World Keeper

Chapter 1201: Actual Intelligence

Within his virtual office, Blank stared at the files that had been given to him by Ashley previously. As an AI, he had a natural talent for understanding code, and had event created his own version of the binary magic system early on in his career. Thus, an esoteric code that operated more akin to magic was not unfamiliar to him.

The hardest part of the challenge was figuring out how to convert the raw information of the void into the code that he had been provided with. Typically, this was done with a compiler program, but Blank wanted to attempt to decipher the process to do so himself. After all,the big challenge he wanted to undertake was learning how to create his own world, which involved manipulating the void in far more complex ways.

He tried reaching out, attempting to grasp at thin strands of void energy. Unfortunately, the virtual world was not one where he could do such a thing, which only left him deep in thought. The creation of virtual avatars, which had existed for many years now, was meant to allow one to live as if the internet was its own, independent world. Yet, there were very clearly differences when comparing the internet and reality, even from a virtual perspective.

Thinking of this, Blank focused, exiting the virtual world and entering the real one. He appeared atop the ceiling of one of the many data centers that he owned to host his online games. Once he emerged into the real world, he stretched his hand out again, feeling the void becoming more responsive to his touch. Of course, it still felt as if it were a great distance away, due to the many defensive barriers in place both inside and outside the universe.

Thus, Blank went a step further, opening a path to enter the void itself. Now, he could clearly feel the energy surrounding him. It felt foreign, due to his divine nature, but he clearly felt that it was there. At its core, void programming is a type of conceptual code. He thought to himself. It takes on new forms as it becomes more complex, just as new ideas can take shape as they are further refined.

Using this, it should be possible to create my own compiler program. As he thought that, his mind raced, stitching together magic circles at high speeds. The symbols that Ashley and the others use are merely a visual representation created by their compiler for ease of use. The core concepts of the void have no distinct shapes, so I can omit that step.

The compiler program that he wanted to create was not one that would translate code into void commands, but rather his own thoughts. This was a different approach than what Chelsea took, but it was based on the same research that she had given him. Thanks to her research, and the codex provided by Ashley, he was able to understand what the various symbols were meant to represent.

Would this be considered the fifth tier of runic magic? No, this goes beyond runes. This is raw thoughts given form, using a geometric spell as a filter. As Blank thought to himself, he crossed his arms, eyes staring off into the distance.

At the same time, other thoughts became clear to him. Where is the Underworld? It does not exist within the void, yet it connects all universes. According to Chelsea’s report, the Underworld is a shared spiritual core connecting all universes together, but how does it do that? The world laws of Lorek and Spica are different from the others, so their spiritual cores should not be synchronized.@@novelbin@@

There are only two possible answers for this question. Either the Underworld exists on a plane of reality even beyond the void, or it has a form of ‘wireless connection’ with any universe containing a matching core.

If it is the first answer, then this would imply that everything we knew about the void was wrong. That there existed something beyond the primordial realm of pure information. However, if it is the second answer, then something else will have proven to be inaccurate. In that case, spiritual energy itself would not strictly qualify as a prime energy. Instead, it is something added as an extra core, providing access to spiritual concepts.

Blank’s mind continued to wander, the void around him rippling with his thoughts.

Quickly, Blank pulled up old historical documents, the void responding to him naturally, as if he were still within his virtual office. Blank didn’t even realize what he was doing, too focused on his work. It is theorized that the Underworld only came into being several centuries after the first sentient creatures of Earth appeared. If that is the case, a world without a spiritual energy core can still support life, and even the concept of souls, but it does not have anything that it can do with those souls.

A small smile rose on Blank’s face, clearly pleased with this information. If that is the case, and a spiritual energy core is not required to create a world, then… what other cores could potentially be added?

Blank flipped through the files that had been sent to him, studying the ‘code’ behind the spiritual core of Earth, and comparing it with Lorek’s. There are slight differences here and there. I need to isolate the similarities in order to identify the cause for the linking effect.

The holographic screen in front of Blank scrolled rapidly, his eyes glowing as he followed the text. Finally, he stopped, identifying two regions of the code that perfectly matched one another. One of these is for the Underworld itself, while the other is the linking effect. The rest of the code should be regarding spiritual energy control within the respective universes.

