Chapter 009: Star Network and Puppets
Interesting, you are not interacting with the internet in the usual way of an AI
Finally, the two-headed Angela doll began to gradually adapt to how to navigate in the astral network. She clutched Hayden's robe, leaned on his shoulder, and curiously pointed at the sky filled with enormous geometric shapes.
... ...
The issue is that Hayden, in designing her, certainly had built-in networking capabilities from the outset. After all, in this day and age, almost everything can connect directly to the internet. Not to mention mobile phones and computers, but also the refrigerator, lights, washing machine, and so on in Hayden's home. Almost all household items are connected to the network
Hayden stood beside her, looking like a wizard who had stepped straight out of a game, dressed in a coat that popular culture deemed a wizard's robe, adorned with softly glowing runes. In his hand, he held a staff made of gears and machinery. Overall, there was a slight blend of steampunk style. However, apart from that, there was not much difference from his usual work attire.
He quickly found an internet café with a double booth and booked a room with Angela. The number of people who glanced at Angela during this process was completely irrelevant to Hayden's considerations
Since the launch yesterday, Angela has been nothing short of perfect, poised, and confident, yet this is the first time she has emitted such a voice that is almost timid, and her entire body has even stiffened.
I will help you study and check it
How could the network security of a mere entertainment venue possibly affect Hayden in any way
The astral network host of the Wenle Club is already within sight
As for AI, they are even more convenient, after all, they are merely devices. They only need to interact with the network and its information like a normal computer would
As expected, Angela once again displayed a look of confusion, asking, "What are you talking about?" As always, she had no understanding of modern arcane technology. Last night, when she secretly went online, she must have just used Hayden's phone or computer without permission. It was akin to those ordinary internet users who do not understand the arcane; they can only use tools to access the internet and do not know how to connect to the network directly with their own minds.
Master, may I ask what that is
At that moment, she realized that she had transformed into a two-headed small Angela doll, with white dog ears perched atop her head and a long white dog tail sprouting from her backside. This appearance was clearly the work of Hayden's mischief
To be honest, her reaction instead made Hayden quite worried about what she was actually thinking. An AI whose specific thought patterns you do not understand is, in fact, a rather frightening thing.
Stepping out of Karen's upscale apartment and returning to the streets of downtown, Angela clasped her hands together, revealing a joyful smile
Angela quickly returned to her composed and dignified demeanor, but the words she spoke seemed somewhat strange
Ah!
However, upon hearing Hayden's voice, she immediately felt a sense of reassurance
If we were to express it in a more romantic way, it could perhaps be described as a dream we all share together
Yet upon hearing Hayden's words, she still smiled and happily wagged her tail
Calm down, calm down, now is not the time to be infatuated with the exquisite beauty of the doll-like girl
Thus, Hayden inquired of Angela
I see, I understand. Please do not worry; although the master may feel a slight sense of shame, no matter how unique your sexual preferences may be, it will not diminish my love for you in the slightest
Karen indeed showed us quite a few good things, but that alone is not enough. We need to investigate that so-called 'Wenle Club' further. Therefore, I plan to conduct a network intrusion to see if I can find something useful from its database to report back.
The size of a network host and its virtual height are related to its significance and influence in the real world. The network host of an ordinary small shop is roughly equivalent to its actual size, and its height is less than 10 meters; however, it is different for a world-leading company like the Mitra Group.
It is the Astral Network, abbreviated as StarNet. It is connected by empathic magic and consists of a data volume and computational power far exceeding that of any period in history. It is a spiritual realm that exists solely in the form of consciousness and information, devoid of any material substance
He pretended to cough, allowing Angela to quiet down first
The Star Realm Network is established on the same theoretical foundation of magic. It allows nearly ten billion sentient beings with minds and thoughts around the world to connect with each other through a vast empathic magic system, forming a network that can transmit information and knowledge without the need for physical media, similar to how *images* and *texts* convey information.
