Chapter 3  The Temptation of ST?

Earth Metaverse Year 10, January 3, 2031 AD.

Over the past few days, the campus had been buzzing with speculation about the mysterious flash of light that streaked across the night sky. More and more students were beginning to side with Donner's theory—that it was the immense power of the AGI-ST Program at work.

Shawn Wen, however, kept his own thoughts to himself. He never mentioned the vision from his dream. Instead, he offered another possibility: "Maybe… the light was a signal—a contact attempt from an alien civilization."

At the moment, he was sitting by the window in a quiet study session, engrossed in a book titled Psychological Challenges of Future Society. The book, written by renowned social psychologist Professor Yuxiang Cai, introduced a groundbreaking concept—Soul Energy.

According to Professor Cai, the soul was more than just a metaphysical essence of consciousness; it was also a unique form of microscopic matter—an energy, quantifiable and transformable, much like ordinary energy.

When this theory was first proposed, it ignited widespread discussion in both academia and society. Since its publication, Psychological Challenges of Future Society had remained among the world's top ten bestsellers for years, and the term Soul Energy had become a viral phenomenon on the internet.

Shawn was fully immersed in his reading when, suddenly, Donner and Jolie approached, slipping into the empty seats beside him.

Donner spoke first, his voice deliberately low but laced with unmistakable mockery. "Yo, Shawn Wen, still stuck on this outdated psychology book? Just like you—still dreaming about taking the Shanchan University entrance exam? Give it up already."

Shawn frowned slightly. Calling a global bestseller "outdated"? Donner's arrogance left him at a loss for words.

Jolie chuckled softly. Her voice was sweet, yet tinged with sarcasm. "That's right. Shanchan University? Please. Even if it were Beijing University or Tsinghua, do you really think you stand a chance? Or…" She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. "Are you just clueless about your own Soul Energy level? Do you honestly believe you're stronger than us—the ones enrolled in the AGI-ST Program?"

Donner smirked, taking over. "Students in the AGI-ST Program receive top-tier training—for free. Not only does it boost their Soul Energy, but those who excel can even earn the All-Seeing Eye or Ghost Axe Seal medals. Basically, a ticket to becoming one of the chosen elite."

Shawn lifted his gaze, studying them for a moment before speaking. His tone was calm, thoughtful. "The All-Seeing Eye… the Ghost Axe Seal… sounds impressive. But don't you think… it all feels a bit too utilitarian?" He paused, fingers slowly tracing the edges of his book as if weighing something in his mind.

Donner scoffed, his laughter tinged with disbelief. "Utilitarian? Don't be naive. Be realistic. Why do people go to college? For higher status. More wealth." He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. "Besides, the AGI-ST Program isn't just some ordinary training course. It's a grand, noble initiative for talent cultivation. You do know what AGI stands for, right?"

He straightened up before Shawn could answer, puffing out his chest. "AGI—Artificial General Intelligence. And ST? Singularity Transformation. The future of humanity."

Jolie let out a soft hum, her words dripping with superiority. "So out of fifty students in our class, forty-nine have signed up. And you, Shawn Wen… you're the only one stubborn enough to refuse. Holding onto your pointless resistance."

Donner swept his hand through the air, gesturing at the classroom. "Just look at them. Look at how motivated everyone is now."

Shawn followed his gaze. It was undeniable—ever since the AGI-ST Program had launched, the entire class had changed. The atmosphere was charged with an almost fanatical energy. Even the students who once seemed lost and indifferent now carried a fierce determination.

"My goal is to become a Wall Street elite!"

"I'm going to surpass Musk!"

"In five years, I'll be the youngest director in the province!"

These slogans echoed through the hallways, becoming a daily mantra. Even during evening study sessions, whispered passages from motivational books filled the air.

Yet, amidst it all, Shawn remained unmoved.

He met Donner and Jolie's gaze, his frown deepening. "It's not about admitting defeat," he said quietly, his voice steady but resolute. "But something about this… feels off. Like there's a hidden agenda."

His fingers tightened slightly around his book. "I have my own path."

Jolie arched a brow and smirked. "Hah. Shawn Wen, are you afraid? Scared of failure? Hiding behind some noble ideal? People without ambition are destined to be ordinary."

Donner's voice rang out mockingly. "People like you will be eliminated sooner or later. And when that happens… don't be surprised if you end up working for us."

His words turned heads. Nearby students paused, their gazes shifting toward Shawn. Cold. Unforgiving.

