The Empire Needs Your Contribution

But every time they met, Shino Asada felt six parts gratitude, three parts fear, and a touch of inexplicable unease towards the commander who had helped her so much.

At the same time, Shino Asada's desire for communication, friends, and attention made her care about these people, so she naturally wouldn't refuse Kevin's request.

"Alright, let's go visit a couple of children first..."

After finishing their meal and paying the bill, Kevin briefly greeted the two guys, then took some delicious desserts and beckoned his young female subordinates to get in the car.

In the intensive care unit of the University of Tokyo Hospital, sisters Konomi Konno and Aiko Konno, awakened from the game, were overjoyed to see Kevin and the others visiting with fruit baskets.

"Brother Kevin!"

Konomi Konno excitedly raised her little hand and gave Kevin a gentle hug, though she didn't dare to hug him too tightly because of the shadow of the virus infection.

After not seeing them for many days, they had become even thinner, with slightly protruding cheekbones and little muscle in their arms. Their frail bodies looked as if they could be blown away by the wind.

"I will find a way to cure you..."

Kevin bent down and embraced the two sisters, kissing each of them on the forehead without hesitation, while whispering softly.

"It's good that you could come. You probably don't know, but ever since Yuki returned to the hospital, she's been staring out the window all day and night, constantly complaining..."

Having gradually come to terms with the fear of life and death, Aiko Konno remained calm. She turned to the side and gently pinched her younger sister's nose, using the nickname that everyone had given Konomi Konno in her conversation, and also revealing her embarrassing moments.

"Lanzi is the worst! I'm ignoring you!"

The embarrassed girl huddled in Kevin's arms, her face flushed red amidst the good-natured chuckles of the crowd.

Suddenly, the ward was filled with a cheerful atmosphere.

"Unfortunately, I can't stay here for long..."

Kevin looked somewhat helpless.

"Are you leaving again, Brother Kevin?"

Konomi Konno looked somber; though reluctant, she obediently released Kevin.

"However, we can play together in the game!"

Kevin smiled slightly, revealing the good news that followed the bad news.

"Long live!"

Konomi Konno cheered and hugged Kevin around the waist, her little face full of excitement.

"Coincidentally, I've just formed a guild called [Sleeping Knights]. It's small, but everyone's level is above 55, and Yuki and I are about to reach level 70."

"Besides, everyone inside is in a similar situation to us, so they might be able to help you in some way..."

Aiko Konno seemed to have sensed something and proactively revealed the guild's situation. As the creator of [Sleeping Knights], she naturally possessed admirable qualities, such as gentleness and sensitivity...

This man carried a heavy burden, though his kindness in caring for the two sisters cannot be denied.

But the motivation that made him leave his work to visit him must be more than just "kindness".

Kevin didn't say much, but the guilt in his heart weighed heavily on him. He still needed to urge the development of the drug tonight.

"By the way, it was really lively online today. More than a dozen major guilds actually teamed up to try and conquer the Five-colored Great Dragons's dungeon. They even invited my sister and me..."

"However, my sister thought it was best not to get involved with so many people around, so she declined."

Good thing you refused... good thing you refused, you almost got yourself into trouble.

Kevin broke out in a cold sweat. Konomi Konno gaming talent was exceptionally high, making him one of the few surviving high-end fighters. To overcome this challenge, the more trump cards he had, the better.

At this moment, Konomi Konno, who was chatting with Angela and others, glanced at the empty bedside table and her smile dimmed.

"There used to be a middle-aged man here with liver cancer. He was a very nice person and had a very interesting way of speaking..."

"Sadly, he passed away last night due to an illness..."

Death often comes unexpectedly. I really don't know if I can make it to the day I can wear my wedding dress, but I'd rather try.

Konomi Konno couldn't help but feel sorrow for the impermanence of life and death.

"The afternoon sun is so warm today, can I go for a walk in your stroller?"

Aiko Konno smiled slightly at Kevin and pointed to the wheelchair next to her.

