Chapter 266 - 247: Crow Microcontrol Type 4, Network Monitoring Upgrade

First came the money reward.

Blais’s estimated remuneration was 50,000 bucks.

If Lille hadn’t realized the risk of the plan and recognized that he was a honeypot, that would have been the final figure.

However, after some haggling, the figure rose to 500,000 Euros.

Then, as Lille anticipated, Blais, the poor devil, didn’t have that much money.

"Bro, all that’s left of the activity fund is 150,000..."

"Damn it, you embezzled the rest, didn’t you?!"

V cursed loudly, stomping his foot on the table, his demeanor fierce.

This move, if performed by Lille, wouldn’t have exerted much pressure, but under V’s threat, Blais shuddered.

He looked toward Lille for help as if saying, Reasonable big brother, save me!

"Ahem, V, don’t rush—we’re sure our network monitor friend here isn’t just sitting on this small amount of money, tell us what else there is."

Having said that, Lille nodded towards the box that Blais had brought with him.

The atmosphere immediately became a bit delicate, the scene resembled that of a loan shark coming to collect debts, only to find at the venue that the debtor still had no money and began to liquidate assets.

Blais placed the box on the table.

"This item... is for you. It took a lot of effort. What you previously used was the Military Technology Parallel Line 2 model..."

"Actually, it’s been switched to Crow Microcontrol 3 model," Blais interjected.

Blais raised an eyebrow: "Good stuff, but it doesn’t make a difference now, right?"

The box was opened, revealing an access port chip and a fitting kit for modifications.

[Crow Microcontrol 4 (Network Monitor Driver Version)]

[Description: 1 nanometer ultra-precise process, the first batch that used biomolecular transistors to overcome the punch-through effect, an advanced chip with stacked three-dimensional storage structures significantly increasing the total base memory.

Equipped with special mini self-assembling structures, it can intercept protein repair wetware systems from brain secretions.]

[Note: The driver has been upgraded by the network monitor, fully unleashing the chip’s potential.]

[Some people call this type of access port a Battlecruiser, absolutely foolproof in system security and enhanced anti-theft protocols.]

"Finding a high-end access port chip that meets your requirements isn’t easy; this is one of the chips from Crow Microcontrol’s first batch that replicated old network technology.

The hardware is already quite perfect, but their drivers are trash; I’ve already upgraded it for you.

Besides almost doubling the efficiency, I’ve noticed that you’re the kind of hacker who likes hands-on operations, it now supports you better in multi-threading tasks and reduces cognitive load.

Although you haven’t shown symptoms of cyberspace psychosis yet, it’s better to be safe than sorry."

Advanced.

The scent of high technology.

The Crow Microcontrol 3 model is still 2 nanometers and, limited by the punch-through effect, didn’t dare adopt aggressive solutions; after all, it’s one thing if a computer malfunctions, but a whole different disaster if something in your brain does.

In the application of wetware technology, the model 4 is clearly more advanced.

And the network monitor’s driver is significantly more potent than that of Crow Microcontrol, hence this is an access port chip that utilizes network monitor drivers to push hardware performance to its limits.

The market price... priceless.

"Wait!" V suddenly interrupted the transaction, looking at Lille, "Didn’t I just replace your access port chip?"

"It burned, at H8 Skyscraper."

"Burned?!"

The atmosphere changed once again—

V incredulously looked at Lille: "I just bought you one less than 24 hours ago, and it burned?!"

Lille suddenly felt the pressure, so he withdrew his hand reaching for the box and immediately turned to Blais: "Right! The chip you just bought me burned up! And my spinal prosthetics!

How do you plan to reimburse me for this?!"

He mimicked V’s righteous indignation, although he didn’t know why V was so agitated, but good, quite spirited!

"No, sis, this is normal wear and tear for a mission, there’s typically no compensation by the employer... okay, let’s talk some more."

Feeling V’s unreasonable furious glare and Lille’s instigation...

