章 37: Keep Enemy Closer

Noa reassured So-Rin, telling her not to blame herself. He understood her desire to end the tyranny and restore normalcy to human life. He assured her that he had better plans to achieve that.

The quiet laboratory was filled with the echoing sound of footsteps as a group of soldiers and their commanding officer entered. Their purposeful strides caused their boots to loudly clang against the metal floor as they approached the main laboratory.

They had just experienced a devastating cyber attack. The screen displayed countless lines of code, indicating a complete compromise of the system.

The commanding officer inquired, "How are the projects?"

"I've successfully reversed the damage. The projects are secure," Noa proudly replied.

A brief silence enveloped the room as the soldiers and their commander stared at the young soldier, a mix of gratitude and awe filling their hearts. Then, as if on cue, they erupted into applause, their hands clapping together in a show of appreciation.

"Noa, you have protected this corporation," expressed the commanding officer, his voice brimming with gratitude.

The commanding officer maintained a contemplative gaze at Noa before clearing his throat and announcing, "Let's return to the hall. The inauguration ceremony will commence shortly."

Noa nodded in understanding, promptly joining the line of soldiers and matching their steps as they made their way to the hall on third floor.

Upon reaching the hall, Noa marveled at its immense size, adorned with state-of-the-art technology, illuminated by neon lights, and embellished with holographic displays. The guests, dressed in sleek and futuristic attire, caught his attention, with some individuals proudly displaying cybernetic enhancements that gleamed under the bright lights.

Among the attendees were leaders representing the twelve districts across the Infinity Globe.

The resonant voice of the host boomed through the speakers, welcoming everyone to the event and expressing gratitude for their presence. Following this, the host delved into a brief historical account of the projects.

Following the host's speech, the ceremony progressed with the unveiling of the commemorative plaque, officially signifying the facility's opening.

The entire event was being live-streamed by the system, reaching audiences across the Invinity Globe. Countless viewers tuned in, eager to witness the revelation of Infrablack Software Corporation's latest technological breakthrough.

As the countdown clock reached zero, the world leader stepped onto the stage, clad in a sleek black suit infused with nanotechnology. Despite the sophisticated attire, his towering and intimidating presence remained evident, equipped with integrated weapons concealed within certain areas.

Addressing the crowd with a stoic expression, his eyes emitted an icy, unearthly glow. With a commanding presence, he commenced his speech, which was projected onto a colossal screen positioned behind him.

"As your leader, it is my great honor to stand before you and share a vision that will shape our civilization," Infrablack said.

The audience became entranced as he began to speak, his voice resonating through advanced sound technology that created the illusion of him speaking directly into their minds.

In a fervent manner, Infrablack expressed his pride in Infrablack Software Corporation, highlighting the numerous groundbreaking projects that had been devised to enhance the android system. These projects, he proclaimed, would revolutionize the operations of the Infinity Globe, ushering in unparalleled levels of efficiency and productivity.

"Together, we can build a world where the potential of the mind knows no bounds, where the merging of biology and technology enables us to achieve greatness beyond imagination. This is our moment. Thank you, and may this project be the harbinger of a brighter, more enlightened future for all."

As Infrablack concluded his speech, the lights dimmed, and the holographic displays burst to life.

The audience was treated to a breathtaking visual spectacle, showcasing the remarkable capabilities of the projects through immersive virtual reality simulations.

The crowd erupted into applause as the captivating presentation came to an end. Infrablack extended an invitation for the audience to explore the demo booths positioned around the hall.

Meanwhile, Noa stared at Infrablack with simmering anger, akin to a volcano ready to erupt. However, he wisely chose to restrain his emotions and proceed with caution.

Infrablack didn't linger long at the podium. Having concluded his speech and officially inaugurated the new projects, he gracefully exited the event.

He appointed Draco Blaze, the leader of the first district and also the CEO of the company, to continue overseeing the proceedings. Draco Blaze engaged in a brief conversation with Infrablack, receiving a nod of approval for the decision made.

Taking the center stage, the district leader stood tall, his voice resounding through the microphone as he delivered his lengthy speech.

The audience sat in rapt attention, hanging on his every word as he highlighted the company's achievements and outlined its future plans. As he reached the conclusion of his speech, the room erupted in a thunderous applause, the sound reverberating through the walls.

Afterward, he addressed the audience with an announcement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, as you are aware, an unexpected incident took place earlier. The inauguration event was nearly canceled due to a cyber attack. However, thanks to the diligent efforts of the authorities and their staff, the situation was swiftly handled. Therefore, we would like to extend our appreciation to the officers, and we have chosen one of their members to join the ranks of the special forces within Infrablack Software Corporation."

Draco Blaze beamed, then called out a name, his voice resounding throughout the hall. "Noa," he exclaimed, "Please come forward to receive a special award."

Noa's expression transformed into a mix of surprise and delight. He made his way down the aisle, heading toward the stage to join Draco Blaze. All eyes followed his every step.

With a warm smile, Draco Blaze handed Noa a silver eagle pin, symbolizing his membership in the special forces. They shook hands before Draco Blaze stepped back, allowing Noa to bask in the applause.

Noa glanced at the crowd, feeling a surge of accomplishment, before returning to his previous position.

"Congratulations, Noa. You truly deserve it," So-Rin exclaimed.

Noa smiled and expressed his gratitude. He felt elated that he had earned the recognition and was one step closer to confronting the adversary.

Through the incident, Noa had earned the trust and respect of the entire Software Corporation. He had proven himself to be a dedicated and hardworking soldier, willing to go above and beyond to save the day.

As people say, "Keep your friends close, and even your enemies closer." It would be safer for Noa when he knew his enemies and worked inside of them.