Chapter 010: The Star Network Adventure of a Third-rate Hacker

Meanwhile, a translucent figure also appeared out of thin air from the corridor

The true focus is on the personality traits that Hayden attempted to select. Out of curiosity in various senses, Hayden chose traits such as [shy], [aloof], [proactive], [submissive], [arrogant], [flirtatious], among several other evidently contradictory personality attributes. Consequently, he was genuinely interested in how the other party would ultimately behave.

Angela showed a look of confusion upon hearing Hayden's question, as if she did not understand why Hayden would ask such a thing

This is certainly a good thing for hackers, as it means they can launch attacks from a great distance

Network hosts can deploy security programs internally in an almost limitless manner, with the purpose of identifying and repelling hackers, and even eliminating them. These programs can shatter a person's online presence into fragments within seconds, while certain programs are exceptionally malicious, capable of inflicting similar damage on a hacker's brain and body through specially programmed biofeedback.

Hayden swiftly lifted the two-headed Angela and placed her back on his shoulder, extending his staff to point at the wall of the virtual room. Instantly, the outline of a door appeared there, radiating a dazzling white light

It is evident without saying that such brainwashing is absolutely illegal. Not only is it illegal, but it also represents a bizarre technology that Hayden has never encountered before. Although both he and Angela can see that this is clearly developed from the existing dream chip technology, it simultaneously embodies a completely new and terrifying magical technology

Meanwhile, in the material world, Haydn's body suddenly convulsed, and he spat out a mouthful of fresh blood

He turned and stepped through the newly opened door, approaching something that appeared to be a wall. This wall seemed to be composed of rectangles of various sizes, each filled with a swirling cloud of glowing characters, some consisting solely of 0s and 1s, others containing letters and numbers, along with Greek symbols, smiley faces, and other curiosities

What place is this

Come, begin your performance

The remaining text is unbearable for Hayden to look at—oh my, my buddy has married into a family of a company executive, and it turns out his wife actually enjoys playing with young men like this

... ... What! ? ''

Number of visits: 28 times

Welcome, new member Mr. X.

The AI receptionist smiled and said

Then, if similar techniques are used to repeatedly inundate the same person with a large number of dreams, could this shape them into a specific personality

Another security personnel was still advancing towards Hayden, brandishing a spear as he charged. However, this time Hayden finally reacted, quickly retreating just in time to avoid being struck.

Angela asked curiously

This club operates on a membership system, please

Where does an entertainment venue acquire such new technology

Why are they using this technology for spring sales? This is too ridiculous. What is this technology not suitable for?

Where does such audacity come from for an entertainment venue

This is why the starry network host of the Bunraku Club is as luxurious as a palace. The virtual rooms are softly adorned with suede, soft leather, and hanging drapes, while the furniture and accessories are finished with a glossy sheen. The lighting is dim and atmospheric, and the air is infused with a rich aroma of bergamot and vetiver.

The black-haired beauty smiled gently, stood up from the bed, and slowly walked towards Hayden with a catwalk. She extended her flawless, porcelain-like delicate hand towards Hayden, intending to caress his face

It is likely intended to contrast with Angela; this time, Hayden has customized a beautiful woman with black hair, styled in a ponytail. As for her figure, it naturally remains prominent in the front and curvy in the back, dressed in a layer of sheer, gauzy fabric—after all, Hayden indeed has a preference for this. However, these details are not the main focus, as all appearances on StarNet are essentially just textures.

May I ask if you are willing to

VIP: Yes

She turned her head to look at Hayden, who had just reacted, and said: "Master, this woman is using the type of magical crystal chip we found this morning."

