The Little Octopus

Bryce watched in surprise as Leo built his digital avatar. In cyberspace, computing power is the foundation of activity.

It's a composite measure determined by a netrunner's devices, prosthetics, brain functions, and other factors, ultimately shaping their avatar in cyberspace.

Netrunners restrictions are looser here. While physical laws still apply, they're less direct.

Computing power builds programs — avatars — that extend influence from cyberspace into the real world.

One could appear as a human, a genie, or a spider queen ruling a web-like fortress of data. With strong enough computing power and high skill, you can become whoever you wish.

Leo's skills are good enough for a street netrunner, according to the standard of netwatch, but his computing power… is strong.

His avatar is solidly constructed, brick by brick, without attempts at overly complex structures or flashy effects just for show.

Inexperience often leads netrunners to attempt bold moves, leaving program vulnerabilities that seasoned netrunners can exploit.

It's a mistake almost every netrunner makes early on.

"...Neural chip model for connection, military-grade tech, no memory expansion, no brain tissue enhancement, no prosthetic stimuli... Almost pure computation, with a brainpower level around 12. That's insane. Ever consider joining the Netwatch? They'd provide you with better resources."

Bryce maintained a calm exterior, but Leo's foundation visibly unnerved him —

What's a brainpower of 12? Typically, a human's brainpower maxes out at 10, working solely with hands and eyes on a computer interface.

Even with prosthetics, most netrunners don't exceed this level.

A brainpower of 12 would easily qualify Leo as a mid-tier netrunner at a major company, which would happily outfit him with costly prosthetics—

Provided, of course, he'd be willing to sign on the dotted line.

"Not interested — and you're skipping over the cost, aren't you?"

"Work exchanged for pay. Is that cost?"

"I think it's not worth it, so yes, it's cost."

"Suit yourself. Your logic sounds a bit outdated, like one of those 'old web' netrunners who'd chant about freedom and autonomy."

"Outdated? Old-web netrunners caused enough trouble for corporations, even brought down the old web. If they were outdated, then what about you—"

"Enough!"

Bryce cut off Leo's sharp words. Just then, Leo's avatar finished constructing.

It was a rather standard human appearance but could only vaguely be recognized as a humanoid being.

Leo hadn't even sketched out facial features. Most netrunners avoid detailed faces in cyberspace, usually wearing masks or helmets to show personality.

But Leo's avatar lacked any distinguishing feature, a digital figure of streaming data without characteristics.

Bryce raised an eyebrow. "Don't you think this avatar is a bit too plain?"

Leo replied, "If I'm the only plain one in cyberspace, then that's a distinction."

"...Alright. Try loading your puppet."

In virtual space, puppets reveal why they're called so.

The most common type, also the most basic for netrunners, is the "Icebreaker (ICE Breaker)," which takes the form of a sharp blade in cyberspace.

The sole purpose of the icebreaker is to cut through enemy ICE, a prime example of a highly specialized program.

It integrates easily into other software as a vanguard tool, providing a base for avatar programs.

The data-lit blade flowed with sharp elegance, mesmerizing to watch.

Bryce nodded approvingly. "Good choice. If you'd gone for something like the popular street-netrunner prosthetic glitch or eye reboot program, I'd be spending ages explaining cyberspace programming."

Leo nodded.

The logic within cyberspace diverges vastly from reality, though certain aspects remain logical.

After all, the primary design philosophy of cyberspace is to let people "feel" signals.

Leo combined the icebreaker with a prosthetic glitch, turning the blade into a short dagger.

It felt surreal like netrunners were creators in cyberspace, morphing data and electricity with intuitive command.

This sensation can't be replicated by any virtual reality tech.

Bryce was startled again. This was Leo's first time in cyberspace, yet he'd already learned to combine different programs to create new puppets.

Leo disassembled the icebreaker, the short blade shattering into light and returning to his form. "Got anything stronger I can try?"

Bryce sneered. "Kid, you're just a contractor, and you're already punching above your weight. You haven't even done any work yet!

But, since we're technically superior and subordinate, I'll suggest further developing your digital avatar.

In cyberspace combat, the initiator has a significant advantage. A netrunner with low computing power can potentially take down a rival with much higher computing power with the right programs and a sneak attack.

