Half a month later, in the suburbs of New York, United States.
"Tsk, tsk, haven't the terrorists in Boston been caught yet?"
"I heard that they were actually Russian spies who failed to steal information and ended up directly shooting people and escaping on planes... It's just that Russia didn't admit it."
"Oh, Russia is an evil country..."
On a street with not many pedestrians, as two passers-by were talking, three people, one man and two women, passed by them. They had scarves wrapped around their necks and knitted hats on their heads. In this gradually cooling season,
That's normal.
However, when he heard the words of the two passers-by, the man seemed to glance at them unconsciously, but his eyes were alert. After confirming that he did not care about the three of them, he continued to move forward with his head lowered.
There is a large poster posted on the shop cabinet next to me. There are three people, one man and two women, on it, and there is also a large warning sentence.
"Beware of terrorists!"
Terrorists? Yep.
There was a bit of sneer on the man's face. Since Boston, media organizations all over the world have mobilized to describe it as a terrorist attack, and vaguely revealed that it may have been caused by Russia.
for.
Anyway, Russia has always been regarded as the successor of the "evil empire of the Soviet Union". It already has too many lice and no worries about too many debts. It is useless to add the label of being suspected of being the "mastermind behind the terrorist attacks" on their heads.
Who would doubt it?
Along with the international quarrels, the chasing vehicles, strafing bullets, long-range sniper RPG rocket launchers, airborne gunships, etc. were inadvertently covered up, and no one cared...
The open gun battle in a metropolis ended up being downplayed as if nothing had happened. This also allowed the man to see the horror of the behind-the-scenes organization that really dominated all this. In contrast, he could single-handedly fight against that organization all the time.
A guy who can stand up to a huge force and not fall behind is even more astonishing.
Now, the three of them are heading in the direction they were guided, and they can also feel that the guy they have been looking for seems to be close at hand.
…
There is nothing special about an inconspicuous two-story building, let alone what it has to do with the title of "the unknown world ruler". However, from the single-hole headphones they carry, there is nothing special about it.
A voice sounded clearly.
"arrive."
It's not the female voice of the past, but the voice of a boy who is so young that it's a bit shocking.
Is this his real voice?
An idea came to Roberts' mind, but he didn't do anything extra. He just glanced around casually, and after confirming the surrounding situation for the last time, he stepped forward and knocked on the somewhat simple wooden door tentatively.
"Bang..."
But the next moment, he realized that the door was not closed, but only ajar.
"Come in, I've been waiting for you for a long time."
Not from the earphones, but directly from behind the door, a calm young boy's voice sounded.
Roberts opened the door and saw an armchair next to a fireplace, and the thin-looking figure was sitting next to the fireplace, with his back to them without looking back, and a strange monitor in front of him.
Keep typing on the keyboard.
Contrary to Roberts' imagination, the figure was even thinner than in the photo, which could be called frail.
"Mr. Roberts, we finally meet."
Then, after the figure pressed the last button, he stood up and turned to look at the three people in front of him. The thin face, calm pupils, sickly white skin, and slightly shorter than his peers.
figure.
On the surface, this young man named Uberto Bruni looks excessively morbid. In the photo, he is already very unhealthy, with messy hair and thick dark circles under his eyes. But in real life, he is even more fragile.
, in front of the strong and strong Roberts, he was like a chick facing an eye-catching white-fronted tiger, but neither Roberts nor Wendy dared to underestimate the person in front of them.
Judging from the abilities he has shown so far, no one can find him as long as he is not willing, but at this moment he appeared openly in front of the three of them. And Uberto Bruni glanced at him
After taking a look at the people in front of them, Roberts, Wendy, and Joan, who were protected behind them by both of them, laughed inexplicably.
"I think we need to celebrate."
"What is your purpose?"
Roberts was not moved by Uberto's kindness, but asked warily.
Along the way, the three of them encountered many things. They were chased by many forces, at gas stations, in the wild, on the road... They almost completely relied on Uberto's guidance to escape.
God, but this is not enough for Roberts to trust this guy, because he always remembers that he, Wendy, and his daughter all fell to this point because of his design.
