Chapter 178 Clear the level! !
The words that Song Zhaomei poured out to V sounded like her last words and also like a painful account of this terrible world.

Li De, who was hiding not far behind the main console, felt particularly heavy-hearted after hearing these words.

He could fully understand and empathize with Song Zhaomei's mood at the moment.

Because during those tormenting days, Li De also thought about committing suicide like Song Zhaomei in order to find relief.

But Li De still had the ideal of serving his country and contributing to the new America in his heart.

Even though this feeling is illusory, at least I have hope.

If not for this, Li De might have secretly committed suicide by shooting himself while lurking in Gou Town.

But Song Zhaomei would not deceive herself like him. If she could not get the freedom she wanted or could not realize the value of her existence, Song Zhaomei would rather die.

"V, please... help me."

"I beg you."

Song Zhaomei's hoarse and low voice was full of prayers to V.

Her long-lost ideals, like the shattered prosthetic devices in her body caused by the black wall infection, turned into blades piercing her heart.

The extensive failure of the prosthesis was causing Song Zhaomei's blood supply to become increasingly insufficient. Her misty eyes revealed deep despair.

The pain that pierced into her cerebral cortex and bone marrow from all directions made Song Zhaomei feel like a lark falling from the sky, dying, and finally being crushed into a bloody mess by the traffic.

The program she wrote was starting the AI ​​neural matrix device, and at this moment the neural matrix was continuously diverting data along the intubation cable at the back of Song Zhaomei's head.

The black wall data that does not belong to her will be integrated into the AI ​​in the device to reduce the degree of black wall infection in Song Zhaomei's body.

Under normal circumstances, when AI neural matrix surgery is performed, the patient will first enter a deep network dive and become a digital state so that he or she will not feel pain during the operation.

After all, the AI ​​in the device will penetrate deep into the patient's brain nerves and force data separation.

This feeling is like someone using a cold and sharp knife to scrape the patient's tender and fragile cerebral cortex, and each cut is a soul-wrenching torture.

Song Zhaomei forcibly plugged in the high-speed cable and activated the matrix device to treat herself.

She started the intraoperative procedure without entering a deep diving state, and could only endure this intense and long painful treatment alone.

At this moment, Song Zhaomei has already adjusted the pain compiler in her brain to full power mode.

However, intense negative feelings such as dizziness, tingling, and tinnitus were successively attacking and destroying her will.

This treatment operation was like torture, but Song Zhaomei wanted to end it as soon as it began.

Now she just wants to escape from the sea of ​​suffering as soon as possible, die early and easily, and put it all to rest.

"No, Song Zhaomei! You have to live. You are only one step away from freedom. LA Company will cure you."

"Mr. Leon is not the ruthless and heartless dictator like Miles, and LA Company is not the Intelligence Bureau you imagined. The world has changed, and it can accommodate a lark like you!"

"If you trust me this time, I promise you!"

The palm of V's hand that was supporting the back of Song Zhaomei's head had become sticky and wet. All of this liquid was the tears that flowed from Song Zhaomei's eyes.

Song Zhaomei, who had undergone an artificial eye transplant, should not have shed so many tears, because the artificial tear glands do not secrete tears as easily as the original ones in the human body.

Therefore, the liquid that fell into V's palm could only be a mixture of Song Zhaomei's blood and tears!

The appearance of this blood just proved that Song Zhaomei's brain was already in a mess due to the polluted data from the black wall.

It is even possible that severe cerebral hemorrhage has been caused.

But under the dim red warning light near the main console, V was unable to realize for a moment that his hands were already stained with Song Zhaomei's blood.

The promise V made to Song Zhaomei did not make her change her mind. On the contrary, Song Zhaomei became more desperate.

When she was in the CIA, she heard countless promises like this. Both Miles and Reed made these promises to her.

But in the end, no one kept their promise, and everyone just wanted to use her to achieve their own goals.

In Song Zhaomei's eyes, even V, who spoke sincerely, was just doing it for his own benefit, just like Li De, who had tried his best to persuade her to stay in the Joint Intelligence Bureau.

Looking at V who was still stubborn in his delusion, Song Zhaomei stopped sobbing and crying. She was completely hopeless and just slowly stretched out her trembling hands.

She wanted to pull out the tube at the back of her head and forcibly interrupt the surgical process of the AI ​​neural matrix. Since V was unwilling to help her, she would do it herself!
Just as Song Zhaomei grabbed the tube and tried to pull it out, an extremely clear and sharp pain suddenly came.

It was like someone took a sharp awl and hit her head hard.

