Chapter 387: Chapter 270: Compiling Black Zetsu

"Good morning, New Moon City, let’s tune in to today’s morning news."

"The Nemesis virus crisis that affected the entire city was officially resolved yesterday. According to a spokesperson from the Public Security Bureau, the anti-cybercrime unit has captured the hacker involved, and judicial procedures will be initiated for further processing."

"The hacker involved in this case is named Benjamin Thomas, code-named ’Scorpion’ on the dark web. He has used hacking techniques multiple times to disrupt network security, causing serious public hazards."

"It has been revealed that Benjamin lost his father at a young age and grew up relying on his mother, for whom he has always shown great respect and love."

"But behind this filial piety lies an ugly facade. It makes us wonder if this is due to the lack of fatherly love during his upbringing."

...

Su Mo leaned against the headboard, watching today’s episode of "New Moon Morning."

The content disclosed by the news made him very puzzled.

Where did this Benjamin pop up from?

This virus crisis was entirely orchestrated by Qi Ling alone, and it was well hidden.

Theoretically, as long as he, Dongdong, and others didn’t spread any rumors, the Public Security Bureau wouldn’t be able to pinpoint Qi Ling among the masses.

But for something of such a large scale, a result was needed; otherwise, the Public Security Bureau couldn’t account for it internally or externally.

Su Mo had been thinking about how to secretly handle the aftermath to help Sikinkov, the old friend who had looked out for him many times.

But he didn’t expect a rogue hacker to come along and take the fall directly.

When a case can’t be solved, finding a scapegoat is indeed the usual approach of the Public Security Bureau.

But isn’t this a bit too fast?

How is it that as soon as the crime is over, without even investigating, they immediately find someone to take the blame?

This Benjamin taking the blame is unusual too; he should know that shouldering such a big burden, with the lives of over a hundred societal elites on him, means there’s no escaping the death penalty.

Knowing he would die, yet still willing to come forward and take the blame...

He must have been coerced by some immense force.

And it’s definitely not at the City Council level; it’s a higher level of power.

Su Mo squinted, looking at the dim, rainy sky outside the window.

Someone big has gotten involved in this matter.

...

[80th Floor of Edge Mansion, Video Game Area]

Dongdong was sitting with Qi Ling playing games.

Dongdong: "Parry!"

From the TV came a "clang" sound, and Qi Ling’s character was knocked back. Dongdong controlled his macho character, executing a finishing move to claim victory.

Dongdong mocked Qi Ling: "Ah, is that all? Is this what a hacker proficient in computers is like? Easy win!"

Qi Ling tilted her head, looking at the screen thoughtfully: "I just observed a few patterns."

"You don’t like using normal attacks; you always charge and then strike heavily."

"The time you hold your charge is generally between 1.6 seconds and 1.8 seconds, and after charging, you always strike directly without a feint or dodge."

"When you fail to parry, you always crouch to cancel and then take off with an uppercut, with no other moves."

She raised an eyebrow with interest: "By catching onto these patterns, it’s actually not hard to deal with you."

Dongdong was taken aback, stubbornly saying: "So what if you see through it? Anyone can talk big; I know all KK’s tricks too, but in the end, it still comes down to execution."

Qi Ling shrugged: "Mm-hmm, then how about a few more rounds."

Half an hour later.

KK walked into the game area with a bag of snacks. As soon as he entered, he saw Dongdong lying on the ground like a salted fish, feeling defeated.

KK: "What’s going on here?"

Dongdong crawled over, hugging KK’s leg, saying sadly: "K, help, I’ve lost ten matches in a row..."

Qi Ling made a "yeah" gesture.

KK was not happy: "Dare to bully Dongbao, I’m in!"

He sat down aggressively, picked up a controller, and asked Qi Ling: "How long have you been playing this game?"

Qi Ling: "Dongdong just taught me this morning."

KK sneered: "Just started playing? Ridiculous, let me tell you upfront, I’m the second strongest at parrying on the Edge. See if I don’t knock your controller out of your hand!"

Qi Ling: "Mm-hmm~"

The two began their one-on-one battle.

Another half hour later.

Su Mo walked into the game area. As soon as he entered, KK rushed over, hugging his leg and howling: "Big bro! Help! I can’t hold onto my second rank; I’ve dropped to third!"

Su Mo was taken aback: "What’s going on?"

KK complained: "Qi Ling is too abnormal; I could bully her at first, but then she saw through all my tricks. Dongdong and I both got beaten ten rounds in a row!"

Qi Ling made a "yeah" gesture again.

Su Mo chuckled: "Things really fall apart without me holding the fort, huh? Hand over the controller!"

He took the controller and sat down to battle Qi Ling.

As a hardcore gamer before, Su Mo’s gaming skills were top-notch. If he claimed to be second, no one on the Edge would dare claim first.

But Qi Ling’s gaming talent was really a bit too outrageous.

Or rather, Qi Ling, being the sole living entity of the Origin Project, had top-tier learning capabilities in any field.

After several exchanges, although Su Mo could forcefully suppress Qi Ling with sheer skill, he also felt some pressure.

By the end of their play, he felt Qi Ling had reached at least thirty percent of his level.

The last round.

Su Mo: "Get up you!"

He executed a flawless uppercut combo, knocking Qi Ling out without leaving any room for maneuver, clinching the win for the round.

Qi Ling patted her head: "Ah~ Mo Mo is still impressive; your skills far surpass mine."

Su Mo rubbed his nose, smiling coolly: "Of course, the King of Games on the Edge isn’t just a title for nothing."

KK and Dongdong looked at him with such admiration that stars seemed to twinkle in their eyes, one bringing soda, the other rubbing shoulders.

Su Mo handed the controller to them and beckoned Qi Ling: "Time to get to work, come to the lab, let me show you something."