Pride Online

Chapter 714: Wisana’s Decision (2) Part I

“Alice?”

The young man could now hide his surprise. However, that changed into a giggle.

“You said that you’re an AI? You’re saying that you’re Alice, as in Elise, who takes control of the core of the Pride System?”

That was the only name that he could think of.

If this was a joke, it was not very funny.

Alice was a supercomputer located in Pride headquarters in Thailand. Its job was to look after Pride. It had been implemented with everything, including the brain waves of Elise, Waree’s grandmother and Payu’s wife.

“That’s correct. My name is Alice, or you may call me Elise as you wish.”

The AI’s answer got the young man laughing.

“How can I know if you’re a real deal?”

“You will eventually, Mr. Vincent.” The AI giggled. “Because no matter how dark it is, the light will eventually reach it.”

Wisana halted because of the last phrase.

‘...No matter how dark it is, the light will eventually reach it...’

His amber eyes were opened widely.

‘Mom’s last wish?’

It triggered something in him again. The memory from when he had a talk with his sister. She told him so much about the organization and mom’s last wish that he did not understand.

‘Yes.’

‘What does it mean? Dark and light? Is it some kind of a secret code?’

Wisana asked his sister. She shrugged.

‘I don’t know either. You know how different our mom is. Though, I do believe that there must be something hidden in what she said. You better memorize it.’

At the time, he did not know why his mom left him this message. His brain tried to calculate so many possibilities. But he knew now what she meant by that.

She was telling him that he could trust this AI.

The woman named Alice.

He blinked several times before he pushed himself up.

“Understood.” He said. “I believe that you’re Alice. You can even cut the surveillance camera system and penetrate this signal-proof room. You’re surely not ordinary.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” Alice said with a sweet voice.

“What business does Alice, the Pride’s AI, have with me?”

“Like I said,” Alice said. “I’m here instead of Viola. No, I have to say that it’s time for you and me to collaborate and fight the fate to protect this world.”

He wanted to laugh, but he shook his head and switched the phone to another ear.

“What are you trying to talk me into again now, computer lady?” He laughed cheerfully. “Three days before, I told every prick in that room that I wouldn’t be accepting the king position. And what now? Is Payu too hesitant to come to me, so he sent his ex-wife here instead?”

“You’re wrong.”

Alice cut him short, making Wisana halt.

“I’m not here as a member of the organization and I’m not forcing anything on you. I’m contacting you because I want you to choose.”

“Choose?” The young man frowned.

“Yes, you have to choose which path you want to walk on.”

“Path? What path? Is there any path for me to go? Stop this bullshit. Am I not deep enough in this hell hole?!”

Wisana was heated. His life was a mess already. Was it not enough?

“Please calm down, Mr. Vincent,” Alice said with a gentle voice. “Your brain is confused because it releases too much Signetic that the brain cells can’t keep up. If you’re not calm, you’ll be uncontrollable like when you were at the meeting.”

“....”

The man gritted his teeth tightly. He knew so well that what he had been doing was not like him.

But no one would be able to be still in this situation!!

“Don’t worry, Mr. Vincent. Please remember that I’ll always be on your side just like Viola, your mother. I won’t betray you and I’ll support your every move as I promised her.”

“You promised mom?”

Wisana raised his eyebrow. If she said that...

“Does that mean you’ve been working with mom all along?”

“Ever since you went online for the first time, I contacted Viola right away.”

“You and mom also kept watch on me...”

“Yes,” Alice admitted. “But please don’t get us wrong. I didn’t do it because I’m with the organization. I did it because you’re the hope for this world.”

“The hope for this world?” Wisana frowned. “What do you mean? You’re saying that you and mom aren’t with the organization? Don’t make me laugh. Aren’t you the heart of Pride?”

“I was,” Alice said. “Before this, something happened and I split into two. One of me can still connect with the Pride System and another is an AI with human thinking, which is me. Therefore, I’m not a member of the organization anymore.”

“...I don’t understand. What do you mean you’re split?”

Alice went quiet for a while as if she was trying to recall it.

“There was a revolution here. The five pillars of Pride broke apart. One of them wanted me so that he could conquer the world, but Payu did not let him, and they fought. In the end, I was hit and split into two: the commanding and the thinking system.”

It was still confusing.

But he started to understand that there was a war that caused Alice to split.

“You’re saying that the thinking system like you isn’t a part of this anymore. Does that mean the commanding system still is?”

“No. That Alice was snatched away by the betrayal.”

“What?”

The more he listened to her, the more confused he got. What about the Alice machine in the Pride headquarters? And who was this thinking system Alice working for? He was too confused right now.

“The Alice machine in the organization is only storage for the database. At present, the machine only takes care of the circulation of the brain waves in the Pride World and the arrangement of important information, as well as the Pride World’s security system. It lacks the commanding and thinking part. I’m now free roaming in the Pride World and keeping contact with those whom I trust, such as Viola or Sander.”

Wisana let out a long sigh.

Okay, he would remember this, even though he did not really understand it.

He was lucky that his brain was now a supercomputer. He had become someone who memorized things very well. (If he was like his normal self, his brain would already have exploded.)

“Okay, let’s move on,” Wisana said, even though he was still confused. “So, you used to keep your watch on me with mom. Can you tell me why?”

“To lead you to the right and appropriate path. We’ve met once before. Can’t you remember me?”

Wisana went quiet. He tried to recall, but he could not seem to be able to.

“I’m sorry. I can’t.”

“It’s understandable. It was very confusing at the time.” Alice giggled. “It was when I opened the second gate for you, the Gate of Knowledge. Your Whisper.”

“The second gate...?”

He parted his lips as he tried to follow. Eventually, he snapped his fingers.

“It was then when I fought with the Orc Lord!”

“That’s correct,” Alice said.

“That was you. I thought I was dreaming.”

“It wasn’t a dream. I pulled you into another dimension and pushed your brain wave to its max capacity. The Whisper was about to be awakened anyway, so I was only rushing it.”