The Blankers' secret hideout was a repurposed old underground drainage facility, but inside it was packed with state-of-the-art equipment. In the central hall, a 3D holographic map of the 'Project Lucid Dream' facility floated in the air, and Seo Myeong-hyeok began the operation briefing with cold, calculating eyes as he pointed to each sector.
"Our target is Dr. Yu Jin-ha's private research facility located at coordinates 'Zero Point,' 180 kilometers south of City Bay in the open sea. Officially, it's a ghost island that doesn't exist. All communications with the outside world are blocked, and it's a perfect blind spot that even the MainNet surveillance network can't reach."
The holographic map looked like a complex maze. The surface structures were just the tip of the iceberg—most of the facility was nestled deep beneath the seabed. "According to inside information, the facility is controlled by 'Alpha7,' an AI that Yu Jin-ha designed himself. It's known to change its structure like a living organism and even has traps designed to psychologically disturb intruders. In short, it's like a one-way ticket to hell."
There wasn't a trace of humor in Seo Myeong-hyeok's voice. Tension showed on the faces of the Blankers operatives as well.
"Here's the role distribution," Seo Myeong-hyeok continued. "Kang Ju-ha and I, along with the selected assault team, will secure the main infiltration route and handle internal disruption. Ryu Jae-ha and... Mr. Ju I-dam." Seo Myeong-hyeok looked at Ju I-dam as he spoke. "You two will be responsible for hacking the facility's security system and taking control of the internal communication network. Neutralizing 'Alpha7' in particular will be key."
Ryu Jae-ha nodded silently, and Ju I-dam shrugged his shoulders as he replied, "A cutting-edge AI... looks like I'll need to put my brain into full gear for the first time in a while."
"Mr. Jin Do-yoon." Seo Myeong-hyeok's gaze turned to Do-yoon. "You'll move with me. With your special ability, you need to pinpoint the exact location of Miss Jin So-ra and respond to psychological traps using memories that Yu Jin-ha might have set up, as well as unpredictable variables. Your role could determine the success or failure of this operation."
Do-yoon nodded quietly. His mind was completely filled with thoughts of So-ra. Since his experience in the 'Akasha Field,' his 'Echo' detection ability had become even more sensitive, sometimes feeling waves of emotion so intense they were difficult to control. Could this ability help save So-ra?
The operation preparations proceeded swiftly. Everyone checked their equipment, simulated expected routes, and verified every possible variable. During breaks in the operation prep, Do-yoon analyzed other information from the data chip Yu Seo-hyeon had given him together with Ju I-dam. The chip contained partial initial blueprints of the 'Project Lucid Dream' facility, along with fragmentary records of unethical memory experiments that Dr. Yu Jin-ha had conducted in the past. These records revealed his cold, ruthless side that treated humans as mere chunks of data.
"This bastard is a complete mad scientist," Ju I-dam clicked his tongue. "Why did Yu Seo-hyeon give us this information... is it rebellion against her father, or another trap?"
Do-yoon didn't answer. Yu Seo-hyeon's intentions remained shrouded in mystery, but right now, saving So-ra was his only goal.
The night before departure, Do-yoon couldn't sleep and kept fingering the remains of Ha-yoon's music box. Her final message, "So-ra is the key," echoed in his ears. Without realizing it, he recalled childhood memories with So-ra. An exceptionally bright and curious child. But at some point, she had begun showing unknown 'memory error' symptoms and suffered from them. Perhaps So-ra's symptoms were connected to the beginning of all these events—an ominous premonition struck him.
Finally, it was time to depart. The Blankers' cutting-edge stealth transport took off toward the black night sea where a storm was raging. Inside the transport, only heavy silence lingered. Each face showed determination mixed with a thread of anxiety.
How long had they been flying? The radar began to faintly pick up signals from 'Zero Point.' "Approaching target point! Prepare for descent in 5 minutes!" the pilot's voice echoed through the cabin.
But at that moment, the transport shook violently and warning alarms blared! [Warning! Powerful EMP field detected! System error! Crash risk!]
"Damn! The welcoming party's already started!" Seo Myeong-hyeok shouted as he rushed to the cockpit. Through the windows, they could see lightning and massive water columns shooting up. The entire island was protected by a powerful electromagnetic field and seemed to have already detected their approach.
The transport fell into an uncontrolled state and began crashing toward the sea surface at tremendous speed. "Everyone brace for impact!"
Do-yoon gritted his teeth while gripping his safety belt. It was the worst possible situation from the start. Could they survive this life-or-death crisis and set foot on the threshold of hell?