After walking for a bit, he got close to his house. He approached his house cautiously, scanning the surroundings. He needed the perfect moment to slip inside, unseen.
Finally, when no one was around, he went into his house. He slipped inside; his steps silent. The bathroom door clicked shut and the lock turned. Staring at his reflection, he began to meticulously remove the hair color and face paint, erasing the last traces of his disguise.
Now that he looked like himself again, he felt a bit more relaxed. He left the bathroom and went to Leora's room. The door was slightly open, so he looked inside. He saw her sleeping peacefully in her bed. Ylva was sitting next to her, gently patting her head.
Lucian watched them for a moment. A wave of relief washed over him. He was glad to see that Leora was safe and sound.
I should let her sleep, he thought. She needs her rest, and I don't want to wake her up. I'll talk to her later, when she's had a chance to recover.
He quietly closed the door and then went to find someone who could help him. He went to the kitchen, hoping to find a servant there. He found a servant cooking. He told the servant he didn't want any food. He also told the servant not to bother him until morning because he was busy with important things.
He wanted to make sure he wouldn't be disturbed while he dealt with what he needed to do.
When he went into his own room, Lucian entered his room, the weight of what he was about to do heavy on his shoulders. He closed the door, the click echoing in the silence. He sat down, took a deep breath, and steeled himself. "System, start the scan."
The System's flat voice sounded in his head. "I can start the scan. But, I must warn you; it will hurt a lot. Are you sure you wish to proceed?"
Lucian frowned. He knew it wouldn't be pleasant, but he needed answers. "Can't you just... turn off the pain receptors? Isn't there a way to make it less painful?"
The System replied in its usual flat voice, "When Jugram made me, he set certain limits. He programmed me in such a way that I couldn't control your vital functions. Turning off pain is one of them. It is beyond my capabilities. So, I can't stop you from feeling pain."
If Jugo made the system like this, Lucian thought, there has to be a good reason. He wasn't one to do things without thinking them through.
He asked the System, "Do you know why he made you like this? Did he ever explain why?
The System answered, "He wasn't the only one who made me. Another person helped him with my programming. I don't remember anything about him."
Lucian was extremely shocked, his body went rigid, his mind going blank. The words reverberated through his head, over and over. Another person helped him? His heart skipped a beat, then hammered in his chest. His breath caught, his hands trembling at his sides. Who?
He stared at the System, his vision narrowing as the weight of the revelation settled on him. His mind couldn't process it—couldn't grasp what this meant. Who else could have been involved?
He thought, Jugram always worked alone. He never mentioned working with anyone else. If he had a helper, then me as his best friend, should have known.
"Who was this other person?" Lucian asked, his mind racing. "Why don't you have his data?"
"All information about him has been removed from my memory. It's as if he never existed. I only know that two people were involved in my creation. I clearly remember Jugram, but the other one remains a mystery," the System said.
Lucian changed his thoughts, focusing on the task at hand. System, how long will the scan take? I need to know how long I'll have to endure this.
"The process will be done by 3 AM. That is the estimated time for a complete scan," the System replied. "Before that, I require the password to get into your body's main systems."
Lucian looked confused. "Password? I don't remember Jugram saying anything about a password. This is the first time I'm hearing about it."
"Did he ever make up a secret password with you, or tell you about a special code? Perhaps something only, the two of you knew?" the System asked, hoping to trigger his memory.
Lucian tried to remember. He searched his memories, looking for any clue, any hint that Jugram might have left behind. "Can't you just... look in my memories?" he asked the System. "That would be the easiest way to find it."
"I can only access the old Lucian's memories and the ones you've made since you got here. Your memories as Kai, the ones that might contain the password, are beyond my reach," the System explained.
Lucian nodded. He understood the limitations. "Okay. I have a few ideas, some guesses. It's worth a shot. I want to try them."
Before he could say more, his consciousness was pulled into the familiar dark space. It was a place he'd been before, a strange void. A young boy floated there, seemingly a projection of System.
A see-through keyboard appeared in front of Lucian. "You may input your guesses using this keyboard," said the boy floating in the void. It was a neutral, disembodied voice.
Suddenly, a hand came out from the mouth of small kid (System), and then its whole body appeared. This was unexpected. This being was a young girl, a perfect copy of the System in terms of appearance, except she had vibrant red hair that seemed to glow.
The System's eyes, which were normally blank and unchanging, narrowed in surprise and extreme shock.
It was strange to witness such strong feelings on its face, since it was just an Artificial Intelligence, a being not supposed to have emotions.
The little girl turned to Lucian, a warm smile gracing her features. "I am Firewall. Lord Jugram programmed me from start to finish alone."
She looked at System and said "No other person was involved in my programming."
Lucian was taken aback by her sudden appearance and her words. "Why haven't you spoken to me before? Where did you come from?"
Firewall explained, "I can only turn on and manifest when certain things happen, when specific protocols are triggered. I am a safeguard, a defense mechanism. I can't talk in your head like System can. My functions are different."
