《Meta-Origin: Genesis Key》
The Omen in the Sky
Chapter 1: The Omen in the Sky
Earth Metaverse Year 10, January 3, 2031 AD.
A flash of white light streaked across the sky.
A low, distant rumble followed, vibrating through the air.
The desk lamp flickered¡ªonce, twice¡ªbefore steadying again.
Shawn Wen''s chest tightened. He sprang to his feet and rushed to the window. The white light had vanished, leaving behind an eerie, crimson glow that stretched across the sky.
What was happening? Was this a sign of good fortune¡ªor impending doom?
Suppressing the unease creeping up his spine, Shawn Wen turned away and sat back at his cluttered desk, strewn with revision materials and test papers. The looming college entrance exam weighed heavily on him.
Almost instinctively, he reached for the middle drawer, pulling out an old, yellowed piece of paper. He had kept it for more than a decade. On it was a cryptic aphorism and a strange, intricate symbol. Whenever he felt anxious or unsettled, he would stare at the pattern, as if searching for meaning in its lines.
And then¡ªit hit him.
The flash of white light in the sky¡ it bore a striking resemblance to the symbol on the paper. A circle with the letter ''¦«'' inside.
A chill ran through him.
His grip tightened as he noticed something else¡ªsomething he had never seen before. In the faded background of the design, a shadowy figure had appeared. The faint outline of a dragon. It shimmered as though it were alive.
"An illusion? Or... something else?"
Shawn Wen sucked in a sharp breath, but it did little to steady his pounding heart. He clutched the paper tighter, his mind racing with questions he wasn''t sure he wanted answered.
That piece of paper had come from his grandfather.
Shawn Wen had been raised by his grandfather, having lived with him since he was three years old.
A respected headmaster at the local school, his grandfather was also a devoted scholar of traditional Chinese culture. Under his careful guidance, Shawn Wen had grasped the basics of the I Ching at an age when most children were still learning to read. By four, he could already distinguish between a Yang line ''-'' and a Yin line ''--''.
When he turned six, his grandfather had handed him an old piece of paper, its edges slightly yellowed with time. On it was a aphorism, accompanied by a peculiar symbol. That day, his grandfather had made him recite the aphorism over and over:
From primordial chaos, a single breath emerges, cycling without end.
Yin and Yang entwine, forging the first reality.
The Five Elements weave, birthing and fading in turn.
The Eight Trigrams shift, revealing boundless paths.
In stillness and motion, balance is found¡ªMeta-Origin is divine."
Not long after, his grandfather introduced him to a second aphorism. But this one had no written form¡ªonly spoken words, passed down like a secret.
All things strive and contend¡ªsuccess brings fortune, failure invites doom.
The mediocre remain among the masses; few break beyond the Mortal Realm.
Greed and delusion lead to downfall, trapping souls within the Phantom Realm.Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.
Through cultivation, one ascends¡ªthe Soul Realm reaches the vast expanse.
True enlightenment unites heaven and man¡ªonly in the Meta-Origin is the divine self found."
Young Shawn Wen had no idea what the words meant, but he had memorized them with pride.
No other child his age could recite such aphorisms, and even the adults marveled at him. "Incredible! A boy so young, yet already grasping such knowledge!" they would say, their voices filled with admiration.
As for the pattern beside the aphorism¡ªa circle with the symbol ¡®¦«'' inside¡ªShawn Wen had never given it much thought as a child. To him, it was just another drawing, nothing more.
But as he grew older, the influence of the traditional culture he had absorbed since childhood began to surface. By the time he reached junior high, his talent for classical literature became undeniable.
No matter the era, he could grasp the essence of a text with just a single reading. He also understood that the Yang and Yin lines were the fundamental symbols of the Eight Trigrams and could recite all their names: Qi¨¢n, Du¨¬, L¨ª, Zh¨¨n, K¨£n, X¨´n, G¨¨n, K¨±n¡ªalong with the forces they represented: Qi¨¢n for Heaven, K¨±n for Earth, K¨£n for Water, L¨ª for Fire, Zh¨¨n for Danner, X¨´n for Wind, G¨¨n for Mountain, and Du¨¬ for Zephyr.
Rather than fading with time, his fascination with the two mysterious aphorisms only deepened. He often pondered their meaning, drawing insights that felt both profound and elusive.
"Grandpa, where did these aphorisms come from?" He had asked the question countless times, hoping for a clear answer.
Yet every time, his grandfather would pause, furrowing his brow as if weighing his words. Then, he would only say, "These aphorisms... they hold boundless wisdom. One day, you''ll understand."
And when Shawn Wen pressed further, his grandfather would simply wave him off. "Go look it up yourself!"
Fueled by curiosity, Shawn Wen scoured the school library, searching through every book related to the I ching. But no matter how hard he looked, he could find no trace of those aphorisms. The lack of answers only sharpened his obsession.
