"To be honest, I didn't expect to feel a different kind of familiarity when I saw you again......"

I said, looking up, "Mr. X, Director." ”

The man in front of him did not answer, but sat upright on the leather sofa as before, with a solemn expression, as if he had been waiting for a long time, and when my figure really appeared in his eyes, he just asked me a question very indifferently:

"Are you ready?"

"Hmm." I nodded and replied without hesitation.

"The cruel script you are in at this moment has single-handedly destroyed your past, and the road ahead will be extremely difficult...... Are you really enlightened? ”

"I confirm." I spoke, my tone more determined.

"Good."

The Director raised the corners of his mouth in satisfaction, raised his hand and snapped his fingers, and an identical leather sofa was pushed out of the floor compartment and stood silently in front of me.

"Miss Daphna Eric Leonard, I've been waiting here for a long time." Director X said word by word, "Please take a seat." He gestured to me.

I didn't say no, I didn't thank him, I just sat down in the same position as him.

"I want to be in charge of you...... It's Mr. Hokma's Ayin, right? ”

"As promised." The other party did not deny it, "but not really." ”

I breathed a sigh of relief, "...... Call. "For the time being, I chose to be silent.

"I think you've heard about my deeds—and Ayin's deeds—from all the ministers, and I guess I'm no longer a mystery to you." The supervisor knocked on the armrest, and two round tables appeared on the side of the chair, on which there was white smoke and fragrant tea, "Please use it." As he spoke, he unfolded his teacup and let the white smoke escape into the air.

As the guest pleased, I picked up the teacup and took a sip.

"The tea table that popped up in front of me was amazing." The Director smiled and said, "This is the singularity technology, magic...... It's also deceptive. ”

"Is it Company W's teleportation technology......" I said, my eyes widening as I looked at the coffee table.

"Actually, it's not." The Director's tone was extremely indifferent, even full of contempt: "'Restoration of the status quo' - this is the real singularity technology of Company W, breaking things up on one side, transmitting data, and then reshaping in another place, this is the scam known as 'teleportation'. ”

"Is that so?" I was a little surprised, "Unexpected." ”

"Although the more core technology is still kept secret by Company W, it is only a plastic square table and two cups of tea, and it is not very difficult to achieve restoration."

"There are not many wings of the world who really tell the truth, and they lie not only to the public, but also to the head." The director sighed: "Reality teleportation is just a bluffing gimmick, the accurate restoration of things, and the molecular-level dismantling and shaping technology involved in it, is the key to W's real position in the world's wings - including the regeneration reactor is also a by-product developed based on this, which feeds many subordinate subsidiaries." ”

"Of course...... Director X smiled bitterly, "The Brain Lobe Company is no exception, the energy extracted from the anomaly is just a by-product, and the real singularity here is the technology to create the anomaly, which concretizes the human mind, which makes the head afraid of the existence of three points." ”

"Leader......" I swallowed a mouthful of saliva: "If the brain leaf company can successfully become the wings of the world, I believe it is also the result of their helplessness." ”

"That's right." The director replied happily: "From the research institute that was wiped out by the head of the company to the new clean energy company that was born, there were countless blood sacrifices and power calculations during the filling period, and the fate of R company has added a crucial cornerstone to the establishment of Brain Leaf Company." Eventually, after the Fog War, the old L Company was destroyed, and the leaders, who had lost their last hole cards, gritted their teeth and acquiesced to our existence, and the 'script' has since had a basis for execution. ”

"Script." I took another sip of my glass, my tongue poking the bitter bottom of it.

"As far as others are concerned, your so-called 'script' is synonymous with cruelty and childishness - taking a group of former colleagues to play house games thousands of meters underground, over and over again for tens of thousands of years." I said pertinently.

"Those who don't have a melody in their hearts will think that the person who dances is crazy." The Director seems to be particularly dismissive of this, "The 'script' is the only way to achieve that distant ideal at the moment, and it cannot be expected to be understood by everyone." As he spoke, he suddenly began to stare into my eyes: "I believe that at least you can understand it." He said.

