Starting as a Mechanical Hunter

Chapter 521 - 55: Techno-Cult

Dida froze, she had envisioned many outcomes: the Cyber Killer would investigate, the Cyber Killer would refuse to investigate, but she never expected it to be for this reason.

In Cyber Space, her information was far sharper than that of ordinary players. She had heard of the mid-term grand plot of the Corporate War, but she didn’t expect the battlefield to be in Cyber Space!

"So, what you mean is, the death of AI, the destruction of the world, all fall within the permitted range of the Mother City?" Dida struggled to ask.

"Yes."

Gao Gong’s answer shattered Dida’s last hope. She stood up, lost and ready to leave.

"Where are you going?" Gao Gong suddenly asked.

"I—I don’t know."

Gao Gong stood up, looking at her, clicking his tongue in amazement. It had been years, yet she was still the same, cold on the outside, kind at heart.

If he belonged to the Chaos Camp, then Dida was a standard lawful good type, known in jargon as a plot-driven player.

In this time in Cyber Space, she must have been charmed by many ’Subconscious Fragments’, not wanting these memories and obsessions to just disappear.

Otherwise, she, as a player, would just pat her backside and leave such matters behind.

With a turn in his voice, Gao Gong said, "However, I do have some things I want to investigate, so come with me."

Dida was stunned, then with a ’ding’ sound, she received a task.

[Investigation of the Holy City]

Difficulty: Tier 2 - Simple

Task Brief: Mr. G found that behind the Difference Machine, there were Energy Circuits not belonging to this era hidden, the true form of the Holy Spirit might have a bigger secret, the destruction of Terria was not a coincidence.

Task Goal: Find more Energy Circuits

Task Reward: Experience +50000, Mr. G Favorability +100, hidden task clues

’Difference Machine Energy Circuit?’

Dida was dumbfounded, looking down at the Difference Machine, which had been mostly dismantled. There were lots of copper wires, copper pipes, and gears, while the base resembled a prototype of an ’old-style disc player’.

The base was covered with numerous ’religious patterns’, holy spirits, sacred symbols, and religious illustrations.

"Huh?"

Dida also noticed something amiss, tentatively touching it. In the next moment, starting from her fingertips, a blue stream of data spread to her entire body, and ultimately, Dida disappeared, replaced by a humanoid data form with the special intelligence circuits of an Intermediate AI, like a garment woven from code.

"This is—"

"This is an Energy Circuit," Gao Gong explained, "Data, when affected by energy interference, will reveal its true form."

I said, this Difference Machine, how could it break the material limitation; turns out it was engraved with an Energy Circuit, directly enhancing computational power.

Then the question arises: How was such an Energy Circuit created, given the technological level shown in this Subconscious Realm?

Activating pure Energy Technology, at the very least, requires a Level 2 Civilization.

"Let’s go, to the Inner City."

Initially, Gao Gong just wanted to help an old friend from his past life, and, by the way, dig out some clues about the ’Cyber Test Field’ from her.

Now, however, Gao Gong found a new interest in this world.

Dida was momentarily stunned. Didn’t want to take action initially, why the change of heart?

The Holy City is divided into the Inner City, Outer City, and suburbs. Though this ’Cyber Killer’ shop was located in the Outer City, it was actually very close to the Inner City, so business was especially flourishing. Various shops, both ancient and advanced, punk-style but also medieval, were abundant—Difference Machine shops, Steam Fire Rope Gun shops, Steam Carriage shops, Gear Armor shops, Metal Limb shops—everything was present. It was said that among the circle of Beautiful Ladies, the most popular beauty therapy was something called ’Steam Therapy’.

Simply put, it involved using high-temperature steam mixed with narcotic mist to half-cook the face, then implanting small Gear Machines for cosmetic modification.

"What do you know about the Holy City of Terria?" On the way, Gao Gong suddenly asked.

Dida thought for a moment and said, "It is the core of the first punk revolution and will be the spiritual holy land of the future ’Divine Land’. According to normal historical development, its productivity is most likely to spark the second punk revolution, yet a great fire destroyed the Holy City. Instead, the Pan-Asia region took the lead in establishing an empire ruled by modified humans."

"Moreover, after the destruction of the Holy City, various big and small countries established on this continent have intricate connections with it. The future Federation, to promote unity, even defined this place as a sacred site, where yearly, the rulers of various Federations come to worship and hold the feast of the Holy City."

"Hmm, so the key lies in that great fire," Gao Gong nodded and continued to ask, "What do you know about the ruler of the Holy City?"

"The Holy City is a country where politics and religion coexist, but its doctrine is quite odd, with no specific divine spirit nor a single master. Instead, there are various holy spirits, each representing the emergence of a technological achievement. For example, the Difference Machine coincided with the emergence of the holy spirit ’Babbage’, one of the strongest holy spirits."

"So, this Holy City, as a religious city, not only doesn’t hinder technological development but is quite capable of lighting up the technology tree?"

Dida gave Gao Gong a strange look. Perhaps from her perspective, an NPC frequently mentioning the technology tree felt a bit odd.

"Oh, we’re here."

From a distance, one could hear the sound of gears turning on the walls, further technologizing the Inner City’s walls, almost completely covered by numerous gears. It looked more like a massive gear engine than a city wall.

"You two, stop!"

Two Metal Soldiers blocked their path. These Metal Soldiers were not only clad in heavy knight armor but also had the sound of gears faintly turning within their bodies.

Name: Holy Separation Soldier

Race: Half-Mechanical Life

Level: 15

Life Value: 120/120

Physical Strength Value: 700/700

Mechanical Energy: 700

Skills: Holy Sword Technique (Intermediate), Matchlock Gun Mastery lv3

Though the attributes weren’t particularly impressive, this was the Middle Ages after all, and for two gatekeepers to have attributes similar to Knight Order cannon fodder, it was indeed a bit exaggerated.

"You are not followers of the Holy Spirit? Get lost quickly, or do you want to try the guillotine?" a Holy Separation Soldier threatened.

"Hmm, alright, you mean like this?"

With a flick of his chin, Gao Gong’s head leapt off his neck. In the terrified eyes of the two, Gao Gong closed in, his hands plunging into their armor. A large amount of red fluid infiltrated their bodies through the gaps. In three breaths, as Gao Gong withdrew his hand knife, the two soldiers disappeared, replaced by two Rich Lady Love Prototype replicas.

Though the account was borrowed, the abilities of a Cyber Killer were not fake. Gao Gong was now a standard Red Wing Killer, even having an establishment in the Deep Net.

"Let’s go," the three Rich Lady Love Prototypes spoke in unison.