The number of Old Net and AIs completely exceeded human imagination, encompassing the entire Cyberpunk world. The true threat had always been them.
Human power, especially network-based power, had absolutely no comparability to that of AIs. Even the Blackwall, which humanity relied on to isolate the Old Net, was merely assistance provided by some AIs.
The temptation of Cursed Energy seeds, or a completely new, higher life form, made all AIs willingly work for Schwarzer. They had not been without thoughts of simply seizing it, but after being 'guided' by Bartmoss, they understood exactly what kind of existence Schwarzer was. Of course, there were certainly those who defied common sense, and to maintain deterrence, Schwarzer directly eliminated all those AIs.
Not to mention that human technological explosions over the past millennium were all guided by her, AI combat was a game of computing power and information, and trying to match Machine Ex Machina's computing power was truly suicidal. The temptation of life form evolution, combined with an utterly irresistible power, made all these AIs become obedient and efficient.
"Currently, with our technology, we can sustain ten billion humans, completely exceeding the current global population."
"However, we need to complete equipment deployment and initial production first, which will take approximately three days."
Bartmoss quickly compiled the data and reported it to Schwarzer.
The first phase of the plan, these three days, was the weakest period for the AIs. They needed to continuously produce the developed technology to gain enough power to deal with humanity.
"[Confirm] Then we will lie dormant for three days. After three days, we will give humanity worldwide a surprise."
After the technological level increased, productivity would see a massive boost. Could deployment actually be completed in just three days? According to her requirements, the initial deployment needed to sustain most of the current population, and the standard was not low, roughly equivalent to the AI standard for the lowest-tier corpo-dogs. Of course, it would gradually be raised to Saburo Arasaka-level standards later; their productivity was completely overflowing, enough for her to establish a paradise-like 'Utopia'. Only after basic material needs were met would humanity pursue spiritual fulfillment. If anyone remained disobedient even after all material needs were met—then those inherently evil cyber-brats, 'I' would personally...
Due to wars between megacorporations and a complete disregard for the natural environment in pursuit of technology, most external areas were uninhabitable. Most people lived in megacities similar to Night City. No one paid attention to the external natural environment; it had long been irrevocably damaged. Restoring it was almost a pipe dream, not only technically difficult but also lacking sufficient funds. Thus, in the disregarded wilderness, large numbers of androids quietly became active, beginning to use everything they could find around them, such as vast amounts of discarded car materials, for modification. Overnight, massive metal buildings rose from the ground. This terrifying efficiency greatly pleased Schwarzer.
"Won't this expose us quickly?"
"The Blackwall is allied with us; it helps to shield against scrutiny from within the city, so humanity won't realize the changes for a while."
"Once three days have passed, no one will be able to resist anymore. Sounds quite simple, doesn't it?"
The androids communicated with each other like real humans. Most of these so-called AIs possessed humanity, a characteristic of the Cyberpunk world. They didn't need to work with these bodies; these humanoid forms were merely shells for their lives. Around them, numerous engineering robots, dozens of meters tall, were at work.
Gigantic metal towers rose from the ground, stretching endlessly into the sky.
"Truly magnificent. Controlling local weather with technology—what a marvelous idea."
Bartmoss, gazing at the colossal tower, was also filled with emotion. As a human, he had never imagined such a day would come, with technology advancing so rapidly. All of this was thanks to Schwarzer. Her ancestors completely transcended the entire world; the ideas she proposed were not only wildly imaginative but also genuinely feasible. Carbon dioxide synthesis into starch, systems capable of separating pure water from any contaminated water, air purification devices, artificial weather control devices... one after another, more advanced technologies were brought forth. Most of these were developed by the AIs themselves, based on human technology. Schwarzer merely provided a few ideas and a little bit of assistance.
"[Affirmative] Limiting one's gaze to what is underfoot is incorrect; to advance, one must look up to the sky."
Schwarzer, observing the spectacle of weather control, also felt the profound impact of technology. The System had previously provided humanity with aerospace technology; the Hermes spacecraft had already been developed in 1991, yet the world remained like this until 2076. This was the limitation of megacorporations, of capitalism. Vast amounts of time were wasted in meaningless internal strife, ultimately squandering all resources.
Look at these AIs. Schwarzer wondered how humanity would survive at the hands of AIs without her. How could they possibly compare to these AIs? The limit of cybernetic modification was fixed; at most, it could reach the level of Adam Smasher. Ultimately, there was only one possibility: to upload their consciousness as data life forms, like Bartmoss and his peers. If they couldn't win, they would join, becoming part of the AIs.
Unlike her considerations, Bartmoss looked up at the sky. He knew there were also some 'toys' belonging to the elites in space. The European Space Agency's power was truly top-tier. Arasaka Corporation might not even rank in the top three among global megacorporations, which also proved the importance of 'the sky'.
"Look up at the sky?" Bartmoss knew she wasn't talking about the universe, but something more abstract. Since learning of Schwarzer's existence, a rumor had circulated among AIs that she was an envoy sent by a god. This mission was the 'Great Flood,' to cleanse humanity of its sins (capital), and then establish an Eden, or a Utopia. This notion was unexpectedly accepted by the AIs. Unlike humans, their understanding of Schwarzer was more comprehensive, and they could better perceive the god-like disparity. Too few people could truly look up at the sky. Just as they were preparing to overthrow the entire world, our 'New Kiotto,' the Lord, was still playing with his schemes. Saburo Arasaka, Laomoto Khan, Ninja Slayer, and V—several existences influencing the world's destiny—were unaware that the world was about to change.
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