The last anchor to the real world loosened. Consciousness, like a weightless skiff, slid from the shore of reality into a chaotic electronic abyss. There was no panic of falling, only a sensation of floating, wrapped in a warm ocean current, as if returning to the primordial amniotic fluid of life.
Touch was the first to awaken.
An indescribable, snug sensation enveloped her entire body, delicate as a second skin yet carrying a non-living, constant coolness. Li Dí's eyelashes fluttered like startled butterfly wings. Before her eyes even opened, her fingers curled unconsciously, feeling the texture of the surface beneath her—it wasn't any natural material; slick yet resilient, warm yet hinting at an inorganic coldness, resonating strangely in harmony with the fibers of her specially-made suit.
She opened her eyes.
Her vision blurred at first, then sharpened. Deep within her irises, it was as if fragments of gold had sunk into a clear pond, swirling slowly before settling, reflecting the smoothly curved interior of the pod's lid above, which glowed with a pearlescent matte finish. A nearly imperceptible hiss of hydraulics, and the lid slid silently to one side. More light poured in—not a harsh white, but a soft light mimicking dawn filtering through thin clouds, carrying just the right amount of warmth as it fell on her face.
(Internal Monologue: Light calibration perfect. The color temperature of the simulated dawn is relaxing. The designer has some taste.)
She sat up slowly, her movements bearing a slight hesitation like a newborn's, yet also a kind of innate grace. The form-fitting suit she wore flowed and adjusted like liquid mercury with her motion, outlining a figure whose hourglass contours seemed calculated by a deity. 1.63 meters tall, 48 kilograms—every curve whispered of a perfection beyond the mundane, inhuman, closer to an abstract concept, a divine symbol needing no defilement by cosmetics. Her skin was like glazed, top-grade white porcelain: zero pores, zero flaws, so fine it seemed a fingertip touch would leave a temporary, soft indent, declaring all worldly skin concerns irrelevant. The cut of the pure white, short-style shirt, while allowing freedom for her shoulder blades, seemed more designed to guide invisible winds, carrying away any excess heat. Beneath the black shorts, white thigh-high stockings tightly encased her legs, their pressure gradient intended not for visual appeal but to maintain optimal muscle tone and neural feedback speed. Black lace opera gloves extended to her elbows, the tactile sensation at her fingertips amplified by nanostructures, as if she could "hear" the microscopic vibrations of material surfaces. Red mid-calf boots met the smooth floor, their specially crafted synthetic heels emitting a stable, crisp sound; every step's cushioning and rebound were optimized. This entire ensemble wasn't merely for male gratification or as decorative pieces; it was textbook-level design. Every "reveal" was for optimized heat dissipation, mobility, and fabric efficiency, ensuring no action delay from fabric friction. Every "restraint" held potential for weaponization—stockings could become garrotes, long gloves reduced recoil when firing, boot heels were reinforced for kicking, all incorporating the latest bio-technology to provide points for explosive power application and dissipation.
She raised a hand, her fingertips lightly brushing against the matte black collar around her neck—the essential neural interface device for the virtual world. The cold touch of the metal brought her fully alert. The spiral crystal earrings on her earlobes swayed slightly, refracting tiny sparks of light.
Memory loaded as smoothly as a data stream: Li Dí, codename Enigma, consciousness uploaded via the "Nyx Unit" into the high-fidelity virtual world "Caos Theater"—publicly known as "New Babylon." The face of her older brother, Li Shuò, mission details for codename "Penumbra," personal conduct protocols... all crystal clear. Security protocol self-check: all green.
She glanced around the pure white preparation room. Aside from the upload pod, it was empty. The air carried a meticulously blended, fresh scent reminiscent of雨后青草 (rain-soaked grass) and ozone—too pure, accentuating its unnatural quality.
"Identity verification passed. Participant Li Dí, codename Enigma, upload complete. Welcome to New Babylon." A neutral system prompt sounded, devoid of any emotion. "Omnidirectional monitoring system 'Eye of Hermes' activated. Wishing you an... enriching experience."
Enriching? The corner of Li Dí's lips curved into a nearly invisible arc. She tilted her head, speaking softly in a voice that could penetrate most soundproofing materials: "Initial environment overly standardized. Lacks room for personal parameter adjustment. Poor rating."
She walked towards the only exit, the rhythm of her boots on the floor steady. As the door slid open, noise and light rushed in like a tide.
