Civilization had moved beyond relying on menial human labor. Robots and AI were everywhere within this Stellar System, responsible for meeting the material needs of the entire population.
Most of civilization's foundations were managed by AI. They possessed the finest logic and algorithms, were not swayed by emotion, and required only sufficient electricity and computing power. They operated the cities' basic equipment and infrastructure, including smart flying cars, water and power supplies, rescue services, maintenance, and support.
AI ensured the transfer and supply of all civilization's basic resources.
Freed from menial labor, the population began pursuing spiritual fulfillment-or, in everyday terms, keeping themselves from getting bored.
They engaged in all kinds of research and creative work, enriching the inner life of their entire civilization.
But beneath that prosperity lay a fatal weakness. Even though the Crystal Civilization minimized its use of AI as much as possible, AI was simply far superior to living beings. Every piece of equipment under its control ran as smoothly as flowing water.
Nagus swept his gaze over the surrounding walls, the males of his kind, and the service robots. He would soon come of age and be able to unwind properly in the adult district instead of staying in this "kindergarten," where even the men looked delicate and pretty to him.
This planet had been developed relatively recently and had a population of eighteen billion. Aside from a few cities on the surface, most people lived in the Underground City.
Everyone loved the online world. Without leaving home, they could travel across countless mountains and rivers or enter other virtual worlds.
There, reality and illusion were indistinguishable, to the point that people had to answer a series of questions both when logging in and when logging out.
And the Data World had neither laws nor