Cyberpunk: Starting in 2071

Chapter 14 A fight to the death, we'll leave tomorrow!
"You always manage to surprise me, or rather, annoy me, Mercer."

When Ena Tano uttered her first words, Mercer knew the general tone of the conversation.

Well, the next step should be to first give a big stick, and then offer a sweet treat.

"You know, after you brought in AI and caused damage to the server, you were very likely to be dealt with along with your former supervisor."

Especially since you're involved in matters where you have direct contact with AI.
As a hacker, you should know very well that you should have died at that moment of contact.

Now, can you tell me why you're still alive?

Mercer felt bored, but outwardly he still showed a somewhat fearful expression:

"I don't know. I, I don't even know I was touched!"

When Kyoko told me about this.
To be honest, I still think that Kyoko might have misread it. Please believe me! Director Tano!

"Mercer, of course I'm willing to believe you, after all, I personally conducted your investigation and interrogation. But... you should know that in Arasaka Corporation, someone in my position is always under the watchful eyes of countless people, not just competitors, but also some old enemies."

I'm willing to believe you, but others might not, especially if this gets out.
"Sigh, to be honest, the project's progress is far from optimistic. We've mobilized a large amount of funding, but after so long there haven't been any results or even any progress. I'm under a lot of pressure."

Tano Ena's words suddenly gave Mercer goosebumps. Why did this plot seem so familiar?

Will the next line be something like, "You don't want others to know either?"

"So now, we need to help each other, and coincidentally, I have a solution that satisfies both sides."

Tano Ena smiled, stood up, and surprisingly invited him to sit on the sofa next to her, even picking up her teapot: "Sit down, let's chat slowly."

She poured the tea slowly and deliberately, without saying a word.

Mercer merely sat upright, feigning caution, but his eyes were scanning the teapot and tea leaves, taking in their aroma.

To be honest, after spending so much time in the cyber world, eating junk food in the cafeteria every day, the aroma of this natural tea really makes my mouth water.

Ena Tano was unaware that her deliberate pause and pressure had only whetted Mercer's appetite. Seeing him nervously pursing his lips, she chuckled to herself, thinking, "He's still just a kid."

"What do you think?" She poured two cups of tea and then casually sat down at the other end of the sofa.

“What do you want me to do?” Mercer looked extremely nervous.

"Before I was transferred to this project, I was in charge of developing prosthetic bodies related to hacking."

The prototype of the laboratory model has been developed, but the initial design was rather idealistic.

Therefore, strictly speaking, it is not a single prosthetic body, but a whole set of prosthetic bodies related to hacking.

Because it is a prosthetic body that requires specific installation to function, it places very high demands on the user.

Even for everyday use, it requires the user to have a very high level of brainpower.

At the same time, because it is a complete set of prosthetics, it also places high demands on the user's mental attributes and the prosthetic's tolerance.

The previous test subject was a hacker agent from Arasaka who burned his head while trying to overclock and was sent to Japan to recover.

The entire prosthetic body is currently undergoing a second round of adjustments. The original purpose of these adjustments was to reduce some functions in order to lower the demands on the user.
But you, Mercer, perhaps you could try to take on the full prototype prosthetic body and become the most perfect fitter for it.

Do you know what it means if you can handle this prosthetic body?

Ena Tano raised her voice, her eyes gleaming with seductive allure: "It means you will become the Arasaka Group's 'Adam Hammer' in the hacking world!"

This is giving me a creepy feeling! Just how drastic are these changes? Dude, I'm not ready for mechanical ascension yet!

Mercer hesitated, feigning timidity as he asked in a low voice, "What exactly is this set of prosthetics? Could you explain it to me in detail?"

Ena Tano simply chuckled and transmitted the data to him directly.

Mercer accepted, and then saw a simple demonstration and data explanation of the entire prosthetic body.

[Brain-Computer Interface - Obsidian Neural Link: Supports thought-control devices with a latency of 0.01ms, compatible with dedicated network access modules.]

Operating System, Network Access Container, and 'Soul Killer':
The Soul Killer protocol can be used to launch rapid attacks against the enemy.

Once the rapid crack is complete, all enemy consciousness data will be automatically copied and backed up to the available storage chip after the enemy is destroyed.

When paired with Obsidian Neural Link, it can effectively reduce network latency by more than 50%.

It has eleven standard units of memory and the usable Soul Killer protocol can spread infection to up to four targets based on the marked target.

When paired with the 'Obsidian Coprocessor', this processor can accelerate hacking speed by approximately 40%.

It has a built-in brain-computer interface overclocking function, which can greatly improve computing power in overclocking mode.

Disadvantages: Significant temperature rise; requires a professional-grade heat dissipation device and strong nerve tolerance.

[Arasaka Network Ghost V3 Prosthetic Eye:]

It can see through networked devices and targets within a 32-meter range, allowing you to see connection signals in the air with the naked eye.

It can support hackers in tracing network signals in the air to trace their origins and complete remote hacking.

[Frontal Cortex - Guardian ICE:]

Enterprise-grade electronic warfare units can effectively block data attacks.

The system can automatically disconnect from the network upon detecting an unavoidable attack, requiring a manual system restart to reconnect.

[Circulatory System - Black Shark Blood Coolant:]

This is a specialized coolant that can be recycled and safely metabolized by being injected into the bloodstream. Once added to the bloodstream, it effectively lowers brain temperature. (Re-injection is required every three months.)

Obsidian 'Shark' Super Heatsink:
By modifying and installing an integrated heat sink in the head, neck, and back areas, the body heat generated during internet use can be effectively reduced, with an effect approximately 12% stronger than the same professional heat sink used by internet monitoring systems.