As soon as she finished speaking, Angela felt—so dizzy
It must be acknowledged that even now, Hayden still feels a bit shy when he sees her smile. Therefore, he pretended not to care, patted the small head of the short-statured Angela, and then took a step forward, shooting out in a ridiculous straight line at high speed, plunging into the stream of information's light trail. The bright blue light instantly engulfed them, accelerating both of them to a speed as fast as thought.
She heard Hayden explaining, without speaking, his voice directly penetrating her thoughts
Please rest assured, my master. Wherever you go, I will follow and protect you well. You only need to do what you wish to do
Angela immediately obediently pushed aside her long silver hair, revealing her fair and slender neck. Hayden approached and gently touched it with his finger, only to see the artificial muscle suddenly open with a snap, exposing the metallic sheen hidden deep within.
Angela suddenly let out a delightful squeal that Hayden had never heard before
The company's network hosts are all floating in the sky of the star network
Her first reaction was to look around for Hayden, but she found that she could not control her body, as she was indeed no longer in her own physical form. She wanted to turn her head as she usually did, but discovered that her line of sight did not move, as if she were paralyzed
Angela, lift the hair at the back of your neck
Is that right
The two-headed Angela doll indeed clutched Hayden's robe tightly. She was clearly ignorant of the Astral Network, a miraculous creation built on modern arcana, and thus felt the most trepidation in this regard
Hayden expressed his sentiments as if reciting poetry
As soon as the door to the private room was locked, Hayden turned around and issued instructions
So, in less than a second, they arrived
He is never afraid to set goals for himself
Her gaze suddenly detached from the body of the puppet, then rose upward, continuously ascending.
Hayden is well aware of his mediocre hacking skills. If he were to challenge the firewalls of large companies, the best outcome he could hope for would be to be ejected from the network with a nosebleed, while the worst outcome would be to have his brain fried.
For example, when cursing others, one first creates a doll that closely resembles the target, and then nails it to the doll. In this way, even if they are separated by a thousand miles, one can still curse the other. Due to the similarity between the two, the properties of one will "infect" the other.
The old gods are dead. The dream world of ancient myths has vanished. The modern corporations are the deities of the spiritual network. Anyone who violates their rules will taste divine punishment
Those of smaller scale generally belong to ordinary small companies, responsible for providing contact points, advertising platforms, and a variety of online services
Generally speaking, those who end up overwhelming their minds online are typically users who do not employ information filters. Moreover, connecting the human brain directly to the internet without information filters is often illegal, so if one's mind gets overwhelmed, it is deserved, and the company bears no responsibility. Doesn't this sound quite comforting?
How to describe the astral network
So Angela, hold on tight. Let us step into the darkness to pursue that frivolous and alluring enchantress—let us embark on an adventure
Ahem, alright, let's not make such a fuss for now
For ordinary users without specialized skills, if they wish to fully engage with the internet, they must rely on auxiliary tools. Typically, this would involve devices such as helmets, which, when worn, directly apply sympathetic magic to the brain, accompanied by information filters. This means that the minds and brains of ordinary users are protected by these magical tools, preventing them from being invaded online, unlike in films from a century ago, where their minds would explode in reality.
However, this time I am not here to play with the firewall of a large company; I am merely going to spy on an entertainment venue. No matter how upscale it is, it is just a place of indulgence, can it really blow my mind?
The propagation of bloodlines, the continuation of life, such matters can truly be described as the greatest mysteries of the human realm
Hayden pretended not to hear and busied himself with the three-dimensional screen projected from his phone for a while. He then announced, "I have readjusted it for you; it should now be possible to connect to the internet via a wired connection through your phone. You can give it a try, and I will keep an eye on it for you."