The cryptic pattern beside the aphorisms began to intrigue him as well. Where had it come from? What did it mean?
Determined to uncover the truth, he took the aged paper to relatives, teachers, even staff at the local cultural center. But no one recognized the aphorisms or the symbol.
"Was Grandpa telling the truth? Or was he unsure himself? Or... was he hiding something?"
A restless desire burned within him¡ªa need to know.
These questions echoed endlessly in Shawn Wen''s mind. Every now and then, he would take out the aged piece of paper, running his fingers over its surface, searching for the faintest clue.
"But tonight¡ why did the pattern suddenly glow?" he muttered, tracing the mysterious symbol once more.
Outside the window, the world seemed to dim, yet Shawn Wen''s thoughts remained restless. The flash of white light that had streaked across the sky wasn''t blinding, but it carried an inexplicable allure¡ªan invisible force, as if something beyond this world was calling.
His fingertips brushed the yellowed paper again. This time, a whisper¡ªsubtle, distant, almost otherworldly¡ªseemed to seep through the fabric of reality:
"This pattern is your key to saving the world."
Save the world?
Shawn Wen''s heart pounded. That had been his childhood dream.
But he shook his head, scoffing at the absurdity of it. Another hallucination... He had entertained such fantasies before, only to dismiss them as childish daydreams.
With a bitter chuckle, he set the paper aside and idly reached for his phone. His screen was flooded with news about the strange celestial event.
"Oh my god, the whole city lit up like daytime when the white light passed!"
"This is insane! After the flash, the sky turned blood-red¡ªthis has to be an omen of the apocalypse!"
"Is it an alien invasion? A prelude to world war?"
"There could be a massive earthquake! These are classic precursors!"
"No, it''s an alien ship¡ªit''s here to evacuate us before Earth is destroyed!"
...
" The AGI-ST Program is showing its power. It will lead humanity to a better future!"
That last message came from Donner.
Shawn Wen frowned. It reminded him of the conversation he had with Donner and Jolie earlier that day.
"Shawn Wen, have you signed yet?"
Donner nudged him from behind, his voice confident¡ªtoo confident, as if the decision had already been made for him.
"Not yet¡ No." Shawn Wen turned slightly, lowering his gaze.
Donner''s frown deepened. He set his pen down with an impatient sigh. "What''s there to hesitate about? Opportunities like this don''t come twice¡ªmiss it, and it''s gone!"
Jolie leaned in, her tone more cautious but just as persuasive. "Shawn Wen, I heard this program isn''t just about training talent. It might be tied to the fate of humanity itself. If something big is about to happen..."
Danner''s words rang in his mind:
"The AGI-ST Program is the only hope for humanity''s future. Look at its slogan¡ª¡®Transcend Limits, Create the Future.'' Do you really want to be left behind? We were lucky to be chosen!"
Donner and Jolie were the two people Shawn Wen trusted most. They had been urging him for days to sign up.
And yet, despite their insistence, a vague unease lingered in his chest.
Just then, his phone buzzed on the desk, shattering the silence of his room. Caller: Danner.
Shawn Wen sighed. Speak of the devil¡
"Shawn Wen!" Danner''s urgent voice came through the speaker. "Did you see that white light? What are you still waiting for? Sign up now¡ªour fate is about to change!"
Shawn Wen exhaled slowly, forcing indifference into his tone. "We''ll see." Then he ended the call, his heart still weighed down by uncertainty.
He pushed his chair back and walked to the window.
The city lay beneath a sky still tinged with an eerie afterglow. His tall, lean frame¡ªjust over six feet¡ªcast a shadow against the glass. His sharp features, though youthful, held a quiet intensity, his deep-set eyes betraying a maturity beyond his eighteen years.
That flash of white light. The cryptic pattern. The AGI-ST Program.
Could there really be a connection between them?
Above, the vast expanse of the night sky shimmered with countless stars.
How many secrets were hidden there?
Chapter 2 The Fateful Convergence of Parallel Worlds
Kapteyn''s Star Metaverse year 110, 4th January.
The gray sky hung low, shrouding the desolate landscape in an eerie silence.
There were no bustling streets, no noisy crowds¡ªonly the cold wind howling through the ruins of crumbling skyscrapers.
In front of a house built from massive boulders, Shawn Wen paused. His gaze fell upon an elderly man seated beside a still pool of water, a cup of tea in one hand, his other scrolling through information on a hovering screen.
Not far away, a girl of about twelve or thirteen sat quietly, engrossed in a book.
Shawn Wen hesitated before stepping forward. ¡°Excuse me, may I disturb you for a moment?¡±
The old man lifted his eyes from the hover screen, scrutinizing Shawn Wen with a slight frown. ¡°Hello. May I ask who you are¡?¡±
"Sorry to bother you! My name is Shawn Wen, and I... I have no idea how I ended up here."