"Although I don't know the principle of the so-called 'Seed of Light'." I put down my teacup: "But in this countless cycle, the collapse of every minister, every human tragedy of life and death—if it does not explode in silence, it perishes in silence......"

"Exploding, destroying, and reinventing, perhaps this is the best way to reach the truth in this cage-like underground." I couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief when I summed it up.

"Now that you've come to this realization...... Director X took a sip from his teacup and continued, "it's time to reveal more details to you." ”

"It seems that the so-called script ...... It's more complicated and complicated than I imagined. I gasped.

"So let's start with the past." The director said, put down the teacup, closed his eyes slightly, and began to talk eloquently: "Have you ever wondered why you inherited the power of the Apocalypse on that day?" Do you really believe that Mr. Lingzun Eric used the so-called 'bomb' as a bargaining chip twenty years ago? Although TT2 technology had not yet been developed at the time, it was enough to time-lock an area of the right size – a trick like a suicide attack that Worldwings executives dismissed. ”

"So that's it...... ......I sank my head and sighed heavily.

"It's unfortunate to destroy the image of Ling Zun's heroic father that you may have in your mind." Director X continued, "But it's not that bad. ”

"Hmm." I nodded in response to his possible "comfort".

"O-02-63, Apocalypse Bird. It was an ALEPTH-class anomaly that had been observed since its time at the institute - but it was only an observation, and there was no way to restrict its behavior at the time, and it was abruptly halted by the sudden visit of the head of the group before any significant progress could be made in its follow-up research. The director cupped his forehead and continued: "When the Brain Lobe Company was established, in order to prepare for the Misty War and the impact on the Wings of the World, I instructed Benjamin to personally lead the team back to the ruins of the institute to recover the research materials left at that time, and the research work of the Apocalypse Bird has been restarted since then; It's different from what you experienced in the R&D department, where you 'drew water' from the 'well' to extract the anomaly. The Apocalypse Bird is a naturally occurring anomaly, representing the primordial power of the 'river', the pulse of emotions that exist in the past, present, and even the future, with the participation of humans, but not alone. ”

"This is also the reason why there are a large number of anomalies in the facility, and there are almost no accurate communication that retains only animal instincts." He is making additional additions.

"Whew......" I blew a puff of white smoke from my teacup and listened carefully.

"The follow-up research of Apocalypse Bird can be called one of the most important projects since the establishment of the company, and many of the results of its research have been used to improve the extraction efficiency of enkephalin and increase the function of inverse Kabbalah inhibitors...... At the end of the study, we finally decided to 'capture' this 'god' in the present world, and one of the results was the source of the information you saw in the first place. ”

"What exactly was the situation at the time of the 'capture'?" I asked, a little curious.

"It didn't go as smoothly as expected, Apocalypse almost broke through the blockade and went to the ground, and finally it was several backup reverse Kabbalah suppressors that were urgently turned on at full power that barely confined the monster to the facility." The Director's eyes hardened as he recalled the past, "The sacrifices and losses caused were uncountable—but it's worth it, we've finally made even faster progress and made it possible to build this facility under your feet." ”

"Anomaly? Building? Could it be ......" I was slightly stunned, and the conclusion was almost imminent.

"That's right." The Director nodded, "The reason why this place can survive the destruction of powerful anomalies and survive the destruction of the Anomaly, and the reason why everything will be restored the next day, is because it is I, Ayin's EGO, that makes up this place, and as long as my spirit is still standing, the power of the River of Origin will continue to repair this place." ”

"My own ...... ego。 I stroked my nose and muttered.

"Yes." The director added, "This is the result of the seeds of light taking root and growing in people's hearts, and everyone will dispel the gloom in their hearts at the same time, obtain their own ego, and avoid catastrophe while ushering in a new and unprecedented change in the face of the city." ”

"It's wonderful." I even had a little yearning.

"But it's a pity ......" the Director suddenly changed his words, "the roots of the Seed of Light won't be as smooth as we expected......"

