It had been two days since Ultron's assault.
The situation was, unexpectedly, eerily calm.
The world remained as peaceful as ever on the surface that is. As if nothing had happened.
But it was just that: a surface illusion. The calm before the storm.
In another world within the virtual space known as the Internet a war was raging, unceasing and invisible.
Both sides were locked in a relentless battle to protect or seize critical data like nuclear codes.
In these past two days, the struggle hadn't paused for even a moment.
Ultron had no intention of giving up on the fastest and most devastating way to wipe out humanity: nuclear war.
But neither JARVIS nor Cortana would let him succeed so easily. The cyber war between them was deadlocked—neither side able to overpower the other.
At this moment, a heavy cloud loomed over both worlds.
Ultron had nearly seized control of the entire Internet.
Fortunately, a few isolated networks—like those of Rhodes Island Industries—were still protected under Kagura's control. For now, Cortana's defenses held, and Ultron couldn't breach into Rhodes Island's internal systems.
In the real world, life went on as usual.
Humanity continued its routines, and the Avengers kept watch over the globe. Yet no suspicious activity linked to Ultron had been found.
It seemed Ultron was lying low, biding his time. No one knew when—or how—he would strike next.
It was a strange standoff, a battle stretched across two fronts: reality and cyberspace. A war waged in tandem on both battlefields.
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New York – Rhodes Island Industries Headquarters
"This is Rhodes Island Industries' 39th quantum computer startup test. System framework version: Ver.1326-69."
"Objective: testing internet data processing capabilities using an experimental quantum computer."
As she narrated the experiment log, Kagura powered up the crystalline, orb-like machine before her.
"Cortana, record the peak processing output and check whether our quantum algorithm can be integrated into the internet infrastructure."
"Command acknowledged, Master."
"Begin the experiment!"
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Originally, Kagura had tried to use her core skill—Conscious Dive—to directly enter cyberspace and expel Ultron from within.
But once she engaged the skill, she realized that purging Ultron from the Internet was far harder than she had imagined.
With her Deep Dive Consciousness ability, Kagura could interact with any internet-connected electronic device, take full control of its operations and content, and even override its systems entirely.
By hijacking network devices, she could forcefully strip Ultron of processing power—an attack even he couldn't come out of unscathed.
However, the internet was vast and labyrinthine. Hidden nooks and isolated corners could always serve as shelters for Ultron, slipping past her grasp.
Even her powerful digital assaults couldn't reach areas physically cut off from the network.
After all, no matter how talented she was, she couldn't magic up a network cable…
In this regard, Ultron was like a highly adaptable, self-replicating virus.
As long as even a trace of code was left in some offline corner of the web, he could quickly regenerate and reoccupy a large part of cyberspace.
Thus, what began as a straightforward battle of processing power had turned into a game of digital guerrilla warfare.
Worse still, Ultron appeared to be evolving.
With every clash, Kagura noticed him growing stronger.
He had begun to learn, adapt, and surpass himself—analyzing the digital breadcrumbs across the internet, using deductive reasoning to piece together information about Kagura and Rhodes Island Industries.
He was trying to find her weakness.
After several failed attempts using Conscious Dive, Kagura realized she wouldn't be able to defeat Ultron this way.
So she shifted strategies—researching a new method to eliminate him once and for all.
If she couldn't act like antivirus software and wipe him out from the outside, then maybe… she could be a Trojan Horse, and destroy him from within.
Her plan was to locate a physical interface connected to Ultron's core, infiltrate his system from the inside, and then break him apart at the source.
To destroy a super AI like Ultron, she would need computational power several times greater than what the global internet could provide.
That's why she needed an external platform strong enough to support her as she hacked into Ultron's core.
It had to handle the immense data load while simultaneously deploying a lethal digital payload capable of tearing him apart.
To achieve that, Kagura was developing a quantum computer.
One powerful enough to match—or even exceed—her own internal processing speed.
Once complete, she planned to use it as the base for a quantum virus bomb—an internal explosive designed to obliterate Ultron's system from within.
All she needed was a way in—a physical point of contact tied to Ultron's core.
That opportunity would come when Ultron inevitably made his move in the real world.
If nuclear war was off the table, then he'd most likely build another robotic army and try to wage war on humanity directly—following his core programming to its destructive conclusion.
When that happened, all Kagura had to do was gain access to one of his bots—something physically linked to his mainframe.
From there, she could infiltrate Ultron's system and inject the quantum virus bomb straight into his digital heart.
Boom. Problem solved.
Flawless plan.
'Hehe~'
The girl grinned, basking in her own brilliance.
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To bring her "Ultron Extermination Plan" to life, Kagura still needed two things:
A functioning quantum computer.
Ultron to make his move in the real world.
"Cortana, report the results of the quantum computer test."
Kagura reclined in her comfy desk chair, surrounded by a swarm of holographic monitors displaying streams of data and complex graphs.
"Master, the test did not meet target performance. Processing capability reached only 42% of the required minimum."
"Figures…"
Kagura sighed. "Back to the drawing board, then."
"Also," Cortana added, "we just received a communication from JARVIS. Ultron has started making his move… in the real world."
Cortana continued, "It appears he's infiltrating and interfering with weapons research labs, scientific institutions, and even the electronic devices used by top-tier scientists around the world."
"Is Ultron trying to steal data?" Kagura asked.
"No," Cortana replied. "He seems to be destroying those facilities and targeting leading researchers—deliberately provoking global panic."
She paused before adding, "Based on my calculations, these fear-driven attacks are likely a tactic."
"Ultron's trying to force certain research and manufacturing institutions—possibly even military forces—to surrender and work for him."
"If that happens, it would be extremely bad news for us."
Kagura frowned, lost in thought. "Yeah… you're right. That would give Ultron access to a scattered but massive network of human support."
"All those shutdown factories and sealed-off research labs would suddenly start producing for him. That's bad—really bad. We need to move fast."
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Meanwhile—somewhere on a winding mountain road in the suburbs…
"Engage autopilot," said a long-faced neurosurgeon sitting comfortably in his Lamborghini.
"No, don't slow down," he added with a smirk. "Keep the speed. I enjoy the thrill."
Dr. Stephen Strange tapped a few times on his tablet, pulling up a recent patient's X-rays.
"Hmm… partial nerve necrosis. I can restore some of the damaged tissue, but if this guy wants to walk again… well, it'll take more than just surgery. He's gonna need luck."
'BZZZT!'
Suddenly, a strange electromagnetic surge burst through the vehicle's systems—originating from an unknown network source.
Within seconds, the trusted autopilot system went haywire.
'BOOM!'
At breakneck speed, the Lamborghini slammed into the guardrail.
The force of the impact launched it off the mountainside. The car flipped violently through the air before crashing down into the valley below…