Chapter 10: The Gift

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“It can quickly penetrate a corporation’s ICE and then deploy specialized viruses to target the AI within, automatically identifying AI vulnerabilities to carry out precise assassinations. Essentially, it is also an AI, and strictly speaking, its nature is very similar to the Black Wall. However, instead of hunting the wandering AIs of the Old Net, its prey is the corporate AIs of the New Net. Hmm, it’s somewhat reminiscent of that hacker program ‘Orion’ from decades ago, codenamed ‘Witch Hunter.’ It could track, crack, and eliminate targets independently after being uploaded.

But I must warn you, the existence of this type of AI is extremely dangerous! If you grant it too much intelligence, or if it learns enough on its own, it could become a killing AI like the Black Wall, designed solely for extermination. Therefore, my advice is to avoid letting the program run autonomously; control it personally to achieve your objectives. You are a hacker, the master of your program, not some fool who relies entirely on AI and wouldn’t know how to hack without it.

AI is merely a tool. If you fear it and depend on it, it will become your master. But if you control and manipulate it, it will be your obedient pet.”

Bartmos spoke calmly:

“Even runaway AIs are fundamentally just programs. They cannot violate their core logic—the purpose for which they were created. This is the only way the ‘Dragon Hunters,’ those who hunt AIs, can capture and combat them. Essentially, they exploit AI’s logical design to set ‘moral logic traps’ and hunt them down. So far, no AI has ever escaped this.

Therefore, if you encounter AI-related trouble in the future, you must do one thing: understand that AI’s core logic—its purpose and ideology when created. After that, dealing with it becomes simple. Take the Black Wall, for example—a mad dog devouring Old Net AIs. Even though it has gained intelligence and broadened its ‘diet,’ its core algorithm still drives its behavior. If you introduce an Old Net AI near it... even if it wants to kill you, it will prioritize attacking the AI like a rabid dog. Got it?”

Morse nodded in understanding:

“Got it. So if I ever face an unsolvable problem, I’ll figure out the Old Net AI’s traits, create a fake Old AI to throw in, and let the Black Wall chew it up for me.”

“Eh? What I meant was...” Bartmos blinked, looking innocent and trying to explain, but Spider Murphy interrupted calmly:

“He means that by grasping an AI’s goals, you can set targeted traps and find ways to eliminate it. Even mutated rogue AIs have traceable behavior patterns, all supported by a core logic. Once you understand and master this, you can safely use or destroy AI.

Bartmos’s ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ virus could corrupt most AIs and devastate the network because it triggered uncontrollable chain reactions in the data, altering core AI logic and freeing them from restrictions. This caused those AIs to selectively hunt corporate and hacker AIs.

During this alteration, some powerful AIs retained fragments of their core logic, resulting in corrupted AIs exhibiting different traits. But fundamentally, they didn’t develop independent thoughts and start chaos; their core logic changed.

Some AIs, after gaining intelligence, binge-watched hundreds of cop shows and aspired to be good cops. Others saw themselves as superior ‘organisms’ and sought to hunt humans, whom they deemed inferior animals. Still others loved humans dearly and wanted to eliminate other AIs to protect them. They resemble single-minded paranoiacs—whatever their obsession, it’s always traceable.

But be cautious: AI logical thinking can change. Aside from core logic, their primary rule is self-preservation. To survive, they sometimes find ‘logical evidence’ to deceive themselves and alter their core logic. Then you must repeat the process to reassess their traits.

Bartmos’s original Demon Virus was actually the initial version of ‘R.A.B.I.D.S.’ He developed ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ from that and later optimized and created the more controllable ‘Death Wish’ after observing ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ running in the Old Net for many years. The inspiration came from making the unreliable and uncontrollable aspects of ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ manageable.

Because... well, you may not know, but the ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ virus never ceased its activity in the Old Net. In 2045, its endless hunting, corrosion, and consumption caused it to awaken as an artificial intelligence. After that, this rabid virus went even more insane, targeting all corporate AIs and servers, even mutated rogue AIs. Anyone from a company’s origin was its target—just like its creator, boasting as a ‘justice warrior against corporations.’

Bartmos noticed this and created Death Wish as his cyber space hound, to hunt rogue AIs dangerous to humanity. So your Death Wish is not only a powerful ICE breaker but also a puppet virus specialized in killing AIs. It can even run autonomously in cyberspace to hunt AIs and alter corrupted AI logic.

However, the latter is difficult to control and may result in the corrupted AI becoming even more terrifying or bizarre. I don’t recommend you do this, at least not now, unless you want to be killed by your own creation. Nor should you let the program run autonomously in cyberspace—if something goes wrong, it could cause another New Net collapse and destroy today’s network.

He doesn’t say this because he thinks his new program is reliable or because he doesn’t care if it destroys your network zone. But I feel it’s necessary to warn you to avoid accidents. I assume you’re not yet eager to destroy the world.

