent.
Is there something different about cyberspace?
> Unlike reality, failed attacks are visually apparent. Failure to notice means that.
The only person who could protect these kids from beyond the Erebus Line was this incompetent guy. Or... did he even want to protect them? The way this era worked was starting to feel downright ridiculous.
"B-Beyond that wall... th-there's something fun waiting. Only we at ImmuneWire can open its gate. Pretty amazing, right? We're gonna go there and... uh, t-treasure hunt."
Treasure hunt. In reality, it meant scavenging fragments of lost tech. The man seemed to know how dangerous it was, stumbling over his words. If it's that scary, just don't go.
"S-So... shall we go?"
The man took the lead, and we kids naturally followed. As we approached, data spread from the Erebus Line, scanning us.
ImmuneWire partnership verified.
Opening Erebus Line gate. Gate will remain open for 10 minutes, reopening in 1 hour.
Caution: Failure to return in time carries high risk of stranding.
A tiny hole opened in the wall. Visually, it was barely big enough for a cat, let alone an adult.
"Now. Can we kids fit through this little hole?"
"No!"
A few kids answered spiritedly. Knowing even that spirit came from hacking made it less admirable.
"But in this cyberspace, it's possible. Who wants to try the fun experience first?"
No one wants to step first into a minefield, huh? I immediately asked the AI.
Could we die the moment we cross the Erebus Line?
> Cyberdemons gain nothing near Erebus Line. If going, safer to move before they notice.
Doesn't this ImmuneWire guy know that?
> Incompetent opponent.
Yeah, idiots can do anything. I slowly turned my head, gauging the mood. There was excitement at the new place, but hesitation about squeezing through a needle's eye. If we stayed like this, he'd force the kids with more hacking. In that case, the safest spot was mine. I quietly raised my hand.
"O-Oh...! Y-Yes! A brave kid!"
"Neige?"
A few kids who recognized me called my name, but sadly, I couldn't remember theirs. A 19-year-old soul found it hard to befriend 5-to-9-year-olds. Guess I'd never make a schoolteacher.
"Alright! Put your hand here."
"Yes."
I did as the man said. Signals flooded my brain.
Passage verified.
Data transfer initiated.
I felt my body disassembling into data units. Strangely, it wasn't unpleasant. The separated data flowed like water through the wall, crossing the Erebus Line in an instant before reassembling.
"Whoa..."
This must be what teleporting feels like. Shoving aside the wonder, I scanned my surroundings. This was beyond the Erebus Line, the unmanned zone humans weren't meant to enter. The atmosphere differed sharply from the inner sector. The blue data nets were damaged here and there, forcing streams to detour erratically. Broken data spewed errors, rolling around chaotically. It felt like untouched wilderness.
Village inside the wall, wilds outside. Intuitive and straightforward.
> No cyberdemons detected nearby.
As I took in the sights with the AI's report, another data form approached from behind.
"Wow...!"
One of the orphanage kids. After the same experience, they gasped, then awkwardly kept distance upon eye contact. Yeah, awkward age if not close friends. I get it.
> Time needed for all kids to cross. Adapt to cyberspace in meantime.
What do you mean?
> In emergencies, master may need to fight cyberdemons. If this AI handles combat, master's brain can't handle the computation load.
There's a fix, right?
> Hardware vs. software difference. Superior program can optimize load. Here, 'program' means master's 'hacking proficiency.'
Master hacking in cyberspace, and even a 5-year-old body could fight.
Can I learn that quick?
> Master already has 3 key factors: This AI's assistance, Alphabet-created body, innate cyberspace aptitude.
I'm talented?
> From 2 years of intelligence enhancement: Exceptionally gifted.
That sounded promising. Hacking talent? Like a genius hacker?
How good?
> No comparison group. Unable to quantify.
Tch. Kinda deflating. But no time to dwell.
Let's do it. What first?
> Cyberspace is visualized for human comprehension—actually pure digital realm.
> Must learn to create data, write code.
Never had coding lessons.
> This AI assists.
> Create a photo: Extract, organize, package.
> Extract: Recall precious memory to capture as photo.
Precious memory. Clasping hands, I delved into recollections. First: family. Mom, Dad, little sister, me. Our group photo. As I walked memory lane, codes poured from a corner of my mind. Simultaneously, fragmented memory formed unstably in my hands.