Because of her action, the nerves in Song Zhaomei's brain and the cerebral cortex once again felt a pain stimulation that penetrated deep into her soul.

Song Zhaomei nearly fainted from the pain this time. The tinnitus in her head was like countless bronze bells ringing at the same time around her.

V suddenly woke up and hurriedly stopped her from reaching out to pull out the tube.

Just now, when Song Zhaomei looked at V with disappointment, V also thought for a moment about who he was doing all this for.

Song Zhaomei wants to free herself, so why can't I help her and let her be a truly free lark.

But only a second passed and V quickly shook off this terrible thought. How could he give up a life so easily?

It's always better to be alive than dead!
At the very least, V would never let Song Zhaomei die in his hands.

After seeing Song Zhaomei's actions just now, V roughly understood that the intubation cable should be connected to the AI ​​neural matrix device.

This matrix core is like a ginseng that is holding Song Zhaomei’s life on. The last breath of Song Zhaomei’s life is supported by this thing.

If Song Zhaomei really pulled out the tube herself, she would definitely die immediately, and there would be no way to save her!
"Song Zhaomei, hold on, the company's medical team will be here soon!"

V scolded Song Zhaomei angrily and pushed the tube at the back of her head tighter into the slot, which caused Song Zhaomei to feel another sharp pain.

"V, if you do this, I will hate you..."

Song Zhaomei uttered childish and harsh words to V in a voice as soft as a mosquito's hum. She knew that her verbal threats would have no effect on V.

But this is indeed the only thing she can do now.

【Warning! The target person's ICE system has crashed! 】

At this moment, a large string of dense error messages suddenly appeared in front of V's eyes, and his inspection interface detected that Song Zhaomei's ICE system had completely collapsed.

This means that Song Zhaomei's network immune system has completely collapsed and failed, and the last line of defense has been lost.

Perhaps Song Zhaomei's attempt to remove the intubation tube just now further worsened her condition, causing her already fragile ICE system to completely collapse.

It became the last straw that broke the camel's back!
As expected, as soon as the error message about Song Zhaomei popped up, V saw Song Zhaomei's eyes turned white and her whole body twitched, as if she had been electrocuted.

Song Zhaomei is in the countdown to her death!
"Song Zhaomei!"

V hurriedly patted Song Zhaomei's cheek with his hand. When he saw his bloody handprint on her face, V realized that Song Zhaomei had been shedding tears of blood.

"What happened?!"

At this time, Reed and Alex, who were standing behind the main console, hurried to V's side after hearing V's exclamation.

When they saw Song Zhaomei, whose face was blurred by V's bloody handprint and who was in a dying state, Li De and Alex were both stunned.

It was not until V explained the truth that they realized how dangerous Song Zhaomei's situation was.

"Song Zhaomei's ICE defense system was completely breached by the Blackwall data. Unless this AI neural matrix device is fully activated, it is possible to save her life."

"But the three of us don't know how to use this junk!"

V clenched his fists, gritted his teeth, and punched the main console, leaving a hole as big as a sandbag.

Perhaps, he can only watch Song Zhaomei die in front of his eyes!

In an instant, an atmosphere of despair gathered around the three people.

"Sure enough...Xiao Song still can't be saved."

Li De covered his face and lamented sadly. He had actually anticipated the worst outcome a long time ago, but when this moment really came, Li De felt as if his soul had been suddenly taken away by someone.

He became weak all over, and even his legs had almost lost the strength to support his body.

When his beliefs and beloved disciples disappeared and collapsed on the same day, Li De only felt a piercing pain that made it difficult for him to breathe!

[V, the AI ​​White Queen in your mind can temporarily serve as a neural matrix device to keep Song Zhaomei alive, but if you do this, it is likely to cause the Relic chip to restart the download program.]

[In other words, you have to sacrifice your own life to save Song Zhaomei's. I guess you won't die, but there is a high probability that you will live a life worse than death.]

【It's up to you to choose. 】

Just when everyone was about to give up on Song Zhaomei's life, Johnny Silverhand, who had disappeared for a long time, suddenly couldn't help but speak up to remind V.

He originally didn't intend to intervene in this matter because Song Zhaomei had no relationship with either him or V, and she even wanted to use V at one point.

But seeing V's sad and annoyed expression, Johnny's heart softened.

He knew that if Song Zhaomei really died in front of V, V would probably feel guilty for the rest of his life.

The thing that people fear most when living in this world is living with a sense of guilt, because that will sooner or later crush their spirit.

"Yes! That's right!" V realized it later. He thought that he still had the AI ​​White Queen, which could help Song Zhaomei clear the black wall data in her body.

