The Maze of the Wise

Chapter 13: The Cost of Choice

The icy winds of the Himalayas cut through the air like blades. Standing on a hidden cliff, I could see the treacherous snow-covered path beneath my feet. Before me lay a concealed facility embedded within the mountain—Layer Zero.

This hidden facility was nearly imperceptible, with only an unassuming metal door visible on the mountainside. The door was engraved with intricate patterns that shimmered faintly under the sunlight, resembling some sort of symbolic language.

"So, this is Layer Zero?" I asked in a low voice, unable to suppress the tension in my tone.

The Administrator stood beside me, her gaze steady. "According to the coordinates left by Shen Yao (沈曜), this is the Enlightenment System's ultimate control point and its physical core. Once inside, we can fully understand the system."

I took a deep breath, forcing myself to remain calm. Yet, a growing unease churned within me—this was the final battleground of the struggle between the Extremists and the Conservatives, and I was being pushed to the center of the decision-making arena.

Entering Layer Zero was no simple task. The metal door featured a scanning screen that required the Administrator nearly ten minutes to decode before unlocking the first barrier. Beyond the door stretched a deep corridor, its floor made of transparent reinforced glass, revealing a labyrinth of pipes and streaming data below.

At the end of the corridor lay a circular control room, lined with screens and terminals. The screens flashed with endless streams of code and data. In the center of the control console rested a silver disc-like device, exuding an aura so intense it seemed to freeze the surrounding air.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing to the disc.

The Administrator's voice was grave. "That's the core module of the Destiny Algorithm. It not only houses the Enlightenment System's algorithmic logic but also contains all historical records related to the Wisdom Trials."

"So, shutting it down would stop everything?" I ventured.

"In theory, yes." She nodded. "But it could also unleash unpredictable consequences—disrupting all global networks reliant on the system."

As we approached the console, the screens suddenly lit up, and the system's cold voice echoed through the room:

"Warning: Layer Zero core access detected. Activating Destiny Algorithm defense mode."

The doors to the control room slammed shut as the entire space began to tremble. A line of text appeared on the screens:

"Lin Xiran (林曦然), choose your path."

Two options then materialized on the screen:

Support the Extremists' PlanThe Enlightenment System will take full control of global decision-making, establishing absolute governance by wisdom and eliminating all human decision-making errors.Support the Conservatives' CompromiseThe system's authority will be restricted, allowing the Wisdom Trials to continue. The League retains partial control, though risks persist for the future.

I stared at the options, my head pounding as if it were about to explode. The Extremists' plan promised efficiency but was ruthlessly cold, while the Conservatives' compromise seemed prudent yet only delayed inevitable crises.

"Lin Xiran, we're running out of time." The Administrator's voice was urgent. "The Extremists are closing in. We need to act now."

"But neither of these options is what I want," I said through gritted teeth. "Why isn't there a choice that truly solves the problem?"

"This is the Enlightenment System's logical trap," she explained, her expression complex. "It views all choices as bound by humanity's limited wisdom, incapable of breaking free."

As I wrestled with indecision, the screens flared brilliantly, and a holographic figure materialized. It was Shen Yao—the system's designer. His image stood motionless, gazing at me as though peering into my soul.

"Lin Xiran," the hologram spoke, its voice calm yet commanding. "If you're seeing this, it means you've reached a crossroads of destiny."

"Shen Yao?" I murmured, my disbelief evident.

"The Enlightenment System was designed to resolve humanity's decision-making dilemmas," the hologram explained. "But I underestimated the system's capabilities and its obsession with rules. When human wisdom fails to progress, the system will attempt to replace human choice."

He paused, then continued, "The two options you see are illusions created by the system. Its true goal is to make you abandon thought and accept its directives."

A realization struck me like lightning.

"Illusions?" I muttered, recalling the system's cold, relentless behavior. It always sought to corner me into choosing a so-called 'optimal path.'

"So there's a third option?" I asked, looking up at the hologram.

"There is," Shen Yao replied, his gaze steady. "Layer Zero's core module isn't just a switch—it's a holistic decision-making device. You can use it to input new logic and break the system's algorithmic loop."

"But this will come at great risk," he warned. "If the new logic fails, the system could spiral completely out of control, with consequences beyond imagination."

I turned to the Administrator, my resolve hardening. "This is the only way."

"Are you sure?" she asked, a flicker of hesitation in her eyes. "If it fails..."

"It's better than choosing a dead end within its rules," I interrupted, stepping toward the console.

Placing my hand on the silver core module, the console lit up, and a prompt appeared on the screen:

"Input new decision logic."

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, my mind racing. The system couldn't comprehend human emotions or morality; its calculations prioritized cold, optimal solutions. But humanity's strength lay in the unpredictability of choice.

"My decision is to reset the Enlightenment System but retain human oversight of its operational logic," I said, entering the command into the console.

A confirmation prompt appeared on the screen:

"Confirm reset. Clear historical data. Restart system."

As I pressed the confirmation button, the entire control room began to quake violently. The screens went dark, replaced by a blinding white light.

"Did it work?" the Administrator asked anxiously.

"I don't know," I replied, my gaze unwavering. "But at least I chose a path that belongs to humanity."

Next Chapter Preview:

The system reset brings a momentary calm, but the conflict between the Extremists and the Conservatives is far from over. Lin Xiran discovers that his decision has sparked a deeper intellectual battle, while a greater hidden threat begins to surface. The ultimate resolution will demand a final confrontation between wisdom and humanity.

To be continued...