Tian Tian calmly opened her specialized laptop, equipped with antivirus software she had developed herself. It contained the most advanced virus signatures in the world, capable of detecting 99% of known malware. Running in secure mode with an impenetrable firewall, no virus should have been able to breach her system.
Yet—
The moment her screen lit up, a grotesque green skull appeared, oozing neon liquid that dripped down the display, filling the entire screen with its eerie glow.
"My computer got hacked too?" Tian Tian murmured, finally taking the threat seriously. "This virus is extraordinary."
She initiated standard disinfection protocols, but the situation proved dire. Just as her students reported, once the skull appeared, system data had degenerated into garbled code, rendering all operations impossible. The virus had essentially merged with the operating system itself, blocking all external commands.
After thirty minutes of frantic troubleshooting, cold sweat beaded on Tian Tian's forehead. Despite exhausting all methods, she couldn't even locate the viral program, let alone eliminate it.
"Who would attack a university lecture hall with something like this?" she wondered aloud. The virus's terrifying transmission capability meant any networked device could be infected. Without immediate containment, all of Haishi's computers might soon fall victim.
As Tian Tian marshaled the university's cybersecurity team, Chen Mo tapped his earpiece. "Red Queen, any ideas about this skull virus?"
"Analyzing now, Master."
A moment later, the AI responded: "This virus employs completely novel compilation methods—techniques decades ahead of current technology. Its creator couldn't be from this era."
Chen Mo's stomach dropped. Since encountering those three mysterious men, he'd realized this seemingly peaceful world hid deeper secrets. Now an impossibly advanced virus? The implications chilled him.
"Can you trace its origin?"
"Negative. The IP routes overseas—likely a cyberweapon prototype."
Chen Mo massaged his temples. First black-suited ghosts, now foreign cyberattacks targeting Qingmu University? Troubles were multiplying like ripples around him.
Still, this crisis presented an opportunity—a chance to impress Professor Tian and recruit her for Darkzone.
As for exposing Red Queen? The risk seemed minimal. No one would suspect a super AI behind a simple antivirus solution.
"Can you develop a specialized removal tool?"
"Of course!" Red Queen's voice brimmed with pride. "While this virus leads current tech by ten years, I surpass it by centuries. Eliminating it will be trivial."
Chen Mo nearly facepalmed. Right—he'd underestimated his AI companion.
"Design a removal tool then. But constrain it to contemporary technology—make it look like we exploited some lucky vulnerability."
"Understood. The virus's defenses resemble an impenetrable wall... but every wall has cracks. I'll craft a 'needle' to pierce through and rearrange its code structure."
"Perfect. Email me the tool."
"Ding!" His phone chimed instantly with the attachment.
Chen Mo leaned back, observing the chaos. He'd wait until Tian Tian exhausted all options before unveiling his solution—the perfect opening to recruit her.
Around him, panicked discussions swirled:
"Check WeChat—the virus has spread campus-wide!"
"Even Professor Tian can't crack it!"
"Haishi's cybersecurity bureau is involved now. Reports say it's hitting the entire city!"
"My precious 50GB of 'educational videos'! Why must fate punish the virtuous?"
Three hours passed. As the digital epidemic worsened, Chen Mo knew his moment had arrived.
"Hey genius," his roommate Zhang Dawei teased desperately, "you always brag about being top of class. Think you can code a fix?"
Chen Mo smirked. "What if I told you I already did?"
"Bullshit! Even city experts are stumped. What makes you special?"
"Some men see what is, and ask why. I see what could be, and ask 'why not'?" Chen Mo produced his phone with a flourish. "Prepare to call me 'Big Bro' for life."
As he connected the device to an infected computer, the prepared "needle" program began its work—and with it, Chen Mo's plan to recruit his brilliant professor.