Important Content Is Always Written on Suspicious Objects
Important content is always written on suspicious objects, it's a given.
- The scope of rights and powers that any person or institution can exert.
If one were to search for the word 'authority' in a Korean dictionary, it would likely continue with an explanation of this nature.
It was just one of the convenient excuses that could be brought up in a difficult situation where one had to ask a superior for permission to proceed with some action.
But when this word is used in a computer or IT context rather than its general meaning, the meaning would transform in a slightly different direction.
- Determining the extent of access allowed for users to files and directories built within the network.
Simply put, it meant allowing only those who are qualified to freely manipulate the computer.
Since there were often cases where strangers like viruses or hackers would steal precious data just by poking a finger, one of the ways to prevent such tragedies was to limit what could be done according to permissions.
Of course, the more thorough the security, the more inconvenience ordinary users would feel.
But considering that it was common for amateurs to mess around and have their money or personal information stolen by malicious people, it might not be all bad.
Anyway, let's get back to the topic at hand. The 'authority' used in computers... commonly referred to as access permissions... was a concept closely related to security.
If there were no such access permissions, we wouldn't be able to enjoy smooth internet activities without constantly fearing that our data would be stolen by computer viruses or hackers every day.
That's why, upon receiving decoded data in concrete form from Noise, I couldn't help but let out a sigh in a rather troubled state.
> ACCESS PERMISSION REQUIRED
> To read the data, access permission is required.
Four months into the Abyss world.
During these four months, I could boast of having spent time with a dense density: meeting precious connections, fighting against formidable foes I feared, and even attracting attention of a scale I had never received in my life.
But upon encountering this new concept, I deeply felt how little I knew about the Abyss.
“Hmm, this is the first time for me.”
Access permissions. This was a matter that raised many things to think about. It was so much that questions popped up in my head right away.
'There are data that can't be opened casually. I don't know what access permissions are.'
Thinking that way, it seemed I could understand why the rainbow-colored bean beetle holding this data had become so noticeable.
Since I and Noise didn't have access permission, there was no way a virtual beast like the rainbow bean beetle could interpret this data, and thus, due to not properly digesting the data, it had changed color vibrantly across its whole body like spewing rainbows.
It was a virtual beast that developed by hiding its body as much as possible unless it was strong enough, yet it had become a form that attracted aggro. Was this the reason?
“Noise. Maybe...”
“Impossible. I can't open it with my ability.”
“U, uh... I see.”
Was Noise realizing my intention to ask if I could open this data right before I finished speaking, and she shook her head to inform me it was impossible.
Of course. Since Noise preferred straight talk, if she could open it, she would have done it long ago...
Even when I tried to consume EP with the sense of activating the Scissors Blade, there was no reaction, so it seemed impossible to open this data with my and Noise's power.
Then, what about physical force!
“Ugh... What is this...! Stop!”
“It seems like it can't be broken physically.”
“Haa... I see... Ugh, my hands are hurting...”
Even with my superhuman grip that could easily crush a coconut, when I tried to apply force to the data, it was only this much? The outer part of the data didn't move at all, as if mocking me.
Not so much hard as something that couldn't be changed or, perhaps, something that felt fixed in space...
Having experienced it myself as per Noise's words, I had no choice but to actively agree that this object could not be physically destroyed.
'Damn, now I'm in a bind? This melon-like thing... Ah, maybe that's it!'
But it was still too early to give up. I had the vicious ultimate weapon, the Scissors Blade, that could cut any object!
So, after deciding that, I placed the data on the desk for a moment, hurriedly went outside to grab the Scissors Blade I had stuck on the ceiling, and returned to my seat.
“Uhu... Come on, let's see if this can withstand it!”
The strongest weapon, the Scissors Blade, that had never failed to cut anything until now.
It had even cut the arms of a predator species that was an incredibly strong opponent, so I thought I had enough chances against this tough data.
So, I immediately activated the Scissors Blade and tried to cut the melon-sized data in half...
“...Nia. Don't cut the floor.”
“Ah, right... I see...”
Frightened by the urgent objection from Noise flying in from the side, I barely managed to regain my composure.
She was right. If I swung it that big, it would create a hole in the floor of the one-room apartment. If that happened, it would be really troublesome.
The only safe zone in the Abyss where CP consumption was zero was here. If its identity was damaged even a little, it would be a huge loss in many ways.
“Then, shall I make a makeshift stand?”
So, the choice I made was to use some CP to make a wooden stand and place the data on it... and cut it together with the Scissors Blade.
Distance okay. Angle okay. Posture... okay. Preparation was perfect. The only thing left was to activate the Scissors Blade!
Convert CP to EP. And use that EP to activate the Scissors Blade. Activate the function by linking the activated Scissors Blade with me. And with full power...!
“Hyaah! It's splitting in half...! Eee...?”
Whoa.
At the moment when I was happily swinging the Scissors Blade to cut that detestable data in half, something unexpected happened to the data that had no signs.
The blade of the Scissors Blade sparkled white, and the round surface melted like it was melting in the sparkle, and then it spat out something inside it with a 'thud'!
So, as the target I was about to cut disappeared suddenly, I looked at the Scissors Blade and the data alternately with great confusion and muttered.
“...What?”
Like a dumb person staring at a chicken that flew up to the roof, I could only stare at the opened data blankly.
I had wanted to cut it refreshingly like breaking a watermelon in a watermelon field, but it didn't even fulfill that small wish.
I retrieved the EP from the Scissors Blade I was holding and deactivated it, and looking at the Scissors Blade with a somewhat serious expression, I thought.
'The Scissors Blade that can open the door of Delic... Is this Scissors Blade not a normal object?'
Thinking about it, there were more than a couple of strange points. It was an existence that didn't decay in the environment in the Abyss, and it had powerful firepower that could cut all objects in half as if there were no limits.
I had naturally felt it before... This Scissors Blade was definitely not a normal object. Maybe it was the greatest luck in the Abyss when I first explored the lower part, accidentally picking up this Scissors Blade.
But no matter how hard I stared at the Scissors Blade, I couldn't figure out what its true identity was. It was just that it was a great item that could open Delic's door or open data with restricted access permissions.
At this moment, I intuitively sensed that when the secret of the Scissors Blade was revealed, I might also naturally understand why I became Nia.
“...Well, anyway. Since the content has come out, it should be fine. Noise. Want to take a look at this together?”
“Yeah. I'm curious.”
So, there was no need to rush even more. Although it was unknown when a predator would come, it wasn't like there was any time pressure.
It was just a matter of not slacking off while enjoying leisure.
Therefore, I decided to put off investigating the secret of the Scissors Blade for later, and first decided to figure out the suspicious object that had come out from the shell of the data just now together with Noise.
Just how great an object was it that it was sealed away so no one could see it? Let's take a look.
So, as Noise and I approached the data side by side and lifted the object on the stand, we finally managed to realize the identity of the object.
“This is... a scroll?”
The object was none other than a scroll rolled up paper.
“Maybe there's a traitor among us who has joined the human side.”
A very suspicious form that seemed like something important was written on it.