Even if he would suffer backlash from the Relic chip, so what? The rescue team from LA company would be here soon.

V can definitely hold on for this tiny amount of time!
After telling Li De and Alex what he was going to do next, V immediately inserted his nano data cable into Song Zhaomei's brain-computer slot.

Immediately, V successfully connected to Song Zhaomei's brain prosthesis and then activated the function of Chapter 6.

Of course, what V is going to do this time is not to use the chapter device to cause attack and damage, but to let the AI ​​White Queen perform functions similar to AI neurosurgery.

Previously, when Leon upgraded the AI ​​White Queen function for V, he also opened up some usage permissions for him. It was not difficult for V to drive the White Queen to complete the program instructions.

Deng!
The moment V's data cable was connected to Song Zhaomei's brain-computer slot, the infected data from the black wall immediately flowed into V's body along the cable.

These black wall data are like viruses with a strong desire to reproduce. Once they sense a breeding ground suitable for living, they will rush there.

But with the AI ​​White Queen, as soon as these data entered V's body, they were devoured by the White Queen in an instant.

Then, the White Queen entered Song Zhaomei's brain and began to quickly build a neural matrix for her to block the black wall data.

"Aaaaaah... The Relic is taking effect! It hurts so much, I feel like my head is going to split open!"

When the AI ​​White Queen in the Chapter 6 device no longer worked for V, the Relic chip that had been stuck for a long time instantly resumed downloading the program.

The download progress had previously remained at 50%, and every 10 seconds, the progress would be added by 1%. There was not much time left for V!
Such changes were directly reflected in V, who felt severe pain in his head again.

His nose began to bleed, and he felt dizzy and felt as if his soul was being pulled out and shaken out.

At this moment, V's hearing was covered by the crackling sound of electricity, his vision was affected by the flickering images, and his synaptic nerves seemed to be about to jump out of his forehead.

Reed and Alex were clearly talking and shouting loudly in front of V, but V just couldn't hear clearly what they were saying.

Johnny really got it right, this feeling is indeed worse than death!
"V, hold on for another two minutes, the rescue team sent by the company will be here soon!"

Li De and Alex supported V's violently shaking and swaying body. They were deeply touched when they saw V risking his own life to save Song Zhaomei.

Song Zhaomei had only met V a few times, but V was willing to risk his own life in exchange for Song Zhaomei's life.

They haven't seen someone as loyal as V for a long time.

[V, you are the most courageous man I have ever met. I mean it, no one else.]

Johnny Silverhand was not as panicked as Reed, because he knew that this Relic chip would not kill V for the time being.

But V will suffer great pain, which is inevitable. There is always a price to pay for saving people.

Hearing Johnny praising him like this for the first time, V didn't say anything, but just smiled inexplicably.

In fact, even he himself didn't understand why he had to save Song Zhaomei's life.

Maybe it was to complete the task assigned by Leon, or maybe he just felt sorry for the poor lark and wanted to help her.

But no matter what the reason, V never regrets every choice he makes, even if it is wrong, he is willing to do it.

Soon, V's body and brain nerves were forced to the limit under the torture of the Relic chip. If this continued, he would faint like Song Zhaomei.

But at this moment, Li De suddenly heard a burst of hurried footsteps behind him. As an agent, he immediately recognized the size of the other party's personnel.

There are at least 30 people approaching them quickly!

Immediately, Reed and Alex turned around at the same time and found that the people coming were a team of soldiers led by Morgan Blackhand.

But what surprised Li De was that the members of this team of soldiers were exceptionally tall. Each of them was over two meters tall, and their body flexibility was extraordinary!

Obviously, they were soldiers from LA's "Iron Hands" Astartes Legion, and these soldiers had entered the third stage of surgical transformation.

Their bones and muscles are different from those of ordinary people, and they even have one more heart than ordinary people, which is why they can have such astonishingly strong physiques.

In a blink of an eye, Morgan Blackhand had arrived at the main console.

Before Reed could say anything, Morgan Blackhand ordered Reed and Alex to be handcuffed and taken away. He did not give Reed any chance to explain.

If you have anything to say, let’s talk after we enter the company!

Facing V, who was kneeling on the ground with a painful and distorted expression, Morgan Blackhand just chuckled and patted V on the shoulder, saying:
"V, it seems that you have successfully saved this broken bird. Leave the rest to me. I will take you back to the company now for a secret transformation."

"When you wake up, everything will be different!"

At this moment, V's head was still buzzing. He only heard Morgan saying something intermittently, but he couldn't hear clearly what the content was.