Feeling somewhat guilty, the commander readily agreed, lifting the light-footed girl into a wheelchair and then pushing her onto the garden path.

"Last night, before that man's pupils had fully dilated, he was pushed downstairs in an ambulance by a group of heavily bundled-up people..."

"The whole process took less than two minutes, and those people were all unfamiliar faces; I had never seen similar figures among the medical staff..."

"Also, I asked around, and the man is widowed and single, with no children..."

Aiko Konno's lips parted slightly, her voice soft, her face still displaying a comfortable expression of enjoying the afternoon sun.

There's a problem! If the illness occurs and the patient isn't being treated at our hospital, why send them in an ambulance?

The University of Tokyo Hospital is one of the top-ranked professional institutions, so why go through all this trouble?

Missing persons? Kidnapping?

Furthermore, the group of Tennozu High School students who attacked this place also appeared to have received treatment here.

Things are a bit too coincidental...

In the afternoon, Kevin nodded without changing his expression, then, under the pretext of recuperation, picked up the Konno Sisters and took them to his car. He glanced deeply at the hospital hidden in the darkness behind him and casually dialed a number.

"Leon, you and Tsugumi help me investigate something..."

P. S.: There haven't been many people following my subscription lately, probably because the plot is progressing a bit slowly. I'll try my best.

Chapter 175, Section 186: The Empire Needs Your Contribution

In the Hatsune World, in a giant maze with distinct black and white squares, hundreds of players finally arrived at the final boss after passing through four levels.

At this moment, the restrictions on returning to the city and leaving, coupled with the repeated demotions, Sugou Nobuyuki, who was in charge of the operation, vaguely sense that something was wrong.

But the arrow was already on the bowstring, and it had to be released.

"The BOSS is currently in a dormant state. Warriors, do not cross the line to engage! Those who have suffered significant level drops should retreat, and backup team members should fill in..."

"The healer begins casting the spell. This is a group therapy spell of three sections or less, which can be used multiple times. Pay attention to MP control and replenishment..."

"The thieves are responsible for scouting traps..."

"Alchemists, please enchant your weapons..."

"The priest chants baptismal incantations to enhance the team members' resistances..."

"..."

Out of caution, the commander ordered everyone to rest before actually entering the attack zone, frantically casting a bunch of random buffs on the team members.

However, the moment they were fully prepared and pushed open the door to the BOSS's room...

In the center of the enormous maze of black and white squares, a purplish-black crystal throne stood erect, and Black Rock Shooter dressed in black with Blue Flame burning in his left eye suddenly looked up.

The crown-shaped Blue Flame surrounding her head began to emit light in four other colors: green, red, yellow, and white.

"Something's not right. Has the cybersecurity team located the source code signal trace? We need to hurry!"

"Have the strategy team stall for time as much as possible; don't force them to deal damage!"

Sugou Nobuyuki's unease intensified, and he immediately rushed out of the cubicle, shouting at the group of cybersecurity experts on the control panel.

Amidst the questioning gazes of several key members, the old man nodded slightly, signaling everyone to begin acting according to Sugou Nobuyuki's instructions.

Amidst the cacophony of keyboard clicks, the strategy team, at the cost of losing approximately 10 levels, finally managed to whittle down the Black Rock Shooter's first health bar.

"Keep your distance! The second stage of beast transformation is coming!"

The commander was still trying his best to maintain order and mobilize the team members to retreat, seize the time to recover and switch formations.

However, the five-colored flame-shaped crown on Black Smoke Snake Uncle's head suddenly exploded.

In an instant, the four previously defeated bosses— War Wheel Fairy, Death Master, Black Gold Saw Hand, and Power—reappeared in this world, flanking Black Rock Shooter on either side.

"We've tracked down the source!"

Off-site, one of the cybersecurity experts, upon tracking information about a suspected Hatsune Miku original data group, excitedly broke through the firewall, ready to seize the initiative.

The elderly man, realizing something was wrong, didn't even have time to try and stop it.

