Mercer furrowed his brows, his voice heavy: "If Saburo controlled him when he stole the Relic, and now is just lying in wait, I'm very worried we'll walk right into Arasaka's trap."
"If you want to give up, I have no objections. I can find another, better opportunity myself." Ultraman remained calm: "What's your purpose for seeking me out?"
"I don't know." Mercer sighed, speaking candidly to Ultraman: "The development of Dog Town is thriving, and everything for us is gradually getting better, but if we make a move against Arasaka Saburo now...
If we fail, we'll have nothing left.
What's worse is..."
Mercer showed a hesitant expression: "It's hard for everyone to get a chance at a good life..."
"If you're looking for someone to convince you, then you've found the wrong person. I won't give you any advice. This will effectively avoid any potential changes in the mission affecting our relationship."
Ultraman spoke calmly: "But if you're seeking help, you can talk about your thoughts."
"I want to confirm the situation with Arasaka Saburo." Mercer said outright: "I alone am not fully confident about taking down Arasaka Saburo, so, Ultraman, show me what you've got, we need to win decisively."
"Arasaka Saburo knows about my situation; he's always been guarding against us. The help we can offer you is limited."
Ultraman spoke honestly, reiterating, "My goal is not Arasaka Saburo. For me, as long as I get Silver Hand's Relic, and finally deal with Divine Chariot, that's enough."
"Why are you so fixated on the Divine Chariot? I understand Silver Hand's consciousness, but what use is Divine Chariot to you?" Mercer asked back.
"The consciousness data within Divine Chariot are victims of the Soulkiller Program. I want to save them."
After Ultraman finished speaking, Mercer replied bluntly: "I don't believe that's the only reason."
"Then what do you think my reason is?" This time it was Ultraman's turn to ask back.
Mercer just looked at her, after a while, he spoke heavily, "I've studied consciousness data."
"So?" Ultraman continued to ask.
"I've discovered the core code of consciousness data... and..."
Mercer fell silent, but eventually spoke bluntly, "It resembles the AI core source code from Bartmos's Desire for Death."
This time Ultraman fell silent, she gazed at Mercer, finally saying, "It seems you're indeed talented, but I must remind you, although there are similarities, they are still different. But, do you still stick to your view now?"
"What view? The human, new human, future human thing you like?" Mercer said.
"Yes, once you understand that human consciousness, or rather, the soul's essence is essentially just a piece of core source code, what are your thoughts?" Ultraman asked.
Mercer paused before diverting the topic, "Why do you need those consciousness data entities?"
"That's not related to you — our partnership has always been simple, straightforward and clear; you settle Silver Hand's Relic consciousness data for me, and Divine Chariot, I owe you a favor, mutual aid, it's that simple."
Ultraman didn't give a clear answer.
Mercer stared directly at Ultraman, speaking deliberately, "Are the consciousness data entities you previously stored in the Hong Kong servers still there?"
"Are you suspecting me of devouring those consciousness data entities?" Ultraman wasn't angry, she just calmly replied, "Of course they exist, it's just that they can't freely operate on the network due to current network conditions."
Ultraman reiterated, "I am indeed saving them, there is no doubt about that. If you're interested, you're welcome to visit my server anytime."
Mercer looked intensely at Ultraman, skipping over this topic: "If it's about Saburo, you don't have much that can help me... then I need a supermassive server, and also, a global network line capable of infiltration."
"Supermassive server?" Ultraman asked, puzzled, "You currently have the Little Beidou server, plus the Voodoo Gang's Sea God Server, along with your purchased server cluster... what are you planning to do?"
"Don't worry, it's not for a network nuclear bomb... I just want to use the network to find traces of Saburo and formulate a perfect assassination plan."
After Mercer's words, Ultraman unusually showed a look of interest, "I see, it's that intelligence-gathering system of yours... it seems the program you've created is far more powerful than I imagined."
"So, can the server be arranged?" Mercer didn't answer but continued to ask, "Just temporary use, after dealing with Saburo, it'll be returned to the owner."
Ultraman readily agreed, "Of course."
"I won't give you the program. Give me the server's permissions and interface, I'll operate using Venus."
After Mercer spoke, Ultraman had no objections, she just said with interest, "You seem very confident in your program?"
"Of course." Mercer said confidently, "Even Ye Corporation, that group of AIs, can't possibly create a system more powerful than mine."
In fact, the ctOS System has never stopped updating and iterating. Through big data continuously optimized by Venus and Mercer, the current ctOS System is even more formidable than the ctOS System in the game "Watchdog" that Mercer knows.
Ultraman seemed very interested in Mercer's ctOS System, but she knew very well that Mercer wouldn't share it with her, just as she wouldn't share the Soulkiller Program and the Black Wall with Mercer.