Looking at Morgan who gave him a mysterious smile, V could only try his best to raise his already exhausted eyelids and responded to him:
"Morgan, my mission is complete. Please tell Mr. Li Ang to let Song Zhaomei live. This is what I promised her."

"please!"

Seeing that V himself was tortured by the Relic chip and was still worried about Song Zhaomei, Morgan couldn't help but shook his head and smiled:
"Okay, go and tell Mr. Li Ang what you want to say. Now, what you need to do is shut up and have a good sleep."

After he finished speaking, Morgan Blackhand shouted at the Astartes warrior beside him: "What are you still standing there for? Take your future commander out of here!"

"If anything happens to him, you will all suffer together."

After hearing Morgan's order, the team of Astartes soldiers immediately responded: "Yes!"

Soon, under the guidance of professional medical staff, the Astartes soldiers pulled out the connection between V and Song Zhaomei, and then carried V out like a piglet.

The trauma team's hovercraft had already been parked outside, so V could receive immediate emergency treatment from professional doctors after he was out of danger.

After seeing that V had been sent out safely, Morgan Blackhand looked at Song Zhaomei, who was lying on the ground with her head leaning weakly against the main console.

Looking at Song Zhaomei, who was in pieces and looked as haggard as a broken delicate vase, Morgan couldn't help but click his tongue and said:
"Lark, the New American Joint Intelligence Agency has now been incorporated into the LA Company's subsidiary, and as a hacker agent of the Joint Intelligence Agency, I have the right to take you away."

"Now please come with us!"

……

……

Night City, Watson, LA Corporate Headquarters.

Under the handling of the company's troops led by V and Morgan Blackhand, everything that happened in Dog Town has been settled.

The troublesome President Miles is dead, and the insignificant Dogtown warlord is dead.

The poor confused lark was rescued, and Dogtown, which had fallen for many years, returned to the embrace of Night City.

Li Ang, standing alone in the office lobby of the headquarters, breathed a sigh of relief. He was not worried about what was happening in Dog Town.

Instead, he finally waited for the transfer of shares of companies in the European Community countries and the signing of the formal accession agreement.

Once these two things are confirmed, it means that from now on, all the giant companies in the entire cyber world will become lackeys of LA company.

The LA Alliance will become the most authoritative official organizational force in the world, with a status and role similar to that of the United Nations!
In other words, at this moment, Leon has become the only emperor in charge of all mankind.

While he hasn't publicly stated that he will rise above humanity, LA has done that for him.

There is no doubt about this!
"Finally cleared the level!"

Li Ang finally relaxed completely. During this period, he not only had to keep an eye on the situation in Dog Town, but also had to be wary of those shady guys in the companies of the European Community countries.

See if they will secretly attack me.

Fortunately, the executives of these companies were quite self-aware and did not launch suicide attacks on LA companies or plan any meaningless actions.

Now that the overall situation has been decided, Li Ang has also completed the last system task!
[The system will be dedicated to helping the host build a giant enterprise and become the dictator of the world. ]

[The host has completed the expansion of the enterprise, the monopoly progress has reached 100%, and other companies have been successfully annexed. The clearance gift package has been issued, and the world of the heavens has been unlocked. ]

The familiar system prompt sound made Li Ang feel as if he had returned to where his dream began.

He has been in the cyber world for three years. Although it is not a long time, it seems like a lifetime ago to him.

After all, he is carrying out the layout work intensively every day. If it weren't for his good health that allowed him to hold on, he would have probably rolled back and restarted long ago!
As the system prompt sound ends, the clearance gift pack is automatically unlocked.

The gift pack includes ten chances to draw from the Zhutian Prize Pool Roulette, 1 upgrade point, 1 automatic save, and physical enhancements.

The chance of ten consecutive draws is easy to understand, and it is still randomly drawn from the prize pool of the world.

But the level of this ten consecutive draws is not high, only level 4.

There is not even a guaranteed chance to make a withdrawal. It is obvious that this reward is just for increasing the frequency and is not the most important item.

As for the functional item of automatic saving, it means that once Leon dies, he can freely jump back to any time point before his death and start again.

This item is quite interesting and can be considered a conceptual level of immortality.

Although Le Ang cannot immediately become an immortal, he can always stand from the perspective of the fourth wall and freely control everything in the world like a real player!
If you die, you can start over again without having to worry about anyone's sneak attacks, assassinations, poisonings, etc.

Not a god, but better than a god!
"So... I will have the chance to clear a dungeon by myself in the future?!"

Li Ang was pleasantly surprised. With this system function that was almost at the bug level, he at least no longer had to worry about being ambushed.

With this feature, all backstabs against him seem meaningless.

(End of this chapter)