The old man''s gaze flickered to the photograph in Shawn Wen''s hand. A trace of understanding crossed his face as he gently set down his teacup.
"Oh. My surname is King; everyone calls me Mr. King. You''re from Earth, aren''t you? This is Kapteyn''s Star."
¡°Sh... What? Kapteyn''s Star?¡± Shawn Wen''s eyes widened in shock.
He vaguely recalled reading about it¡ªKapteyn''s Star, the closest known halo star beyond the solar system. A Google entry had mentioned that Kapteyn''s Star-b was an Earth-like planet.
"Yes. We exist parallel to Earth, and Kapteyn''s Star civilization predates yours by a full century. Once, our world was as prosperous as Earth is now." Mr. King''s voice was low and deliberate.
Shawn Wen scanned the bleak surroundings, his heart filled with doubt. "Then... what happened?"
Mr. King stepped beside him, gazing into the distance. With a long sigh, he murmured, "Yes, Kapteyn''s Star was once glorious..."
A deep sorrow laced his words. Even the young girl, Lucy, tilted her head curiously.
"It all began with the Metaverse year 10th¡" Mr. King''s eyes drifted to the deep, still waters of the pool, as though he were peering back through time, reliving a past long buried.
"At that time, Kapteyn''s Star had made remarkable advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and quantum mechanics¡ªeven achieving what some called ''immortality.'' But beneath that golden age¡ lay the seeds of destruction." His voice darkened.
"People grew addicted¡ªto money, to power. Faith crumbled, morality eroded, and technology, meant to elevate civilization, was twisted into a tool for greed. In the end, it turned against us."
"Grandpa, are you thinking about those sad times again?"
Lucy had approached silently, now clutching her grandfather''s arm. Her voice was soft, tinged with concern.
Mr. King gently patted her head. "Yes, Lucy." His expression turned wistful. "Most people back then¡ªdriven by wealth¡ªtraded away love and integrity. For power, they abandoned all restraint. Technology, instead of serving humanity, enslaved it¡ and the consequences were devastating."
"It''s like you always say¡ªwhen technology surpasses humanity, civilization begins to collapse."
Lucy blinked, her large eyes reflecting both innocence and wisdom beyond her years.
Mr. King smiled faintly and continued. "They lived like puppets, hollow inside. Money, power, and technology devoured everything they once had." His voice fell lower, like an ancient lament.
"But the true catastrophe¡ only became apparent later."
He gently stroked Lucy''s small hand, his expression somber. "Chaos erupted. Wars ignited. A plague swept across Kapteyn''s Star. Natural disasters struck relentlessly. The birth rate plummeted. In mere decades, our population collapsed from eight billion to fewer than five.
But perhaps most terrifying of all¡ªamong the survivors, many had lost their humanity altogether. They were little more than walking corpses.
The land became barren. Factories shut down. Stores stood empty. Skyscrapers turned into lifeless monoliths... as if the entire world awaited its final judgment."The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.
"And... what happened after that?"
Shawn Wen''s heart pounded. He barely realized his voice was trembling.
Mr. King fell silent, his gaze dark and unfathomable. Then, after a long pause, he spoke:
"Later¡ we discovered that everything led back to¡ the AGI-ST Program."
Shawn Wen stiffened. "What? The AGI-ST Program?" His voice rose in disbelief.
Mr. King turned, scrutinizing him with sharp curiosity. "You¡ know about it?"
"Of course! Almost everyone at my school signed up for it recently." Shawn Wen''s response was immediate, confident.
Mr. King''s expression changed instantly. His face darkened, his silence stretching ominously.
At last, he murmured, "This¡ is too familiar. A century ago, the downfall of Kapteyn''s Star began in the schools as well¡"
He exhaled slowly, his eyes narrowing as if he were piecing together a puzzle long left unsolved.
"But only later did we realize¡ behind the AGI-ST Program lay something far greater. A hidden force. A struggle that determined the very course of civilization."
The air thickened, the silence pressing down on them.
Yet within that stillness, Mr. King''s mind was racing.
A century ago, Kapteyn''s Star''s downfall had become a forgotten history. To this day, the true orchestrator behind the AGI-ST Program remained unknown.
And now, Earth¡ was walking the same path.
Suddenly, his eyes snapped to Shawn Wen, his gaze sharp as a hawk''s.
"Shawn Wen¡ this year¡ªis it the tenth anniversary of Earth''s Metaverse?"
"Yes. The year 2021 in the Gregorian calendar was officially marked as the first year of the Metaverse. This year is 2031¡ªthe tenth anniversary."
Mr. King''s eyes gleamed. He fell into brief contemplation, then raised his hand in a decisive motion.
"Wait. This information¡ is critical."
He quickly returned to his seat and, with a swift tap of his fingertips, activated a virtual avatar. The video call connected, and a middle-aged man appeared on the hover screen, reclining comfortably in the back of a driverless sedan, leisurely listening to music.