Jolie sighed. Donner shrugged. With a final glance, the two exchanged looks and left.

Under the table, Shawn's hand clenched into a fist, his palm growing cold.

A strange sense of loss settled in his chest. Had Donner and Jolie always been this cynical?

No… they've changed. The whole class has changed.

His eyes swept over his classmates. The once-vibrant expressions—the youthful passion and curiosity—were fading. In their place was something else. Something cold. Mechanical. As if… something human was missing.

Then, something else caught his attention.

Two eerie symbols had started appearing on textbooks and bags throughout the classroom.

One was a piercing eye, embedded within a triangle, as if it could see everything—watching, devouring.

The other, a twisted emblem, marked like an ace card, radiated an unshakable, oppressive power.

A chill crept down Shawn's spine.

He stared at the symbols, an inexplicable sense of dread taking root in his heart.

In the evening, as Shawn Wen returned home from school, he heard low voices coming from his grandfather's study. He paused in his tracks, holding his breath.

"Director Lee, this matter goes beyond the scope of education," his grandfather's voice carried a hint of concern. "This seems more like psychological intervention."

"Principal Shawn, don't be too nervous. It's just extracurricular training," the voice on the other end of the video call responded calmly. "Isn't it a good thing for students to learn more? Even the Party Central Committee has emphasized strengthening quality education."

The Party Central Committee—the highest authority of the ruling body.

A brief silence followed before his grandfather spoke again, his tone tinged with helplessness. "Alright, Director Lee. But… I still strongly suggest that the Education Bureau pay close attention to this matter."

With that, he ended the call.

Leaning against the doorway, Shawn Wen felt an ominous storm brewing.

As far as he knew, this so-called AGI-ST Program had never been vetted by the educational authorities or approved by the cultural management department, yet it had spread rapidly throughout schools. Its promotion was almost too smooth—schools readily gave the green light, and even some leaders and teachers personally encouraged students to participate, as if they placed an inexplicable trust and expectation in this initiative.

He knocked on the door before stepping into the study, where his grandfather sat with a deep frown.

"Grandpa, were you talking about the AGI-ST Program just now?" Shawn Wen asked cautiously.

His grandfather slowly looked up, his expression complicated. "You think something's wrong too?"

"Yes. That program… the unusual sign-ups, and…" Shawn hesitated before continuing, "those strange symbols that have been appearing at school lately. I think there's something off about all of it."

His grandfather fell into deep thought, then sighed. "Wen, this isn't just about the students… They might have bigger plans."

Shawn Wen held his breath. "Who are 'they'?"

His grandfather's frown deepened, and he murmured, "I don't know. But one thing is certain—they're getting closer to their goal."

Hearing this, Shawn couldn't help but recall his dream from the other night. Mr. King's worried words echoed in his mind: 'A contest that will determine the future course of civilization.'

A contest for the future of civilization?

His gaze lowered as his thoughts drifted to a familiar story from the Bible:

"God planted the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden but warned Adam and Eve not to eat its fruit. However, Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempted Eve to taste the forbidden fruit. Out of love for her, Adam did the same. From that moment, humanity entered a new mode of existence…"

A mode of existence known as 'Satan's Temptation'—a pursuit mankind labels as wisdom, but which manifests as an endless chase for wealth, power, and technology.

But is this so-called wisdom truly what humanity needs? It seems less like a path to enlightenment and more like a tool for feeding endless desires.

In this contest for the future of civilization, the Bible warns that Satan lures mankind away from the path of life and salvation—toward destruction…

As these thoughts unfolded, a word suddenly exploded in Shawn Wen's mind.

Satan.

His heart sank.

Isn't Satan spelled S-A-T-A-N… and abbreviated as ST?

A chill ran down his spine. His gaze darkened, as if he were seeing an unseen undercurrent—something lurking beneath history and civilization, now rising to the surface.

Who is behind the AGI-ST Program?

Who is the true mastermind behind this grand scheme?

"By the way, Wen," his grandfather suddenly interrupted his thoughts. "Do you still have that picture of yours?"

Shawn snapped out of his daze. "Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?"

"Oh, that's good." His grandfather didn't answer directly.

That night, Shawn sat at his desk, lost in thought.

Outside, the winter wind howled, rain mixed with thunder tearing through the sky.

He reached for an old, yellowed piece of paper, his fingers trembling slightly as he traced the mysterious pattern on it.

It felt as if he were holding a riddle—one that held the key to the fate of the future.