[Nervous System - Obsidian Synapse Accelerator]

It can slow down time by 72% during use, but the speed of one's own thought processes remains unchanged.

[Hands - Obsidian Super Data Connection:]

It provides more efficient data connectivity and virtually no data latency when adapted to the Obsidian Neural Link.

It allows for direct connection to servers or advanced devices using a handheld data cable for manipulation and hacking, effectively reducing latency during hacking and improving data transmission speed.

[Skin·Obsidian Heat Dissipation Coating:]
It can be paired with the Shark Cooler to significantly improve the body's own heat dissipation.

Disadvantages: Due to its excellent thermal conductivity, it suffers from significant heat absorption from high external temperatures. This is currently being improved, and selective installation is possible.

[Arm - 'Neuromafly' Single Molecule Line:]
It can automatically upload a quick crack stored in the memory unit when it hits a target. It can be used without activating sharpness and can implant the malicious program 'NeuroMayfly'.

After the program dies, it leaves network location data in the target's data. The Soul Killer protocol can automatically locate the target and perform ultra-long-range, rapid hacking via the network.

Mercer was a little stunned.

this.
Dude, I was just trying to get some freebies. You've practically fed me the sheep!
Top-notch, absolutely top-notch.

Mercer felt that with just this one set of prosthetics, he could figure it out, fix it, upgrade it, and use it until 2077. It would be top-of-the-line equipment!
Putting everything else aside, this network access device, with its built-in Soul Killer protocol, is practically on par with the super network access device developed by the military that comes with its own 'Black Wall Gateway' protocol.

The Black Wall is pure destruction, while the Soul Killer kills you and leaves behind a mark of your consciousness, allowing them to manipulate your mind however they wish.

And this cooling system.
Just by looking at the design drawings, Mercer knew that this thing must be pretty good—just by looking at its appearance, it was almost 80% similar to the cooling system used by Bryce, the cyber intelligence agent he had seen in the game!
Keep in mind that the equipment carried by that agent was designed for network surveillance in 2077, while the current year is 2071!
The monomolecular wire is also a powerful tool; paired with this Soul Killer network receiver, it's practically an assassination weapon!

Imagine this: during the day, someone touches you with a monomolecular wire that's not sharpened and looks like a thin rope; at night, they can go home and remotely use a Soul Killer to find your IP address and hack you into their home for assassination.

It will also pack up your soul and consciousness, take it away, and send it back. From then on, all your secrets will be gone, and even your consciousness itself will no longer belong to you.

Even your soul can be modified to serve as a miniature AI to continue working for the company. That's what makes these companies so terrifying.

Moreover, with this level of heat dissipation, as long as it can withstand brain-computer interface overclocking, it's practically as powerful as having a small server on your back, maximizing the hacker's capabilities.

The Guardian ICE can also provide stronger protection while saving network access bay memory.

"Are you confident?"

Ena Tano smiled. She knew that no hacker would refuse this set of equipment. Ambition, huh? There was no one in the company who wasn't ambitious.

"I...I want to try."

Mercer gave a difficult reply, then looked up and said, "I'm willing to install either."

“Very good.” Ena Tano once again revealed a calm and gentle expression: “Mercer, I knew you wouldn’t let me down! Don’t worry, from today onwards, you don’t need to go deep-sea diving.”

I'll arrange for a hovercraft to transport it. The equipment is in Vancouver, and you'll see your prosthetic body first thing tomorrow morning!

Mercer suddenly had a thought.

"Floating vehicles? What I mean is that we don't really need to waste so many resources, and there's no need to rush."

Mercer seemed to have suddenly become afraid again and was making excuses to delay.

Ena Tano smirked: "This is Vancouver, Canada. No one would dare to mess with Arasaka. Besides, it's just a hovercar. These resources are nothing to me."

Mercer lowered his head, seemingly resigned to his fate.

Ena Tano nodded in satisfaction: "That's settled then. You can go back and rest now. Tomorrow morning, get ready to install the new prosthetic body."

"I see."

Mercer glanced at his teacup—he'd forgotten to drink his tea, damn it.

"You like it? I have a new one here, take it."

Ena Tano! You're so damn gentle! It makes my conscience itch when I try to take advantage of you!
Mercer was a little embarrassed, so he simply stopped talking, picked up the tea leaves and left. He figured he might as well not drink the tea and make his own when he got home.

Ena Tano didn't seem to mind that he didn't bow when he entered or when he left.

It doesn't matter. Even if Mercer has ulterior motives, it doesn't matter, as long as the prosthetic body is installed.
Ah, at that time he was completely under Arasaka's control.

The Soul Killer will imprint and modify his soul, turning him into an incredibly loyal dog, a dog devoted to her.

Ena Tano has never been stingy with her gentleness towards her cute and capable dog.

At this moment, Ena Tano felt incredibly relaxed. She sat in her office chair, gazing out the window at the distant Gobi Desert and sandstorms.

It's best to leave this lousy base as soon as possible. Once the prosthetic body is installed, whoever wants to take responsibility for this stupid Star Project can take responsibility.

She felt there must be some big secret hidden here, and if she wanted to live a long and good life, it would be best not to dig into this secret that might be related to the roving AI.

The thought that he could not only escape this suburban base and return to the city, but also perhaps use Mercer to make up for his previous mistakes in the Soul Killer project.
Ena Tano felt that the sunlight had become warmer and the chair had become much more comfortable.

"Mercury, please don't let me down."

[Mercer: It's a fight to the death, I'm leaving tomorrow!]

Mercer returned to his room, gathered his small team, and immediately made a decision in the encrypted channel.

(End of this chapter)