> Organize: Human memories unclear. Slowly sort data before eyes.
Definitely. Family faces were mosaicked, unviewable; photo scattered like puzzle pieces, locations indistinguishable. Staring at mosaicked faces and recalling sharpened it, like increasing resolution. Got it. Sort scattered puzzle memories, clarify the fuzzy parts. Soon, the beach trip photo solidified in my hand.
> Package: Will evaporate if left. Imagine framing the photo.
I did. A small cube enveloped it. Curious, I rolled the data block around. Photo safe inside.
> First-try success rare. Excellent. Already compressed 60% of required computation.
Starting is half the battle, huh. What now with this block?
> Master's precious memory. Copying to deep consciousness for storage.
Thanks.
>(>ω<)♡
The data block shattered and vanished. But the image remained crystal-clear in my mind. I could count my sister's hair strands fluttering in the sea breeze, just from imagination.
Next?
> Act per situation for now.
I turned at the AI's words. By then, orphanage kids had all crossed, the man last.
That spineless jerk. Coming last after all. Avoid drawing suspicion for now. Arms crossed, I waited quietly.
But... the man's next action was wildly unexpected.
"You little shits!"
What? Did he pop a pill? Why the sudden change? Gone was the timid voice; he was barking at the kids like a different person.
"Scatter and grab whatever! Or what'll we tell that psycho Enora when we get back?!"
A burly adult flipping like split personality naturally terrified the kids. They backed away hesitantly as he bellowed.
Is this okay? What if ImmuneWire sees?
> Cyberspace visualized—actually digital. Seems visible from beyond wall, but impossible.
> Observing beyond requires forming code—vulnerability cyberdemons exploit. Appears as hole in Erebus Line here.
Ah, got it. Wild.
The 'reopens in 1 hour' message resurfaced. They couldn't know inside conditions. Hence the 1-hour promise.
"Hurry up! Grab anything like the brats you are!"
No ImmuneWire here, just easy kids—so true colors show.
> Keep distance from man.
No need to warn—I want to.
> Human 'voice' in cyberspace scatters data waves everywhere.
Wait. Does that mean—
Before quelling rising dread, the AI acted first.
> Warning: Prepare for attack.
With the alert, a red flash streaked straight through the kids toward the man.
My eyes caught up late: the man, chest pierced by a red data blade.
"What the...!"
As I reflexively almost yelled—
Pain like a knife stirring my brain hit. The AI spoke coldly.
> Warning: Do not make noise.
I clamped my mouth shut consciously, scanning around. Kids stared aghast at the stabbed man, but none screamed. How were they all silent?
Oddities didn't stop there.
What is this, what is this, what is this.
Stabbed? Is the uncle dying?
Where's the director now?
Kids' thoughts trickled into my head. Then I saw short data streams—from me, spreading to all kids. The AI had hacked them all. That's why I could read thoughts faintly. My headache was computation overload from hacking, not the AI's order.
The blade withdrew from the man's body, revealing a cyberdemon behind him. Red data devil. Self-explanatory form. Donut-hole in torso, yet he showed no pain—just shock staring at it. His data fragmented red from the hole, collapsing.
"No...! Can't die this meaningless...!"
His last words. Crumbling data lost form, shattering. He vanished into cyberspace as mangled data, shrieking like a busted speaker.
> Typical DDoS attack. Brain and nerves overloaded, burned out.
Insane...
Run? Survival instinct screamed, but the cyberdemon did the unexpected. Ignoring kids, it lumbered away.
Recalling lessons, I grasped it instantly. Not reality. 5-to-9-year-olds' small data signatures—hard for demon to spot. Even in plain sight, we weren't detected data-wise.
> Accurate analysis. Admiring master's talent.
Less flattery, more survival ideas.
Gate in 1 hour. Survive till then to return safe.
> Master alone: High survival odds.
> Protecting kids: Survival plummets.
> Sensing master's desire. This AI knows choice.
Orphanage director, agents, Enora, that idiot man. Every 2160 adult I'd seen was the same. But I'm from 2077. Only I can protect these kids. Can't just run to save myself.
> Command confirmed.
> Goal: All survive.
> Survival chance: ~10%.
Let's do it.