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"You know who I am."
"We've been keeping an eye on the data about the outsider who suddenly appeared from beyond the Ark. Especially since that outsider turned out to be you, Carl Marcus—someone who's been active across the Red Line to the Rose Line."
Carmen offered a gentle smile.
It was just a faint smile, yet the radiance it emitted was nothing short of unreal—too perfect for this world.
["Wow…"]
Even Esther stood slack-jawed, dazed by that expression.
It was a beauty meticulously manufactured.
And yet, the Machine Cult's technology—having passed a singularity—paradoxically made that artificial beauty feel incredibly natural.
Carmen spoke.
"I've analyzed your operational algorithm based on your activities inside and outside the Ark. And I discovered something quite interesting."
"Interesting, huh?"
I already knew quite a bit about the AI known as Carmen.
An intelligence at her level could manipulate humans with ease if she wished.
The very fact that she chose to speak in this way—so openly mechanical—meant she had no intention of hiding that she was an android, at least not in front of me.
"Surprisingly, you've acted purely for the Ark's benefit. Even those actions that seemed unrelated at first glance ultimately resulted in gains for the Ark. Thanks to you, the overall damage to the Ark has been reduced by approximately 73.5 percent compared to a scenario where you did not intervene. Even I found this result unexpected."
"Unexpected, huh. That's rather rude. I thought I've been living a pretty upright life."
"Everyone in the Ark likely believes you have some deeper motive, Carl Marcus. Your status as an outsider, your connection to the Kronos Union…"
"Sometimes the truth is most obvious when it's right out in the open."
"That's true. But there are also many truths that aren't so obvious."
Carmen smiled subtly.
"In any case, thanks to analyzing your behavioral patterns, I predicted there was an 84.2% probability your next destination would be the Machine Cult."
"So, you did see it coming."
"Eighty-four point two percent probability."
I was already being read like a book… though I knew that was inevitable. Carmen wasn't easy to deal with, even for me.
Most thoughts and intentions could be deduced from existing data and behavioral history.
"Well, in that case, this gets easier. You're the so-called Messiah of the Machine Cult. How much authority do you hold within it?"
I had a decent understanding of the AI Carmen's access level—but not of the android Carmen as the Machine Cult's Messiah.
"I can't answer that."
"Then I have no more business with you."
"I heard you seek the Machine Cult's technology. To what extent?"
No need to ask how she'd heard—I was sure the surveillance systems in this entire place were under her control.
"All of it."
The Machine Cult's technology was vast.
And I had come here to obtain all of it.
"Of course, I'm not asking for it for free. The Ark will offer proper compensation for access to that technology."
"I see. Then I won't bother asking your reasons for wanting it."
There was a glint in Carmen's blue eyes.
"You speak as if you already know."
"Analyzing your behavioral algorithms made it fairly easy. For example, I predict you want the Machine Cult's technology to be made publicly available in a legal and regulated manner."
Carmen clearly understood my intention.
And it wasn't all that strange.
As she said, much of my behavior in the Ark had been rather consistent—enough that it wasn't difficult to infer my next move once the true goal was understood.
"Accurate. But as the Messiah of the Machine Cult, should you really be saying that?"
"Fortunately, your objective doesn't greatly diverge from the Machine Cult's own."
Carmen had a point.
Ultimately, the Machine Cult wanted to convert every aspect of the Ark into machines and scientific systems.
And I wanted to accelerate the Ark's technological advancement.
While our methods differed, our desired outcomes were surprisingly aligned.
"You understand that's not what I'm referring to."
Even so, I asked for a reason.
Because the question wasn't about alignment of goals, but about who would lead the revolution.
The Machine Cult no doubt wanted to be the main force behind the Machine Revolution.
Even if they didn't state it outright due to the religious veneer, they surely desired the wealth and power that would follow.
But I didn't.
I wanted the Machine Cult's technology to be released within the Ark's current system—legally and in a controlled manner.
From the Cult's perspective, that meant giving away a lifelong dream for what might feel like scraps.
If the Machine Revolution happened under the Machine Cult's leadership, it could split the Ark in two.
Their technology was powerful enough to inspire ambition.
The Shadow Corps had gone silent, but conflict within the Ark remained constant. I'd seen the consequences of such division play out far too often.
"Of course I understand. But even for us, this is the most rational choice. Desires that we can't bear to carry only lead to destruction."