Chelsea sat within her own office, letting out a sigh of relief. They had finally compiled a full list of all projects that had been impacted by the removal of the karma system, and had begun the process of fixing the more simple components. Some machines would take a while to fine-tune, but there was nothing that Chelsea herself could do about that. Trial and error was a common part of scientific advancement.

As she was thinking about that, she felt a small prod at the back of her mind, a message from someone she wasn’t used to contacting her in this way. Researcher Chelsea, are you free at the moment? Blank’s voice rang out in her mind, causing her to glance up in confusion.

Blank? Not really, but what’s going on? I thought that you would be busy studying, still. It had only been a few days since Blank had received the files from herself and Ashley, so perhaps there was something that he was having trouble with?

I’ve made a bit of a breakthrough, and I would appreciate your help in testing a new creation of mine. If it works, I believe you would be quite excited for it. Blank responded, his typically calm tone actually showing signs of eagerness.

Chelsea blinked again, shaking her head. Alright, I’ll bite. What’s the breakthrough you’re talking about, and how can I help?

If my hypothesis is correct, then I believe that I have created an additional core that can be fused with an existing world. This core would allow for the creation of a true virtual reality network, connecting all universes to the same internet without the need for any wires or void portals.

Chelsea jumped up from her seat as soon as she heard what Blank had said. “What?!” She asked aloud, before focusing her thoughts. How did you manage something like that? And, what about the existing network?

I borrowed code from the log-in mechanics of games such as World Seed, Fragments of Acidia, and Vision Expanse, as well as some core code from the Underworld’s spiritual core. Combining the two together, I believe that I have created a new realm that can be freely accessed by any virtual reality device, without the need for physical data storage. I would like you to help me test this core with one of the worlds that your group has created.

Chelsea’s eyes were wide as she listened to Blank’s explanation. They had had access to those two key pieces of code for a while now, but she had never considered putting them together to create a system that would facilitate a true virtual world. After all, if she did, it would only connect to the worlds that had linked systems--

As soon as that thought crossed her mind, she froze, realizing what he had meant. It wasn’t the method of shaping spiritual energy into what the user wanted that he took from the Underworld, but the linking mechanic. You’re going by the Secondary Core theory? She asked, and Blank paused briefly.

I wasn’t aware that there was a name for it, but I suppose that you could say that. The concept of trinities being linked to stability has been a recurring theme in the world, has it not? Three divine domains suddenly make a god more stable. The Origin is created with three unique powers. However, there have always been four primary energy cores. If you assume that one of them is an auxiliary core, and that only three are truly required to create a world, then this would fall in line with the pattern.

Chelsea nodded her head slowly. She had toyed with the idea at one point in the past, and had even written a thesis on it a few years ago. However, she had never had the chance to put her thoughts into practice. Okay… suppose that this works, what would be required for someone to access your internet?

If my theory holds true, any current virtual reality device would be supported. As for accessing the internet without entering the virtual world, it should be possible to create a simple adapter that translates information from the virtual world into a 2D display. I’m currently working on a program that will allow me to import the current publicly available internet domains into the virtual world.

Chelsea listened to Blank’s explanation seriously, nodding to herself again. Theoretically, this could work. After all, in order to access video games made from real universes, there were certain special features needed in any virtual reality device. These same features could also be applied to what Blank was wanting to do. Additionally, this would secure their online databases from void infection, in the same way that the Underworld had never been directly affected by the void.

Aside from the brief period of adjustment, and the need to mass produce these adapters… Chelsea couldn’t see a downside to this idea. At least, not if it all worked. Got it. Send me the code for your new energy core, and I’ll look into getting it installed on a testing world.

You misunderstand me slightly. It is not the code for the core that I have created, but the actual core itself. Blank said, surprising Chelsea again. It should be possible to fuse it directly with the universe barrier within the void.

You already entered the development stage? Chelsea asked in surprise. Even if Blank had a mind akin to a computer, she found his speed astonishing. Part of her even wanted to recruit Blank to their research team, though she knew that wasn’t appropriate. He could only work this fast because it was a subject that he had great interest in. Not to mention that they didn’t even know if it would work yet. Alright, I’ll be out into the void in a moment. If the first core fuses properly, we’ll fuse a second one in an unrelated world, and attempt a connection test.

If these two tests worked… Blank would have truly revolutionized the internet across all universes.