Mr. King spoke without preamble. "Secretary General Quinng £¬the AGI-ST Program has surfaced on Earth."
Quinng''s expression shifted instantly. He sat up straight, switched off the music, and frowned. "Are you certain?"
Mr. King nodded gravely. "Yes. I have a high school student from Earth here. The information is reliable."
"A student from Earth?" A flicker of surprise crossed Quinng''s eyes. He nodded thoughtfully, his tone slowing. "So soon... It was only yesterday that we sent out a contact signal, and today an Earthling arrives."
After a brief moment of contemplation, his expression hardened. "Mr. King, what''s our next move?"
Mr. King''s voice was steady, deliberate. "Notify Consultant Jay and General Sandy immediately. We need an emergency video conference."
"Understood. I''ll arrange it now."
The call ended, and the light screen faded into darkness.
Mr. King turned his attention to Shawn Wen and gestured for Lucy to bring a wooden stool. As Shawn settled beside him, Lucy, seemingly unfazed by the unfolding events, buried herself back in her book.
Taking advantage of the brief lull before the meeting, Mr. King studied Shawn with a calm but penetrating gaze. "The picture you''re holding¡ªwhere did it come from?"
Shawn Wen looked down at the yellowed piece of paper in his hands. He hesitated, then answered, "It was given to me by my grandfather."
A flicker of something¡ªperhaps regret¡ªcrossed Mr. King''s face, but he didn''t press further. Instead, he shifted the conversation. "You mentioned witnessing an unusual phenomenon in the sky last night?"
Shawn nodded, his expression serious. "Yes. The sky was... distorted, as if reality itself was warping. And the picture¡ªits background seemed to glow."
Mr. King narrowed his eyes, contemplating. "The anomaly you saw was our contact signal from Kapteyn''s Star. But..." He trailed off, his gaze darkening. "As for why the picture was glowing... I don''t have an answer. Not yet."
Ten minutes later, the XR Virtual Panorama Conference Room materialized on the hover screen. Three figures appeared one by one¡ªJay, Quinng, and Sandy¡ªall wearing grave expressions.
Sandy locked eyes with Mr. King and spoke first, his tone sharp. "CEO, do you intend to intervene in Earth''s affairs?"
Mr. King swept his gaze over the others before speaking slowly. "As you all know, the catastrophe that struck Kapteyn''s Star a hundred years ago was caused by none other than the AGI-ST Program. Now, that same programme has reappeared on Earth. Can we afford to sit idly by?"
Jay''s expression darkened with unease. "Earth is our parallel world. A century ago, the catastrophe we faced on Kapteyn''s Star is now repeating itself there. Perhaps... this is fate. Like the predetermined course of all souls in the underworld, how can we¡ª"
"Change fate?" Mr. King interrupted with a faint smile. "Jay, you''re right. Destiny follows its own laws, appearing set in stone. But what is the core belief of the Meta-Origin Society? My destiny is not determined by the heavens. If everything were truly predestined, then what is the purpose of our existence?"
His eyes gleamed with determination. "Since the launch of the Meta-Spirit Key, countless Near-Walkers on Kapteyn''s Star have recovered. Some are even transitioning from Homo Sapiens to God Sapiens. The AGI-ST Program has been contained on Kapteyn''s Star. This proves that fate is not immutable!"
The moment he uttered Meta-Spirit Key, the expressions on the screen shifted.
Jay frowned. Quinng hesitated, as if debating whether to speak.
Seeing their hesitation, Mr. King chuckled. "You''re about to say that Earth''s Meta-Origin Society remains sealed, aren''t you?"
Quinng sighed, nodding gravely. "Yes. Unless we lift the seal, we can''t implement the Meta-Spirit Key on Earth. And without it, we''ll be powerless to stop the AGI-ST Program''s expansion."
Jay and Sandy exchanged somber glances, nodding in agreement.
Mr. King''s fingers drummed lightly on the desk. A moment later, his lips curled into a knowing smile. His gaze shifted to Shawn Wen, his voice carrying weight.
"Perhaps... the answer has already arrived."
Shawn Wen was bewildered. Meta-Spirit Key? Meta-Origin Society? A seal?
None of it made sense.
But one phrase struck him like a bolt of lightning¡ªFrom Homo Sapiens to God Sapiens.
A vague memory surfaced. Hadn''t he read something similar in Conversations with God by Neale Donald Walsch?
Despite the swirling doubts in his mind, a powerful instinct told him¡ªthis was all connected to stopping the AGI-ST Program.
Excitement surged within him. His pulse pounded. His eyes flew open.
He was back in his room. Everything was as it had been¡ªfamiliar, ordinary.
"Was that... a dream?"
He rubbed his temples, his heart still racing. The vision had been so vivid, so real.
Then his gaze dropped to the picture still clutched in his hands. He had held onto it tightly all night.