Roberts knew nothing about Umberto. He only knew that the man in front of him was being hunted by several organizations led by the Priory. He didn't know anything else. The man never revealed anything on the road.
.
"My purpose..."
In front of Roberts, the thin young man pondered for a moment, seemed to be considering how he should answer, and then said.
"I said I was actually just trying to survive. Do you believe me?"
Roberts did not answer. He was always watching the other person's every move because he was not sure whether he could believe the other person's words. Although he did not get an answer from Roberts, the young man did not care much and just said inexplicably.
"Mr. Roberts, do you know the 'Secret Key to the World'?"
"I've heard a little bit about it."
Roberts calmly replied that this is an extremely famous treasure. Many legends about it are widely circulated in the other world. It is said that it is extremely magical and has incredible power. However, unlike Roberts who travels between the other world and the human world,
It had nothing to do with being a witcher. He had no intention of caring about such things in the past.
"Do you know what it looks like?"
"...It is said to be a female sculpture made of strange metal."
Roberts thought for a moment and then said. In front of him, the young man nodded and then slowly told his story.
"Yes, the world only knows that this is a sculpture, but they don't know its essence at all... It is actually just a treasure box with something stored in it... Mr. Roberts, I said that I have successfully controlled all the sculptures by relying on technology.
Electronic devices can monitor the entire human world and know countless secrets. Whether it is the Priory, the Freemasonry, or any secret organization, no life can escape my eyes."
Roberts frowned and couldn't help but say a word.
"cicada?"
"Huh? Do you also know about the 'Cicada' plan of the United States of America?" The young man raised his eyebrows slightly, and then nodded as if he understood.
"Yes, during an operation four years ago, you sneaked into Area 51 with Wendy's help and accidentally saw the documents of the 'Cicada' project."
Roberts was keenly aware that some text-like reflections seemed to flash across his pupils, which made Roberts think of a technology called retinal projection. In theory, it can project an impact directly in front of his eyes. It is said that Google is in Google
He has put a lot of effort into glasses, but has not made much breakthrough, but he seems to have achieved it, and it is still a mature technology that does not require eye equipment...
As for Project Cicada, it is a highly confidential plan of the United States of America. Long before the concept of "big data" was born, the United States of America was keenly aware of the value of electronic equipment in intelligence collection, and finally formed an unprecedented ambition.
.
Through big data collection, we can speculate and calculate the fate of the entire human world.
Human society is a chaotic system, but it is not completely unpredictable. Just like the weather, although no one can predict the trend of every wind, they can also predict the general weather. This plan is named "Cicada".
Because cicadas can keenly detect movement before the wind blows, so-called "cicadas wake up before the golden wind moves". This ambitious plan is continuously maintained by a large number of experts, constantly adding various data, and trying hard to put it into practice.
Complete.
In the American conception, when the "cicada" matures, they will be able to predict the trend of human society just like weather forecasts, and thus lead human society to the outcome they expect. At that time, a country with unprecedented dominance will
A powerful world government will be formed, any rebellion will be predicted, any economic danger will be predicted, and any possible potential threats will be prevented in advance.
In the face of this plan, the implementers believe that any old government organization will be worth mentioning. Just like the space fleet facing water droplets, and the ancient army holding cold weapons against distant artillery fire, the old concepts have become obsolete.
Relying on the huge number of technologies in the new era will be meaningless.
When Uberto revealed his past, Roberts keenly realized that this was the "Cicada" that the US government was pursuing, but... someone seemed to have realized this plan in advance.
Looking at the leisurely and thin young man in front of him, it seemed that he didn't even need a second to kill him, but Roberts didn't dare to think so because he felt that he was completely seen through by the other person, as if he was standing naked.
It's the same in front of the other party.
"The United States is indeed a very capable group. They have hired many very capable people. But unfortunately, monkeys are just a group of monkeys after all, and a country composed of monkeys is just a kingdom of monkeys. Without high-computing artificial intelligence, there is no
A reasonable model, but also a lack of sufficient information, makes the Cicada Plan just like an ant nest built by ants."
