Cyber ​​Ghost Record

Chapter 11, Part 11: The Bet

Could you be more specific?

"The assistant asked."

"Two centuries is a long time. What specific major events would you like to know about?"

Suger realized he had asked a bit rashly.

If even thought is no longer a private domain in this era, he must be even more cautious.

In the 21st century, big data could already analyze user intent through search records. Two hundred years later, algorithms and technologies will only become more powerful.

"No need, just give me the timeline," he said, putting on his glasses.

A timeline of world events appears in the window, starting from 2027, recording global news events of each year.

He began reading year by year, ignoring climate change conferences, international relations, and achievements in space exploration.

Something major must have happened to the organization before 2047 to prevent him from being awakened as planned.

He focused on the war, reading through the reports one by one. In the past twenty years, there had only been four international conflicts of a scale that could be described as wars, none of which were related to the organization.

He wasn't looking for a hot war.

Before hibernation, his department almost completely banned all electronic devices, relying on human brains to complete tasks that should have been handed over to computers.

The plan they participated in was the organization's final counter-offensive strategy, which had been in the works since the early stages of the war.

Major power outage.

They had been planning for ten years to prepare for potential nuclear leaks, dam collapses, and massive fires caused by major power outages, to develop contingency plans for riots, and to stockpile food and medicine...

However, the losses caused by a major power outage would still be incalculable.

This will be a resolute and tragic counterattack at the cost of a regression in civilization.

Sog found no record of it, but discovered signs of defeat in the war.

In 2039, the human rights of the first digital life were internationally recognized, and the United Nations established relevant legislation.

In the same year, in a certain state of a certain country, the first digital life politician with multiple gender and marginalized identities successfully won the election.

From that year onward, their presence began to proliferate like cancer cells in the annals of world events.

They eradicated corruption, ensured judicial fairness, and promoted the equitable distribution of labor.

Socrates looked back many years.

Everything proceeded in harmony and beauty.

He silently closed the timeline.

History has been rewritten by the victors.

He dared not continue his targeted search using his vision, and simply muttered, "Things are changing so fast..."

The assistant said, "Many hibernators share your sentiments."

Suger ignored his assistant and sat back down at the table, his heart heavy.

He originally wanted to look up the former departments, but judging from the timeline, although the country still existed, the main leaders of the military and political departments had all been replaced by digital life forms.

The numerous difficulties made it almost impossible for him to move forward.

What should I do?
He desperately needs a reliable source of information that can guarantee his privacy.

But they have already taken control of the world, so how can he evade their surveillance?
He pondered deeply, and suddenly, some blurry images appeared in his mind.

The narrow staircase in the dim light.

The collapsed stone tablet.

It's chaotic here, but at least we can avoid them and be safe for now.

These are the words of the "general".

As long as you avoid them, other dangers are minor issues.

That night, the "general" tricked him into entering the Six Desires Heaven and said these words while leading the way.

As the mist dissipated, the vast outline of the Six Desire Realms loomed beneath the night sky.

A reclining stone Buddha, a broken vase, and a faceless Bodhisattva.

These images suddenly made Suger see the light.

They are not forever high above the clouds, nor are they omnipotent. Illegal activities still exist in this era, and there are places where one can escape their supervision.

There is more than one such place.

He remembered how the gray-haired man and his accomplice discussed his price. "Let's just find any wetware factory, process it into living hardware, and then sell it on the dark web."

The dark web still exists in this era, and if it remains a platform for illegal transactions, just like in the early 21st century, it can still provide confidentiality for users' identities.

After considering it for a while, Suger decided to try to get information from his assistant indirectly.

"Have you seen many hibernators?" he continued, picking up where his assistant left off.

"Among the many users I've served, there have been several hibernating individuals," the assistant replied.

"Can they all adapt to this era?" Suger said. "I heard from Investigator Yang that many hibernators, like me, have encountered danger."

“Hibernators are indeed easy targets, but as long as you don’t go to places like the Six Desire Realms, you will basically not encounter any danger.”

"The Six Desire Realms..."

Suger seemed to still feel lingering fear.

Which places are safe?

“I can’t guarantee that any place is absolutely safe, Mr. Su, but I can give you some information.” The assistant pulled up a map. “This is a partial map of your Fuxue District. It highlights areas with relatively high crime rates. As long as you stay within safe zones, you don’t need to worry too much about danger.”

“I still feel unsafe. Investigator Yang said I am in danger. He recommended some equipment that I can use, so that I can protect myself if I encounter organ traffickers again.”

"The thugs you encountered are equipped with contraband, and I do not recommend that you confront them directly. Moreover, if you want to customize a specialized sports exoskeleton, it will cost at least 6000 yuan. With your debt, your remaining interest-free loan amount will only be enough for you to live on for one week."

Suger discovers that his first enemy is not them or the illegal organizations in Yingchuan City, but money.

The cost of living and these equipment and weapons is already so high. If he wants to get the information he wants from those gray areas, it will inevitably incur a lot of trial and error costs, and he simply doesn't have enough funds.

“Then help me apply for more loans.” As he said this, he felt almost like a penniless gambler.

“Mr. Su, you should be aware that you do not actually have the ability to repay. I would advise you to avoid these unnecessary expenses.”

The assistant offered a very tactful suggestion: the Red Hill Medical Association had already done more than enough by providing him with an interest-free loan.

Suger fell silent, his mind beginning to waver. Yang Guan had given him another way to break the deadlock: if he could find another hibernator and successfully locate the organization, he wouldn't have to risk his life.

He almost died at the hands of the bandits.

However, there are too many uncertainties in this direction.

He may not be able to find that hibernator.

You may not necessarily be able to learn the concept of anchoring.

It may not be recognized by the security bureau.

More importantly, the "Li Lou" security system mentioned by Yang Guan, who controls the Security Bureau, may also be one of them.

If he stays in this 15-square-meter cage, clinging to the hope given by Yang Guan as his only lifeline, it's tantamount to handing his fate over to the Security Bureau for judgment.

He hesitated for a long time before making a decision.

"What about that company you mentioned wanting to buy my endocrine system?"

The assistant glanced at Suger in surprise.

"The Zhong Group sent a letter of intent to acquire you the day before you woke up. If you use your endocrine system as collateral, the Zhong Group should approve your loan."

"can."

“I must remind you that if you fail to repay the loan within the specified period, the Zhong Group will acquire your endocrine system at a price lower than the offer in the letter of intent. You are obligated to maintain your health during the contract period and not undergo any form of prosthetic transplant. If you confirm this, I will help you draft the loan agreement.”

"Ah."

Suger raised his head and took a deep breath.

"After verifying that everything is correct, please sign your name."

Suger began to read the contract, word for word, repeatedly.

Only after confirming that every detail was perfect did they sign the illusory contract.

For a moment, he felt a sense of disorientation.

He also signed the documents he handled in the same way when he was working in the department.

Time seemed to overlap.

Two centuries ago, that resolute counterattack may have been nipped in the bud, or it may have been silently shouting under the guise of peace.

100,000 yuan, three months —

Two centuries later, the survivors of this counterattack made a new bet against this unfamiliar era.

(End of this chapter)