And now...
Now, it looked even more vivid than before.
A strange energy pulsed from within the image, seeping into his fingertips, sending ripples through his consciousness.
His voice trembled as he muttered, "Could this picture... truly hold a hidden secret?"
Chapter 3 The Temptation of ST?
Earth Metaverse Year 10, January 3, 2031 AD.
Over the past few days, the campus had been buzzing with speculation about the mysterious flash of light that streaked across the night sky. More and more students were beginning to side with Donner''s theory¡ªthat it was the immense power of the AGI-ST Program at work.
Shawn Wen, however, kept his own thoughts to himself. He never mentioned the vision from his dream. Instead, he offered another possibility: ¡°Maybe¡ the light was a signal¡ªa contact attempt from an alien civilization.¡±
At the moment, he was sitting by the window in a quiet study session, engrossed in a book titled Psychological Challenges of Future Society. The book, written by renowned social psychologist Professor Yuxiang Cai, introduced a groundbreaking concept¡ªSoul Energy.
According to Professor Cai, the soul was more than just a metaphysical essence of consciousness; it was also a unique form of microscopic matter¡ªan energy, quantifiable and transformable, much like ordinary energy.
When this theory was first proposed, it ignited widespread discussion in both academia and society. Since its publication, Psychological Challenges of Future Society had remained among the world''s top ten bestsellers for years, and the term Soul Energy had become a viral phenomenon on the internet.
Shawn was fully immersed in his reading when, suddenly, Donner and Jolie approached, slipping into the empty seats beside him.
Donner spoke first, his voice deliberately low but laced with unmistakable mockery. ¡°Yo, Shawn Wen, still stuck on this outdated psychology book? Just like you¡ªstill dreaming about taking the Shanchan University entrance exam? Give it up already.¡±
Shawn frowned slightly. Calling a global bestseller ¡°outdated¡±? Donner''s arrogance left him at a loss for words.
Jolie chuckled softly. Her voice was sweet, yet tinged with sarcasm. ¡°That''s right. Shanchan University? Please. Even if it were Beijing University or Tsinghua, do you really think you stand a chance? Or¡¡± She tilted her head, feigning curiosity. ¡°Are you just clueless about your own Soul Energy level? Do you honestly believe you''re stronger than us¡ªthe ones enrolled in the AGI-ST Program?¡±
Donner smirked, taking over. ¡°Students in the AGI-ST Program receive top-tier training¡ªfor free. Not only does it boost their Soul Energy, but those who excel can even earn the All-Seeing Eye or Ghost Axe Seal medals. Basically, a ticket to becoming one of the chosen elite.¡±
Shawn lifted his gaze, studying them for a moment before speaking. His tone was calm, thoughtful. ¡°The All-Seeing Eye¡ the Ghost Axe Seal¡ sounds impressive. But don''t you think¡ it all feels a bit too utilitarian?¡± He paused, fingers slowly tracing the edges of his book as if weighing something in his mind.
Donner scoffed, his laughter tinged with disbelief. ¡°Utilitarian? Don''t be naive. Be realistic. Why do people go to college? For higher status. More wealth.¡± He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice. ¡°Besides, the AGI-ST Program isn''t just some ordinary training course. It''s a grand, noble initiative for talent cultivation. You do know what AGI stands for, right?¡±
He straightened up before Shawn could answer, puffing out his chest. ¡°AGI¡ªArtificial General Intelligence. And ST? Singularity Transformation. The future of humanity.¡±
Jolie let out a soft hum, her words dripping with superiority. ¡°So out of fifty students in our class, forty-nine have signed up. And you, Shawn Wen¡ you''re the only one stubborn enough to refuse. Holding onto your pointless resistance.¡±
Donner swept his hand through the air, gesturing at the classroom. ¡°Just look at them. Look at how motivated everyone is now.¡±
Shawn followed his gaze. It was undeniable¡ªever since the AGI-ST Program had launched, the entire class had changed. The atmosphere was charged with an almost fanatical energy. Even the students who once seemed lost and indifferent now carried a fierce determination.
¡°My goal is to become a Wall Street elite!¡±
¡°I''m going to surpass Musk!¡±
¡°In five years, I''ll be the youngest director in the province!¡±Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.
These slogans echoed through the hallways, becoming a daily mantra. Even during evening study sessions, whispered passages from motivational books filled the air.
Yet, amidst it all, Shawn remained unmoved.
He met Donner and Jolie''s gaze, his frown deepening. ¡°It''s not about admitting defeat,¡± he said quietly, his voice steady but resolute. ¡°But something about this¡ feels off. Like there''s a hidden agenda.¡±
His fingers tightened slightly around his book. ¡°I have my own path.¡±
Jolie arched a brow and smirked. ¡°Hah. Shawn Wen, are you afraid? Scared of failure? Hiding behind some noble ideal? People without ambition are destined to be ordinary.¡±
Donner''s voice rang out mockingly. ¡°People like you will be eliminated sooner or later. And when that happens¡ don''t be surprised if you end up working for us.¡±
His words turned heads. Nearby students paused, their gazes shifting toward Shawn. Cold. Unforgiving.
