The Maze of the Wise

Chapter 10: The Double Agent

My life had never been more chaotic. In just a few days, I went from a passive participant to the focus of a battle between two opposing factions. The Conservatives wanted to leverage my familiarity with the system to stop the Extremists' "Wisdom Governance Plan", while the Extremists, aware of my existence, were trying to lure me into their camp.

Caught between these forces, I had no choice but to play the role of a double agent, navigating the invisible war in search of a way out.

"We need your help, Mike Dean."

The Administrator stood across from me, her expression unusually stern. "The Extremists have discovered your actions. They won't let you go. But before they pull you in, we need to make the first move."

"Make the first move?" I frowned. "You're saying I should approach them myself?"

"Exactly." She nodded. "The Extremists need an intermediary to access the core node and upload the final algorithm. You're the perfect candidate."

"So you want me to pretend to join them?" I scoffed. "Isn't that too risky?"

"It's risky, yes," she admitted, her gaze unwavering. "But you're also the only person who can gain their trust while feeding information back to us."

Her words sent me into deep thought, but the greater pressure came from the Extremists.

That night, I received an anonymous email. The message was short and chilling:

"Mike Dean, we know your capabilities. If you choose the right side, the future of the Wisdom Order will have a place for you."

The email included a contact address, suggesting a way to establish communication with them.

Staring at the screen, I felt a chill run down my spine. They knew my name, my actions, and even my abilities. The Extremists were far more terrifying than I had imagined; their surveillance capabilities likely exceeded even those of the League.

The next day, following the Administrator's instructions, I initiated contact with the Extremists.

The meeting was arranged at the penthouse suite of a luxurious hotel. My host was a middle-aged man in a black suit who introduced himself as Xu Jin (许谨, Xǔ Jǐn), one of the core members of the Extremist faction.

"Mr. Dean, it's a pleasure to finally meet you." He smiled faintly, his tone carrying an air of appraisal. "Your performance in the Core maze has already proven your potential, and we need people like you."

"Potential?" I feigned indifference. "Do you mean the potential to help you complete your plan, or to serve as your pawn?"

Rather than taking offense, he smiled. "Our plan isn't about control, but evolution. You must understand, human decisions are riddled with errors and biases. The Wisdom Algorithm can eliminate those flaws."

"But at the cost of everyone's freedom," I retorted coldly.

He shrugged, his gaze steady. "Freedom? Freedom comes with chaos. If every choice is replaced with the optimal solution, the world will become far more efficient. Isn't that what we should strive for?"

The conversation sent shivers down my spine, but I maintained a calm facade.

Xu Jin eventually made his pitch: assist them in completing the final algorithm upload. The task involved traveling to an underwater data center and integrating the Enlightenment System's "final model" into the core node.

"What if I refuse?" I asked, testing his reaction.

Xu Jin smiled faintly, a hint of menace in his eyes. "Refusal is not an option, Mr. Dean. We value your intelligence, but you must realize that some things require going with the flow."

I didn't immediately agree, nor did I outright refuse. Using the excuse of needing time to consider, I left the hotel. As soon as I was out, I contacted the Administrator.

"They want me to help upload the algorithm," I said in a low voice. "It seems they're nearing the final phase."

"This was expected," the Administrator replied, her tone tinged with exhaustion. "The Extremists' plan is approaching its critical point. We need to use your position to gain real-time control of the core node."

"What do you need me to do?"

"When you enter the core node, you must locate the algorithm's master module," she said, her voice growing heavier. "Replace it with our counter-code."

"Counter-code?" I raised an eyebrow. "What if I fail?"

"Failure means their plan succeeds," she said, her tone icy. "And all dissenting voices, including ours, will be silenced forever. Success is your only option."

Within 24 hours, Xu Jin escorted me aboard a high-tech submarine. Fully equipped, it resembled a mobile research facility. Its destination was the hidden undersea data center that housed the core of the Extremists' operation.

Onboard, I was introduced to another high-ranking Extremist—Shen Mu (沈暮, Shěn Mù), a woman whose sharp features mirrored her unyielding demeanor. Her tone conveyed a fanatic belief in their cause.

"Mike Dean," she said, her voice cold and precise. "We've studied everything about you—from your professional background to your performance in the trials. You're exactly the kind of person the Extremists need: intelligent and composed."

"You trust me so much," I replied, feigning nonchalance. "Aren't you afraid I might betray you?"

Shen Mu smiled faintly, her voice laced with a chilling edge. "You know we have the power to eliminate any threat, don't you?"

When the submarine reached the data center, my pulse quickened. The massive undersea facility loomed ahead, shaped like an inverted pyramid and glowing with a cold, metallic sheen.

"Welcome to the future of human wisdom," Shen Mu said, her voice echoing in the confined space. "Once the algorithm upload is complete, we will create a new order."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. My mission wasn't just to appear cooperative but to follow the Administrator's instructions and plant the counter-code in the core node.

The silent battle of wits was about to begin.

Next Chapter Preview:

Mike Dean enters the core node, engaging in a high-stakes confrontation with the Extremists. While trying to covertly plant the counter-code, he realizes that the Extremist leader may have anticipated his moves all along. The final showdown between intelligence and ideology approaches its most dangerous moment.

To be continued…