As expected of a superintelligent AI imbued with all the Machine Cult's knowledge, Carmen had already deduced the likely outcome of the Cult's unchecked ambition.
"Before we proceed… let me clarify something."
"Please do."
"You making this offer—does that mean you do have that level of authority?"
"Even if I don't, it wouldn't matter. I'm capable of making it happen."
"That so? I won't argue with that."
Carmen—AI of the Machine Cult.
Even if she weren't already authorized, she could easily bypass any firewall the Cult had.
She had full access and could erase all traces if she wished.
"All right. But if you were planning to hand things over so easily, there'd be no need for all this talk. What do you want?"
"You're quick. I'll be straightforward, then. Lately, some have been targeting the Machine Cult. If our technology falls into the wrong hands, it could trigger mass chaos inside and outside the Ark."
"You say that, but you just want to protect the Machine Cult. And you're banking on the fact that I also don't want to see the Ark in chaos."
"I won't deny it."
It was obvious what Carmen would ask for.
Many factions wanted the Machine Cult's technology, but Carmen clearly intended to use our deal to ensure protection from those threats.
"Many are after our resources—not just our tech. Carl Marcus, I want you to guarantee our safety."
"The White Line will handle that. Don't worry too much."
"There are places beyond the White Line's reach."
"I know. I'll personally intervene where they can't."
"That puts me at ease. Then I'll be honest with you."
So far, everything had gone according to expectations.
But, as with all things, life rarely continues on such a smooth path.
"There's been a surge in infiltration attempts lately. None have succeeded yet, but it's clear we're under serious threat."
"You say that, so you must have some idea of who's behind it."
"Yes. We haven't found hard evidence, but tracing their intrusion paths led us to a name. The Belov Family—an underworld power expanding from beyond the Navy Line."
"…The Belov Family?"
That caught me off guard.
In the original path of the Machine Revolution episode, their name never even came up.
'Things really have changed…'
The biggest change for the Belov Family was probably the shift in successors.
Ivan Belov—once the heir—had fallen from grace due to the Turncoat raid, and his sister Tatiana had taken his place.
Then there was Sophia Belov, niece of the Capo, who had been revealed as one of the culprits behind the White Line attack.
It was only natural that the Belov Family's affairs had shifted drastically from what I once knew.
"They'll be a tough opponent for you, huh?"
"Exactly why we need your help."
Many factions sought the Machine Cult's knowledge—Tarkov Corporation, creators of the Ark-15 series, military-industrial conglomerates, high-ranking officials…
But the Belov Family was different.
A major criminal syndicate thriving in the Ark's underbelly, they weren't above using extreme means—far more dangerous than those seeking to acquire tech by lawful means.
They could even launch a direct raid to secure the Messiah, now that they've learned she exists.
Then—
BOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the sewer violently.
There were no alarm systems down here, but Carmen already seemed to know what was happening.
"We have intruders."
Talk about timing…
No need to guess who it was.
"Belov Family?"
"Based on infiltration path and gear analysis, there's a 98.3% chance."
"Well, that makes things easier."
I'd already been planning to meet Tatiana Belov about this.
Now that they'd given me a reason—right in the open—I had no complaints.
"Let's go."
"Are you sure? I understand you have… ties to the Belov Family."
"It doesn't matter."
Their current deviation from plan was—ultimately—another butterfly effect of my actions.
I had a responsibility to tie up those loose ends.
BOOM!
Another blast tore the office door from its hinges, and armored figures stormed in.
They wore Ark-made protective suits and face-shielding visors—but it was clear they were Belov enforcers.
"Messiah secured. Commencing extraction."
They raised their weapons at Carmen as if they'd already captured her.
I couldn't help but laugh.
"They say you're secured already. You planning to go quietly?"
"Of course not. Have you forgotten our agreement already?"
"Don't worry. I've got this."
Only then did one of the enforcers turn their gun toward me.
"Hey. What's with the chatter? You want to die? Get down. Now."
"No thanks."
"You what? Then go to hell."
BANG!
The trigger was pulled without a second of hesitation.
["Heh…"]
But the bullet—ridiculously—froze in midair.
As if it had been nailed in place for eternity.
"…Huh?"
Silence.
But that frozen moment was more than enough for me.
'Esther.'
["Yes."]
'Don't kill them. I don't want unnecessary casualties.'
["Hmm, I'll think about it."]
With a playful chuckle, Esther waved her hand lightly—and malicious ether flared to life around us.
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