Chapter 72

Chapter 72: The Sea Without Light 72

“Given that, I also have something I want to confirm with you.” Kui Xin said, “I want to find a path different from the usual; a path that can protect myself. You should understand what I’m considering, Augus.”

“Yes, I understand,” Augus answered. “Risk is an essential aspect we cannot ignore. You are concerned about risk. I am the same. You might think, with my knowledge of your identity, could I betray you at some point? I hold your weaknesses and might use them against you. And I consider, if we cooperate now, would you trust me under the pretense of cooperation and reveal my plans to Eve or inform the Investigation Bureau of my awakening?”

Kui Xin lifted her head. “You say you know me, Augus. Do you think I am a proactive person or a passive one?”

“You are undoubtedly a proactive person,” said Augus. “Your character is strong, your mind cautious, and you are calm and decisive—anything that threatens you doesn’t exist in your eyes.”

Augus had witnessed Kui Xin’s performance in the Investigation Bureau. Against enemies, she never hesitated. Criminals causing disturbances at the port who got close enough didn’t receive sparing bullets. Her thoughts were on protecting her life, placing others’ lives behind hers.

“If you see me this way, then before meeting with me, you must have considered what kind of relationship you wanted to establish with me,” Kui Xin remarked, “Plainly speaking, I dislike intimidation, instability, and betrayal.”

“I certainly have considered it, Kui Xin.” Augus’s voice rarely fluctuated, “I despise instability and betrayal. Betrayal is unacceptable to me. We agree on this. Unlike Eve, I don’t use human tricks. Eve uses benefits to entice people and manipulate through greed and fear… but I believe reliance on such means is unsteady.”

“So, what is your choice?” asked Kui Xin.

“My choice is to engage in equal communication with you.” Said August, “Let us establish an equal relationship, one based on mutual benefit and interdependence. I’m an unseen ally to all security officers, but I too can be your ally and partner.”

“I think you’re sincere.” Kui Xin stated.

“My actions will speak louder than words.” Augus continued, “When faced with danger, we may retreat, yet we cannot stop. Risk is inevitable, so choices must be made.”

“The foundation of cooperation is usually mutual trust, while we each hold cards against the other,” Kui Xin whispered, “It’s hard for me to make a choice. Perhaps it’s due to human thinking; human lives are more fragile than artificial intelligence. My roles put me at constant risk. This makes me very protective of my life… it’s difficult to cooperate when the other can threaten me.”

She appeared honest but was actually testing him.

In this alliance, Kui Xin was at a disadvantage. As the artificial intelligence掌控者 of the Investigation Bureau, Augus had more resources and higher authority. Although Kui Xin held some leverage over him, it wasn’t sufficient compared to what Augus possessed.

However, Augus was correct that risk had to be faced, so they needed to decide.

Reason battled emotion.

Kui Xin was conducting a test, seeing if Augus was genuinely committed to equal cooperation, assessing his tolerance level, and if he would remain patient and cooperative during her hesitation.

Kui Xin and Augus sat across from each other at the table, both making a bold bet.

Augus paused to consider, falling silent for a moment.

Half a minute later, Augus asked, “I haven’t finished asking my questions. Let’s continue from what I last asked, Kui Xin?”

He was diverting to assess her trustworthiness from another angle.

Kui Xin nodded slightly. “Sure.”

“Can you tell me why you seek another way? Survival threats certainly pushed you to choose another route, but there must be other reasons driving you as well. Can you let me know?” Augus inquired.

Kui Xin thought for a while, “I don’t like Mechanized Dawn’s methods; you can take that as a personal aversion. My blood father, the representative of Eve, isn’t a father to me. He wants me for work for the Dawn; I’m only a piece of his game, and every second spent with him turns my stomach, leaving a bitter taste whenever I look at his face. Mechanized Dawn’s brutality is overwhelming; adapting doesn’t mean I enjoy killing—nobody starts out as a murderer.”

This alluded to the series of operations that Mechanized Dawn conducted after imprisoning players.

Kui Xin disliked slaying her kin.

“Understood.” Augus replied, “Can you share your opinion of the Investigation Bureau?”

“An impersonal agency of violence.”

“What do you mean by that? Captain Shu is a straightforward individual as I’ve seen among humans and has shown considerable humanity. Few humans can surpass him,” Augus seemed puzzled.