In front of Roberts, the young man sat down again leisurely and drank the water in front of him. Although his words were plain, Roberts could still feel the arrogance in the other person's heart. In his eyes, the United States was nothing more than
In a country composed of monkeys, the cicada plan is nothing more than an ant nest.
"In my hands, the Cicada plan was truly completed. I built a pervasive skynet, a cicada that can predict the future."
As he spoke, he raised his head, looked at Roberts in front of him, and said calmly.
"Mr. Roberts, I know what you are thinking. You are wondering why I have fallen to this point since I have such power...right?"
Although he was asking, his voice was extremely sure and without any doubt, and Roberts felt as if his eyes were looking directly through his own heart. He was particularly uncomfortable, but he still had to nod his head.
The corners of his mouth curled up into a sarcastic smile.
"A monkey's humble opinion."
As he was talking, suddenly, a TV series in the living room suddenly turned on automatically, and a news item was played. In it, a bald, pot-bellied middle-aged man was holding a press conference.
"James Brown, a manufacturing giant, does not have his name on the world's richest list, but his hidden assets actually exceed US$20 billion, and the goods he produces are sold all over the world."
The thin young man spoke casually, as if he was talking about what to eat today.
"Mr. Roberts, how about we make a bet on whether he will go bankrupt in one minute."
"I don't understand you."
Mr. Roberts frowned, but behind him, Wendy, who was delicate and sharp, seemed to have thought of something, and her face suddenly showed unbelievable astonishment.
"It seems that Ms. Wendy is much smarter than you... she is the secret weapon of the Priory after all."
The smile on the young man's face became more and more wanton.
The Priory's...secret weapon. Before I could react to the concepts contained in these words, the TV suddenly went dark, and an emergency news message popped up. The female host who was extremely familiar to the entire United States had a serious expression at the moment.
.
"Now interrupting an urgent news... Just two minutes ago, there was... a violent explosion because it contained radioactive material... We are currently actively contacting Mr. James Brown."
"Two minutes ago, a worker was working nervously on the assembly line, but the cell phone in his trouser pocket suddenly rang. Then he subconsciously wanted to hang up. After all, the factory stipulated that no phone calls were allowed, but he forgot that his cell phone had been turned off.
It was aging, and occasionally it would leak electricity. As a result, when he touched his mobile phone, the electric current released made him feel numb, and then the mobile phone flew out of his hand and got involved in the machine... This in itself is nothing, but
However, the machine happened to be intolerant of metal, and the abnormal discharge destroyed the machine... The fallen machine hit the worker. The panicked man wanted to find someone for help, but accidentally tripped the power cord, causing a blackout in the entire workshop.
...This is nothing, but it itself caused chaos in the circuit system, causing power outages in several other workshops at the same time. Normally, it is a trivial matter. At most, some workers suffered some injuries, fractures, etc., but luckily it was something else.
Special operations were being carried out in the workshop. A sudden power outage caused an explosion. Finally, a large amount of flammable substances stored caused an unprecedented explosion. However, there is a nuclear power plant near the factory... Of course, this manufacturing giant will not do so for the time being.
Bankruptcy, but the hundreds of thousands of citizens suffering from radiation sickness will not let him go..."
As he spoke, the young man showed a half-smiling expression.
"Mr. Roberts, have you ever heard that interesting fable? If a nail is missing, a horseshoe falls; if a horseshoe falls, a horse becomes lame; if a horse becomes lame, a king dies; if a horseshoe falls, a king dies.
If you lose a king, you lose a battle; if you lose a battle, you lose a country."
"I don't need any wealth or power, because these things mean nothing to me. As long as I am willing, I can achieve any goal. The position of the President of the United States is just the position of the Monkey King to me. I stand at the top of the world.
I can easily control the entire world without any action, and the world is just a plaything in my hands. This is why I consider myself the nameless ruler of the world."
"This is my power, the power of cicada."
Inexplicably, he laughed, his laughter was so wanton and arrogant, but it carried something inexplicable... Roberts understood what the emotion was, it was fear, and he was laughing to drive away the fear and fear in his heart.
fear.
"But with this kind of power, I have to hide here and there at this moment. Why?"
The young man's pupils became extremely dark.
"Because I am facing something beyond this world...a god."