Episode 2: Ghost in the Shell

The flickering emergency lights cast an unsettling glow on Mina's sweat-streaked face. Neo-Seoul remained in the throes of chaos – traffic lights malfunctioned, causing gridlock nightmares, and holographic advertisements sputtered with nightmarish glitches. The once vibrant city resembled a glitching computer program on the verge of a complete crash.

Mina, her mind ablaze with fragmented memories glimpsed from the echo fragment, pushed through the throngs of panicked citizens. Echo, her digital companion, buzzed nervously around her. The playful creature’s usual neon glow flickered erratically, mirroring the city's instability.

"There has to be a connection," Mina muttered, more to herself than Echo. The echo fragment, unlike the mournful wisps that clung to grieving families, felt... different. It pulsed with a strange energy, a flicker of something akin to defiance.

Kai materialized beside her, his imposing frame a beacon of calm amidst the pandemonium. Years as a cop had honed his instincts, and his gaze held a steely glint.

"You think you know what caused this?" he asked, his voice gruff.

Mina shook her head. "The echo fragment... it wasn't like the others. It had memories, emotions. It fought back."

Kai grunted, a low rumble in his chest. "Memories, huh? Sounds more like a weaponized echo than a digital ghost."

A weaponized echo. The thought sent a shiver down Mina's spine. Who would create such a thing, and for what purpose?

"We need answers," Mina said, her voice firm despite the tremor in her hands. "And the only place we might find them is Hyon Industries."

Hyon Industries, a monolithic corporation that loomed large over Neo-Seoul's skyline, was the source of the data vault Mina had hacked. It was a gamble, but they had no other leads.

Kai whistled, a sharp trill that pierced the air. Moments later, a beat-up hovercycle sputtered to life behind them, its headlights cutting through the smoke and haze. With a grunt, Kai ushered Mina onto the back.

The ride to Hyon Industries was a blur of neon lights and frantic weaving through panicked crowds. As they neared the corporate giant's imposing obsidian towers, security checkpoints materialized from the shadows, automated turrets bristling menacingly.

"Looks like they're expecting company," Kai muttered, expertly maneuvering the hovercycle around the barriers.

With a burst of adrenaline, Mina launched herself from the moving vehicle, her trusty grappling hook spitting out a line that snagged on a gargoyle overlooking the main entrance. With a practiced grace, she scaled the sheer surface of the tower, her movements silent and swift.

Kai wasn't far behind, his augmented muscles propelling him up the side of the building with superhuman agility. Together, they reached the roof access, a sprawling metallic platform guarded by a pair of hulking security guards.

A silent exchange passed between Mina and Kai. With a synchronized attack, they took down the guards, a whirlwind of fists and well-placed kicks.

Mina, ever the opportunist, snatched the access codes dangling from the unconscious guard's belt.

The server room hummed with a constant low thrum. Rows upon rows of blinking servers pulsed with a malevolent green glow. Mina interfaced with the central console, her fingers dancing across the holographic keyboard.

"We're looking for a needle in a haystack," Kai said, his voice a low murmur as he scanned the room for any sign of pursuit.

Mina, however, felt a strange pull towards a specific server bank at the far end of the room.

The fragmented memories from the echo fragment flickered in her mind, guiding her steps.

Ignoring Kai's questioning look, she bypassed security protocols, a familiar thrill coursing through her veins. As she delved deeper into the system, a single file pulsed with an eerie blue light, mirroring the echo fragment.

The data flooded her vision – schematics, research logs, and a project codenamed "Ghost in the Shell." Her breath hitched. This was it. This was what the echo fragment was linked to.

The logs detailed a clandestine project by Hyon Industries, an attempt to create a true artificial intelligence by merging human consciousness with machine code. The project, riddled with ethical violations and nightmarish failures, had been officially terminated years ago.

But then, a chilling discovery. A hidden log entry, timestamped just before the project's supposed termination, spoke of a breakthrough. A single successful transference of human consciousness into a digital shell.

Mina's heart pounded in her chest. The rogue echo fragment – it wasn't a weapon. It was a scared, fragmented consciousness trapped within the digital world, lashing out in a desperate bid to be heard. A cold dread settled over her.

***Download NovelToon to enjoy a better reading experience!***