Chapter 100: Listen carefully

The administrator informed Atli that the original owner of this chip had long been destroyed, leaving behind only the initial ancestral genetic profile.

Atli requested a copy of the genetic data, then tossed the chip into a dusty corner of his room, never giving it another thought.

That was until top executives at Simons Corporation were exposed in a massive scandal for spying on customer privacy—secretly installing surveillance equipment within their virtual products. Lacking background, power, or influence, Atli, born from the slums, naturally served as the scapegoat.

The HBL Police Department issued a Class-A warrant for his arrest.

Atli knew the corporate executives would never leave him alive—he knew far too many of their dark secrets. He decided to end his own life.

After transferring all his remaining assets to his foster father, Atli tidied up his room and stumbled upon the forgotten chip once more.

As he watched the recording one final time, a staggering truth came to light.

The genetic profile of the chip’s owner matched his own with 100% precision.

In other words, all of Atli’s DNA was derived from the chip’s owner—he was a clone.

Yet in this era, such outdated, primitive genetic samples were no longer used in clone production, as Terra citizens underwent rigorous genetic screening before birth.

Atli sat dazed in his rented apartment for a very long time.

During the 72 hours before his arrest by HBL, Atli snuck back into the corporate lab to construct the final creation of his life—a virtual AI sculpted in his own original image.

He encoded three hidden, core directives into the virtual AI’s baseline source code:

Find the little girl.

Complete the mission he failed to finish.

Accompany her, and keep her happy.

Having accomplished all of this, Atli sealed the virtual AI and shot himself in his studio.

The movie screen cut to black abruptly. For some strange reason, Bunny felt as though she had heard this story before. She didn’t overthink it, however; after all, coincidences were endless in this world.

During long flights, Bunny was always prone to drowsiness. Yawning softly, she leaned her head against Illai’s shoulder to take a nap.

The young Black Mamba felt overwhelmingly flattered, subtly adjusting his posture so Bunny could rest more comfortably, while casting a smug glance toward his older brother, the Cobra.

Orion remained silent, simply retrieving a warm blanket and carefully tucking Bunny in.

Then, the two serpent brothers sat on either side of her, staring blankly at the sleeping Bunny.

Bunny’s sleep quality was extraordinarily good—she could fall fast asleep anywhere, anytime. Back in her student days during an earthquake, her roommates couldn’t even wake her by shouting, and had to climb up to slap her twice before she finally opened her eyes.

After a ten-hour flight, the supersonic shuttle bearing the Sentinel Tower emblem landed smoothly at a treacherous mountain pass. Radar navigation indicated the exact coordinates: Latitude 40°00’34’’ N, Longitude 119°45’15’’ E.

According to satellite imagery, the eastern branch of the Aberration swarm would arrive at this checkpoint in eight hours. Terra warships were already conducting front-line containment operations, requiring all squad communication devices to link directly into the flagship’s main frequency.

Cyrus and Xander were holding a virtual tactical meeting with the flagship commander and heads of other Sentinel Towers to partition combat zones.

Bunny followed Arden and San to scout the surrounding terrain, while Brandon adjusted and modified drone flight routes as usual. The rest of the team remained at the campsite setting up military tents.

They headed west along the mountain ridge. Surrounded by mountains on three sides, with only the low basin ahead connecting to the dried-up seaport, it was indeed an ideal ambush location.

Carrying her rifle, Bunny strained to keep up with the two Sentinels. Even though they intentionally slowed their pace—walking a short distance before stopping to wait for her—her shorter legs were an inescapable disadvantage.

Arden and San stood waiting on the ridge, watching Bunny climb up slowly like a little turtle.

Arden asked out of curiosity, "Why did the Captain suddenly change his mind?"

Referring to why he allowed Bunny to tag along on this mission.

San crossed his arms with a slight chuckle. "Probably because our little dragon’s temper is getting way too explosive."

When she gets angry, she bites anyone in sight.

Recalling how badly beaten Xander had been last night, Arden blinked his caramel-colored leopard eyes:

"Between the Captain and the Vice-Captain, who do you think will win her over first?"

San let out a soft smirk. "Well, it certainly won’t be you."

Arden’s face darkened. Felines were generally lazy, preferring to avoid crowds and conflict—the epitome of cold-faced cuteness—but that didn’t mean they lacked a temper.

They were fiercely proud.

"And it definitely won’t be a flirty slacker like you, either."

Arden retorted with a single sentence, then stepped forward and reached out to pull Bunny up.

"Thanks."

Bunny patted the dust off her body. The three of them quickly released a drone to survey the terrain of this area.

While operating the drone’s viewpoint, Bunny walked forward. In a low-lying depression, she saw Arden bent over with his butt stuck out, digging at something.

He was digging quite earnestly. Bunny walked over and patted him on the shoulder:

"What are you doing?"

Arden jumped in fright, shook the sand clean from his hands, then stuffed something into Bunny’s hand.

She took it and looked—it was actually a blue spotted seashell, still completely intact and not worn down at all, with very beautiful ridges on it.

This place used to be a lake, so finding a seashell wasn’t strange.

"Is it pretty?"

Bunny nodded. "Pretty."

Arden grinned foolishly, showing his teeth. "If it’s pretty, then I’ll give it to you."

Bunny glanced at him. "Do you know what this is?"

Arden shook his head. "Isn’t it just a rock with a nice color?"

Bunny squatted down beside him and patiently explained:

"This is called a seashell. It’s a kind of marine creature that eats seaweed and tiny shrimp."

She held the seashell next to Arden’s ear. "They say you can hear the sound of the waves from inside a seashell."

Arden listened for a while but heard nothing, only the sound of the wind across the distant wilderness.

"You’re lying. There’s no sound at all."

Bunny wasn’t in a hurry. "Close your eyes and listen carefully."