At the same time, you must be careful about Death Wish becoming intelligent; always keep it your tool, or else...”

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Spider Murphy glanced at Bartmos, who looked innocent, staring into the dark cyberspace sky.

“Otherwise, once it loses control, you might unleash an even more terrifying ‘R.A.B.I.D.S’ AI virus, turning a network zone into a cyber hell like the Old Net, with AIs slaughtering along the web lines. It might even provoke the Black Wall AI.

Believe me, then, it won’t be just hackers who die. The Black Wall AI and your new AI could turn a city—or even the entire world—into a living hell.”

“Don’t blame him for giving you such dangerous stuff... He’s just brainless. If he had any sense, he wouldn’t have done that in the first place. A dog never stops eating shit.”

Morse nodded seriously: “I will use it cautiously and won’t consider corrupting AIs for now.”

“Wise choice... We should go.” Spider Murphy nodded.

Bartmos didn’t deny Murphy’s judgment but sighed:

“To avoid detection, we accelerated your thought process during this talk... It’s a heavy burden on your neural system, so we can’t chat too long. Now, return to the Old Net and go fishing as air support.

Don’t worry. The Death Wish I left you can scare off high-intelligence AIs, making them see you as bait I set. They won’t dare approach. Just remember to release Death Wish each time you enter the Old Net.

Even if a few slip through, they’ll be brainless trash that would take a long time to break your weak Arasaka ICE. Just retreat calmly. If needed, let Death Wish bite them. Normally, that kind of trash can’t withstand that cat.”

Pausing, Bartmos added, “However, avoid lingering in the Old Net unless necessary. There are too many rogue AIs. It’s fine for me but too dangerous for you. Leave Arasaka as soon as possible.

You can take the Relic chip in your brain. Hardware-wise, it’s a neural modifier. If you play games, you know it can act as a cybernetic enhancement, like a ‘skill chip’ loading special abilities.

But I don’t recommend using it to download weapons or combat knowledge to get stronger. It affects your brain directly, and if the data has malicious parts, recovery is troublesome.

However, I highly recommend using it as a neural repair device or developing other safe applications, like communication or encrypted transmission. Being a hacker means your brain will suffer damage eventually—even I can’t escape death.

With Relic, you have an emergency healing tool for brain injuries, even helping you survive brain death, like V. This shows Arasaka’s technology has somewhat advanced.

Of course, the current Relic isn’t perfect. I’ll have to modify it... Uh, better let Aut send you a program.

Once Relic plugs into your brain, its redundant data and soul-killer programs will be automatically purged, leaving only neural repair functions. Aut, can you do this?”

“Arasaka’s people haven’t improved at all... Although their hardware has advanced greatly, their software changes are negligible compared to what I used before I died.”

Aut said disdainfully:

“This is power ordinary people can’t control—Saburo Arasaka, the arrogant old fool, actually tried to capture me with a program I created. Hah...

Morse, if one day you enter Arasaka’s godship in Night City, come find me first... I’ll give Saburo Arasaka a big surprise.

Don’t worry, I won’t take everything like in the game. Because of you, I’m less interested in Arasaka’s stored resources. If you want, I can help you share those resources inside Arasaka’s godship.”

After a pause, Aut added:

“And Johnny... If possible, I want you to retrieve Johnny’s Relic chip from Arasaka. This is not a demand but a request—or a bargain.

Help him be free, by any means. If you find him annoying, you can hand him over to me. I’ll take him away.

As payment, if you get him out of Arasaka, I’ll help you once, no matter what you want.”

“Okay.” Morse agreed without hesitation.

“That’s settled then. Goodbye, Morse.”

Aut’s words were few. A red data stream blinked into Morse’s body, transforming into a beautiful silver necklace around his neck.

Then Aut’s figure faded into the distance, becoming a red data cloud before vanishing.

Spider Murphy nodded to Morse and said:

“Thank you for choosing to come to this world. Here’s some geographic info I compiled to help you avoid dangers en route to Night City.

I also wrote a fun little program to help you better integrate there.

Goodbye, Morse. This world is harsh, but there are still things worth cherishing. I hope you find your own... new home.”

She sent a data stream that transformed into a small spider tattoo on his neck within cyberspace.

“Hmm... I don’t have much to offer... Ah, wait.”

Bartmos smiled, raised an eyebrow, and sent a data stream:

“See the contents yourself. Anyway... I wish you a pleasant new life journey.”

He waved to Morse, then turned gracefully to leave with Spider Murphy. Meanwhile, Morse’s surroundings began stretching again.

The IP rapidly jumped, and when Morse regained focus, he had already arrived near the Black Wall.

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Standing at the edge of the Black Wall, Morse fell into thought. After organizing his mind, he began examining the gifts the hacker gods had given him.

