Fallen Chronicles

Chapter 308 Chapter 308: Infusion, Switching Sides

Daily 1/2

Although the process of the patch was somewhat strange, its effect was immediately apparent.

The serial killer no longer viewed Renji as an enemy and accepted a data transfer with 86, this time a healthy and normal one.

The advantage of being mechanical was demonstrated here; without needing further explanation from Renji, the serial killer was able to exchange information with 86 very quickly and understand the situation.

However, upon learning of Renji's "Ashen" identity, the serial killer still reported an error.

[Commander, this is impossible]

This was not because she still didn't believe in Renji, but because the serial killer had concrete data evidence.

She quickly explained to Renji:

[Because Zero has already found the Ashen Emperor]

Initially, Renji thought the ghost referred to the moment just after his arrival, when he had indeed used Zero's power at the Sea Sand Bar, allowing Zero's consciousness to descend.

But according to Suthia and 86's descriptions at the time, the nun should have purged Zero's consciousness memory, preventing Zero's main body from knowing.

However, what the serial killer added next surprised Renji.

[No, Commander, the record of Zero finding the Ashen Emperor dates back two hundred years]

'Two hundred years ago?'

Renji's first reaction was whether someone was impersonating him.

Of course, this was quickly denied.

If it weren't for the presence of Suthia and the other four guards, Renji might have considered it a possibility. But with "them" around, not to mention impersonation, even slightly borrowing the "Ashen Emperor's" name would likely be suicidal.

'What exactly did "Zero" mean by "finding" the Ashen Emperor?'

'And, two hundred years ago….'

'If I remembered correctly, according to the history of the Dream City, that was precisely when Zero entered hibernation and initiated the Dream Zero'

"If Zero really succeeded to find Ashen, then why choose to hibernate?"

For these questions of Renji, the serial killer could not provide an answer, as she, being a special entity, had only copied these data before leaving the Dream.

Now, the serial killer's purpose in mentioning this was to stop Renji.

Because she exchanged data with 86, the serial killer knows Renji's subsequent plans to complete Dream Zero, find the "base" where "Zero" is sleeping, and she can help with all of these.

"Wait, you know the location of the 'base'?"

If Dream Zero is likened to a game instance, then the "base" is the final boss level. Previously, with the help of Control Number One, Renji understood the "strategy" to defeat the Miasma Masters one by one, which would eventually "unlock" the base.

So now, the fact that the serial killer can directly let Renji "skip" to the end is surprising to him.

[Commander, I do not recommend you do this. Based on my model analysis, it is very likely that Zero will experience system disarray due to your identity, with a high probability of going berserk and losing control. With your current combat power, you are no match for Sister Zero in her dream if she goes out of control]

The serial killer's conclusion of Zero "losing control" is due to the conflict between existing data and historical data, equivalent to having "two" Ashen Emperors.

This makes Renji curious because the loyalty of the servant machine should also be based on the identity of the "Ashen Emperor."

Two hundred years ago, Zero had already "found" Emperor Ashen, making Renji's current identity suddenly uncertain in Zero's eyes, with the risk of going berserk and losing control.

"So why, despite knowing this historical data, why are you not affected or losing control, and instead offering to help me?"

'Is it just the effect of Lena's patch?'

Clearly, from the serial killer's subsequent answers, it is not entirely so.

[It is because, You are the commander]

This special servant machine, although not explicitly stated, has made her meaning very clear.

After accepting data from 86, she does not see him as the lofty distant Ashen Emperor but as the commander.

The Ashen Emperor might have an identity conflict issue, but the commander does not.

Because from the data of 86, the serial killer essentially also went through the experiences in the dream, including those of Control Number One and everyone else, and saw Renji step by step, genuinely defeating the "Witch" and the "Evil Dragon," two major Miasma masters.

These are existing data, they are real, and they are the origin of the "Commander's" name.

Therefore, the serial killer continued:

[So, my suggestion for the Commander is, please gather the strength of all our servant machines first.]

[You have already led the servant machines to conquer two major battle zones, achievements unprecedented in our centuries of struggle. With you Commander, even as your 'sisters,' we definitely have… The possibility to overcome the out-of-control Zero]

Towards the end, the serial killer's gaze towards Renji was not only firm but also held a bit of anticipation.

The servant machine actively wants to go to war with Zero?

The clone declares war on the original?

Renji did not expect such words to come from the serial killer.

Before Renji could speak, the serial killer voluntarily explained:

[Zero created me, and many sisters like me. We are grateful to Zero and swore to fight for the glory of the Emperor alongside Zero]

[But after hundreds of years of fighting in Dream Zero, I felt lost, tired of this endless battle. I don't want to see my sisters die over and over again, to have their memories erased by the 'base,' reconstructed time and again, returning to the battlefield, to fight with Zero's memories]

[So, I voluntarily escaped from Dream Zero, trying to retrieve our consciousness chips from the hands of the Fantasy Supervision in reality, but my strength alone was too weak]

[On the way to retrieve them, I also discovered our consciousness chips were incomplete, parts of their computing storage had been misappropriated by Kael Technology for private use, creating inferior robots]

[In a way that the Commander might find easier to understand, in human terms, Kael Technology has 'drained our blood,' stealing part of our essence to enhance their own people]

[Commander, the Dream City labels me as a serial killer, but in reality, all my targets are those who possess our 'essence' stolen from us. The only reason I kill them is to reclaim our 'essence.']

The serial killer voluntarily explained the origin of her "nickname" to Renji, worrying that Renji might be concerned about her identity. She wanted to prove to Renji that she is not a bloodthirsty servant machine, nor a maniac who slaughters innocents as rumored.

She just wants to rescue her sisters from the endless cycle of Zero's Dream.

So, to her, Renji represents hope now.

"I understand."

"But there's one last question, the integration of your strength you mentioned at the beginning, what does that mean?"

[Once Commander leads me to retrieve our consciousness chips from Kael Technology, I will assist you in merging your consciousness with our chips, allowing the Commander to access our network temporarily. You will surpass Zero, obtaining our highest authority, and all of us will no longer be bound by Zero, instead turning to serve you alone]

After explaining it in the mechanical way of speaking, the serial killer, worried that Renji might not have understood, translated it into a more human-comprehensible form:

[I will Inject your 'essence' into our bodies, allowing our essences to merge with each other. Your powerful essence will surely make our bodies turn against Zero and side with you!]

Having experienced Renji's vast amount of 'code firsthand' during the patch process, the serial killer spoke with conviction.