Chapter 186: The Unemployed (1)
After narrowly resolving the AI uprising, I immersed myself in uncovering the identity of the Earth-level faction that had provided Mecha Yang with its data. Such a technologically advanced entity was bound to leave traces somewhere.
I spent the entire day investigating the shadowy figure behind the scenes while preparing countermeasures capable of delivering a blow, should this Earth-level force emerge. After all, North Korea could posture against the United States for decades not because it could engage in full-scale war but because of the painful deterrent known as nuclear weapons.
‘Of course, even with all this, getting sucker-punched would still mean game over...’
The enemy must be lulled into complacency. We had to present ourselves as a harmless civilization, too insignificant to pose any threat to them.
Without this charade, it wouldn’t take more than a neutron cannon, flying faster than light, to obliterate the planet. Such an ending was not acceptable.
Hide, deceive, and disguise. Lure the enemy into complacency, then strike without giving them a chance to counterattack. That was the best I could do.
“Been holding up well, scientist?”
“Yes, well enough.”
“Nothing unusual, right? Your voice carries a hint of unease.”
It was time for the regular meeting with the boss. Sitting in the opulent chair of the executive office, I sipped tea that probably cost more than most people earned in a year, wearing a faint smile. This was not a matter I could consult the boss about—nor anyone else in the world, for that matter.
“No, nothing at all.”
“Hmm... I’ll say this, though: seeking help from those around you isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Even if you see them as mere tools.”