[Spider Murphy: We are indeed friends. I think we get along quite well.]
[Mercer: So, you're saying that you using my network for a private chat with Blue Eyes just now is your way of being friends with me?]
[Spider Murphy: Since we bumped into him, I just said a few words to him, which is something Ultraman also wanted to do.]
[Mercer: So, you guys were in on this together, setting me up, right?]
[Spider Murphy: Are you mad?]
[Mercer: Wow~ 'Are you mad?' Are you serious? Murphy?]
[Spider Murphy: Okay, you might feel I used you, but actually, you just sped things up. We always have a way to meet him; I was just going with the flow for efficiency.]
[Mercer: So, you knew Bruce's issue was related to Blue Eyes all along, yet you chose to keep it under wraps, and only after I met him did you seize the opportunity to link up with him, correct?]
[Spider Murphy: I hate the word 'link up'—let's say form a connection, which sounds much nicer, no? As for the other issues, yes, but I don't see anything wrong with that.]
[Spider Murphy: Isn't gaming supposed to have surprises? That's the joy of gaming! Unraveling the layers and getting to the truth of an event! Isn't that fun?]
[Mercer: You find it fun? You want me to bring V and Rebecca into Blue Eyes' sight and get the attention of Ye Corporation?]
[Spider Murphy: I thought you'd like this kind of surprise, like in a game. Isn't meeting Blue Eyes all of a sudden a thrilling and interesting event for you?]
[Spider Murphy: Alright, if I hurt you, I'll apologize, but honestly speaking, talking to him isn't my main goal. To connect with him, Ultraman and I have plenty of methods. I just wanted to have fun with you.]
[Mercer: You find it interesting because you can leave anytime, whereas I have no intention of dealing with those unknown beings from Ye Corporation right now!]
[Spider Murphy: Alright... I get it. How about this, I'll ask Ultraman to write you a Soulkiller Program. You can place the program in the Relic, and if necessary, you can activate it to upload your consciousness.
This way, you won't have to worry about your physical death in the real world! If you want to take your friends, you can, as you have lots of Relic Chips.
Then, we can all go play together on a server in Hong Kong. Consider it compensation from me.]
Mercer was silent for a moment, then, under the somewhat worried eyes of V and Rebecca, suddenly let out a laugh.
[Mercer: You're suggesting I kill myself, and them too, turning them into humanoid AIs, to go make friends with a bunch of rogue AIs on Ultraman's server in Hong Kong?]
[Spider Murphy: This isn't death, just a new beginning. I thought you'd understand the feeling.]
[Mercer: I'm so sad, Murphy.]
[Spider Murphy: Okay, I'm sorry, I thought we were having fun...]
[Mercer: I'm sad for you, Murphy.]
[Spider Murphy: What do you mean?]
[Mercer: You're already dead, Murphy, you're no longer the human you were, although I can't say I knew you well, I can tell you've definitely changed from how you were when you were alive.]
[Spider Murphy: ...]
[Mercer: No one wants to live as a rogue AI. I don't wish to, nor do I want my friends to become like that.
If this current experience truly feels good to you, why do you still want me to retrieve Bartmos's body and preserve his DNA?]
[Spider Murphy: Sorry, I thought you'd like the feeling of playing the game too... ]
[Mercer: I thought I liked it too, but I don't think so anymore, Murphy. Maybe I should thank you for waking me up.
I'm still alive, they're still alive, and they're counting on me to live well with them. This isn't a game, Murphy.]
[Spider Murphy: I... I'm sorry.]
[Mercer: I think we'd better not meet so casually from now on. Thanks for writing me an interesting game mission interface, but I don't think I'll need it anymore.
So, goodbye, Murphy. Let's go our own ways. I will consider completing your commission, and Ultraman's commission, as long as it doesn't affect me.]
Mercer shut down the spider program, and after only a moment of hesitation, chose to delete it.
He no longer wanted to connect with these guys, whether it's Bartmos, Spider Murphy, or Ultraman.
People who are alive should make friends with the living, as for them... we'll meet again if necessary.
Perhaps never meeting again is also fine.
Mercer sighed, looked at V, then at Rebecca, suddenly feeling a bit guilty, after a moment of silence, he softly said, "Let's go."
"What about Bruce?" Rebecca hesitated, looking at Bruce, who was now bewildered and unaware of what had happened.
Mercer turned to Bruce, saying with a complex tone, "I don't know, but if you encounter any difficulties, feel free to contact me. I'll help if I can."
Bruce hurriedly asked, "Wait a minute, you haven't told me what's going on! Why am I... what exactly is happening to me!?"