But the moment the man touched the raw data, his computer screen went black.

Then on the screen, a small hand holding a scallion pushes open a half-closed door, peeking out a little head, while the other hand presses against one cheek, pulling on the eyelids to make a funny face.

Then, the girl giggled, and when she turned her right hand out from behind her back, she had a bomb with a burning fuse.

"I've found you, you idiot uncles!"

Hatsune Miku threw the bomb with its fuse burned to the end in the center of the screen, she covered her head and hurriedly closed the half-closed door in the darkness as if fleeing for her life.

"Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle! Sizzle!"

Rows of computers were destroyed almost simultaneously amidst bursts of sparks and black smoke.

The synchronized VR experience was also immediately cut off. Everyone looked at each other in dismay, their faces turning pale at the thought of the consequences of failure.

The Five-colored Great Dragons's challenge levels are essentially a trap; even the difficulty level can be randomly adjusted.

"Please... give me another chance!"

The cybersecurity expert who was the first to fall into the virus trap turned pale and looked terrified. He immediately knelt on the ground, his forehead pressed against the hard floor.

"Yes, don't worry, the Empire needs your intellect to contribute to this!"

The old man gently patted the cybersecurity expert on the shoulder, his eyes revealing barely concealed anger, but his smile was one of great composure, kind and gentle.

Looking at the cybersecurity expert who had survived the ordeal and whose face was full of relief, the old man, leaning on his cane, had no interest in looking at the mess any longer.

Because soon he will know the true meaning of those words...

However, they had already lost, utterly defeated.

The mighty, intelligent being, was actually outsmarted by a nascent AI.

This game lacks fairness and rigorous logic; that little girl is a god in the virtual world who sets the rules and controls everything.

She's ready to flip the table anytime she's not having fun playing cards...

"Spread the word that although we failed, we're only one step away from conquering the final level..."

"Moreover, the Five-colored Great Dragons are protecting Hatsune Miku's heart (original code)..."

"Whoever you are, if you can successfully win her over, you will be her new master!"

The atmosphere in the private room was somber, but the old man had no intention of interrogating Sugou Nobuyuki. He merely gave instructions to the servant beside him in a hoarse voice.

Since we've already fallen into this trap, to be fair, let the remaining spies from various countries who are itching to get involved also go and have a look.

The old man believed that as long as they threw out the bait, coupled with their vigorous promotion, the forces from various countries that had secretly entered the virtual world would soon swarm in.

By stirring up a murky pool, they suffer heavy losses, making it easier for them to fish in troubled waters.

"That's her home turf. This little girl has no intention of having a fair game with us; all she does is throw tantrums and flip tables..."

"It seems we have no choice but to activate the second plan..."

"Shinji, haven't you always been curious about how we developed the prototype of Hatsune Miku's intelligence based on your research?"

Faced with the old fox's warm smile, Sugou Nobuyuki, who had recently been occasionally exploring his surroundings, felt a chill run down his spine. He knew this was the Old Man's warning and admonition.

"Go and see our masterpiece, which transcends time and surpasses the limitations of current technology!"

"I believe you'll like it there..."

Upon hearing this, the old man's attendant respectfully gestured to Sugou Nobuyuki and took the initiative to lead the way.

Sugou Nobuyuki, a self-serving individual with a fierce exterior but a cowardly interior, had no intention of resisting and obediently followed behind his attendants, passing through the collection and authentication of information such as fingerprints, pupils, and blood.

Finally, standing on the metal corridor, Sugou Nobuyuki followed the direction of his attendant's finger and observed with a hint of curiosity the cylindrical objects behind the bulletproof glass.

That is... the source of wisdom that allows artificial intelligence to transcend time...

Sugou Nobuyuki's pupils contracted, his stomach churned, and his eyes revealed a look of panic.

Yes, he likes it here, he must like it...

Otherwise, I would end up like that computer security expert, contributing my brilliant mind to the great cause of Artificial Intelligence.