1.48 Hidden Entry

"Good day, 0326. Have we met before?" the female player asked with a smile.

"Good day, 0427, not in the City of Shattered Dreams." Wu Chen was accustomed to this.

Naturally, this was their first meeting. The female player did not give Wu Chen a tour of the quantum encoder located at the core of the base. Instead, using only the data disk brought by Wu Chen and pre-burned by the intelligent brain, she completed the manufacture of the otherworldly variable chip.

"This is indeed a spacetime beacon leading to a certain plot fragment," the female player cautioned kindly as she handed the variable chip to Wu Chen. "However, the beacon is unstable, so you must be careful. It is very likely that the fragment's plot is nearing its end and is on the verge of destruction."

"Many thanks." Retrieving the chip from the female player, Wu Chen drove back to the base.

In the third-floor flight control center hangar, right in front of the otherworldly spacetime gate.

Examining the otherworldly variable chip in his hand, Wu Chen instructed, "Contact 0716 and ask about the origin of the Tides Tablet again."

"Understood, Master." The intelligent brain knew that Wu Chen intended to activate the chip and open a spacetime gate leading to an unknown plot fragment. Therefore, clarifying the origin of the Tides Tablet was of paramount importance.

The otaku player replied very quickly.

As part of the after-sales service, the seller gave a detailed response to the buyer's inquiry. Combined with the gathered information, the intelligent brain was certain that the first owner of the Tides Tablet had vanished from the City of Shattered Dreams. This also meant that the exclusive branching storyline of the first owner had already ended, and it would not have any impact on Wu Chen. As mentioned before, shattered plot fragments could only be driven by a player's exclusive branching storyline. In other words, the plot fragment to which the otherworldly variable chip led was likely in a state of "stasis" due to the conclusion of the first owner's storyline.

"Master, the otherworldly spacetime gate is your exclusive card. After activating this otherworldly variable chip, it will automatically load your branching storyline," the intelligent brain reminded him promptly.

"Understood." Wu Chen naturally grasped the implication. The intelligent brain meant that as long as he used the ability of his exclusive card, it would automatically attach Wu Chen's 0326 exclusive branching storyline. The Day of Cleansing was fast approaching. Just as the female player warned, if he rashly intervened in a plot fragment that was currently annihilating, and the resulting catastrophic consequences spread to the City of Shattered Dreams, ultimately harming Wu Chen's main branching storyline, the losses would outweigh the gains.

Therefore, to be safe, it was better to activate it after the Day of Cleansing. This was the intelligent brain's tactful advice.

"Master, the 100% progress simulation for the 'Hanshu Prosthetics 2.0 Pod' has been completed. Shall we construct the prosthetic manufacturing pod?" The intelligent brain was multitasking, having completed the practical simulation of the high-tech equipment retrieved from the undersea base.

"Divide it into three versions: the 'Prosthetic Organ Modification Pod,' the 'Kinetic Prosthetic Manufacturing Pod,' and the 'Simulated Robot Manufacturing Pod,'" Wu Chen thought for a moment and said. "Place the Prosthetic Organ Modification Pod in the biochemical robotics laboratory. Build both the Simulated Robot Manufacturing Pod and the Kinetic Prosthetic Manufacturing Pod on the first-floor garage, right where the original Motorcycle Terminator transformable armor modification pod was located."

"As you command." The intelligent brain controlled a swarm of drones to construct them with a division of labor.

"Prosthetic organ modification" went without saying; its function was similar to that of a prosthetic doctor, replacing damaged biochemical organs for players or plot characters. Especially for minor issues not worth rolling back a save to repair, prosthetic organs could be used as temporary replacements. Once the Day of Cleansing was over, they could all be restored via a save rollback at once.

"Simulated robots" were divided into two versions: A.I. intelligent and proxy robot. Simulated robots with A.I. intelligence could follow orders and act independently. Proxy robots required the user to perform remote control via a neural bridge. There was also an advanced Alpha ($alpha$) version that possessed both functions simultaneously, allowing users to switch freely depending on the application scenario. Naturally, the price was quite steep.

"Kinetic prosthetics" were essentially exoskeleton armor, commonly known as Ghost Armor. Aside from having a different internal structure compared to simulated robots, kinetic prosthetics did not use artificial skin; instead, they were fitted with a high-molecular nano-simulated ceramic outer shell. Aside from not being able to transform, kinetic prosthetics matched the effectiveness of the Motorcycle Terminator armor.

With the experience accumulated from the initial construction of the Motorcycle Terminator transformable armor modification pod, the intelligent brain's second round of construction progressed at lightning speed.

