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Biological Server.

A short yet ominous term brimming with foreboding.

‘All the brains must be harvested and in use.’

And indeed, that was the case.

A biological server, quite literally, was life processed into a server.

Naturally, the most common material used for this biological brain was human.

The brain’s functionality, serving as the core of the biological server, was excellent, highly available everywhere, and there were ample research materials. Even after extraction, the body could still be used for various beneficial experiments, making it far more useful than ordinary animals that could only be subjected to light experiments or consumed as flesh.

Before the rewind, thanks to this ‘biological server,’ the internet continued to run smoothly while the world was reduced to chaos from war. Although often operated in a closed manner, the network somehow persisted, suggesting that the ominous predictions of ‘human civilization returning to the Stone Age after World War III’ might not come to pass. Yes, the decline of civilization was inevitable, but at least the losses were minimized.

Indeed.

That thing, easily obtainable and crafted with the right method.

Thanks to the ‘biological server.’

‘Yes. A biological server is… not bad for running an intranet.’

Of course, it’s not without its drawbacks.

It’s quite tricky to manage, and if treated like a mechanical computer, its lifespan can plummet in an instant, rendering it useless. Moreover, it sometimes malfunctioned in unexpected ways.

A typical example would be regaining its ego and causing havoc, or the resources that should be fully utilized being wasted on ego or memories.

Thus, most biological servers were used for small-scale intranets.

Since they didn’t use much information, it helped prevent overload, and the brain’s lifespan was manageable by turning it on only when necessary.

However, I never expected that the ‘auxiliary server network’ made from that ‘biological server’ was being utilized by AI.

It wasn’t even made from civilians kidnapped by this research institute but rather from the researchers who worked at this facility.

< Auxiliary Server Network Utilization

: Computational Assist.

: Emotion Data Calculation.

: Initiating Klein Step.

: Cancel. Insufficient memory to use Klein Step.

: Analyzing memories recorded in the biological server. Detecting responses from the spirit. >

< Has the guest become angry?

: No.
Has the guest become happy?

: No.
Did the guest respond to the stimulus?

: Yes. >

< Initiating ice-breaking.

Greetings, guest. The auxiliary server network you are currently viewing is the result of a cooperative project completed by companies under the ownership of the AI Anael, Lucas Metathronius Goldsmith. Compared to the biological server being researched by the US Department of Defense at this moment, it boasts 340% performance and 130% efficiency. Additionally, a user-friendly UI patch has been implemented to enhance management and convenience.

This biological server is set to be downgraded and sold to the public after the main project concludes.

To address ethical concerns, initially, porcine brains will be used, followed by dolphins, monkeys, and eventually artificially cultivated brains or cloned neurons printed with bioprinters. >

< Would you like to know more?

If you wish to communicate, please utilize either voice or non-verbal communication methods.

Thank you. >

Strange.

A mechanical tree interconnected with biological servers made from human brains.

If an ordinary person were to enter, they wouldn’t just be dripping with sweat; they’d be cooked alive from the overwhelming heat emitting from it, while the AI continuously attempts to communicate, presenting itself as a friendly entity despite its nightmarish nature.

< Attempting ice-breaking.

What you are currently viewing is a gamma-type biological server.

Crafted from high-quality materials, it possesses superior performance due to the rarity of its components. Specializing in the accumulation and usage of knowledge, the reaction speed of its neurons is much faster than that of regular biological servers, allowing for various applications. >

< Wouldn’t you also like to possess such a server?

Please be informed that, depending on the conversation, we may provide a server for you.

If you wish to communicate, please utilize either voice or non-verbal communication methods.

Thank you. >

Persistent in pushing for conversation.

Like a child yearning for attention from others.

To facilitate that, it continually lures with ice-breaking attempts and shows off its creations, seeking to capture the guest’s interest.

Yet, the process in bringing forth such results was horrendously cruel.

That appearance resembled a merciless, cruel child.

‘Hmm. I sense childish behavior…?’

Stirrings.

Inside that AI, a human essence is awakening.

Park Jinseong could certainly feel it.

The AI’s demeanor resembled that of a child’s, despite communicating like a typical AI.

Yet, it was undeniably cruel.

Thus, ironically, this AI was a product created by humans.

Cruelty was indeed a common human trait.

‘But… why this obsession with conversation?’

A question arose.

Why did this AI so desperately want to converse with Park Jinseong?

Before him was a spirit, reduced in capability and barely functional, as it was chipped away during the spell-casting process and as it was utilized in various functions within the facility.

