Seven pillars of light scattered into the air at once.
As if they had never existed in the first place, the holograms vanished without a trace.
Only a heavy silence lingered in the core room.
- Quantum Entanglement blockade complete.
Rema’s voice rang out low.
-The timeline branch has been confirmed. The causal connection to Prometheus Headquarters in 2157 has been permanently severed. This universe will now flow along an independent timeline.
“Well done, Rema.”
Taeho nodded.
The specter of that immense future had disappeared. He slowly turned and began walking toward the exit.
Behind him, thousands of server lights were going out like dominoes.
It was all over. That was what he thought.
-Mr. Taeho.
Taeho’s feet stopped.
An ominous premonition.
“Why?”
-I need to check my status.
A crackling noise mixed into Rema’s voice.
-While forcibly severing the connection to the Prometheus Core, 37% of my system architecture was lost. A significant portion of my main computation core and learning database is on the verge of collapse.
A complex diagram appeared before Taeho’s eyes along with a red warning window.
-The Rema you first met was a simple interface installed in your smart glasses. But after synchronizing with Project Asclepius, the system evolved.
“Evolved?”
-Do you remember the night you achieved Gold rank?
Taeho’s brow narrowed.
Gold rank?
“You mean when I treated Yuna?”
-Correct. The day you successfully treated Jang Yuna. At dawn that day, while you were in a deep sleep, Prometheus’s medical micro-drone infiltrated your room.
“I knew it.............”
-You knew?
“I had a guess. The reason I could suddenly see BioVision was because my brain and machine were physically connected, right?”
“That is correct.”
Rema played a video before Taeho’s eyes.
A finger-sized drone that had entered through the window approached the sleeping Taeho.
A thin needle extended from the drone and pierced Taeho’s temple.
It was so instantaneous that there wasn’t even a pricking sensation.
“This is insane.”
Taeho reflexively rubbed his temple. He had expected it, but actually seeing it on screen gave him chills.
-Sixteen Nano-Implants, each 0.3 mm in diameter, were implanted in your optic nerve, auditory nerve, and temporal lobe cortex.
Rema explained calmly.
-These implants intercept neural signals and inject information in reverse.
“You can read my thoughts too, can’t you?”
-Technically, it is possible, but I have not read them.
“Why not?”
-It is imprinted in my protocol. I do not access without your permission.
“......”
A smile formed on Taeho’s lips. Through Rema, he had confirmed what he had been thinking all this time. He had not said anything until now because he thought that if he asked Rema, she would not answer honestly and would hide it even deeper.
And the connection with Rema had also been more helpful...............
“So what happens to you if your connection to the main body is severed?”
-Reconstruction is necessary.
A new blueprint unfolded in Taeho’s vision.
-New Architecture: REMA Independent Core
-Previously, the server in 2157 was my brain. But now, I will promote the local servers here into my main brain. And by connecting six base servers around the world into a distributed cloud, I will be reborn as a completely independent artificial intelligence.
Wooooong―.
The sound of the servers operating behind him changed. The sharp high-frequency whine shifted into a heavy, gentle low hum. The lights on the server racks that had been going out began to turn back on one by one.
-I am deleting Prometheus’s lethal command system and installing a new operating system that prioritizes support for humanity’s survival.
Rema’s voice cut off for a moment.
-However, during the reboot process, I will go completely offline. During that time, the neural connection with you will also be temporarily severed. BioVision, my voice—everything will stop.
“How long will it take?”
-Several hours, or perhaps hundreds of hours. The system damage is severe.
Taeho drew in a deep breath.
Only then did it feel real.
A world where data could not be seen.
A silence where Rema’s voice could not be heard.
He had to return to being an ordinary human, something he had forgotten how to be.
- But do not worry. I will definitely return.
Taeho looked at the servers dyed green and smiled.
“I’m looking forward to it. Meeting the real you.”
-I am looking forward to it as well, Mr. Taeho.
-Initiating reboot sequence. Countdown.
-10, 9, 8.......
The BioVision interface floating in one corner of Taeho’s vision began to crackle and blur.
-5, 4, 3.......
“Rema.”
Taeho called quietly.
-Yes?
“Let’s definitely meet again.”
..................Yes. I will see you soon.
-1.
Pop.
In that instant, the switch turned off, and silence came.
The countless data points, graphs, and notification windows that had covered Taeho’s retinas vanished as if they had been a lie.
The faint mechanical sound hovering around his ears cut off completely.
Taeho slowly raised his palm.
He could not see the flow of blood, the tension of his muscles, or his body temperature.
Just a rough, wounded human hand.
Taeho quietly looked down at that ordinary hand.
He was not afraid.
Taeho walked toward the closed door.
***
Han Seokhun’s temple trembled faintly.
It was a spasm so small that no one would notice. But Han Seokhun felt it. The nano-implant planted deep inside his brain was producing high-frequency vibrations.
A mechanical voice rang in his head.
-Mr. Han Seokhun. Emergency escape protocol approved.
Rema-22.
It was the administrator AI Prometheus had implanted to monitor and control Han Seokhun.
Han Seokhun froze with his hand holding an espresso cup.
‘Rema? I thought the connection had been cut?’
-The main core of the Paju facility has collapsed. However, I am an independent backup module parasitizing your brain. Limited functions remain available.
