Malfunctioning Utopia

Chapter 67: Xiao Ting%

Sitting in the subway, Sun Jack stared at the massive ghostly figure before him. Tentatively, he asked, “Xiao Ting%?”

The ghost floated silently, its gaze unwavering. Sun Jack realized it might only respond to specific memory-related keywords. With this in mind, he spoke again, “I’m here to find Xiao Ting%. I’d like to make a deal about memories—the price is negotiable.”

As if triggered, the enormous ghost swiftly shrank into a chibi cartoon version of itself. It floated around Sun Jack’s head and chirped, “Hi there! I’m Ghost 3! Hahaha! User 1931 left me here to handle things for them. Just tell me what you need.”

Despite its fluent speech, Sun Jack quickly discerned it wasn’t human—it was an AI, and a rudimentary one at that.

“Wait, I’ve seen this cartoon character on a billboard somewhere…” Sun Jack muttered, initiating a rapid system search. The results led to a defunct company. The firm had specialized in intelligent products and developed a unique AI capable of adapting to user habits, assisting with learning, combat, and even stock trading. The AI learned through constant observation, handling repetitive tasks for the user.

Clever, Sun Jack thought. To avoid being traced, Xiao Ting% had opted for offline operations, relying solely on a support AI to communicate with clients.

Considering his next steps, Sun Jack kept his request simple. “I want to know if my memories have been edited, how much of them are real, and how much is fake.”

Ghost 3 spun a few times before sticking out its tongue in a cheeky gesture. “Central Zone, Building 145, Unit 2314.”

“Central Zone, Building 145, Unit 2314,” he repeated, inputting the address into his navigation software.

After switching through several subway lines, Sun Jack and his companions headed toward the Central Zone. Despite having been in the Metropolis for a while, Sun Jack had never ventured to this area before.Nôv(el)B\\jnn

At the Central Zone subway exit, they were greeted by a light-screen barrier. A message appeared: “Kind reminder: Access restricted to individuals with a minimum balance of 100@.”

“Are you kidding me? It’s this blatant?” Sun Jack muttered. He experimentally reached a hand toward the barrier. Instantly, a panel above them opened, revealing several heavy automated turrets. Red targeting lasers locked onto the heads and torsos of all three.

It wasn’t an empty threat—if they crossed the line, those turrets would fire.

Retracting his hand, Sun Jack watched as the weapons withdrew, and another message appeared on the barrier: “Blue Sky Travel Agency welcomes you! Central Zone day tours available for just 2@ per group of three. Includes photo editing services for sharing your experience with friends!”

This place would charge for anything, Sun Jack thought, annoyed. But he needed answers, so he paid the fee. The barrier opened, and a floating platform rose beneath them, propelling them out of the station like an elevator.

Emerging into the Central Zone, Sun Jack was awestruck. Surrounding them were sleek skyscrapers designed with intersecting lines and illuminated in shades of purple and blue. Unlike the chaotic outskirts, everything here was orderly, with interconnected holographic ads and even greenery—a rarity. Although the plants were encased in glass to protect them from acid rain, they were unmistakably real.

Overhead, hover vehicles emblazoned with the BCPD logo cruised by occasionally, marking this area as an unmistakable haven for the wealthy.

“Does this person really live here?” Sun Jack wondered, checking his balance of 9.9212@. He hoped the memory check wouldn’t cost too much.

Determined to proceed, Sun Jack led AA and Tapai toward the destination. Along the way, AA gawked at their surroundings like a child visiting a theme park for the first time.

“Boss! What’s that?” AA asked, pointing at a colossal, ivory-colored structure in the distance. Towering over everything else, the building was thicker and taller than the surrounding skyscrapers, its massive body piercing the dark clouds above.

A quick scan identified it as “The Grail,” though its purpose remained unclear.

“No idea. Maybe a corporate HQ,” Sun Jack replied absentmindedly. He was too focused on his impending meeting with Xiao Ting%.

After nearly two hours of travel, they arrived at Building 145, Unit 2314, which turned out to be a parking space in a multi-level garage. Cars were neatly stacked like a museum exhibit of vehicles.

In the midst of the rows of cars was a black truck hauling a massive shipping container—Sun Jack’s destination.

The size of the container brought Father’s warning to mind. This person was dangerous. “Prepare your weapons. If anything feels wrong, we’re leaving immediately,” Sun Jack instructed.

After checking their gear, Sun Jack took a deep breath and knocked on the container. The rear door creaked open, revealing an interior filled with precision electronic equipment, tangled cables, and glowing fiber optics.

What caught Sun Jack’s attention most, however, were the brains. Suspended in liquid-filled tanks, dozens—possibly hundreds—of human brains were stacked like inventory. Wires and data cables extended from the bases, indicating the brains were still alive.

Sun Jack’s scalp tingled at the sight. Human consciousness stored and traded like merchandise. This wasn’t just one or two victims—there were at least a hundred.

Hearing footsteps, Sun Jack tensed and turned toward the sound. At last, he saw the person he had come for: Xiao Ting%.

Her body resembled a sultry woman clad in revealing black-and-red leather, but she had no head. With a hiss, a projection flickered to life, displaying a short-haired, anime-style girl’s head above the body.