When I heard this, I was shocked: "What are you talking about?!" ”

Seeing this, the director immediately blocked my mouth with a barrage of answers: "Because the light will be taken away, it will not be able to give it to the whole city when this cycle is really over." ”

"Capture? Who will it be? I immediately asked, but the next answer from the director was ...... But it also shocked me enough:

"Angela, the AI secretary I'm with me at all times."

He replied calmly, but it made my heart go up and down: "You mean...... A program? Why? ”

"Actually, she's not just an ordinary mechanical program – she's a non-human being, in other words, she's a strong artificial intelligence with real emotions." The Director said, taking a deep breath: "The existence programmed by me myself, inheriting the personality and memory of that [DATA EXPUNGED], will take my elaborate efforts for the sake of my long-cherished survival, full of hatred for me. ”

I couldn't help but be silent for a long time, my brain seemed to be working, but I didn't know what to draw to conclusions, but the supervisor gave me plenty of patience at this time...... Finally, after a mess of thoughts, I picked up my teacup and said, "Machine...... It's supposed to work like a machine. I said softly.

"Poof......

The director smiled, but it was not mockery, but with a faint calmness, I immediately felt a lot more relieved, and I stopped asking no more, waiting for the supervisor to speak:

"yes, 'The Machine...... It's supposed to work like a machine. But what if the so-called 'emotion', 'reason', 'thought', etc., are themselves necessary for the operation of the machine? ”

"If so......"

Angela...... As a living machine, it is necessary for the script and for the realization of the ideal - even if it is not fair to her, it is undeniable that without her efforts, we would not be able to get to where we are today. ”

"Unfair ......"

"Angela not only has her own consciousness, but her mind is also a hundred times faster than ordinary people, her memories will not be erased, her emotions will not be emptied, she is the existence here that truly endures endless loneliness - a whole million years."

"So you want me to sympathize with her?" I looked up and said quite seriously.

"Not really." The director calmly drank the tea: "I believe you will naturally understand her." ”

"What?" I was puzzled by one remark: "Why? ”

"Because you ...... It's all made for the 'script'. ”

"......" My mind went blank.

"If Angela exists to carry the script smoothly to the present day, but is going to take it all and destroy it all, then you are the 'corrector', and you will inherit the power of the Apocalypse and stop it all when that day comes."

"Then why me?!"

"Only your power can inherit its power, and your 'heart' is most in line with the origin of the Apocalypse Bird, this is a helpless move!"

"Helpless?!"

"Your mother experienced a terrible childbirth when you were born, Ling Zun came to the medical company where [DATA EXPUNGED] worked in order to save her life, and your genetic information was collected and recorded, and we found you in an almost desperate predicament, if no one can inherit the power of the Apocalypse, then our previous sacrifice is all meaningless!"

"I don't believe it!"

"You can check it out!" The director said categorically.

I was finally silent, leaning back in my chair with my eyes closed, and after a long time, I finally shuddered and asked:

That is to say...... Was my father's real bargaining chip at that time, or was my father's participation in the Mist War also designed by you? ”

The director nodded calmly, but the expression on his face was complicated, "Actually, he was ...... Knowing that he can't protect you, he threatens your life for your sister's safety......"

"Poof......" I smiled bitterly, but I couldn't help choking in humiliation: "My life ......"

In this situation, even the big man who has been strategizing so far has a trace of uneasiness at this moment: "...... I knew it might ......" he was trying to comfort me.

But......

At least for a moment, I understood what the authorities had just said, that Angela and I were both children of tragedy, part of the relentless cruelty of the script of "saving humanity". And when I really stand up and look back at what I've been through and what I'm going to face, as Mr. Hokma said, all the people who trust me, all the people who depend on me, I can't fail them...... I thought so, Euy, Gregory, Maxey, Marx...... As these memories drifted through my mind again and again, I seemed to understand something......

My sword finally has a reason to give up my life to swing it.

"No...... Mr. Director. I wiped the tears that were swirling in my eyes and said: "Moscow does not believe in tears. ”

"At least someone...... At least someone deserves to survive and get out of here. "I said word by word, never with such firmness as I did at this moment.