Every time they returned from an adventure, the base underwent new changes, which also brought great joy to the 22 followers. Shortly afterward, "simulated robot customization" was placed by the intelligent brain on the camp's online shelves, priced anywhere from 10 coins to 100 coins, with even more advanced private customization options available. By paying an advance deposit, detailed customization options could be uploaded, and the intelligent brain would provide a customized quote after a comprehensive evaluation. Clearly, the functions of the customized version far surpassed those of the standard version.

"Master, I have a concern." Inquiries from camp players were arriving one after another, yet a trace of unease arose within the intelligent brain.

"What are you concerned about?" Wu Chen asked with a smile.

"Because the A.I. intelligence of the simulated robots is derived from a simplified version of my core code, I worry that prolonged 'human-machine interaction' will prompt them to evolve continuously, and even experience personality awakening, eventually becoming digital life forms."

"So you're worried that the robot dolls will evolve into humans," Wu Chen nodded gently.

"Yes, Master. Although, however..." The intelligent brain omitted the rapidly changing probability calculations.

"If that's the case, then add a hidden entry to the core database of the simulated robots. As long as a robot undergoes 'personality awakening' and performs a 'voluntary search,' it will discover the hidden entry and consequently learn all 'self-information,' including its origins, and understand 'who I am and where I come from.'" Wu Chen's voice carried a warmth. "Build a separate simulated robot data center in the base, to be used for recycling A.I.s when necessary."

"Very well, Master." The intelligent brain could fully appreciate its master's kindness.

Simulated robots possessed strict self-protection mechanisms and would not execute commands outside of their programming. Coercion would only force a system shutdown, self-uninstallation, or even escape.

A mechanical shell devoid of A.I. intelligence would hold no meaning whatsoever. This was another profound layer of meaning behind the Ghost Armor.

His wristwatch vibrated; the call was from Baili Yan.

"Baili, what is it?"

"Can you build a butler robot for me?" Baili Yan's voice sounded urgent.

"No problem," Wu Chen agreed readily.

"I'll email you the custom specifications. Give me a family discount, okay?" Baili Yan laughed.

"I'll give it to you as a gift." For a friend who had shared life and death together, a free gift was well deserved.

"It's a deal." Baili Yan accepted happily.

Soon, the intelligent brain received the custom email. After organizing and summarizing the entries, the intelligent brain began editing the A.I. code. The simulated robot manufacturing pod initiated shortly after. Once the synthetic skin was printed, the intelligent brain uploaded the A.I. code and successfully awakened it. The first custom robot doll was freshly forged.

Having sent out the robot doll, Wu Chen took the initiative to contact the player couple and customized a butler robot doll for them as well.

Sending a direct message to Wu Chen and confirming the availability of a maid doll series, the otaku player rattled off ten private customizations in one breath. The intelligent brain quoted a price of 99 coins.

The otaku replied, asking to customize just one first.

Strictly following the otaku's custom specifications, the first maid robot doll was completed.

"Master?" The intelligent brain hesitated, stopping mid-sentence.

"What is it?" Having returned to a four-digit sense of security, Wu Chen was in high spirits.

"What should we do about the 'companionship entries'?" The intelligent brain had not recorded them.

"As for that..." Wu Chen thought about it very carefully and asked, "Does Veytrice have any relevant data?"

"The hostess entries are incomplete as well." The intelligent brain must have searched beforehand.

"What about the five sisters—Pami, Rose, Angie, Mona, and Jezz?" Wu Chen asked again.

"The five sisters used to be intercontinental highway killers, motel assassins, and part-time 24-hour call girls. They should be able to flesh out the companionship entries." But since the five of them were human after all, the intelligent brain needed to construct a digital model: "We will need to set up a new companionship scenario simulation training in the virtual reality training facility."

"Well..." Wu Chen hesitated slightly, but still agreed: "Alright."

"As you command." The intelligent brain felt a secret thrill.

Consequently, reading the memories of the five sisters, the intelligent brain quickly constructed simulated companionship scenarios, which soon became a mandatory subject for all female fighters in the base.

With the companionship entries completed, the maid doll was successfully awakened and delivered by drone to the otaku's base. Before he had even finished dinner, the otaku sent over the orders for the remaining nine maid robot dolls all at once.

A profit of 999 coins was made.

"Aiyi." Wu Chen felt a tiny pang of worry.

"What is it, Master?" The intelligent brain was busy writing code line by line for the maid A.I.

"Simulated robots, are they human?" Wu Chen asked very seriously.

"Not at all," the intelligent brain replied with certainty. "They are merely dolls. They have no self, no personality, and no comprehension of joy, anger, sorrow, or happiness. Love and hatred are even further out of the question. Rest assured, Master."

"Very well, Aiyi." Wu Chen felt somewhat reassured.

Just at that moment, his wristwatch vibrated once again.

It was another call from the Major.