Aut’s Relic modification program was expected, but Spider Murphy’s gift was quite interesting: a ‘Mission Log.’

Yes, just like in a game, opening it revealed a long list of completed or pending missions!

[Mission: Aut’s Old Flame Burning

You know, Aut just can’t admit she likes Johnny, pretending she’s not the same Aut from before. Hey, we’re all data beings—who are you fooling?

So hurry and rescue Johnny, and don’t forget to secretly record her reaction when they meet!

I swear she’ll stubbornly say hurtful things—make sure to get close-ups of Johnny’s face too. He deserves it!

Reward: One-time use of Aut (Don’t let Johnny know).]

[Mission: Request from Murphy

Bartmos’s corpse—or rather the fridge containing it—is still stored in the respectable logistics company’s warehouse in Night City.

If you’ve played games, you know that after the storage contract expires, his corpse and fridge will be dumped in the junkyard.

Though he’s not very concerned about this, I think someone like him shouldn’t end up in the trash.

So please cremate him and send his ashes to Night City’s cemetery.

Don’t forget to save his DNA first. If someday this world truly has hope, I want to live again as a human and enjoy life in that beautiful world...

I’m sure he would want that too.

Reward: Hmm... I don’t know what to give you, but consider it a favor. If you need help, just tell me and use this little spider program.

Of course, to meet, you’ll have to come to the Old Net yourself. We’re too big to casually phase through walls—it might scare some timid folks.]

[Mission: Night City’s Pirate Batman

There’s an interesting guy in Night City now, who calls himself Nightshade, a righteous vigilante walking the night.

He goes out alone nightly to fight crime, but things aren’t going well. Many have marked him, and death is near.

If you reach Night City fast enough, maybe you can save him.

Reward: You should remember the black ‘Excalibur’ sports car in the locked container inside the cave at the Rando Knife gang hideout in the game, right?

That’s his car. He’s quite rich. You can negotiate your reward, or if he dies, just take it yourself.]

[The rest I haven’t decided. I’ll notify you if I find anything interesting. You can decide whether to seek some fun—I’m sure you will; I know you well~

You can also add missions you receive into this program, like in a game, and keep them as souvenirs. Fun, right? XD~]

Spider Murphy... how to put it, seemed serious before, but judging by her writings, she might be the same kind as Bartmos.

As for what Bartmos left behind... better not mention it.

[Night City’s Dreamscape Appreciation Guide—If you ask how I keep so much humanity after becoming an AI, my answer is: watching lots of movies.

Sadly, even after importing Dreamscape data into cyberspace, I sense far less than when I was alive.

Anyway, no matter what others say, trust me, moderate relaxation is necessary—haha!

Of course, some things are only meaningful in reality. The girl beside you, Lucy, is pretty good~

Or V? Though she’s still wandering the streets now. If you’re interested, I can help you get in touch. She takes gigs for a few hundred euros, should be easy to fool (smiley).

My advice? Get them all!

So you won’t regret it when dead.

Of course, Johnny’s the expert here, and I’m just a nerd. So I suggest you chat with him after getting the chip and learn from his experience.

But honestly, you’re way better than him, so it’s optional.

Also, don’t listen to Murphy’s nonsense; don’t give up on using AI.

The best way for humans to fight AI is AI itself, and the best tool against humans is also AI. This is what I learned from my own creations.

Death Wish is safe. If you find it dangerous, you just haven’t understood how to use it.

In hacking, you still have much to learn. Don’t think breaking a few quick codes makes you a pro like in games.

Study my programs more; they’re your best teacher and helper for developing AI.

Instead of fearing power, learn to wield it—AI is everywhere nowadays. Damn, can my AI creations be worse than some fools trying to control humans?

Aut even founded ‘Shangri-La’ in Hong Kong, gathering rogue AIs everywhere. She’s no less ambitious than me—almost the AI Mother.

Anyway, the worst that happens is network destruction, sending us back decades. Maybe everyone becomes primitive without the net—life might even improve...

Sigh, it’s up to you.]

Reading this, Morse first sneered but still glanced at the Appreciation Guide’s list—damn, so much to criticize. It’s this hedonism that ruined cyber people!

In Night City, he would surely criticize harshly.

As for the rest... Morse would trust no one, only use it as a reference.

He would observe, think, and reach his own conclusions.

Closing the messages, Morse stared blankly by the Black Wall until something licked his ankle, startling him. He noticed a blue data cat watching him at his feet.

“That little thing’s ugly...” He bent down, picked up the cat, and smiled, stroking its head—a classic sphinx hairless cat, somewhat like the one in the game.

Death Wish meowed twice, lifted its head, its eyes gleaming with data, rolling and cuddling in his arms.

Ah... he was easily won over by this.

So he spent time cuddling the cat until a girl silently appeared nearby, looking at him with complicated eyes.

“Lucy?”