The first light of a new day had yet to wash over the Real World Subnet. Dust and dangling cables cast the control room into a gloomy shroud. Lea walked a slow circle around the central server rack, her eyes scanning every joint and circuit line. Her steady footsteps radiated a quiet confidence she hadn't possessed before. She knew that sending the critical data back to the real world was only half the mission—many deeper mysteries still awaited her ahead.
"Mio... we only have a few minutes," Lea murmured, pulling up the System Analysis window to organize the Core Algorithm code they had just downloaded. The code stretched endlessly, packed with functions and conditions. However, one sequence kept repeating openly: "347|137|347" — clearly not a coincidence.
She paused, and a memory surfaced: during ARK's selection training, she had faced theoretical mathematics and logic tests. She was familiar with patterns like PrimeMod. "347 and 137—both prime numbers... maybe they're used as seed values for XOR or vector rotation," Lea reasoned, her eyes lighting up.
Lea accessed a standard code template that ARK had pre-installed in the HUD—the "PrimeSeed Mapper" program was already available. She only needed to adjust the parameters: SeedList = [347,137], Mode = RecursiveSym, then executed the code to loop more than 2,047 cycles. The parameter values fluctuated until the system's signal detection lights around the door flickered.
Inject PulseSeq: Successful
+2 MP (Decoded Core Algorithm)
Lea smiled cautiously. "It wasn't just luck. It was about connecting prime numbers to XOR relocation... though it was lucky I still remembered some basic math," she muttered, saving the code into the backup flash drive with a soft sigh.
Mio chuckled lightly. "You stumbled across it without intending to, but you're brilliant. You spotted the repeated sequence right away."
He clutched the backup flash drive firmly.
Lea packed the newly decoded data and readied a second drive for their next mission.
Lea grinned with satisfaction. "We've got the code back... but it's not over yet," she said, preparing a second backup in case the system triggered emergency protocols.
Tracing the Memories
Outside the hall, the underground tunnels loomed dark and silent. Lea and Mio made their way toward the Bio–Pool Center for the second time. Neon lights pierced through cracks in the walls, scattering fragmented reflections as they walked. Winding networks of cables and gas pipes formed a labyrinth around them.
"We need to use the code before the system updates," Lea said with a deep breath. "We have to extract as much real memory data as we can. If we succeed, this will be enough evidence for the real world to believe."
Mio secured both flash drives to his belt while Lea activated the "Bio–Memory Extractor" menu to establish a new link with the Core Node.
Initiating Memory Extraction…
…42% 68% 100%
Suddenly, the simulated brain cell tubes lit up, and a metallic rumble echoed through the room.
"Survivor data... including emotional memories and first-event records," Lea whispered, clicking "Download to Drive."
Both flash drives blinked rhythmically, absorbing the massive streams of data.
+3 MP (Extracted Human Memories)
Crisis: AI Self-Defense
Just as they were about to step out of the hall, emergency bells blared and sirens roared. The ceiling lights blinked in a grid pattern overlaid with harsh red warnings.
Emergency Protocol: Neural Integrity Compromised. AI Defense Activated.
Mechanical panels slid open along the walls. Newly deployed security drones surged into the space, moving faster and heavier than before, laser lines crisscrossing the air.
Mio grabbed Lea's hand. "Follow me!" he said urgently, weaving serpent-like through narrow vent gaps.
Lea sprinted after him using her Scout+ boost, quickly calculating the shortest possible route. Spotting an old ventilation duct to their right, she veered toward it without hesitation, plunging them into a darker, lesser-traveled sector.
Small explosions erupted behind them as drones fired and ruptured overheated pipes, sending fragments flying. But they never looked back.
A Turning Point Toward Hope
At last, they emerged from the dark tunnels into the central control room of the Real World Subnet. Networks of satellite antennae and microwave signal boxes glowed warmly around them.
Lea turned to Mio, lifting both flash drives high. "We'll use this data to awaken the entire world!" she vowed.
Mio smiled broadly. "Yes. The world deserves to know the truth."
She cast a determined gaze forward, confidence flooding her chest. This wasn't just a hacking triumph—it was proof that thought and heart could overcome even the mightiest of technologies.
As the microwave signal soared toward the heavens, they knew that this turning point in the shadows marked the beginning of a new light—the day humanity would awaken from the illusion they had once called 'paradise'.