Giant holographic advertisements flowed and morphed between skyscrapers. Streams of hover-vehicles glided silently along invisible light rails, stirring subtle air currents. The architecture displayed starkly different aesthetic styles, marking clear district boundaries. The air was a mix of indistinguishable scents—the enticing aroma from distant food stalls, the faint metallic tang of sun-baked surfaces, and something like ionized air, together forming New Babylon's "urban breath." Sunlight filtered through the simulated atmosphere, carrying the perfect temperature, even allowing her to feel the slight warmth on her skin from the simulated UV rays.
This was New Babylon. A theater infinitely close to reality, yet constructed from code and rules.
Li Dí took a deep breath, feeling the subtle sensation of her virtual lungs expanding. She stepped onto the street, merging into the diverse crowd. The pedestrians' faces were vivid, expressions natural, but upon closer observation, their behavior patterns held a certain indescribable regularity, like background processes maintaining the world's vitality.
Her target was clear. Intelligence indicated this area was where the target might appear. That technical expert was a key node for her mission.
She strolled seemingly casually, her gaze shifting, yet acting like the most precise scanner, capturing every detail: the angle of shadows from buildings, the rotation cycle of surveillance cameras, the "real" participants in the crowd—those with purposeful eyes, not the programmed emptiness of NPCs.
A well-dressed male NPC brushed past her, his gaze lingering on her for a moment. Li Dí, with extreme naturalness, raised a hand and flicked the strap of her undershirt, adjusting it as if it had slipped from the recent contact.
(Internal Monologue: NPC interaction test. Visual attraction response positive.)
Her earring heated imperceptibly, releasing specific pheromones designed to invert perceived power dynamics. The man's pace exhibited an almost undetectable hesitation, his originally straight path deviating slightly.
Li Dí had already pivoted lightly, her skirt swishing in a sharp arc as she headed towards a neon-lit drink stand on the corner. "A soda water, extra ice, please." She leaned against the counter, posture relaxed. The NPC vendor's smile and responsive movements were a fraction of a second slower than the standard program setting.
(Internal Monologue: Basic interaction delay test passed. System load normal.)
She took the cup, her fingertips brushing against the NPC's hand back for a split second, recording the data of the simulated skin's warmth and texture. Just as she was analyzing her next move, her peripheral vision keenly caught a figure on the third floor of the commercial complex opposite, swiftly and smoothly disappearing into a blind spot with trained fluidity.
That movement, carrying a wild alertness and efficiency, stood in stark contrast to the regulated steps of the surrounding NPCs.
The ice cubes in Li Dí's straw clinked softly. She lowered her eyelids, her long lashes like curtains hiding the hunter's sharp glint that flashed deep within her pupils.
Target acquired.
Maintaining her leisurely demeanor, she took small sips of the cold drink, seemingly completely immersed in the virtual city experience. Yet, every line of her body was now taut, like a fully drawn bowstring, ready to unleash a致命一击 (lethal strike) at any moment.
Light and shadow flowed across her flawless face. The dark red huadian adornment on her forehead seemed to pulse faintly with a life of its own as the light changed.
She herself was a stone cast into this data lake, and the ripples had only just begun to spread.
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Sin-Theorem Observation Channel Alpha | Online: 98,105
[Live Chat]
· AestheticHoundFedWell: Is this level of beauty even real? This is the work of a genius fashion designer!
· RandomUserNotSoRandom: I replayed that strap adjustment ten times! How can anyone resist that!
· WatermelonSlushFanatic: @everyone Check out this newcomer! Her aura is insane, directly booking a spot for this season's MVP!
· CatInvasionInProgress: Li-Di宝贝 look at me! That voice melted me instantly! She's not drinking soda water, she's drinking my heart!
· ProfessionalLurker100Yrs: Did you see that change in her eyes just now? From lazy to sharp! Amazing! This is no ordinary operator, is she?
· TruthProbablyIsOne: @CatInvasionInProgress Draw your swords, everyone! She's my long-lost first love!
· GearNoobDrooling: Am I the only one drooling over that outfit? The tech aesthetic, the design—so damn cool!
· MelonMuncherNoSeeds: Even the NPC was stunned! System lag, huh? Charm stat must be maxed out!
· ProphetHere: Betting 50 cents she's a major character! Such a highlight right from the start!
· GanbatteToday: Ahhh! She blinked at me! She has feelings for me!
· ChillObserverSilent: Dream on, @GanbatteToday. That was a system lighting effect...
· NameSoHardToChoose: Whatever! Calling it now: Li-Di宝贝! Li-Di宝贝 rules!
· Loading99Percent: That uniform is way too good-looking! When is the official merch dropping? Buying it all!