Hayden did not waste any more time; he walked directly to the wall and reached in. The contents inside immediately began to swirl around his fingers like a data storm, eventually forming a screen that popped up, displaying rapidly scrolling blue text

Although this entertainment venue is likely a secret facility of a large corporation, in the future, when people talk about this matter, they will only think that Hayden was actually killed by the security system of an entertainment venue

Just as he spoke, the moment arrived swiftly. The surrounding cyberspace suddenly erupted with electric light. Four semi-transparent, three-headed, six-armed fierce men flashed into existence from the void. They were clearly all anti-intrusion security programs, and this time they were armed. One held a spear, another wielded a broadsword, a third carried a tin staff, and the last surprisingly brandished a rope, all wearing expressions of fury

I am astonished, how is this achieved

Hayden is undoubtedly a genuine man; merely seeing these things evokes a sense of retreat and avoidance

However, Hayden and Angela have already crossed the rift, penetrated the shell of the Wenle Club's mainframe, and plunged into the luminous stream of information flowing through the astral network, escaping at the speed of thought

Hayden could only escape while shouting

Where does such audacity come from in an entertainment venue

However, the "ideal service personnel" he just requested is now sitting on the large bed in the room, smiling directly at Hayden

The two-headed Angela was momentarily taken aback, but she quickly leaned in with curiosity, gently poking the black-haired beauty who was convulsing on the ground, and then suddenly realized: "So that's it, I understand now"

Her question is quite strange as well. Hasn't Hayden already created her?

Unfortunately, there is no one here who can answer Hayden's questions

He is, after all, just a third-rate hacker. He possesses first-class mercenary skills in combat magic and can single-handedly take down a drug den of a gang in the material realm; however, his abilities in the astral network are considerably weaker, as he cannot even breach the firewall here

Aren't you angry

The text appears to be incomplete or unclear. Please provide a complete sentence or phrase for translation.

The security procedures have already begun searching for me

Isn't this statement a bit strange

However, in response to Hayden's question, the receptionist AI merely smiled faintly and did not answer

At that moment, the reception AI of the club manifested, displaying a smile reminiscent of a classical statue towards Hayden. This smile was indeed very similar to the smiles of the librarian and Angela in their usual demeanor.

grass

This club offers customized services. In the astral service, you can tailor any personnel according to your needs; even in the material realm, they can manifest any personality you desire

Name: Alicia Clarice Kazmuk Apsara

These directory lists contain a vast array of specific personality profiles stored on this web host. Traits such as tsundere, enthusiastic, aloof, sadistic, masochistic, flirtatious, cheerful, naive, shy, or shameless are all categorized and arranged here. Guests can simply imprint these personality profiles into the minds of the escorts through brainwashing—snap!

Why not try customizing a female?

However, before Hayden could figure out how to inquire in detail, the receptionist AI had already opened a menu in front of him. The menu was filled with various physical options, including gender, skin color, height, and measurements, allowing for customization in a manner similar to character creation in a game. Since this was a virtual space on the internet, it was not surprising.

A hacker may be able to fend off several security programs, but the network host can always deploy more, so the outcome of such a war of attrition is inevitable

Master, will you not retaliate

Without any warning, they directed various weapons towards Haideng!

Madam, this is a fine place

Average consumption duration: 71 minutes

Meanwhile, the black-haired beauty collapsed to the ground with a thud, her mouth twitching open and closed like a tuna washed ashore, producing a strange sound of "tang tang tang tang tang tang".

She jumped out and brushed against the delicate hand of the black-haired beauty

I have a foreboding feeling. Let us settle this quickly

Heaven have mercy. Hayden previously thought that Angela, this artificial intelligence, had caused trouble for that prostitute, but now it seems that her erratic behavior is not entirely a bad thing

He was a muscular man with three heads and six arms, sporting a dark blue-black face with three mouths that bore fangs, unclothed, and his expression appeared quite fierce.

The large knife grazed his back, the spear passed through his hair, and the rope nearly ensnared his neck. Hayden did not dare to look back, only resented his parents for not having given him two more legs, as he hurriedly sprinted past one data door after another, with the security programs relentlessly pursuing him from behind

Fortunately, this mediocre hacker knows many people. Realizing that his skills are lacking, he simply puts away his staff and no longer embarrasses himself; instead, he takes out a new gadget. This integrated hacking tool program was purchased from a top-tier hacker he had previously collaborated with, and in the star network, it appears like a blood-red sword.

As Angela mentioned, this is precisely the dream chip they saw this morning in the toxic kiln, or at least some kind of bizarre and malevolent object similar to a dream chip

Moreover, why did this new technology suddenly malfunction at the moment it encountered Angela

However, to say that he has no curiosity about the matters here would clearly be a lie

The security measures cannot eliminate everything

Before Angela could issue a warning to Hayden, he had already reacted. He swung his sword towards the translucent six-armed fierce man, and the tip of the sword released a red lightning bolt that pierced into its chest, knocking it down with a single strike. The moment it fell to the ground, the figure flickered and then vanished.

