episode_0373

The Violet Network is unimaginably vast. Every time a new Violet was born, its scale expanded exponentially, and now it numbers over 10,000. It spontaneously feels like it could be a medium-sized nation.

“The network is vast!”

We can freely enter and exit anywhere in this immense network. Because this place is our part and our whole. Still, when trying to find something, it was not easy to find, even by searching every nook and cranny of our bodies. Of course, we’ve never actually gone through every nook and cranny.

“But isn’t there information about us in here?”

It might just be a guess, but I also had a hunch that the blueprints for us Violets were hidden somewhere here.

We decided to start the search from Violet Plaza, the starting point of everything. In game terms, it’s like a beginner’s village. Following the white marble path that starts from the plaza, the grand Violet War Memorial appears, and beyond it, the shimmering surface of the Lake of Consciousness spreads out.

However, with the exception of these three locations, the interior of the network was constantly changing. Due to democratic decision-making, the scenery frequently changed, and now it’s decorated as a medieval fantasy village. Winged chicken legs undulate like dragons across the sky, and on the ground, two-legged sausage soldiers proudly patrol. And excited V-dogs, eyes sparkling, rush towards the sight.

“Wow! That looks delicious! Can we eat them?”

“Yes! They’re all yours!”

“Yay!”

In an instant, the sausage soldiers tumbled onto the ground. While the V-dogs happily gnawed on the sausages, we put our heads together to figure out where the blueprints might be hidden.

“Let’s recall when we found the Vision Memory Chips. The blueprints might surprisingly be close to us! Let’s search every nook and cranny of the pathways!”

“Okay, let’s divide roles for efficient searching. All Violets! Gather!”

Before long, Violet Plaza was filled with us. After a few short, intense marathon meetings, the Violets dispersed throughout the network. For efficiency, we teamed up with V-animals and conducted a systematic search.

The eyes of the animal recruits were filled with awe and joy.

“This truly is paradise…”

“Alright, I know you’re happy, but from now on, we need to seriously search the network! Got it?”

The Violet division ceaselessly explored my consciousness.

“Wow, a Vision Memory Chip fragment! Why is this here?”

As they did, things that had gone unnoticed until now began to reveal themselves, one by one.

“Some memory chip fragments remain! Can’t we collect these and recycle them?”

Unexpectedly, the Violet Network contained more hidden lost things than we thought.

***

“…Thus, the core lies in recursive self-improvement.”

Bernike, who had been savoring the intense summer sunlight filtering through the blinds, set down a porcelain teacup on the table and cast a sharp gaze. Albert, who had been continuing his explanation, stopped at that meaningful look.

“An interesting choice of words, Professor-nim.”

“Have you found a problem?”

“It’s a specialized term from the field of artificial intelligence research, isn’t it? Referring to the process where a system optimizes its performance and cognitive abilities autonomously, without external intervention.”

Her analytical questions continued.

“You spent half your career as a hunter in the field, and the other half as a theoretical magic specialist at the academy. Considering your areas of expertise, it’s surprising to hear such a term from you, Professor-nim. They say mages and science are polar opposites, don’t they?”

Albert, grasping Bernike’s implication, expressed slight dissatisfaction.

“It’s not the stance of an intellectual to be prejudiced against academia. You, too, despite your youthful appearance, are not without your old-fashioned aspects.”

Albert set down the empty teacup and picked up the teapot. Only the sound of clear water pouring filled the research lab, where the afternoon sun streamed in.

“It’s nothing special. I had a chance to encounter it before. When the Luminxa researchers were carrying out their artificial intelligence project, I was asked for advice on magitech alternatives to replace existing semiconductors.”

Although it ultimately ended in failure, the Luminxa Foundation’s project at the time was considerable in scale. To the extent that almost every researcher recognized in academia or acknowledged for their expertise was consulted.

“Anyway, while analyzing our keen disciple’s unique ability and network, I naturally recalled the research from that period. Upon close examination, I was surprised to find that it largely matched the theoretical framework we are dealing with. It even showed a significant correlation with Polaris’s research foundation. Do you remember? That thesis.”

Bernike’s yellow eyes curved subtly.

“Ether Scale Attention is All You Need?”

“That’s precisely it. Dr. Sturges’s thesis compiling his research from his younger days, and his last work.”

It was also the title of the research his young disciple was currently immersed in. Superficially, it was an exceedingly common title, but its content was not light.

“I remember it clearly too. It had a very humble title. Dr. Sturges even brought it to me for my opinion once before. Constructing an artificial neural network; it’s consistent. After all, the subject of our research is ‘human intelligence,’ which operates on a similar mechanism.”

Although their specific motivations differed, the ultimate goal of all researchers gathered here was unified. To assist the bird struggling to break out of its shell. To witness the moment a new being, transcending the limits of humanity, takes flight, at the forefront – that was their final mission.

They only needed to give it a push or two to help it leap. There was one problem, though.

