Penguin Software

A sigh of relief escaped Su Chen's lips as he heard the knock on his door. It was time to eat. Despite reaching a state of false bigu, where his body was energized enough to suppress hunger, the lingering sensation of hunger remained, albeit subdued. When it surpassed a certain threshold or his energy levels approached depletion, the hunger would surge back, causing discomfort.

Walking downstairs alongside Qiao, Su Chen listened as his companion excitedly showcased a new application of his abilities. Qiao demonstrated the partial optical invisibility of his left hand, making it appear semi-transparent.

Qiao Zhengdao explained, "In theory, I might be able to achieve full-body optical invisibility through my abilities. My entire body can emit light, but the energy required is immense. Moreover, achieving complete invisibility is an extremely complex task. It demands significant computational power, especially when transitioning from static to dynamic invisibility..."

Su Chen engaged in a serious discussion with Qiao, delving deep into the topic during their meal. They explored not only Qiao Zheng's abilities but also the concept of dark energy. Dinner consisted of their findings and whatever scraps Su Chen had managed to scavenge during his recent travels. Yu Hualong had also sent an abundance of supplies, despite Su Chen's initial intention to decline. However, something must have transpired between Yu Hualong, the supplier, and Su Chen, as the latter accepted the delivery. Though the supplier appeared somewhat intimidated, Su Chen reasoned that his relentless killing spree had left an impression.

While Su Chen returned to his room after dinner, he made a few phone calls, gradually honing and familiarizing himself with his abilities. However, these attempts either lasted a few minutes before disconnecting or connected to Yuanliao City without any surprises.

Answering random calls was merely a consequence of Su Chen's unfamiliarity with his abilities. He believed that once he fully mastered his perceptual capabilities, he would be able to connect accurately with the desired person through their phone or communication device.

Using these abilities proved to be more challenging than anticipated, and the confidentiality of dark energy communication was yet to be explored.

After a brief rest, Su Chen glanced at the phone in his hand and felt a stir within him. He decided to channel his energy into it, curious to see if further magical modifications could take place.

With caution, he tentatively infused a unit of energy, observing as the software icons on the phone screen shifted. The Penguin software icon transformed, darkening to about one-ninth black.

It seemed that the transformation required only a minimal amount of energy.

Su Chen deliberated for a moment before deciding to proceed with the modification. The unique changes brought about by magical transformation were not available to all items. Su Chen yearned to explore and discover, but currently, nine units of energy were not overly abundant.

It took Su Chen approximately forty minutes to infuse the full nine units of energy into the phone. Upon completing the magical transformation, the Penguin icon turned black and gray, emanating an unprecedented sense of coldness.

He clicked to open the application, only to find that the login interface was absent. Instead, a single line of text appeared at the center of the gray-black startup screen, freezing in place.

[Loading...]

Su Chen swiftly reacted, tentatively injecting a fraction of his body's energy.

In an instant, the stagnant loading interface transformed. The center of the phone screen turned pitch black, and instead of the familiar Penguin interface, the darkened screen pulsated, resembling the rhythmic expansion and contraction of breathing.

Expanding... contracting...

Su Chen stared at the scene for an extended period, unable to discern any significant changes. Yet, to his surprise, the phone's volume spontaneously increased as if responding to the unfolding events.

In that instant, a chilling electronic voice devoid of emotion filled the room.

[Welcome, dear enlightened]

Su Chen, taken aback, cautiously tapped the phone a few times, eliciting a response.

[Please try not to touch me; my receptors are very sensitive]

This revelation left Su Chen astounded. Had his magical modification inadvertently birthed artificial intelligence?

Su Chen immediately asked, "What is your name?"

[I don't have a name, Enlightened one, you can give me a code name. ]

Su Chen groaned for a moment, and then said: "How about Kukas."

"..."

"Are you an artificial intelligence?" Su Chen's voice betrayed his curiosity.

"..."

"Why the silence?"

[Pardon me, dear enlightened. I don't know what to say] came the reply.

Perplexed, Su Chen pondered the situation. Had he created an AI through a mere chat software?

Attempting to engage in conversation, Su Chen asked, "What functions do you possess?"

[I can chat with the enlightened ones], the AI responded.

Su Chen's mouth twitched as he posed another question, "What can we talk about?"

The AI paused for a moment before seeking assistance. [Dear Enlightened, please wait a moment] it said.

[Searching the database]

[I can provide you with some information about the phone's parameters. This is a man-made p60 phone, and I have...]

Su Chen interrupted, realizing the AI's limitations. [Stop. Is there anything else you can say?]

[The database is mostly empty] the AI confessed.

[No valid content]

[Please enlighten me and provide knowledge]

Su Chen's frustration welled up. "I have to provide knowledge to chat with you? What's the point if you already know what I know?"

[I apologize, dear enlightened]," the AI expressed.

"Apologize for..."

[Insufficient energy. Kukas is about to shut down.]

[Looking forward to seeing you again, dear enlightened], the AI bid farewell.

The breathing-like red glow vanished, and the screen turned black, reverting to the main display. The Penguin software had transformed into a gray-black hue, renamed "Kukas."

Su Chen's emotions became entangled. It seemed he had stumbled upon an AI, but its current capabilities were akin to an empty vessel. If he could connect it to the internet, perhaps he could update its database and transform it into a powerful entity like Jarvis or the Red Queen. Such an AI would prove invaluable to him.

Su Chen rubbed his chin, contemplating the possibilities. If he were to gain access to their systems, stealing their technology might be feasible. Professor Chen could potentially assist in such an endeavor.

However, those plans would have to wait for now.

Su Chen instructed Kukas to shut down temporarily, rose from his seat, stretched his limbs, and resumed his practice of making phone calls. Perfecting his perceptual abilities remained his priority, and he was confident that his mastery of the first level would soon propel him into the second.

Just as he was about to resume his training, a knock at the door startled him.

Wang Li, impeccably dressed, stood outside, his expression grave. "Emergency! The monsters from Yuanliao City are rapidly spreading beyond its borders, searching for survivors! Deputy Battalion Commander Su has just confirmed that they are approaching Lianhua Village, and one is closing in on our location!"