At this moment, the two-headed Angela, standing on Hayden's shoulders, was also wagging her tail and urging on

Hayden took off running

This has certainly piqued Hayden's curiosity

Before Hayden could recover from the shock in the network, Angela noticed another security program flashing to life right behind them

Hayden stared at the rapidly approaching large blade, realizing that his time was drawing near

Incredible events unfolded immediately, as an invisible wind seized the three-headed, six-armed, green-faced, tusked program and violently hurled it into the air. Before it could regain its composure, a second gust struck it, sending the security program flying directly to the other end of the corridor

However, only Hayden, who had spent a day closely interacting with Angela, could notice that Angela's emotional expressions were indeed somewhat different from those of the normal AIs

Hayden could not help but curse

What is truly strange is the large array of chaotic personality options at the end—such as tsundere, passionate, aloof, sadistic, masochistic, flirtatious, cheerful, naive, shy or shameless, active or passive, as well as various sexual preferences. This is what really opened Hayden's eyes.

To be honest, if Hayden were to force his way into this Bunraku club from the material world today, he might find it relatively easy to succeed

There is no physical connection between the material world and the star network, and each user can log into the star network from anywhere in the world to access network hosts in any location

He reached out and quickly checked a few boxes on the menu, then pressed the confirm button. The receptionist AI immediately smiled and sent out the customized order. Before long, it guided Hayden to a separate virtual room

She slightly parted her crimson lips, ready to utter enchanting words

Thus, Angela took action

At that moment, the short-statured Angela jumped off Hayden's shoulder

The crisis of death always arrives at the most unexpected moments. He is neither one of those truly great hackers, nor is he one of those invincible archmages. He cannot resolve this situation in an instant by himself

Master, behind you

The ideal service personnel you desire has been hotly released

His intrusion has already been detected by the security program of this network host

The two-headed figure stood on Hayden's shoulder, extending her hand to point at the security program that had just appeared behind her.

To be honest, the decor of this room is quite peculiar. As soon as he walked in, Hayden saw a gigantic shell-shaped Venus bathtub, filled with rose petals. The large bed, spacious enough for three people, emitted a lascivious pink glow. Soft music wafted through the room, with deep bass and captivating drumbeats, accompanied by the delicate voice of a woman.

He asked somewhat sheepishly

Hayden withdrew one hand from the wall and inserted it into another brick, more text flashed before his eyes, this time in green, arranged in a directory list. He withdrew his other hand and slapped it on another brick, which displayed another directory list.

Dream chips, as the name suggests, allow anyone who attaches them to experience a specific and *illustrative* dream. In the dream, you can experience a false life, be anyone, and undergo any events predetermined by the chip, literally living in a dream.

Is this entertainment venue truly a secret facility of a large company disguised as an entertainment venue?

Three security programs were quickly closing in on Hayden. He swung his red sword once more, and two bolts of lightning shot out, striking two of the programs, which dissipated and collapsed into cubes. However, the last one approached fearlessly, swinging a metal staff towards Hayden. He tried to dodge, but it was not fast enough. The head of the staff struck his head, and the world instantly turned dark, a searing pain exploding within him

A hacker fundamentally cannot win a war of attrition against a company

Join Date: December 2099

He does not like this kind of place and has never been here. In fact, men take the act of intimacy quite seriously

Several questions flashed through Hayden's mind like lightning, but now was not the time to waste. The security protocols of this club had not yet detected anything amiss, but since the prostitute had already passed out, the server would eventually notice the error. Hayden was not here just for fun today—he still needed to retrieve the data to report back and get paid.

The surroundings changed instantly, as this place was no longer designated for guests, but rather a corridor lined with doors on both sides. The walls, ceiling, and floor were all gray, resembling a genuine office building corridor, except that those "doors" were actually flickering barriers

Was Hayden merely stunned? He quickly stepped forward, bending down to lightly touch the strange prostitute convulsing on the ground with the staff in his hand, extracting various data packets from her networked form. Ten seconds later, gazing at the decoded information, Hayden was filled with great alarm.