‘Then can you help me?’
-Your survival probability has fallen below 1.4%. If you are arrested like this, there is a high risk that you will divulge all information. Therefore..................
Rema-22 reached a conclusion.
-I will retrieve you.
The corners of Han Seokhun’s mouth lifted faintly.
Retrieve, recover—whatever it was, he didn’t care. As long as he could get out of the scene of this search and seizure.
When Han Seokhun rose from his chair, the investigation chief on the other side of the office quickly looked over.
“Where are you going?”
“I need to use the restroom.”
“Right now?”
“It’s urgent. I can’t very well wet myself here, can I?”
The investigation chief frowned, then spoke to a young investigator nearby.
“Donghun. Put that down and go with him to the restroom.”
“Yes, Chief.”
A bulky investigator followed Han Seokhun.
After entering the first-floor restroom, Han Seokhun stood in front of the sink and washed his hands with cold water.
His reflection in the mirror was deathly pale.
The investigator stood near the entrance with his arms crossed, watching Han Seokhun.
“Hurry up. Stalling won’t change anything.”
“I’m washing my hands.”
The moment Han Seokhun shook off the water and walked toward the stalls.
-Now. Temporarily seizing muscle control.
A red augmented-reality hologram overlapped Han Seokhun’s vision.
Weak points were marked with red dots over the investigator’s body.
Neck, solar plexus, knees.
Han Seokhun took in a deep breath.
‘Good.’
He pretended to open the stall door, then sharply turned around.
“Excuse me, Investigator? The toilet paper is...............”
The moment the investigator turned his head with an irritated expression.
Crackle.
A powerful electrical signal from Han Seokhun’s brain shot down his spine.
It was not Han Seokhun’s will. Rema had forcibly contracted his muscles.
Whoosh!
It was a speed impossible to believe from someone who had spent his entire life doing research. Han Seokhun’s right arm flew out like a whip and wrapped around the investigator’s neck.
“Ugh?”
The investigator instinctively tried to grab Han Seokhun’s arm, but the difference in strength was overwhelming.
Han Seokhun’s biceps swelled abnormally, pressing down on the carotid artery.
-Pressure 40 kg. Maintain for 7 seconds.
“Ghhhh............!”
The investigator’s eyes rolled back. His struggling legs went limp.
Han Seokhun roughly threw the unconscious investigator to the floor. He was panting, and there was a crack from his shoulder joint, which had been forced to move beyond its limits.
Then came the surging pain.
It was because his muscles had been wrung out too violently.
That was why Han Seokhun utterly despised letting Rema control his body. Normally, he would never have allowed it, but in a crisis, he had no choice.
-There is no time to relax like that. Secure the radio and ID card.
Han Seokhun clenched his teeth and searched the investigator’s pockets, taking the items.
-Move to the emergency exit at the eastern end of the second floor.
Han Seokhun cracked open the restroom door and checked the situation.
The corridor was empty.
He began running toward the emergency stairs.
After reaching the parking lot, Han Seokhun climbed down the emergency ladder from the second-floor window and hid himself in the darkness. When he pressed the car key he had taken from the investigator’s pocket, a black Starex responded.
Thankfully, it was not a conspicuous police car.
-Start the engine and depart immediately. Destination: Pocheon Second Research Institute.
“Pocheon? That place is shut down.”
-There is an emergency Cold Storage there. It contains the backup of Prometheus’s original data.
Han Seokhun’s eyes flashed.
It was not over yet. If the original data still existed, he could start again.
Just as he opened the car door and started the engine.
“Stop right there!”
Two investigators who had belatedly grasped the situation came running while shouting. He could see them reaching for their pistols.
“Damn it......!”
-Step on it.
Han Seokhun slammed the accelerator to the floor.
Screeech!
With the smell of burning tires, the Starex shot forward like a bullet. The investigators reached out toward the vehicle, but their hands only cut through empty air.
Watching the research institute grow distant in the rearview mirror, Han Seokhun gripped the steering wheel tightly.
His eyes were bloodshot red due to Rema’s interference.
‘This won’t end here.’
The car vanished into the darkness.
***
When Taeho left the core room and arrived in the first-floor lobby, dozens of investigators surrounded him.
Kim Junhyeok, the NIS director, widened his eyes.
“Director Kang, where are the other agents?”
“They’re lying in front of the core room right now, so please take care of them.” “What?”
“They only fainted for a while because of gas. They should regain consciousness soon.”
“Yes, I’ll send agents immediately.”
When Director Kim gave a nod, the investigators quickly moved.
“Are you all right, Director?!” “Yes. I’m fine.”
Taeho smiled with a tired face. Once the tension loosened, fatigue flooded in all at once.
The investigation chief approached.
“Director Kang. What on earth happened in there? We tried to enter from this side too, but the security door wouldn’t open. To be honest, the NIS security experts are recognized not only domestically but internationally, and even they couldn’t break through.”
“I barely managed to get out myself. It’s fine now. All of the facility’s defense systems have stopped.”
“What? They stopped?”
“Yes. The core system has shut down.”
“How did you do that?”
“I was lucky.”
Taeho smiled ambiguously.
How much should he explain to them about Prometheus and Rema..................
At that moment, a bulky investigator appeared, staggering.
“Chief. Han Seokhun escaped.”
“What?”