Chapter 16 Green Office Building

Daniel leveraged his administrative privileges to grant Grace and her team access to Ravenwick Theological Seminary's independent database within Infinity Haven, providing them with three administrator accounts.

For individuals as proficient in cybersecurity as Grace and her team, the remaining technical execution posed little challenge—this effectively allowed them direct access to the system's backend data.

Seated before the holographic projection screen, Grace pursed her lips, contemplating briefly before swiftly formulating two potential methods to crack the administrator account passwords. "I have two options: first, we simulate the administrator's iris data, generate a dynamic hologram, and deceive the system's biometric authentication. Second, we deploy a custom-built search engine to extract all numerical data linked to the administrator's credentials, then systematically filter and reconstruct the login details."

Beside her, a Tech Nerd adjusted his glasses, interjecting, "Iris recognition involves complex value fluctuations—it's prone to errors. Let's go with the second method. I have a pre-built script for that."

"Are you sure it's reliable?" Grace asked, a trace of skepticism in her voice.

The Tech Nerd smirked confidently. "Heh. I perfected this search engine solely to access premium content on the world's largest adult media archive. I hacked into their backend to watch unreleased cuts before they were even edited. If it can handle a platform with billions of users, infiltrating this small-scale independent database will be child's play."

"…!" Grace was momentarily speechless.

Never underestimate a Tech Nerd with three decades of experience in digital infiltration.

"I'll handle the extraction; you verify the results," the Tech Nerd announced, setting the pace.

Without hesitation, the three of them got to work. Using Grace's data connection, the Tech Nerd infiltrated the independent database system, attaching his custom-built search software. He then fed the administrator credentials into the search algorithm, combing through all associated numerical data.

Meanwhile, Grace meticulously sorted and decrypted the extracted data, swiftly categorizing and filtering out irrelevant entries—login timestamps, system reports, operational logs within Infinity Haven, and other unnecessary data points.

Within less than ten minutes, they had successfully cracked the first administrator account.

Their remarkable speed was largely due to the academy's use of an independent database within Infinity Haven—after all, how many users could one institution have? How much data could it generate? With a clearly defined target, any competent search engine could yield results in seconds.

After successfully decrypting the first administrator account, Grace raised her hand and announced, "I'm in. No need for a neural link—I can monitor the backend data directly."

"Hurry up! You got this!" Lillian urged.

"Silence." Daniel gestured for everyone to remain quiet.

At that moment, Grace's sharp eyes remained fixed on the holographic projection screen, her expression intensely focused—like a breathtakingly beautiful yet utterly entranced genius. Her right hand moved swiftly across the interface, navigating through the numerical data with practiced ease. Following the parameters Matthew had provided, she immediately searched for activity within the third-floor laboratory's system logs.

Then, she froze.

A second later, she muttered a curse under her breath, "Wow. Well, this is some next-level paranormal activity."

"What is it?" Daniel's gaze sharpened.

Grace turned toward him, her expression a mix of disbelief and tension. "Your account is logged in. Someone has duplicated your neural signature—your biometric data from Infinity Haven—and is using it to log in under your identity."

Within Infinity Haven, an individual's appearance, biometric signature, and cognitive data must align with real-world records, with a margin of deviation no greater than one percent.

In simpler terms, one could slightly enhance their virtual appearance—perhaps smooth out a few imperfections—but complete transformation was strictly prohibited. A stocky, broad-shouldered man from reality couldn't just morph into a delicate, K-pop-style heartthrob in the virtual realm.

A user's facial features, physique, age, and other biological attributes were scanned upon login, converted into a numerical profile, and uploaded to Infinity Haven's database. Minor cosmetic adjustments were permitted, but any drastic alterations would trigger security protocols.

This stringent regulation served as a safeguard against virtual crime, akin to having a digital ID attached to every avatar within Infinity Haven. Any illegal or unethical actions could be immediately traced back to the perpetrator via big data analysis.

Furthermore, within Infinity Haven, a user's digital avatar remained 'active' only while they were logged in. The moment a user disconnected, their avatar model would be locked in the database, ceasing all activity. Even Lumora Technologies' highest-level administrators were barred from modifying or tampering with these locked models, ensuring absolute data security and identity protection.

However, when an individual logs into Infinity Haven, their data is automatically activated through their neural interface, meaning the external device retains a stored model of their digital avatar—a model that must be manually deleted.

At this moment, the impersonator within Infinity Haven, masquerading as Daniel, must have extracted biometric data directly from his personal neural interface.

Staring at the holographic projection, Daniel felt a sudden chill crawl down his spine. It was evident that no ordinary academy personnel could have accessed his private neural device. This was an inside job—committed by someone within his close circle, someone who had direct access to him.

"Can you lock him down?" Daniel immediately turned to Grace. "Freeze his neural interface—prevent him from logging out."

"That's simple." Grace nodded, her fingers gliding swiftly across the console. With a few precise keystrokes, she executed an administrator-level lock command, sealing the impersonator's neural connection permanently within the system.

"What about his IP location?" Daniel pressed.

Grace pulled up the relevant data in seconds, scanned the results, and reported calmly, "He's operating from the Green Office Building, inside Studio One."

