Chapter 719


The biological research on linear animals began with the lovely little nematode, *Caenorhabditis elegans*.

And thus, a connectome of a single organism was completed.

Many scientists could hardly hide their joy at the fact that they had dissected one organism to understand its neurons, conducting numerous experiments. It was foundational to grasp all patterns of *Caenorhabditis elegans*, even inputting its connectome into a robot to make it mimic the behavior of the nematode. Naturally, this experiment ended successfully, and the excited scientists lauded this lovely little nematode as the beginning and end of biological research, offering their love and praise.

Then, as time passed, computers surpassed certain performance thresholds, leading to vibrant research in AI and virtual reality—another experiment using *Caenorhabditis elegans* was initiated.

This experiment aimed to tackle one of the most perplexing puzzles related to virtual reality: “Can humans truly apply natural environments akin to reality in a virtual world?”

An overwhelming and daunting question.

To answer it, the first endeavor of scientists was to apply current biological research focusing on *Caenorhabditis elegans*, which they had explored countless times and continued to explore.

From scientists specializing in computational biology to those who had experience using computers for protein-lipid interaction research, and programmers interested in bioinformatics, alongside mathematicians showing interest in AI-related topics—many scientists gathered, fixating on the behavior of this tiny insect.

Finally, they achieved results, successfully implementing a near-perfect representation of *Caenorhabditis elegans* in a virtual environment. Fueled by this success, they began efforts to reduce the size of this simulated nematode, and their dedication evolved into a possibility for humanity to truly create and enjoy another world.

If this research had gained momentum and swept the world like a syndrome… humanity might have lived in a world astonishingly advanced, akin to that seen in sci-fi novels or movies, or the cyberpunk genre.

That was a possibility.

But it remained an unrealized possibility.

Starting from *Caenorhabditis elegans*, the research on neuron maps of other organisms and the pursuit of implementing them in virtual worlds intersected the realities of biology and virtual biology. Through their collaboration, there was a possibility of creating a world resembling our reality, represented in data of 0s and 1s.

Sadly, that potential was dashed.

People warning against rapid advancements.

Religions wary of exploring the roots of biological life.

Their research significantly influenced the emergence of the Singularity, with doomsayers proclaiming that the moment of its arrival would lead humanity to ruin or enslavement by machines.

All sorts of individuals emerged to hinder their research, using various ethics and morals as excuses to prevent them from continuing.

And thus, the research ended.

On the surface.

Yet behind the scenes, their studies continued on.

The research that started with linear worms branched out.

Those wishing to contribute to humanity in different ways or wanting to earn money ventured into new drug design, while many scholars, claiming it was merely a fleeting interest, returned to their core research. Some noticed potential in simulated experiments, actively using computers to propagate simulation studies within academia, fostering acceptance, while others sought to continue research on a theme more complex yet similar to linear animals.

Eventually, they reached out to annelids.

The result was what now moves:

Model name K-111gWyrmPro1-1-1-last-rf-final.notver0.111188675.

The ‘worm’ in the arthropod series.

Kuguguguung-!

Annelids and snakes.

Research on linear animals beginning with *Caenorhabditis elegans*.

A fusion of those seeking eternal life through a whole brain and those desiring dominance over a world made of 0s and 1s.

In the future, the implanted neuron maps and AI learning abilities—the few entities even capable of modifying their own codes or writing codes to create subordinates—displaying distinctly beyond the Singularity.

The incomplete weapon revealed its presence to the world with a thunderous sound.

Kwaaaang-!

Crushing a building.

Smashing through a hard shell made of stone, rebar, and metal—it finally unveiled itself in the sunlight.

* * *

[ Warning! Warning! This is a real situation! Attention citizens! A massive robot has emerged from a research institute in the State of Illinois, destroying surrounding facilities. This is a real situation. Residents nearby are advised to evacuate immediately! Maintain order and move to a bunker or exit the state. ]

Breaking news) Massive robot sighted in Illinois. A secret weapon of the U.S. government?

[ Hello, subscribers! It’s J. The reason I’m suddenly broadcasting live is that an astonishing event is happening right where I live. Camera, can you see? This is unedited footage. Surprisingly, this is really happening! That giant mechanical snake is attacking our America! Manipulation? Nope! If you don’t believe me, turn on the news right now. No, not the issue channel you subscribe to. Turn on the TV news. Oh, it’s on air now. They’re filming from a helicopter—must be a good camera. The quality is great. Oh, crap. It’s almost taken down that place? This isn’t the time to just stand here. I need to evacuate too. So, subscribers, goodbye! ]

The suddenly appearing mechanical snake left a strong impression on people.

Of course, it was inevitable.

Who wouldn’t be astonished by a gigantic monster like something out of a big-budget Hollywood blockbuster or Japanese special effects film suddenly wreaking havoc in reality?

Many, after seeing the footage of the emergence of the worm, thought, “It’s a fake documentary,” or “A novel marketing strategy,” or “The media fell for an impressively realistic trailer,” struggling to grasp the reality.

But the repeated warnings that this was an actual situation.

Scenes of people evacuating and the destruction of facilities that couldn’t be considered part of a film.

And starting from Illinois, warning texts from the U.S. government disseminating across the entire country.

All these factors slowly began to stir a sense of crisis in people’s minds.

“Is it real?”

“Is that really happening?”

Reality.

Is that reality?

A giant robotic monster emerging to destroy America?

As if straight out of a movie… America getting attacked by robots, reality?

I can’t believe it.

But there’s no way to disbelieve it.

Thus, people’s gaze began to fixate on the worm.

A reality more cinematic than a film.

SDVIMVFoanVzY1YwSVhjamMzUkt1ZUcrV01LVFR1VUFGcXVGUllueG9zZExtVklmNXl3TjlTNkRJZy9CMGVnOA

A documentary beyond a fake, impossibly real.

Gazing at the colossal snake—or worm—showing on numerous news and internet broadcasts.

“Machine Cult guys. How did they manage this…?”

However, just because attention was focused didn’t mean everyone shared the same emotions.

While most were taken aback, a select few felt contempt, annoyance, or confusion.

Some people, familiar with the Machine Cult, clicked their tongues, saying that something like this was bound to happen.

Some vented their frustration towards higher-ups who chose to stand by, saying, “We should have crushed the Machine Cult!”

Others gazed with greedy eyes, realizing that the worm’s rampage revealed the Machine Cult’s weaknesses, considering if they could infiltrate and steal research data.

Some perceived that the worm currently in the news wasn’t fully operational and gleamed at the fact that it was still quite usable.

And then there were those who declared,

“O land of Goliath, do not rejoice when the stick that struck you is broken; for out of the root of the serpent shall come forth a viper, and his fruit shall be a flying fiery serpent.”

Believing the emergence of the mechanical snake to be a “revelation.”

“It is written in the revelations that the viper appeared; thus, it is time for us to act. Brothers and sisters, it is now time for us to move and send a warning to the world. He will dry up their roots and the remnant will be slain, plunging this land into a desperate and destructive darkness. But there is an opportunity, for the prophecy of the Messiah has delivered salvation; we must fight against the forces of evil and cleanse the earth with the fruit of justice!”

Across the U.S.

A fanatical religious group’s bomb terror had commenced.

A horrifying butterfly effect.