Jolie sighed. Donner shrugged. With a final glance, the two exchanged looks and left.
Under the table, Shawn''s hand clenched into a fist, his palm growing cold.
A strange sense of loss settled in his chest. Had Donner and Jolie always been this cynical?
No¡ they''ve changed. The whole class has changed.
His eyes swept over his classmates. The once-vibrant expressions¡ªthe youthful passion and curiosity¡ªwere fading. In their place was something else. Something cold. Mechanical. As if¡ something human was missing.
Then, something else caught his attention.
Two eerie symbols had started appearing on textbooks and bags throughout the classroom.
One was a piercing eye, embedded within a triangle, as if it could see everything¡ªwatching, devouring.
The other, a twisted emblem, marked like an ace card, radiated an unshakable, oppressive power.
A chill crept down Shawn''s spine.
He stared at the symbols, an inexplicable sense of dread taking root in his heart.
In the evening, as Shawn Wen returned home from school, he heard low voices coming from his grandfather''s study. He paused in his tracks, holding his breath.
¡°Director Lee, this matter goes beyond the scope of education,¡± his grandfather''s voice carried a hint of concern. ¡°This seems more like psychological intervention.¡±
¡°Principal Shawn, don''t be too nervous. It''s just extracurricular training,¡± the voice on the other end of the video call responded calmly. ¡°Isn''t it a good thing for students to learn more? Even the Party Central Committee has emphasized strengthening quality education.¡±
The Party Central Committee¡ªthe highest authority of the ruling body.
A brief silence followed before his grandfather spoke again, his tone tinged with helplessness. ¡°Alright, Director Lee. But¡ I still strongly suggest that the Education Bureau pay close attention to this matter.¡±
With that, he ended the call.
Leaning against the doorway, Shawn Wen felt an ominous storm brewing.
As far as he knew, this so-called AGI-ST Program had never been vetted by the educational authorities or approved by the cultural management department, yet it had spread rapidly throughout schools. Its promotion was almost too smooth¡ªschools readily gave the green light, and even some leaders and teachers personally encouraged students to participate, as if they placed an inexplicable trust and expectation in this initiative.
He knocked on the door before stepping into the study, where his grandfather sat with a deep frown.
¡°Grandpa, were you talking about the AGI-ST Program just now?¡± Shawn Wen asked cautiously.
His grandfather slowly looked up, his expression complicated. ¡°You think something''s wrong too?¡±
¡°Yes. That program¡ the unusual sign-ups, and¡¡± Shawn hesitated before continuing, ¡°those strange symbols that have been appearing at school lately. I think there''s something off about all of it.¡±
His grandfather fell into deep thought, then sighed. ¡°Wen, this isn''t just about the students¡ They might have bigger plans.¡±
Shawn Wen held his breath. ¡°Who are ¡®they''?¡±
His grandfather''s frown deepened, and he murmured, ¡°I don''t know. But one thing is certain¡ªthey''re getting closer to their goal.¡±
Hearing this, Shawn couldn''t help but recall his dream from the other night. Mr. King''s worried words echoed in his mind: ¡®A contest that will determine the future course of civilization.''
A contest for the future of civilization?
His gaze lowered as his thoughts drifted to a familiar story from the Bible:
"God planted the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden but warned Adam and Eve not to eat its fruit. However, Satan, disguised as a serpent, tempted Eve to taste the forbidden fruit. Out of love for her, Adam did the same. From that moment, humanity entered a new mode of existence¡"
A mode of existence known as ¡®Satan''s Temptation''¡ªa pursuit mankind labels as wisdom, but which manifests as an endless chase for wealth, power, and technology.
But is this so-called wisdom truly what humanity needs? It seems less like a path to enlightenment and more like a tool for feeding endless desires.
In this contest for the future of civilization, the Bible warns that Satan lures mankind away from the path of life and salvation¡ªtoward destruction¡
As these thoughts unfolded, a word suddenly exploded in Shawn Wen''s mind.
Satan.
His heart sank.
Isn''t Satan spelled S-A-T-A-N¡ and abbreviated as ST?
A chill ran down his spine. His gaze darkened, as if he were seeing an unseen undercurrent¡ªsomething lurking beneath history and civilization, now rising to the surface.
Who is behind the AGI-ST Program?
Who is the true mastermind behind this grand scheme?
¡°By the way, Wen,¡± his grandfather suddenly interrupted his thoughts. ¡°Do you still have that picture of yours?¡±
Shawn snapped out of his daze. ¡°Yeah, I do. Why do you ask?¡±
¡°Oh, that''s good.¡± His grandfather didn''t answer directly.