"Got it." Daniel nodded, stepping aside to initiate a direct communication link with Matthew. "Green Office Building, Studio One. Take security and get there immediately. Move fast!"

"Is his neural interface locked?" Matthew asked.

"Yes. He's trapped—he can't log out."

"Good. Wait for my update."

…

Outside the Laboratory

Matthew turned sharply, raising a hand toward the corridor. Within moments, over twenty security officers, clad in deep blue uniforms, marched swiftly toward him.

Leading them was Orion, the Deputy Director of Security, who stepped forward and asked, "What's the plan?"

"Follow me." Matthew responded curtly.

As he reached the laboratory entrance, he paused, his expression unreadable, before sweeping a glance across the room's occupants and stating coldly, "Ten of you stay behind. Until I have results, no one leaves."

Orion hesitated momentarily. "That... might be excessive."

"This is Daniel's directive." Matthew left no room for argument. "The rest of you, with me!"

Orion paused briefly, then gave a short nod before turning to his subordinates. "You stay. Secure the perimeter."

"Understood!"

Ten security officers immediately stationed themselves at the laboratory entrance. Their unit leader clapped his hands, addressing the crowd in a firm yet controlled tone:

"There's an ongoing security emergency. Please remain cooperative and stay where you are for now."

The room erupted into chaos.

Several professors, their expressions dark with outrage, demanded answers in raised voices:

"On what grounds are you holding us here? What's the meaning of this?"

"Do you have any idea who you're dealing with?!"

A cacophony of indignation filled the laboratory. The security personnel, though under considerable pressure, remained steadfast in their duty, sealing off the entrance as per Matthew's orders.

Amidst the uproar, a man standing beside Professor Finn, his expression shadowed with unease, glanced toward the security officers at the door. A thin layer of sweat had begun to bead upon his forehead.

In the Corridor

Matthew, leading the remaining security team, raced at full speed toward Green Office Building's Studio One—their target clear.

…

Infinity Haven—Third-Floor Laboratory

The impostor masquerading as Daniel had just been forcefully ripped from Liam's memory sequence, his fabricated presence in the past dissolving like mist in the wind. Staring in stunned disbelief at the young man before him, he blurted, "You were acting? You deceived me this entire time?!"

Yes.

The very moment Grace initiated the neural lock, the impersonator realized he was trapped.

He could no longer log out.

The independent database had severed his neural interface, isolating his consciousness within Infinity Haven, leaving him stranded—a digital prisoner in a world that no longer obeyed him.

On the ground, where he had been feigning agony, Liam slowly rose to his feet. The fury he had buried deep within him finally broke free, roaring to the surface.

"You ripped a chip from my skull.

You murdered Dr. William.

You manipulated my memories, carving your lies into my wounds.

You tried to reduce me to a mindless husk!"

Liam's fists clenched, his voice trembling with barely restrained wrath.

"What have I ever done to deserve this? Why—why are you so determined to destroy me?!"

"Daniel"'s initial shock faded into a composed indifference. After a brief pause, he remarked, "You're far more perceptive than I anticipated. What I don't understand is—how did you break free? Your consciousness had already submerged. Was it really because of that fool shouting from the outside?"

In an instant, Liam erupted into motion, launching himself forward at blistering speed.

"Thud!"

The dull thump of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the space. Daniel reeled back three steps, blood spurting from his nostrils, his once-calm demeanor now in tatters.

"You have no idea how many secrets I carry."

Liam seized his opponent by the collar, his voice laced with fury. "Did you really think the memories I showed you were complete? Did you truly believe I was trapped?" His lips curled into a smirk, "Shit—I've been playing along all this time just to see who you really are."

Without hesitation, Liam drove two more powerful blows into Daniel's face.

The impostor's eyes turned bloodshot, his stance unsteady, his outstretched hands feebly attempting to retaliate—but he was utterly outmatched. In Infinity Haven, his combat statistics were abysmal; after all, he was nothing more than an old man. How much fight could he possibly have?

Liam, though not particularly formidable himself, was more than enough to obliterate a frail imposter in his sixties.

"Crash!"

Liam yanked Daniel to the ground, straddling him, and unleashed a relentless barrage of punches.

...

Reality—The Laboratory

Daniel's eyes narrowed as he observed his rapidly depleting model stats on the holographic interface.

His brows furrowed in concern. "Why is my life force data plummeting?"

Grace blinked, then delivered a mercilessly blunt assessment:

"If nothing unexpected happened, Liam is currently beating the absolute shit out of you. You're on the brink of death."

...

Freshman Dormitory—Hallway

Samuel rummaged through his mountaineering pack, extracting a sleek, jet-black mechanical armguard. With practiced efficiency, he locked it onto his left forearm, then rushed toward Green Office Building.

...

Green Office Building—Side Storage Warehouse

Eight masked men burst into the corridor, moving with military precision.

...

Green Office Building—Corridor

Just as Matthew and his team arrived at the hallway entrance, preparing to storm the Green Office Building, their path was abruptly blocked—

Eight masked figures stood in formation, barring their advance.

Both sides halted in near-perfect unison.

Sweat beading on his forehead, Matthew took a wary step forward and muttered under his breath,

"Wow… that's a lot of people. Twenty grand is definitely too low. Tell me—did you guys bring weapons?"