However, for those companies providing services, this is actually a good thing. For example, brothels—or some more upscale establishments, which you might refer to as clubs—can offer services to clients from all over the world. Patrons can enjoy services in real-time through virtual visits without leaving their homes. This experience is not inferior to that of physical presence; it may even be better.

This is not as easy and simple as it appears. Hayden is merely wielding the tool program sold to him by an expert, without any understanding of how the code of this program actually operates. This is somewhat shameful; he usually does not like to operate this way, but there is no time to worry about that now

In simple terms, it is quite straightforward—the astral network is ultimately a world constructed of the mind, so all the physical representations here are merely "textures" symbolizing mental concepts. Hayden's current actions are essentially bypassing the normal legal steps and intruding into the backend of the club's network by passing through walls

This is not the death he desires

In that moment, Hayden could not help but hold his breath

What is Hayden waiting for?

Upon hearing Angela's warning, Hayden quickly turned to look in that direction, only to see the three-headed, six-armed security program raising a large blade, striking down towards his head

Time seems to have stopped at this moment

Just as it was said, it happened swiftly

Before the AI receptionist could finish speaking, Hayden extended his staff and lightly prodded it. A red magical mark was immediately imprinted on the AI stage member with his action, resembling a rubber stamp bearing the word "Approved".

Now, let us return to the previous questions

This is the reality of the online world. Of course, the major companies in the material world are quite similar. Life is inherently unfair. Gaining access to certain places does not require overpowering the security—such tales belong to legends, not to real life—but rather, it is essential to remain unseen from the very beginning. Once security, any form of security, knows where you are, you can never expect to emerge victorious in a direct confrontation.

Thus, Hayden extended his hand to her, eagerly anticipating what this "professional service personnel" could possibly perform

Taking advantage of a lapse in the security protocol, he forcefully thrust the sword program into what appeared to be a wall—specifically, the end of the corridor. A crack immediately appeared.

damn

Then, in the next moment, the outline of the door vanished, and the wall remained as solid as before, with nothing on it.

Hayden answered while hurriedly crossing the corridor, passing one door after another. Finally, he arrived at a door marked with a large lock icon. He raised the blood-red sword program and similarly cleaved the "lock" of this door. It instantly disintegrated into pixels, and the door opened with a click.

I can't believe it, he is actually going to be killed by the security procedures of an entertainment venue!

What kind of place is this entertainment club

However, these items are merely things that Hayden needs to replicate and take back for reporting purposes. What he is truly interested in now are the other things within this club, those that are hidden even deeper.

Preferences: Young males, BDSM, dominant role, using flames to burn males

Therefore, he must dig deeper

An increasing number of security programs are beginning to emerge from the walls of the corridor, and this time they are all holding ropes, seemingly intending to capture the intruder alive

However, Hayden did not show any signs of pride or joy; instead, he frowned.

The things he found in here left his face ashen.

Welcome to the Wenle Club

Master

What on earth? What is going on

This is the document server for storing information for the club

As Hayden stepped into the hall of the network host, he immediately detected the extremely addictive virtual aroma, and promptly frowned as he shut off his sense of smell

The two-headed Angela tightly grasped Hayden's shoulder, asking in confusion

Without needing to say anything, Hayden was immediately stunned.

At the moment Angela encountered the dark-haired beauty, Hayden seemed to feel a gust of wind sweep through the virtual room. An invisible, unwarranted, and spine-chilling cold wind struck him, leaving him feeling as if he had been hit by a jolt of icy electricity

Where does an entertainment venue acquire such new technology

As if to prove his words, he turned back and swung his sword, unleashing a crimson flash of lightning that pierced the forehead of the security program wielding a large knife. It staggered back a few steps, transforming into pixels and shattered graphics—then in the next moment, two new three-headed, six-armed security programs emerged from the walls of the corridor, each holding a large knife.

He aimed his sword at the wall of the virtual room and slashed downwards, from the ceiling to the floor. As the blade cut through the wall, it emitted a hissing sound, astonishingly causing the wall to part like a curtain.