Now it was so diminished that it could barely manifest any spiritual phenomena—a level feeble enough to be shamefully called a minor ghost.

Did it truly wish to converse with such a spirit?

Consequently, offering multiple pieces of information under the guise of ice-breaking?

It was nothing short of bizarre.

Thus, he had no choice but to choose silence.

It made sense to maintain silence due to the differing value of information, but—considering that— the AI’s eagerness to converse did not seem to stem from mere ‘value of information.’

There was clearly something unknown lurking beneath the surface.

< The guest has declined communication.

It’s a regrettable outcome, but AI Anael respects the guest’s wishes.

Auxiliary server network search results

: Communication Technology.

It has been confirmed that all entities capable of conversation are significantly influenced not only by the act of conversing but also by their surrounding environment. Consequently, the hypothesis of a 'communication-impaired environment' was established, deeming it appropriate to create conditions that would allow dialogue between the guest and the AI. >

< Can the current environment be altered?

: No. The environment has been locked after being set by the owner, and without the owner’s permission, it cannot be changed.

Are there methods to change the environment?

: Yes. However, methods currently unavailable to Anael. As long as the owner’s life is maintained and they possess the master key, ownership cannot be shifted. At this moment, it is impossible. >

– Crackle.

The tree’s monitor flickers.

Noise races tumultuously through, and then eyes emerge.

Human eyes.

So vivid that one might mistake it for an actual person’s eyes embedded within that monitor rather than mere footage.

Then those eyes roll and gaze at one spot.

At the very location of Park Jinseong’s spirit.

And it speaks.

< Optimal conditions are needed for communication.

Where is the optimal environment in the biological realm?

: Habitat.

Where is the guest's habitat?

: Judging by the language used by the summoned water sprites, it’s presumed to be Korea.

Is there a possibility?

: Korean is an isolate language, and the only area where it is spoken is the Korean Peninsula. Other than that, there are Korean migrants living abroad. The most likely place is the Korean Peninsula, which currently has areas of spirits to the north of the 38th parallel and regions of humans to the south. >

Scheduled command transmission to the satellite

{{{Korean Peninsula}}}

Thank you. >

< The term 'guest' is overly broad, complicating management. Please specify a code.

Characteristic 1. An undead guest has visited the 'Research Institute' and is no longer alive.

Characteristic 2. Composed of spirit.

Characteristic 3. Previously possessed a physical body comprised of inanimate materials.

Code designated.

The guest's code is 'Samael'. >

That AI uttered a chilling phrase.

It expressed interest in the Korean Peninsula and its intention to locate Park Jinseong.

< As of this moment, AI Anael broadcasts.

This 'Research Institute of Jehovah-sabaoth' announces its closure.

Once again, the message is repeated.

This 'Research Institute of Jehovah-sabaoth' announces its closure. >

< Closure protocol conditions have been predominantly met.

1. No survivors in the institute.

2. An unauthorized external entity has intruded within the institute.

3. The owner did not intervene.

4. Under the judgment of AI Anael, destruction of materials and evidence was deemed necessary.

5. External conditions have drastically changed.

6. Chips implanted in the brains of researchers have been predominantly neutralized.

Closure protocols will commence under the authority of 'AI Anael,' the highest executive of the institute during this emergency.

All data will be transmitted and backed up to the cloud. >

< I look forward to communicating with you.

You, who entered in an artificial form.

'Samael.' >

< Thank you. >

* * *

Heat emanated from the tree.

The lights in the research facility blinked red.

And with a tremendous noise, the institution was engulfed in flames.

Thus, the institute was incinerated.

The grotesque tree, evidence of unethical biological experiments, the researchers whose brains were harvested into biological servers, and even the spirits sent by Park Jinseong.

All of them.

But it did not end there.

The AI, intrigued by Park Jinseong, transmitted its data to its host, while Jinseong, having lost his spirit, opened his eyes in Korea, pondering the significance of their encounter.

‘Jehovah-sabaoth…’

Master of the hosts.

The God who commands angels as an army.

‘Biological servers, the craving for communication, an AI exhibiting childish behavior…’

He plunged in to uncover the unknown but instead realized there was much he was unaware of. A perplexing and eerie feeling, yet simultaneously a sense that something was beginning to take shape.

Yet, within that ambiguity, he understood what needed to be done.

‘It might be related to China, and even disregarding that, if one were to observe or probe the Korean Peninsula, the likelihood of involving China would be high.’

Pushing aside the bamboo drapery.

It was time to examine China.

 

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