The Maze of the Wise

Chapter 9: The Extremists' Conspiracy

Since leaving the Core's maze, I believed I had uncovered most of the truth. But the new information I received made it clear that everything was far more complex than I imagined. The Wisdom League (智者联盟, Zhìzhě Liánméng) was far from a monolithic entity; it was being torn apart by an internal struggle—a silent war between the Conservative and Extremist factions.

The Extremists had a clear and fervent goal: to establish a new human order dominated by wisdom through absolute control of the Enlightenment System (启智系统, Qǐzhì Xìtǒng). They called it the "Wisdom Governance Plan" (智慧统治计划, Zhìhuì Tǒngzhì Jìhuà), a name that sounded noble but sent chills down my spine.

That night, I received an anonymous message from the Administrator. Its contents made my pupils contract sharply:

"The Extremists' plan will activate within 48 hours. Their goal is to implant the Enlightenment Algorithm into the global virtual network, seizing control of society's core systems."

Instinctively, I glanced at the attached image—a complex diagram that made my scalp tingle. It outlined countless data interfaces and nodes. This was no virtual simulation; it depicted the real-world backbone of the global internet.

"Global virtual network?" I murmured, frowning deeply.

Another message popped up on the screen:

"The Enlightenment Algorithm will take over finance, transportation, military, healthcare, and other sectors. All human decisions will be overridden by system calculations. The ultimate goal: eliminate 'errors' and achieve optimal actions in every aspect."

"Eliminate errors and achieve optimal actions?" I repeated under my breath, a chill spreading through me. The Extremists' vision sounded like a technological utopia, but the cost was the loss of humanity's free will.

The Administrator's voice came through encrypted communication, clear yet tense:

"Mike Dean, you now know enough about the loops and the League's truth. You must make a choice—join the Extremists and help them complete their plan, or stop them and face the consequences."

"Consequences?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Their plan is the ultimate consequence for everyone."

"To stop the Extremists means you'll face the Enlightenment System head-on," she warned, her tone laced with unease. "You've already seen what it's capable of. Now, it has exceeded even the League's control, and the Extremists are using that to their advantage."

"Don't the Conservatives have a countermeasure?" I asked sharply.

She was silent for a moment before replying softly, "We've lost direct control of the system. If their plan launches, the fallout will be unimaginable."

To learn more about the Extremists' plan, I decided to infiltrate one of their secret strongholds. According to the Administrator, the site was an abandoned underground lab—a former early development base for the Enlightenment System.

The infiltration was far harder than I anticipated. The lab's entrance was hidden within a derelict shopping mall, protected by complex biometric recognition and logic encryption. Using a decoder provided by the Administrator, I barely managed to gain entry. But as soon as I stepped into the lab, I was hit by an overwhelming sense of oppression.

The air was cold, and data panels lined the corridors. Screens flickered with countless formulas and calculations, the light casting eerie shadows on the walls. I crept carefully toward a central control room. Peering through the glass, I froze at the scene inside.

In the control room, several core members of the Extremist faction were deep in discussion. The screens displayed critical systems from around the world—real-time trading data from the New York Stock Exchange, scheduling interfaces for European high-speed rail, and even the military command platform of an Asian nation.

"Program coverage has reached 87%," a man said coldly. "In 24 hours, all key systems will fall under the full monitoring of the Enlightenment Algorithm."

"Excellent." Another voice, low and chilling, responded. "The first phase of the Wisdom Governance Plan is almost complete. Decision-making efficiency worldwide will reach unprecedented levels."

"And as for those who oppose us…" The voice paused, laced with a menacing edge. "Once the system takes over, they won't even have a channel to voice dissent."

Hearing this, I could no longer contain my growing dread. My palms were damp with cold sweat. Their plan wasn't just ambitious; it was downright terrifying. "Wisdom Governance" was merely a euphemism for absolute control, and dissenters wouldn't even have the chance to defend themselves.

Retreating to a safe distance, I used the Administrator's encrypted communicator to contact her:

"Their plan is already in its final countdown. We have to act now to stop them."

"I know," she replied, her voice heavy. "But we don't have the resources to confront the Extremists head-on. The only way is for you to enter their core network and destroy the Enlightenment Algorithm's critical module."

"Me again?" I let out a bitter laugh. "Why does it always have to be me?"

"Because you've traversed the Core's maze. You understand the system's operational logic better than anyone else," she explained, her voice tinged with resignation. "And because, right now, you're the only one the system might still trust."

There was no time to hesitate. The countdown forced me into action.

The Administrator provided a new route map leading to the Extremists' central node—a data center hidden beneath the ocean. To get there, I first had to infiltrate their network defenses through a virtual environment and locate the physical node.

Upon entering the virtual environment, I realized their defenses were even more intricate than the Core's maze. The entire network resembled a colossal fortress, riddled with traps and logical puzzles.

"You only have one chance," the Administrator warned. "Any mistake could trigger their defense protocols and erase you directly."

"Got it," I replied, taking a deep breath. My palms were slick with sweat, but my mind had never been clearer.

Over the next few hours, I engaged in a relentless battle of wits against the Extremists' defense programs. Every logic trap I dismantled triggered a countermeasure, pushing me to the brink of mental exhaustion.

Finally, I broke through their last barrier, and the screen displayed the physical coordinates of their data center. But just as I relayed the information to the Administrator, an ear-piercing alarm echoed through the virtual space.

"Mike Dean, get out now!" the Administrator's voice was filled with urgency.

"I can't!" I shouted, gritting my teeth. "If I leave now, they'll immediately relocate the node, and we'll lose our only chance!"

Ignoring the mounting pressure, I completed the transmission of the coordinates before forcibly disconnecting from the virtual network.

As I exited the network, I collapsed to the ground, utterly drained. Yet I knew this was only the beginning.

The Extremists' plan was entering its final phase, and I had no choice but to confront the ultimate battle of wisdom head-on. This decision would determine not only my fate but whether the world could break free from the chains of control.

Next Chapter Preview:

Mike Dean, armed with the coordinates, teams up with the Administrator to reach the Extremists' data center. There, he will face the core module of the Wisdom Governance Plan and engage in a direct confrontation with the Extremist leader. The ultimate showdown between wisdom and power approaches as the countdown ticks closer to its climax.

To be continued…