“However, I’m curious about your intention in mentioning that term. As I pointed out during discussions with Pereira, Violet Ruzilin’s brain is a hybrid of beast and human brains. Laplace’s procedure created her current unique ability, but it also significantly reduced her individual efficiency compared to normal humans.”

The physical limitations of Violet’s central nervous system and brain in manifesting her abilities were clear.

“Her growth rate will slow down soon. When she hits a wall, and how she overcomes it – that’s the crucial point.”

“Yes, I’m aware of the low computational efficiency. And the step-like progression of the development curve. If we don’t accelerate the process, optimize efficiency, and amplify her capabilities through artificial external intervention, it will easily take 10 years to reach the ‘singularity’.”

To shorten this process, Bernike proposed surgery.

“It seems we need to proceed with the surgery quickly before the Foundation makes its move.”

The purpose of this surgery for Violet 2.0 was to improve her brain’s cognitive abilities.

“Improving her intelligence to a normal level would accelerate her reaching the ‘singularity’. However, it’s questionable whether that effect would apply to the blueprints of all her clones.”

Professor Albert replied.

“Frederick says he’s taught her everything there is to teach. All he does now is record and check Violet’s growth process. He’s also the one who compiles the growth measurement data we consistently receive.”

Physical enhancement, magic amplification and output, reaction speed, and various combat skills. The steadily rising numbers and detailed records attested to her astonishing growth.

“And there are 10,000 of them. 10,000 is the true turning point. From here on, things are progressing exactly as Dr. Yurik calculated. Change will come soon. How did he put it…?”

“Ah, you mean Pereira’s analogy? ‘A nation within a network, inhabited by hundreds of thousands of geniuses.’”

“That’s it.”

Change will surely come. From within themselves. The true potential of their fluid hive mind has not yet surfaced.

“I’m talking about geniuses who never tire, never waver, and surge forward like a steam locomotive, their singular purpose serving as their iron will.”

Currently, it’s limited to combat skills, but remarkable growth has already been shown in their aether manipulation abilities. Aether manipulation requires mathematical computational ability. Growth in numerical ability will inevitably lead to the expansion of other intellectual capacities.

“Currently, it’s limited to war combat skills out of necessity, but what if…”

What if they absorbed all the knowledge humanity has accumulated: mathematics, engineering? Bernike suddenly thought of that naive young researcher. Yurik had the intuition that the world would be completely divided before and after Violet’s appearance, but he couldn’t predict the specific ramifications or impact.

‘Pereira is too naive. It must be due to his lack of social experience.’

Only a very few could calmly face the true nature of the shock that aftermath would bring.

“Violet will become the ultimate transcendent.”

A transcendent is called a transcendent because they surpass ordinary people. If they become an existence more extraordinary than ordinary Awakened, even Awakened will be relegated to the status of ordinary people. Because nothing can surpass that.

“But the immediate priority is for her to achieve enlightenment herself. We can’t interfere with the network directly.”

The Professor replied.

“Trust my disciple. She will do it. She must. We only need to provide the direction.”

He did not answer further. Because Violet would achieve the rest herself.

Expectations became reality. No one had anticipated it. The first spark of recursive self-improvement flared up on the periphery of the Red Zone, where no one dared to tread.

***

The interior of the network was more disorganized than expected. To draw a real-world analogy, it was like a massive factory where boxes, tools, and machine tools were strewn about chaotically without any order. As we became too numerous, it seemed that some of the information we had experienced, felt, and collected through our bodies hadn’t been fully recovered.

After a relentless search, sifting through the dark alleys of the unconscious, we discovered shimmering crystals of light, like jewels, in a corner.

“What is this?”

That round pebble stuck in the periphery. From afar, it looked like an ordinary stone, but as we approached, it emitted a peculiar light.

“Let’s touch it!”

No. 4421 carefully touched the shimmering light with a curious gaze. For a moment, the afterimage of swinging a sword flashed through my mind.

Upon closer inspection, they were vivid memories from when we trained our weapon skills. Touching it brought back fresh all the sensations that seemed to have been forgotten.

“What is this?”

Tingling limbs, dizzying vertigo. A heart pounding hotly throughout the body.

“Eugh…”

After a series of long and short convulsions, we felt something had changed. A sensation of slowly, very slowly, regaining what we had forgotten. No, there was something beyond a mere sensation.

“Yes! This was the method! This know-how!”

The combat memories, which had been subtly missed, vividly resurfaced. The realization of how to dodge and how to counterattack more effectively soared into the network’s sky with a dazzling light.

“Huh?”

Suddenly, the world went dark. We suddenly realized that the sky had darkened. It wasn’t an illusion. Indeed, when we looked up, the Violet Network was covered by a pitch-black night sky. An ink-like ceiling with no moon or stars.

“Wait, this is the first time we’ve seen the night sky here, isn’t it?”