Hayden initially intended to create Angela as the perfect mechanical wife, and naturally, he designed the wireless connectivity feature from the very beginning. However, now she has no idea how to use it
Begin the connection
Are you ready
Angela's first impression of hetushu.com was—it's so vast! As vast as the world! As vast as the universe! Because wherever there are thoughts and souls, they will connect to the astral network through the magic of resonance. It is precisely for this reason that the astral network was established, exists, and has grown so large
A luxurious and opulent airship hovers like a palace in the sky at an altitude of one hundred meters, radiating an enchanting pink glow. The emblem on the airship displays the company's logo
Similar to the body cavity of a living organism, unused bionic sockets may be quite sensitive. It's alright, after I insert it a few more times, you will feel more comfortable
You are like a typical user entering VR for the first time, feeling disoriented in the network, and without any filters
Hayden asked
You mentioned this morning that you had already learned about the so-called internet last night. Do you now have the means to use the direct internet connection feature
This is the winding hole that Hayden used to start her yesterday, but it is not just a winding hole; it can also serve as the socket for Angela during a wired connection. Therefore, Hayden took out the connecting cable from the pocket of her robe and without a word, plugged the end into it
Qualified arcanists like Hayden can directly perceive the flow of star network data with their own eyes, allowing them to project their consciousness directly onto the network. They also understand how to make their brains function as their own operating system, while simultaneously preventing other unnecessary distractions, such as lyrics, stock prices, and celebrity gossip, from cluttering their minds.
Observing the current state of the two-headed Angela, Hayden appeared to be deep in thought
It must be acknowledged that Angela is indeed a bit flustered at this moment
Hayden spoke some rather crass words with a serious demeanor. However, as he noticed Angela's flushed cheeks and her expression as she touched her neck, he found his own face gradually turning as red as fire
Similar things can share the same properties, "similar things will have similar properties," this is the most fundamental rule of magic—the law of similarity
What about the second impression? The star network is extraordinarily beautiful! Gazing up at the sky, enormous virtual geometric forms are swirling above her head. They resemble cities, floating like deities, akin to constellations in a clear night sky
Then, what about Angela herself
This strange AI indeed has many questionable aspects
The largest among them belong to giant corporations and super enterprises, playing the role of deities in the realm of the astral network. The most significant of these is undoubtedly the network host of the Mithra Information Group. It slowly rotates at an altitude of 100,000 meters in the astral realm, resembling a golden lotus flower that is even larger than a city
Modern arcane researchers refer to it as the "Starlight Body World Sympathetic Magic Network." In simple terms, it is a vast non-material network system formed by nearly ten billion sentient beings around the world, connected through immense sympathetic magic, primarily used for the transmission of information. It facilitates the flow of money online, governs careers, and even manages traffic conditions on the streets. Billions of people continuously utilize it, from the impoverished in the new Yatu slums to the CEOs atop corporate buildings in Tokyo—no social class is exempt from its influence. It facilitates the flow of money online, governs careers, and even manages traffic conditions on the streets. Billions of people continuously utilize it, from the impoverished in the new Yatu slums to the CEOs atop corporate buildings in Tokyo—no social class is exempt from its influence.
Thus spoke Haydn
Unless it is actually a secret facility of a large company disguised as a club. But how could that be possible? Things are rarely this coincidental
Sympathetic Magic
Master
I am here
Her doll body remains in the dual booth of the internet café. However, the truly significant her, the one residing within the doll body, has already entered the astral network
She was expressing viewpoints on the street that were as difficult to understand as those of AI
Overlooking the earth, one can see beams of light intermittently crisscrossing. Their colors are more numerous than can be named, racing at the speed of thought, leaving behind trails of flowing information. They represent people, processes, programs, and the scene of compressed data packets racing through the star network at the speed of thought
However, why should I dedicate my one and only life to being subservient to the company
Although feeling somewhat uneasy, Angela naturally complied obediently. She sat down on the sofa bed in the private room, arranging herself in an upright posture.
The interactions between the master and Miss Starflower have provided me with much inspiration
Moreover, she is floating in the sky of this star network, probably about one thousand meters above the ground, with nothing below, only a dizzying sense of falling
In the sky of the star realm, numerous massive virtual geometric bodies are perpetually floating. They serve as the network hosts of various companies within the star network