Mercer quietly watched the other person leave, then shook his head: "That guy is done for."
V, after the excitement died down, couldn't help but sigh: "Isn't it true, brothers went down in a blink, all taken out by their own boss..."
"But, you're really something. Just sitting here, in the blink of an eye, the hacker on the other side had his brain smoking!? That Fenrir was hacked by you too, wasn't he?
In just over three seconds, a top mercenary was turned into a cripple by your hacking!"
V turned to Mercer, full of admiration, giving a thumbs up: "It's the first time I've seen such a brilliant hacker. To be honest, A, if you wanted to hack me, how long would it take? Just face-to-face like this!"
Mercer glanced at her, and suddenly V found herself seeing flickering gibberish, with a crimson progress bar appearing in front of her.
[Invasion detected!]
The invasion progress bar flashed briefly before disappearing, replaced by a small penguin wearing a scarf and holding a cigar.
The penguin appeared in her retina and even waved to V before shrinking to the lower right corner of her vision.
"Holy crap!" V was so startled she almost jumped up reflexively.
Mercer took another sip of Coke, smacking his lips as if savoring the taste of V's brain-computer interface data: "Your brain-computer interface's built-in network protection is garbage."
"Though you're not exactly dumb, I'd guess... well, your intelligence attributes aren't very high."
Once Mercer finished, he paused and then said: "My suggestion is to install an ICE protection on your cortical area, just like Fenrir did, or I can reprogram your brain-computer interface.
Otherwise, not just from hackers of my level, even that four-eyed guy earlier could hack you in three or four seconds at most."
V looked incredulously: "Doesn't this mean mercenaries like me are basically just gifts in front of hackers like you?"
"Not exactly." Mercer explained simply: "Generally speaking, such face-to-face hacking requires close proximity, at least where a prosthetic eye can scan your network signal.
Plus, most hackers, when sending programs during hacks, because of the program's computational load, their brains fall into a state where they cannot think.
Which means, when running programs, most hackers turn into immobile targets.
As for me... my brain works well, running one or two programs doesn't impair my thinking.
But if it's like just now, where hackers need to concentrate fully on offense and defense, even I will have slower actions when fully cracking the opponent's program."
Mercer's words reassured V a bit, and she couldn't help but complain: "You guys simply aren't reasonable... someone like me who is an outsider wouldn't know how to counteract."
"Don't worry, most hackers aren't that formidable."
Mercer spoke calmly: "Ordinary hackers, as long as you upgrade your brain-computer interface model and install an ICE program chip onto it, can be delayed six or seven seconds."
ICE programs for preventing hacker invasions generally have three spots for placement.
One is the memory within the brain-computer interface itself. Big brand interfaces have company-developed firewalls which are sufficient against ordinary hackers.
If you're really scared, then get a hacker-made ICE program chip and slot it into the brain-computer interface's dedicated slot.
Usually, such pre-written programs with chips require at least ten seconds for an ordinary hacker to crack face-to-face, enough to shut down networked devices in emergencies.
The second is the network access vault often installed by hackers, offering larger storage space and a small CPU, storing multiple ICE programs just like quick-crack programs.
Though ICE is a simple explanation of a firewall, its full name is 'Electronic Countermeasure Unit,' tasked with real-time electronic countermeasures against incoming programs, involving both defense and offense.
Theoretically, as long as the network access vault's CPU and brain can handle it, multiple ICE programs can be run simultaneously to counteract invasions and counter-invasions.
The third type involves equipping a professional ICE prosthetic onto the cortex, akin to installing professional electronic countermeasure hardware inside the head, equipped full of ICE programs with advanced chips replacing the brain's computational power.
This is considered the best non-hacker countermeasure against hackers.
Upon equipping such an ICE prosthetic, even Mercer, facing hacking attempts, would require considerable time, with intrusion speed determined by the chip and program levels within.
Mercer couldn't help but reminisce about deep-sea Arasaka dives, hooked up to large servers—regardless of who you are, hit the net and you'll all be hacked in one second.
"Alright, A..." V glanced at the virtual penguin still puffing a cigar at the side of her retina, expression a bit stiff: "Can we delete your program now?"
"No."
Mercer chuckled twice: "Don't worry, what I put in is an encrypted communications software."
"The brain-computer interface's built-in communications software is trash; anyone capable can search and see as they wish, totally insecure."
Mercer paused after speaking, then said: "My encrypted communications software clings to yours, running only during calls with my people, pathetically low on background usage—don't mind it."
V still seemed hesitant, but Mercer laughed.
Turning around, he looked into V's eyes: "Once Rogue brings me the intel I want, I'll formally give you a mission.
If you perform exceptionally well then, I'll consider officially bringing you into my team to handle all my field operations.
In other words, V, I'm not just looking to give you a commission.
I want us to work together.
You needn't worry about payment; I'm always fair—work for pay corresponding to effort.
I guarantee you won't be shortchanged."
V hesitated while looking into Mercer's eyes beneath his mask: "Why me?
I mean...
If you're simply seeking someone for tasks, finding me isn't too odd—I do have some fame in Haywood District.
But if you're looking for a partner from the start, then my reputation isn't enough.
You're a big figure who can converse with Rogue, and I... give me some assurance, or I won't work easily."
At this moment Pan'an perked up her ears, curiously wondering—where did Mercer find such a pretty wildcard?
"You think I should just find professional mercenaries who can enter Rebirth?" Mercer laughed, and V honestly nodded.
She spread her hands, saying: "You can tell I'm a mess. I might handle street thugs, but against those mechanical monsters...
If that guy hadn't gone mad and only aimed at you first, today we'd probably be done for.
A, please be frank."
Mercer pondered momentarily and ultimately decided to chat openly with V.
Bringing V in essentially hinged on whether his words moved V's heart.
Thus, with genuine eyes, Mercer looked at V's modified beautiful eyes, slowly expressing his thoughts.