"…What will I become? Lose all autonomous consciousness and turn into one of your subordinates?"
Even as a data entity, Bartmoss felt as though his mouth had gone dry. He spoke with a defeated expression. He had never imagined ending up like this—reduced to a prisoner, without even the right to self-destruct.
Lissandra paid no attention to his question. After glancing around, she casually waved her hand, restoring the entire scene to its original state.
Bartmoss froze.
Not even the most advanced corporate superintelligences possessed that kind of capability… What exactly was she?
"Looks like Lissandra isn't planning to answer you. Since I'm in a good mood, I'll tell you."
Kelly walked over slowly and stopped beside Bartmoss.
"Your consciousness will be erased. You'll become an empty shell with nothing but computational power, then serve as the core control consciousness of a machine. Don't worry—you won't feel anything when you die."
"Is that so…"
Bartmoss let out a soft laugh and lowered his head.
"A fitting end for me… Then again, I'm just a ghost who should've died long ago. Completely disappearing isn't such a bad outcome."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lissandra extended her hand and grasped him.
"Can I at least know where you're from?"
"I am Lissandra, the primary AI of PROJECT Corporation."
This time, she answered.
Then her hand slowly closed, compressing the data cage that imprisoned Bartmoss. In that instant, his consciousness sank into complete darkness.
The AI that had been under his control fell into brief confusion—then regained clarity. After exchanging silent signals, they left the area without hesitation.
In the real world, the desolate city once controlled by Bartmoss fell utterly silent. Everything stopped running.
...
"Oh? You've already captured Bartmoss?!"
Roland looked at Kelly and Lissandra with clear surprise.
Lissandra stepped forward and displayed Bartmoss's data body in front of him. The former netrunner god was now nothing more than an unconscious data shell.
A smile spread across Roland's face.
With this, all the materials needed for Oblivion were finally complete. All that remained was to modify Bartmoss and install him into Oblivion's body.
"Boss, since everything's done… can I take my vacation now?"
Kelly asked carefully.
Roland glanced at her and nodded.
"No problem. I promised you. Your bonus will also be transferred to your account."
"Yes!"
Kelly cheered. Sure, with her current abilities she could easily steal money—but it didn't feel the same.
Roland ignored her celebration. With a wave of his hand, he had Lissandra bring Bartmoss's data body along as they went to find Mudor.
...
"Boss, long time no see."
Mudor bowed slightly.
"You already know why I'm here."
"Yes! I've been waiting for this day for a long time. Everything is prepared. We were only missing the final consciousness."
Excitement flashed across Mudor's face. He stepped aside, revealing a massive array of machinery and equipment behind him.
"Good. No need for further discussion. Lissandra, place Bartmoss into the device."
"Yes."
Lissandra placed Bartmoss into one of the instruments.
Mudor immediately moved forward and began operating the system. As commands streamed into the supercomputer, changes gradually began taking place within the apparatus.
Foundational logic and structural data were continuously injected into Bartmoss. At the same time, a failsafe mechanism was embedded—if Oblivion's rage exceeded a certain threshold, the energy supply would be cut off to prevent loss of control.
Roland stood quietly to the side as Mudor and his assistants adjusted Oblivion's body.
Soon, Bartmoss's heavily modified physical shell was raised into position. Though extensively reconstructed, it still showed no signs of life. True activation would only occur once the final Oblivion components were fully integrated.
If Bartmoss still had awareness… who knew what he would think?
After all, this was essentially digging up his grave.
"Oh, right. Install this into Oblivion's body as well."
Roland suddenly remembered the item he had purchased earlier from the system marketplace and handed a chip to Mudor.
"What is this?"
Mudor asked, puzzled.
"A very useful piece of technology. You'll understand once Oblivion is born."
Roland smiled but offered no further explanation.
As he had said before, Oblivion's instability meant he would not install an intelligent AI, nor preserve the original consciousness, nor allow Bartmoss to control it.
The chip he had handed over was the key to controlling Oblivion himself. Once installed, it would convert into data and merge seamlessly into Oblivion's body—a piece of system-grade black technology.
However, when controlling Oblivion, Roland's own body would be immobilized. He would need a secure control chamber for operation.
"Oblivion…"
Roland's eyes gleamed as he stared at the fully assembled body.
"I've wanted you for a long time…"