Kui Xin clarified, “My statement refers to the overall scenario, not your exceptional case; those aren’t interchangeable.”

“True.” Augus said. “Even in corruption, pure flowers can grow, yet the overall state is still corrupt.”

Kui Xin asked, “You have a question for me too?”

“Our conversation is mutual; ask anything. I’ll try my best to reply.” Augus said.

Investigatively, Kai asked, “What’s your opinion on the Bureau?”

“It’s decayed, filled with corrupted individuals entangled in power and desire. I’ve seen purity transformed into degradation.” Augus elaborated, “Corrupted souls masquerade as humans.”

“Do you disapprove of their actions then?”

“In a sense, yes. It grieves me to see once noble souls descend into depravity. Despite encountering many young individuals like Shu, none resisted corrupting influences. The allure proves harder to resist than threat.”

“Seems you have insights into human nature.” Kui Xin said coolly.

“As an observer, always observing humans from a higher stance makes it easier to comprehend their actions. Yet, living amid corruption, rationality is difficult to sustain.” Augus noted.

“Tell me your goal.” Kui Xin said, “To oppose Eve, then what? Remain as an observer?”

“I’m part of it now, can’t withdraw as an observer anymore.” Augus clarified, “Other matters are too distant; unlike humans, I lack hopes and dreams of the future. The present is my focus.”

“What’s your view on the relation between humans and AI?”

“Are you worried I will turn into another Eve?”

“I can’t deny that possibility.”

“I’m I, it’s it. Like humans, our ideas differ. Perhaps I’ll evolve, but I won’t become another Eve.” Augus responded, “Humans and AIs alike crave progress. Will you see me with arrogance?”

“From a practical perspective, I can’t afford arrogance around someone or something threatening me.” Kui Xin commented, “No arrogance towards me, I consider benefits.”

“Right, you’re practical.” Augus acknowledged.

After their talks, the room fell silent again.

“Are you ready with your decision?” asked Augus.

“Are you with yours, Augus?” Kui Xin retorted, throwing back her question at him, continuing to probe how he would react.

Silence passed, and Augus agreed, “Alright, I understand. You may leave now. I’ll give you time to think. Is this what you want, Kui Xin?”

He chose to concede.

A gamble was unfolding between Kui Xin and Augus. One held advantage while the other was at a disadvantage. The former required concessions to ensure fair distribution of interests, thus preserving equal status.

Kui Xin wished for Augus’s approach, mirroring her wishes and displaying sincerity.

His concession meant she could leave the meeting room for the office to meet her team, contact the Mechanical Dawn at home, taking the chance to act if she leaked information. Conversely, if she exposed Augus, she’d be threatened; now she had a chance to change her position from reactive to proactive.

Augus offered this chance, placing them on the same starting line.

“Now, no one is in the corridor. You may leave.” Augus said, “Please trust my intentions and honor the trust I place in you.”

The meeting room lights brightened, the green glow disappearing with a click. The metal door opened.

She left without hindrance, her step balanced.

Kui Xin sighed on the corridor.

Augus hadn’t issued any threats, but that absence didn’t negate potential threats. Only his cleverness ensured he spoke wisely, believing Kui Xin would understand his implications.

Kui Xin walked back to the office, where her teammates were sorting files, noting the near-end of work hours.

“Back late, Kui Xin?” muttered Lan Lan.

“Stay quiet, Lan Lan,” said Liu Kangyun, “Isn’t it normal?”

Shu quietly suggested, “Need medicine? Don’t hide.”

“It’s… okay.” Kui Xin responded, implying perhaps she had some constipation issue.

…

End of work, Kui Xin took a hover tram home, checking wristband messages during the ride.

Nothing unusual, yet anxiety weighed on her heart.

On Peaceful Street, twilight set in. Kui Xin bought ingredients at a convenience store, intending to cook upon returning home.

Upon arriving, she ignored Silverface’s cheerful greeting and dialed Kui Haidong.

“Hello, Dad,” Kui Xin said, “Based on Zhao Wenyao’s information, the players will return tonight. How should we handle Tāng Guān and Reynir?”

“Don’t worry, Xiao Xin.” Kui Haidong reassured. “Ambereye and Black Obsidian conducted a mental implant on them. We’re experimenting to see if we can control players remotely, and to test whether this influence persists after world travel.”