And shimmering lights began to bloom one by one throughout the network city. On one star, a scar; on another, bullets and gunsmoke. On one star, memories and pain. The crystals embedded like jewels in the ceiling emitted an iridescent light. The dark night of the network gradually became infused with light.

The Violets realized.

“Let’s draw lines!”

I raised my finger into the air and drew. Connecting lines began to be drawn between the stars in the night sky. I didn’t know why, but it felt instinctual that I had to. It felt as if by doing so, I could understand the world more deeply.

The sky, which had only been connected by dots, was soon filled with glowing lines. The watching animals gasped in admiration.

“A picture is being drawn in the sky! It’s a constellation!”

“The boss is creating a myth!”

I pondered why they used the term “myth.” Perhaps they had inadvertently read my thoughts. Because I had been thinking the same thing. That what we were doing was similar to how gods in ancient myths carved monsters and heroes into constellations in the sky.

The lines began to gather one by one, forming shapes. But it was different from the anticipated picture. They were complex geometric patterns, closer to magical formulae.

Vast veins of information, indescribable in words, unfolded before my eyes. The network’s ceiling formed a high hemispherical shape, like the sky, and its edges stretched far into the periphery.

I asked the network-me. What did all of this mean? The network-I-answered me, and I tilted my head.

I carefully touched a shimmering star, fiddled with it, and poured magic into it. The self-questioning and answering continued endlessly. Faint sensations, as if groping through a thick fog.

Enlightenment arrived.

“The flow beyond consciousness and self.”

I clearly understood what I needed to do to obtain what I was searching for. To do so, only one task remained.

“Let’s dissect the entire structure of the network!”

Of course, network redevelopment would also have to proceed concurrently with that process. That day, the Violets began a massive construction project.

“Demolish it all!”

-Crash!

Grand buildings collapsed and crumbled one after another. The first redevelopment for network improvement officially began.

***

Violet thought their actions were like defragmenting a computer disk. She couldn’t be sure if it was an apt analogy, but it was the closest concept for understanding the work currently in progress.

To this end, the 10,000 Violets searched the network even more systematically. Fragments of forgotten memories, computational remnants that hadn’t been recalled, and pieces of thought, scattered throughout the network, gathered and soared into the sky or were absorbed into the ground.

The initial plan to reconstruct the network to find the blueprints gradually expanded in scope.

“We need to improve the internal environment of the network more efficiently!”

No. 7432 pointed around and exclaimed. Now that she thought about it, the Violets’ use of the network had been excessively improvised and unsystematic. It was no different from a small-scale handicraft workshop. Even with a little creative thinking, the network’s resources could be utilized much more efficiently.

“Alright, it’s industrialization!”

Systematic roads were laid over the internal space of the network, and regularly shaped buildings were erected.

“That’s a factory!”

“Let’s install a conveyor belt here! To collect memory fragments!”

Various systems were constructed to recycle fragments that had been meaninglessly discarded during the computation process.

“Would automation be possible?”

Even alien legacies, which had been left to naturally decompose because they were deemed untranslatable, now sparked a desire for analysis.

“Let’s analyze the Apostle’s memories faster! If we give them a shock, they’ll break!”

“What’s this scattered smoke? Let’s capture it so it doesn’t escape and recycle it.”

Violet didn’t fully understand what she was doing. But what was clear was that this was a form of industrialization. In the current state, where consciousness was embodied as an image, it could only be understood that way, hence the name.

While various industrialization concepts continued, some Violets moved towards the network’s boundary, where the hemispherical ceiling met the ground. This was to ascertain the inside and outside of the network.

“If we go this way…”

Suddenly, a strangely cracked fissure appeared before their eyes. The Violet group stepped in without hesitation.

“Where is this?”

The network’s boundary, a zone of chaos. The girls, who had entered the inviolable domain, meticulously surveyed their surroundings like an exploration party. Before their eyes, an expansive field of shapeless white debris stretched out. That was all.

“Nothing special. Let’s go back…”

Just then, something caught the girls’ sight. The figure of a woman lying amidst the chaotic debris.

“Huh?”

The woman’s appearance was excessively familiar. Red eyes, long flowing golden hair, prominent white skin. The woman slowly opened her eyes.

“…Why are you all here!”

The moment the Violets were about to rush forward with an inexplicable hostility, the target shrank before their eyes and vanished.

“What was that? What was it again…”

“I forgot!”

At the very moment the Violets were questioning the identity of the apparition they had just witnessed.

“What’s going on?”

Witch Violet collapsed to the floor with heavy breaths. A massive pressure, like that of the deep sea, was crushing her.

“….!”

The little Violet, who had been muttering, checked her reflection in the building with horror. Her slender limbs and physique were nowhere to be seen; what was reflected in the window was a girl of adorable size.

“Gah! What is this?!”

A crisis had struck.

‘I, became small again?’

Violet was forced to feel bewildered by the unexpected decrease in her presence. Her size had shrunk.