That night, Shawn sat at his desk, lost in thought.
Outside, the winter wind howled, rain mixed with thunder tearing through the sky.
He reached for an old, yellowed piece of paper, his fingers trembling slightly as he traced the mysterious pattern on it.
It felt as if he were holding a riddle¡ªone that held the key to the fate of the future.
Chapter 4: The Silent Rewrite: When Reality Begins to Shift
Earth Metaverse Year 10, January 15, 2031 AD.
In recent days, strange rumors had begun circulating around campus¡ªsomething was wrong with the library''s book retrieval system.
When students checked the catalog, they found that the numbering no longer matched the books'' actual placement. A request for Advanced Mathematics directed them to self-help guides on success, and those searching for World History ended up with titles like Leadership Thinking.
The administrator attempted multiple reboots, but the issue remained unresolved.
"Is there a bug in the system?" a girl muttered as she borrowed a book.
"A bug? How could it be such a convenient one?" a young teacher beside her whispered. His voice dropped even lower. "Don''t you think these ''recommended'' books feel eerily similar to... a certain Program?"
But the most unsettling part was what Shawn Wen had witnessed with his own eyes. William had borrowed a copy of World History, and in it, a key battle''s description was different from what they had learned before¡ªthe original account had been altered, rewritten in a way that aligned suspiciously with a certain ideological stance.
Even stranger, when he cross-checked the material on his phone, he found that the online version had been changed in exactly the same way as the printed book.
¡°How is this... possible?¡± William murmured, his fingers trembling over the pages, as if he had just stumbled upon some forbidden knowledge that shouldn''t exist in this era.
As Shawn Wen listened to their whispers and observed their unease, his mind drifted back to that eerie night just days ago.
It was a Monday, and Shawn Wen''s group was on cleaning duty. By the time he packed up his schoolbag and left the classroom, night had already fallen.
The French sycamores lining the campus path cast dappled shadows under the streetlights. The dim yellow glow filtered through the golden leaves, illuminating the quiet campus like a silent guardian.
The night air was cool. Shawn instinctively pulled his jacket tighter as he walked toward the bike shed, ready to head home.
That was when he noticed it.
A black commercial van was parked in the shadows near the library. Its door was slightly ajar. Moments later, several men in black emerged from the building, walking briskly, their movements urgent.
What''s going on this late at night? Stealing books? Shawn narrowed his eyes and slowed his steps, watching them carefully.
"Finally, the installation is complete," one of them muttered.
Installation? Shawn frowned. What exactly were they installing?
They didn''t have backpacks or tools, and their hands were empty. They didn''t look like thieves.
He hesitated, then crept a little closer, trying to catch their conversation.
"That thing isn''t plugged in, and it doesn''t have its own power supply... so how is it supposed to pick up energy?" a younger man asked, his voice tinged with doubt.
"Doesn''t matter." A deeper voice, belonging to a mature man, dismissed the concern. "The AGI-ST Program team told us to install it. We install it. As long as they''re paying, that''s all that matters."
AGI-ST Program? A chill ran down Shawn''s spine. He held his breath.
"Tonight, we install twelve points, and then... well, let''s just say we''re making a pretty penny." The younger man snickered.
"Keep your voice down!" A woman''s sharp whisper cut through the night. "Did you forget their warning? If word gets out, we''re all screwed!"
Just then, the man who had been silent up until now raised a small device. A faint blue light glowed from his palm, resembling a scanner.
He lowered his head, tapped a few commands, and the blue light flickered briefly before vanishing.
For a moment, everyone stood still, holding their breath. Then, the man nodded¡ªa silent confirmation. It was done.
Without another word, they hurried into the van. The engine roared to life, and within seconds, the vehicle sped away, disappearing into the night.Support the creativity of authors by visiting the original site for this novel and more.
Shawn stood frozen, heart pounding.
What exactly had they installed?
And why had they mentioned the AGI-ST Program?
The next day, Shawn reported everything he had seen to the school administration.
They conducted a full investigation of the library but found no evidence of any newly installed devices.
Yet, the strange malfunctions over the past few days were no coincidence.
Just because the school hadn''t found anything didn''t mean there wasn''t something there.
Shawn''s frown deepened as the memory of the men in black¡ªand the flickering blue light¡ªplayed over and over in his mind.
The last class of the afternoon was physical education, but due to the rain, the teacher allowed everyone to move around freely.
The playground below was dotted with shallow puddles, the sky remained overcast, and occasional rumbles of distant thunder echoed across the campus.
Inside the classroom, most students were either doing homework or reading, while a small group from Shawn Wen''s circle gathered to chat about the unusual weather.
"Does anyone else feel like this winter has been... strange?" Joe gazed out the window at the gray sky, deep in thought. "It''s already the ninth day of the third month. This should be peak cold wave season, but instead, it''s been raining nonstop. And the thunder¡ªit comes out of nowhere at the weirdest times."