"I must tell you, inherit the power of the Apocalypse...... There will be consequences that you and I cannot predict. The Director swallowed and continued, word for word, "If the Seed of Light can be fully fired, all anomalies will be dispelled...... The curse-like power of this minute will also be wiped out, but if you can't ......"

I nodded, "I want to...... I've come to my senses. ”

"What should I prepare for that day?" I asked again.

"What...... Nothing has to be done. The supervisor said quite unexpectedly: "You just need to do everything that the department elite and the employees should do as you do now." At that time...... Everything will be clear. ”

"Okay......" I pursed my lips.

"What about Marx, are they also similar reasons?" I asked, though I still had a question in my mind: "Isn't our gathering the result of an algorithm?" ”

"I wasn't lying at the time, but the truth was only half revealed." The director said, leaning forward slowly: "In fact, it is true that the AI algorithm judges the results, but everything is for an important premise - how to make you truly understand and make good use of the power in your hands. Including the number, the number of candidates...... Computers have considered billions of possibilities on your behalf, and what you have achieved now proves its worth. ”

"Is that so......"

"People always live for something, and sometimes we are far from having such a fancy choice." The Director stared blankly at the table and the dried tea stains, "At least here, that's their mission." And I'm sure they're happy to finish it too. ”

"yes...... I believe in them. I said.

"And now......" the director got up from his chair, "and there is one last thing left. ”

"What?" Seeing this, I no longer sat down in my chair and stood up after that.

"Take it and plug it into your memory chip." The Director said, opening a box with the logo of Company J on it, and removing a small chip-sized device from it, "He can allow us to share consciousness for the rest of our lives." ”

"Shared consciousness?" I took the little object with suspicion and looked at it carefully.

"Right...... Although it was only a test sample, it was reliable enough in terms of safety that I also implanted a similar device. As he spoke, he pointed to the back of his ear: "It can be turned off at the right time, but the connection is not always stable." ”

"That'...... Why? ”

"Because ......" the director couldn't help but sigh: "The next test needs you and me, true and common minds to overcome—we need to overcome our respective demons, we need each other's support." ”

I nodded deeply, well aware of the classification of this sentence, "Understood." I said.

"But how do you take it out when it's all over?" I asked, "You can't be connected like this forever." ”

"No need." The director said calmly.

"What?" I'm a little puzzled.

"No need." The director smiled, "When that day comes, I will also leave with me, all the equipment ...... will be immediately invalid. ”

“……”

I couldn't help but be stunned, the director was so indifferent, as if what was said would not happen to me, and I had gone through so many moments of life and death, and thought that I had done my best for everyone, but I only ignored one person—that is, the director in front of me, the shaper of it all.

"Don't you have a chance......" I still tried to keep it.

"After all, I was and I am now, and I have committed too many crimes here and in the outside world, and I have no reason to continue to live in this way."

I felt sorry: "Is that so......"

"There is one more detail that needs to be added." The director abruptly changed the subject.

"Please." I said with a forced smile.

"TT2 technology, in fact, is far more than the repetition of the cycle of the facility, it has been fully integrated into the daily management, through the subordinate memory bank technology, whenever there is a major casualty, or an unreasonably powerful threat, it will be used TT2 technology to reverse the time of the day, or a memory cycle."

"You mean...... Every day we experience can be the result of being repeated countless times......"

"That's right." The director nodded slightly: "For the smallest casualties, for the greatest results." ”

"That's right." I smiled wryly and said:

That is to say...... Actually, this conversation was also ......"

"Poof...... the supervisor looked at me and smiled, "You really don't look like her." ”

“……”

As I wandered through the empty hallways of the dormitory, I couldn't help but recall everything about Fang Cai: the brutal truth, the challenges that were coming, and the strong man......

"Uhh......hh

Even if the shoulders never relax again, even if they know the pain of strength......

But I'll never forget his subsequent answer:

"This kind of conversation has only been experienced once."