Blais acknowledged his point.

What else did he have left to give?

He symbolically touched his own bag, but unfortunately, he was the type of agent who only knew how to draw a dead salary. His recent achievements weren’t particularly notable, and he had almost no bonus.

Besides, who takes money out of their own pocket to pay a mercenary?

Blais pondered back and forth, and finally, he reinserted the Money Chip into the slot and transferred another 100,000 euros onto it.

The small treasury was gone.

"That’s really it this time, oh and those Cyberspace technologies you wanted are all here too, I didn’t mention them earlier... you might not know..."

Lille waved his hand: "Let’s leave it at that, don’t look so bitter. Spending a few hundred thousand to handle the Soul Killer matter, you might even get an award from Cyberspace Supervision, something like Employee of the Year."

V still looked pretty heated and sat back down on the sofa with his arms crossed, even bouncing a couple of times.

Luckily the sofa was of good quality.

The account with the Cyber Supervision was settled as well.

Blais stood up, stretching halfway: "Having you guys involved isn’t cheap—ah, but you’re right, it’s worth the price, and it turns out I still came out ahead.

By the way, considering our current cooperative relationship, I suggest you best not get directly involved in political matters just because you’ve had a taste of success.

Why not join the Cyber Supervision—join us in maintaining network security, at least it definitely avoids complicated political considerations.

Resisting AI and protecting humanity’s last line of defense—doesn’t that sound good?"

"That’s not necessarily the case," Lille suddenly said. "Blais, have you considered this? Normally, the Black Wall only works against AI.

But combined with Soul Killer... that’s a lot more powerful than the version Arasaka is using now."

Blais shook his head: "If Cyber Supervision really wanted to weaponize the Black Wall, why would they wait until now?"

"Maybe they don’t understand the Black Wall themselves?"

Blais was stunned for a moment, then waved his hand: "Your thinking is too out of the box.

I’ll go back and apply for funding. We dug up a lot this time, and there’s a lot of things you could help with.

Arasaka... heh, remember when I told you about the terrifying aspects of the Soul Killer? The current mayoral candidate Hot is a faithful Arasaka dog."

"Speaking of which, which one do you support? You have voting rights, right? Does Cyber Supervision have a preference?"

"No preference—I personally like Perares better, he actually sounds like he wants to do something good.

Alright, that’s all for today, pleased to cooperate."

Blais left.

V finished the last bite of the apple, even starting to gnaw the apple core...

Lille took the apple core away helplessly: "You can’t eat that."

"How do you know? This little thing cost hundreds of euros, and you’re telling me I can’t eat the whole thing?"

"I just know it—how does it taste?"

"The taste is not bad, but it’s strange to chew."

"Strange is right, usual synthetic foods don’t add cellulose, they’re specially designed with unique textures for various demographics.

Apples—just apples, natural that way."

Of course, compared to the original apples, this thing had actually been significantly modified.

Lille also grabbed a couple of apples but only looked at them, not eating—

He had problems in his mind if he were to eat apples in the world of 2077, how could he not eat to his fill going back to Marvel?

"Although it doesn’t cater to personal tastes like other foods, I quite like this kind of natural food, Jack, try it, you don’t need to peel it."

As he spoke, Lille threw an apple to Jack and pocketed a few more to take back for Mrs. Wales, Misty, and old V to try.

V and Jack watched Lille and clicked their tongues in amazement: The way Lille spoke, he seemed like someone from a wealthy family who knew what he was talking about.

V leaned back on the sofa and said, "All the money collected? Isn’t it time to split it?"

Lille rubbed his hands: "Uh, about that...not yet collected completely, there’s still an amount with NCPD and the intermediaries.

I have an idea, how about we unify resting after missions end and then split the money?"

"That’s fine."

A new financial law by Burger King for stupid bigwigs came into force today:

Following the end of missions, unify for repairs, and split the money afterward.