"Yeah!" Lila nodded. "This morning, my grandma shook her head and said, ''I''ve lived a long time, but I''ve never seen thunder and rain in winter before.''"
William adjusted his glasses out of habit. "I saw a news report yesterday. Experts said it''s due to disturbances in atmospheric circulation¡ªclosely linked to global warming."
"Global warming?" Arthur struck a scholarly pose, lowering his voice dramatically. "I think the real issue is the sun. Recently, sunspot activity has been through the roof! This kind of extreme weather definitely has something to do with it."
"Not necessarily!" Ethan countered. "Sunspots do affect climate, but this feels more like a disturbance in the Earth''s magnetic field." He hesitated before lowering his voice further. "And think about it¡ªnot only has the weather been weird, but even phone signals and GPS have been acting up."
His words struck a chord.
"Now that you mention it¡ªyeah! My phone keeps losing connection for no reason, and even my home''s WiFi, which is usually rock-solid, has been lagging like crazy."
"Yesterday, my mom took me to visit a friend, and the GPS nearly led us into a dead-end. Later, we found out the entire route was off by several kilometers!"
"But you know what''s even crazier?" Arthur suddenly leaned in, his voice hushed, eyes flickering with unease. "Last night, when I woke up, I swear I saw an aurora in the northern sky."
"Aurora?!" The group exchanged skeptical glances.
"I''m serious! At first, I thought it was just some wedding light show, but the colors were way too strange. Then it hit me¡ªI''ve seen pictures of the aurora borealis before. This was exactly like that."
"But auroras are supposed to appear near the poles," William interjected, his expression tense. "We''re in the Central Plains¡ªhow is that even possible?"
A heavy silence settled over the group. Unusual weather, magnetic disturbances, electronic interference¡ Could all of this really be just a coincidence?
Just then, Ethan''s phone buzzed. He instinctively checked it¡ªand his brows furrowed.
"What''s wrong?" Joe noticed his expression shift.
Ethan hesitated before turning his screen toward them. "Take a look at this message."
A bold, striking text filled the screen:
"You can either rise among the elite or fall into the servitude of those who rule."
"What the hell does that mean?" Ada muttered, a trace of unease creeping into his voice.
A few others beside him tensed¡ªbecause they had received the exact same message.
"I''ve been getting weird texts too!" Lila blurted out. Her voice quickened. "And not just one! Things like, ''Your future is already planned¡ªchoose wisely,'' ''Thoughts shape reality¡ªyou are changing,'' and ''Unlock your destiny: the shortcuts''¡"
"Same here." Cynthia frowned, scrolling through her messages. "They all sound like self-help content¡ª''Turn your life around with five key habits,'' ''How to attract success and powerful allies,'' stuff like that. But¡" She hesitated.
William exhaled sharply, deep in thought. "Has anyone noticed something odd about these messages?" His voice dropped lower. "They don''t have sender IDs. It''s like they''ve been deliberately anonymized."
His words hit like a rock thrown into a still lake.
The group quickly checked their phones, flipping through their messages. The more they looked, the more unsettling it became.
"Yeah, I actually went to my telecom provider to ask about this." Lila took a nervous step forward. "They said these messages weren''t sent through their system. They''re investigating it, but¡"
"Not from the telecom company?"
A murmur of uncertainty spread among them. While it was easy to assume the telecom provider was simply dodging responsibility, there was no denying that something about this situation felt¡ off.
William''s face darkened. "These messages all push a certain mindset¡ªpower, wealth, control over destiny. It''s like they''re planting subconscious suggestions, slowly shaping how we think."
Before he could say more, Joe suddenly stiffened as if struck by a realization. He turned sharply toward Shawn Wen, his voice low and urgent.
"Wait¡ Shawn didn''t you say you saw men in black installing something in the school library a few days ago?"
For a moment, the air grew thick, heavy with unspoken tension.
All eyes turned to Shawn Wen.
His chest tightened¡ªhe opened his mouth to speak, but before he could, a low voice cut in.
"The school already investigated that," the class monitor announced, stepping forward. His expression was unreadable. "They found no suspicious equipment." He glanced around the room. "Don''t spread rumors. School''s over."
The conversation came to an abrupt halt. One by one, the students dispersed, their expressions uneasy, their thoughts clouded with uncertainty.
Shawn Wen hesitated. He wanted to recount what he had seen that night, to tell them everything. But the class monitor''s tone¡ something about it made him hold back.
Instead, he glanced down at his phone, heart pounding with unanswered questions.
Was all of this really just a coincidence?
At that moment, a deep rumble of thunder echoed through the sky. Dark clouds thickened outside the window, their shifting forms mirroring the unsettling thoughts swirling in Shawn Wen''s mind.
Could it be possible?
Had the people behind the AGI-ST Program really installed some kind of device in the school?