Untitled Map 05
Server Time: 11:12
Coordinates: 64.22#09.56
After going through levels and beating bosses, everyone meets up with Liv in a ruins map.
Hmm... I got in the connection pod, and at first it was like everyone else's. I talked to another Leonie and picked "Medic" as my class.
But while the system was assigning my class weapon, there was a loud crash from the ceiling. The room shook, and then that enemy showed up.
After another hit, I blacked out...
I forgot to turn on the "invincible" mode when you created your character. My bad...
Anyway, I woke up here and couldn't reach the commandant.
Remembering Leonie said the characters might be glitching, I've been super careful and avoided everyone. I made it here by picking up dropped weapons.
Liv turns, showing everyone the longbow on her back.
The longbow is based on Babylonia's standard issue design—something you all know well.
I've only used a longbow during tutorial training, so I'm not sure if I'm any good with it...
I see. Anything else that has bothered you?
Even little things might matter.
Oh yeah, I ran into some really dangerous enemies.
I saw those enemies attacking regular characters. No matter how strong an NPC was, one touch and they were dead.
But those enemies have red name tags above them. If I stay away, I should be fine.
Cough, those enemies were from the "Challenge Mode". They got loose by accident, honestly.
These "red-name enemies" are so dangerous that we might be able to use them to fight the rogue monsters that are attacking us.
I thought about that too, but after looking into it, it's just not going to work.
Lee comes out of the woods, dressed in scout gear with full camouflage.
Since we split up, I've been tracking you and looking at the data on these anomalies. I've got a theory.
Lee pulls a high-definition holographic projection screen from his arm armor—something Hyperreal frames don't actually have. Looks like he added it when he created his class.
I think all the characters are infected with a bug. I'm calling it "corruption data" for now.
The "corruption data" came from the game's underlying source code. The cause of its emergence remains unknown.
They have only one purpose—to grow and evolve by continuously devouring external data.
From what I can tell, it's probably something that has to do with the "deep learning logic" in the game engine.
So it's the "deep learning logic"? Don't tell me the AI's become self-aware...
Cough, that's just Golden Age sci-fi movie stuff. It's probably not happening here. I'm overthinking it.
Can you send me the surface-level details of the corruption data?
It's already backed up and uploaded to the backend records.
NPCs and enemies with this "corruption data" attack players no matter what, even if it goes against their programming.
And now the corruption broke through the firewall and took over the logout function in the core system. If we don't fix this bug, we're stuck here.
Leonie could force us out by shutting down the server, but that would really mess with Commandant's M.I.N.D.
For now, let's play it safe and see if we can get rid of this "corruption data" from inside the game.
Lee rattles off his explanation without stopping, then passes the holographic display to you.
That's everything I've got. Anything else you need?
I don't know. I don't think anyone does.
That doesn't matter. This map's a mess, with no structure at all. I didn't follow the path, I just forced my way here.
Ranger.
Lee just gives a one-word answer, clearly not wanting to explain why he chose that class.
Basically, this game's got tons of problems—invisible walls, terrible power scaling, confusing directions...
And with this random "corruption data" thing, I don't think we can beat the game the normal way.
Uh, yeah, can't argue with that. Even with the rush, these are still my mistakes.
I have an idea.
Ishmael, who's been quiet the whole time, suddenly offers an idea.
Lucia, didn't you say the enemies we've fought look like the Corrupted from Earth?
Yeah, and I think they were recreated directly from frontline combat data.
These enemies act too uniquely to just be regular game enemies.
Spot on. I used "deep learning logic" to look at frontline combat logs and made the enemies as real as I could in the game.
But how does this relate to the "corruption data"?
If they're from combat records, then data on Ascendants must have been incorporated into this game as well.
Ishmael, are you saying we should try talking to them?
I think it's our best bet.
Instead of wandering around looking for hidden enemies, teaming up with ones we can talk to is way better.
Plus, you've worked with them before, right?
Ishmael gives you a knowing half-smile. Even without any blame in her eyes, you feel the pressure of being completely seen through.
Hold on, I found it. I've got data files for someone named "Alpha".
But this Alpha's just a simulated personality made from combat records. I can't promise she'll help.
I'll talk her into it.
And if we have to fight, we're sure we can handle it.
Then we should go to the map Alpha's most connected to. If her "deep learning logic" is working, she'll go somewhere she knows.
Looks like we're both thinking the same thing, Commandant.
You both nod, opening the navigation menu at the same time.
At the edge of the map, a familiar name lights up.
<size=50>Special Map 07: Fort Winter</size>
<size=50>Coordinates: 11.00#00.10</size>
