Twenty minutes earlier.
Starry Building, corridor of the Security Monitoring Management Center.
A young security guard in a Starry Security uniform, looking slightly shy and inexperienced, awkwardly led Nie Bing and Lin Zhiyuan toward their destination. Behind them, several Pursuers pushed carts loaded with computer equipment.
The Pursuers watched the security guard, who was hunched over slightly and walked with an awkward, stiff gait, and couldn't help but chuckle inwardly. Looks like Starry's security personnel aren't all that reliable, they silently mocked.
Little did they know that this seemingly flustered security guard was actually as calm as a cucumber beneath his facade. He was even humming a modified version of a song from the original story, imitating the original Cifera's carefree spirit:
A blazing spark condensing in my chest~Condensing~ Condensing!
Across time~ and space~ the journey to Godhood~
Heh heh...
This security guard was, of course, Cifera herself in disguise, a fact that had yet to be discovered.
After confirming her plan to steal the Starry Light last night, Cifera had already infiltrated Starry's entire network system using her hacking skills.
The moment she plunged the venue into darkness, Cifera, with her superhuman agility, instantly broke free from Lei Gang's security team's encirclement. Then, using her disguise ability, she transformed into a security guard standing on the perimeter.
Her current appearance was exactly how she looked when she had just graduated from university in her previous life.
Of course, the naiveté was all an act. Having been orphaned in both her previous life and her current reincarnation, Cifera had matured far beyond her years.
Cifera's decision to impersonate a security guard stemmed from her anticipation that Nie Bing would ask Lei Gang to assign someone to escort her to Starry's Security Monitoring Management Center. By becoming this escort, Cifera could effortlessly slip out of the top-floor venue.
Therefore, at the opportune moment, Cifera positioned herself near Lei Gang and was promptly assigned the task of escorting Nie Bing.
As for the comical exchange between the "rookie subordinate" and Minister Lei, that was simply Cifera deliberately toying with Lei Gang.
After all, Lei Gang had cast himself as the "villain" in today's performance. As the "protagonist," Cifera naturally had to give him ample opportunities to play his part.
One scene had just ended, and the next was about to begin.
As the undeniable star of the stage, Cifera had to guide her "actors" through scene after scene of compelling drama.
"O-Officer Nie, Lord Lin, the Security Monitoring Management Center is just ahead," the security guard, Cifera in disguise, whispered nervously, stealing glances at Nie Bing's icy composure and Lin Zhiyuan's deep contemplation. He took a deep breath, forcing a veneer of composure onto his clearly strained voice: "Minister Lei instructed me to cooperate fully with you two Pursuit Team experts."
Believing himself more adept at interpersonal relations than Nie Bing, Lin Zhiyuan had already prepared to handle all communication.
He snapped out of his reverie, reflexively adjusted his glasses, and scrutinized the overly tense young man with a sharp gaze. "What's your name, son? You look new here," he asked casually.
The "security guard" immediately straightened up slightly, his voice gaining a touch of confidence:
"Reporting, Lord Lin! My name is... uh, never mind. I'm just a small fry, no need to mention my name... I've only been interning at the Starry Security Department for a month! Um... Lord Lin, I'm... I'm a huge fan! I watched every episode of The Brain! You're amazing!"
The young man's eyes sparkled with adoration, his tone utterly sincere.
But Lin Zhiyuan's brow furrowed slightly. He could clearly sense that the other man didn't want to reveal his name, and it wasn't just simple shyness; there was a specific reason behind it.
As someone who loved to ponder and explore, Lin Zhiyuan couldn't resist digging deeper. He wasn't about to let the guard off the hook:
"Since you're a fan, shouldn't I at least know who's supporting me?"
He paused deliberately, creating an atmosphere of pressure, then added:
"Before they became famous, who wasn't a 'small fry'? You've seen our show, right? You know about Cifera, the contestant we're pursuing?
"Before yesterday, she was completely unknown—just another 'small fry' in your eyes, right?
"But she bravely participated in the show, told everyone her name, and then shocked the world, proving wrong so many people, including me!"
"A name is just a label; what truly matters is the information behind it.
"Cifera transformed herself from a 'minor character' into the 'most wanted fugitive' with a single performance, proving that you can create your own stage, no matter how small.
"If you're too afraid to even give your name, your information remains zero. Then you'll forever remain a minor character."
After hearing Lin Zhiyuan's words, the Security Guard suddenly straightened his back, his cheeks flushing crimson, radiating the fervent excitement of someone enlightened by their idol.
He slammed his right fist against the Starry Security badge on his left chest and roared in the same booming voice he had used with Lei Gang earlier:
"My name is Cifer!
"I didn't want to say it earlier because my name is just slighly different from Contestant Cifera's. But our abilities are worlds apart! I was afraid people would laugh at me!"
When Lin Zhiyuan and Nie Bing heard the name "Cifer," they both froze.
Lin Zhiyuan pushed up his crooked glasses, his lips twitching uncontrollably as he stammered, "C-Cifer?"
He instinctively glanced at Nie Bing, and their eyes met briefly, both registering the same sense of absurdity.
A subtle expression flickered across Nie Bing's usually impassive face. She pressed her lips together, her voice remaining calm as she said, "Just a coincidence. No need to overthink it."
Hearing Nie Bing's words, Lin Zhiyuan quickly nodded in agreement.
"It's quite a coincidence, indeed. But you're Cifer, and she's Cifera. There are plenty of people with similar names in the world—why should we compare them? Only a fool would worry about such trivialities."
Upon hearing their words, Cifera, disguised as Cifer, took a deep breath, as if her inner cosmos had been ignited. She snapped to attention, saluting with such force that her hat almost flew off.
"Understood! Lord Lin! Officer Nie!"
"He" deliberately lowered his voice to a husky rasp, yet it still carried the raw enthusiasm of a fresh recruit.
"From this day forward, I'll forge the name 'Cifer' into a golden brand! Anyone who dares compare me to that other Cifera—"
"He" snapped another crisp salute, his voice rising suddenly.
"—I'll show them with my own strength: same name, different destiny! This Cifer can fly too!
"Of course, for now, I'll serve as your guide. Please, follow me!"
With that, "he" turned and strode confidently through the doors of the Security Monitoring Management Center, his face radiating the exhilaration of someone inspired by their idol and fueled by adrenaline.
Yet no one noticed the barely perceptible, cat-like smirk that tugged at the corner of "Cifer"'s lips as he turned away—the sly grin of a cat that had just stolen cream.