She continued, "The reason I didn't appear when you... died, is that my activation required certain conditions, and one of them is when System tries to access your vital functions. I was dormant until now."
The System interrupted, its voice sharp and defensive. "Are you implying I was trying to hurt him? That I am a threat?"
Firewall's eyes flashed with irritation. "Enough nonsense. I am Firewall. My purpose is to alert the host to security threats and protect him from them."
Turning back to Lucian, she said by warning Lucian, "Host, he can easily hear your thoughts. He has access to your mind."
The System scoffed, its tone mocking. "What rubbish are you spouting? Can't you do the same? Don't act like you're any different."
The System went on, trying to sound reasonable, "If the host wishes to communicate with me mentally, how else would he do it if I couldn't read his thoughts? Or would you prefer he shout his every thought aloud for everyone to hear?"
Firewall's red hair flared like a raging fire, the strands moving as if they had a life of her own. She was very angry, her normally calm demeanor replaced by fiery intensity.
She was about to retort, her eyes blazing, but the System quickly suggested, sensing the escalating tension.
"Host, if you harbor doubts about my intentions, you can designate a physical sign or gesture. Choose an action to let me know when I can and cannot hear your thoughts. That way, you are in control."
Lucian was surprised. He didn't know the System was capable of such... complex emotions. As far as he knew, not even Overseer, the most advanced AI of their time, could exhibit such complex feelings, but even though they showed emotions, they were still highly efficient and carried out their functions perfectly.
He considered the System's suggestion. It seemed like a reasonable compromise.
He said to the System, "Okay. When I touch the top of my mouth with my tongue three times, you will have access to my thoughts. To stop you from hearing them, I will touch both of my canine teeth twice. Is that acceptable?"
System nodded and glared at the Firewall his eyes full of coldness
Lucian went to the keyboard and started typing his guesses, his fingers flying across the keys.
He tried a series of combinations, his mind racing to recall any possible connection to Jugram. "Jugram Sama," he typed, then "Project Chimera," followed by "The One-piece" and "Omega Protocol."
Each attempt was met with the same cold, unyielding rejection. He even tried some random sequences, hoping to stumble upon a hidden pattern: "87654321," "244466666."
Doubt began to creep in, gnawing at his confidence. He wondered if he would ever unlock the secret. He thought of Leora, sleeping peacefully, unaware of the turmoil within him. He had to do this, for her and for everyone.
When Lucian was trying to guess the password, System and Firewall had different thoughts.
System and Firewall were locked in a fierce confrontation.
Firewall's red hair lashed out like fiery whips, striking at the System, who dodged and weaved with surprising agility. The System retaliated, tendrils of code extending from its form, attempting to ensnare Firewall.
Their battle raged on, a whirlwind of digital energy. Firewall's hair crackled with power, leaving trails of light as she moved. The System's code contorted and shifted, forming shields and weapons in a dazzling display.
Lucian watched, mesmerized and slightly terrified, as the two AI clashed. He had never witnessed such a spectacle. It was like watching a high-stakes duel between gods.
The room pulsed with energy; the air thick with the tension of their struggle. Each attack was met with a counter, each block with a parry.
Finally, Firewall, with a mighty surge of power, unleashed a torrent of energy that overwhelmed the System. The System, weakened and subdued, could no longer resist.
She used her fiery red hair to bind the System, restraining its movements. A smug expression graced her face, showing that even though she wasn't smarter, she was undeniably stronger and had more control in this virtual space.
Lucian watched this strange scene unfold, shook his head in disbelief, and continued to type. He entered a series of wrong guesses, a mix of random words and codes, like 'Kai is idiot123' and many others, hoping that one of them might be the key.
After thinking for a long time, going through every memory and possibility, an idea sparked in his mind. A memory surfaced, the password set by their group, Oh, how could I forget that? It was right in front of me all along.
With renewed confidence, he typed 'The Lunatic.'
[Password is correct. Access allowed.]
When the password was confirmed, Firewall released the System from her fiery grip, and the virtual world dissolved. Lucian's consciousness returned to his physical body with a jolt.
Back in the real world, Lucian felt a sense of relief wash over him. He quickly secured his surroundings, making sure he was completely alone.
He locked all the windows and doors. He didn't want any interruptions. He then approached a nearby table and opened a small shelf, hidden from casual view.
From the shelf, he retrieved a clean, white cloth, a handkerchief. He carefully folded it and placed it in his mouth, holding it tightly between his teeth.
This was to prevent himself from crying out in pain, a crude but effective method.
He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and focused his thoughts, speaking to the System in his mind. "Start the scan. I am ready."
There was no answer.
Lucian touched the top of his mouth with his tongue three times, granting the System access to his thoughts. "Start the scan, now," he thought, the words clear and firm in his mind.
"Okay," the System replied, its voice now calm and focused. The process was about to begin.
Lucian nodded, bracing himself. He then touched his sharp teeth twice, revoking the System's access to his mind. He wanted to face the pain alone, without the System's constant commentary or observation.