In Gino's room.

A metal wrench was stuck in the sliding door, sparking arcs of electricity, with a small sign outside the door displaying "Do Not Disturb."

These measures were originally meant to fend off creditors and dishonest thugs.

At this moment inside the room.

Gino grabbed another wrench, aimed it at John, insisting he explain everything related to the serum.

"I know you're hiding something from me. Besides the baseball bat, what dealings do you have with the boss?"

"Are you concerned for her?"

"It's respect, mate, no joke. If you consider me a friend, you better be clear, or it'll be safer for us to keep our distance."

"Hah, that's fucking interesting."

John kept his hands in his pockets, chuckling wryly while glancing at the sparking wrench.

"Uh, do you really think locking us together in a space of a few meters is a good idea? And even aiming a weapon at me..."

"You need to explain yourself to me!"

Gino, like an agitated puppet, tried to threaten John with his claws, yet in John's eyes, it was just some plastic pieces and cotton.

Silver Port involves a lot of secrets.

According to his and Oulos's plan, the fewer people know, the better.

Gino's reaction indicated the serum had broken free and was active again in cyberspace.

The serum is extremely dangerous.

Her identity is mysterious, and her hacking skills can even make the company's security department and internet surveillance wary.

The known situation is:

The serum is linked to the Tiebang Logistics transport accident.

She doesn't recognize John, at least not this incarnation, unaware of the logistics vehicle robbery or body swapping, but she shows interest in Plato's memory experiment...

The serum disappeared after the Silver Port incident, perhaps also investigating the secret behind the Tiebang Logistics transport accident.

John hoped to re-establish contact with her, perhaps to exchange some crucial intelligence.

[Mission Goal Update]

[Explain to Gino clearly. (Optional)]

[Find an excuse to gloss over. (Optional)]

Mainline mission progress updated.

John silently gazed at the prompt messages.

This meant that his communication with Gino would impact his investigation into the truth of the accident.

He chose to confess.

Gino, after hearing about John's encounter in Silver Port, gradually set aside her hostility—she didn't know much about John's past, even believing it was she who drew John into the Wanderer Alliance.

John briefly activated Sianweistan, snatching the wrench away in an instant, cut off the power, and tossed it into the clutter, leaving Gino surprised yet helpless.

"Now my turn to ask questions. I need to know the current whereabouts of the serum."

"...The boss is very mysterious, but we all respect her. When we were newbies on the net, she often had our backs, um...kind, and patient, a rare quality for a talented hacker. After she disappeared, she left behind a labyrinth containing the Pandora Algorithm, do you remember that?"

John nodded.

The Wanderer Alliance's baseball bat, out of concern for serum safety, unexpectedly uncovered her offline identity, investigated on-site to obtain Pandora's Labyrinth key, and then got captured by Plato's executives.

John rescued them, negotiated with Tinfoil to resolve it by selling the key on the black market using the Harbor Company's name, avoiding risks.

Later, internet surveillance cracked the labyrinth, obtaining the Pandora Algorithm, and the state police chief used a retired defector agent, Hugo, to bait out a rogue AI from Raqi Industry, causing the intercity train to lose control near the city center.

John, a witness at the scene, upgraded the Black Light in his mind using a simplified version of the algorithm.

And then he encountered the serum again at Silver Port.

John clarified the situation in his mind, seemingly grasping an elusive clue.

Gino added further details:

After internet surveillance secretly breached the labyrinth, it set numerous traps inside, luring companies to explore with controlled AI and hackers, then attempting to eliminate them by locking the intruders in cyberspace.

The state police's high-profile enforcement provoked public anger.

Fierce conflicts erupted in cyberspace, even attracting legendary hackers from outside Eden City.

Just a few days ago.

A large-scale skirmish was about to erupt between both sides.

The cyber maze containing the Pandora Algorithm suddenly collapsed from within, releasing trapped hackers and AI in the network world, leaving self-destructed data debris visible everywhere on the information highway.

"Many freed hackers claimed they saw the serum's virtual figure in cyberspace, some even witnessing her clash with the state police, with data waves and uncontrollable magic dolls filling every information channel, leaving spectators unable to even connect to the network."

Members of the Wanderer Alliance, including Gino, tried to contact the serum upon receiving the news.

"We have our unique means of contact. The situation is a bit complicated... The serum advised us to be cautious of internet surveillance and the Raqi Group; for now, she's safe."

"How can I get in touch with her?"

John asked directly, insinuating that his communication with the serum wasn't suitable for eavesdropping or relaying.

"I'll leave a message and notify you when there's news."

Gino didn't pursue further.

John arranged for headband and post-contact details, quickly grabbing his stuff and leaving the Bolago Club.

He returned to his apartment, bypassed the wash, and slotted in a piece of Special Inhibitor first.

A subtle magnetized reading sound emerged from the slot.

"Whew~"

John straightened his back, panting, his prosthetic eye flickering to focus, his cheeks glistening with greasy grime and dust under the lamp's glow, sweat soaking the edges of his workwear, dripping drop by drop down the sides.

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