Learn to stay battle-ready and run protective, detection, or alert programs constantly.

And having a massive data barrier doesn't hurt—"

Bryce turned smugly, showing Leo his massive data barrier.

Data streams branched out, linking to towering walls with a mechanical feel, continuously shifting.

In the physical world, a building hundreds of meters tall might inspire awe, but in cyberspace, a powerful data barrier gives the illusion of thousands of meters.

With proper concealment, one might even make it look endless—

And these towering behemoths feel almost alive, ready to attack at any moment.

Human anxiety and helplessness toward vast structures is amplified infinitely in cyberspace.

"Join the Netwatch, and you'd be able to use these barriers in cyberspace — and these advanced puppets."

As Bryce extended his hand—

A devil-like digital figure floated down, holding a fiery bow in one hand, a chain in the other, connected to a fierce bulldog.

The bulldog approached Leo, sniffing as if real, sizing up the outsider.

Its lifelike realism was impressive.

"When you master powerful enough programs, you can merge them however you like.

The framework managing these complex programs is closer to what we call puppets.

We call them: daemon programs (annotation).

They have limited autonomy, technically AI, but low intelligence — no risk of frying your brain.

This particular program framework is called the Imp, true to its name, resembling a tiny demon.

The imp controls the bulldog and Hell's Arrow, designed to defend against cyberspace attacks.

When your hacking skills rival ours, you can even try creating your own…"

Before he could finish, Bryce noticed Leo's form trembling.

A tiny creature, something like an octopus — he'd seen one in a science documentary.

A small octopus crawled onto Leo's digital avatar, sitting on his shoulder and observing its surroundings.

The cyberspace fell silent.

Leo was anxious but couldn't show it, nor speak to the little octopus.

He acted calm, saying, "This is my daemon program, equipped with several target detection modules to help me sense cyberspace."

The octopus raised a limp arm, stretching toward the bulldog's head, suckers pulsing as it reached.

Bryce lost his composure—

How could this be?

He'd spent two years at the academy building his first stable demon program!

Leo casually held back the octopus's arm, saying, "It still has some recognition issues. I'll adjust it."

Bryce opened his mouth slowly. "You—"

Before he could finish, the octopus darted inside Leo's form in fear, and Bryce's face paled—

Data barriers stirred like engines roaring to life, whirring at high speed.

In the dark cyberspace, a massive weapon formed out of nowhere, piercing the black void, a red and black trident flashing as it aimed at the data barrier.

The red trident seemed embedded with some program, tinting the black cyberspace with red as it expanded across the area—

"Damn, it must've been a short-range jump — cut your link now!"

Before Bryce finished, Leo felt himself pushed away, removed from the battleground—

In the final scene, he saw the mechanical walls roaring in defiance, revealing an equally monstrous ion cannon!

Boom!

Cyberspace trembled.

"Ha!!"

Leo exited cyberspace, gasping for air as if breaking the surface of the water.

Smoke erupted from his connection chamber, and Leo leaped out just in time to grab a fire extinguisher before he caught fire!

[Fire Extinguisher Used: 10 Eddies.]

[Please control the flames. Contact NCPD if necessary, as any damages to the apartment—]

Bang!

The payment panel exploded too.

The room's entire electrical system crashed, darkening the surrounding apartments.

If one were to look toward Pacifica—

The area's sparse lights were now flickering.

Battles in cyberspace disrupt circuits, and intentional attacks can hit users like Leo.

Leaving him deep in debt to his landlord.

[Estimated damages: 5669 Eddies.]

[Please pay within 24 hours, or penalties may apply.]

Sizzling sounds of extinguished flames blended with the hissing of the fire extinguisher, finally quelling the fire.

[Incoming Message: V]

[V: Leo, did your power go out? I was just watching TV, and suddenly it blew up. Ugh, the property management sucks. Not sure what's happening.]

Leo collapsed onto his bed.

[Leo: I know.]

[Leo: Can I borrow two grand?]

[TN: Alright that's the last chapter see you guys tomorrow the schedule should be the same as always 1ch/day 5 times a week no chapter in the weekend Ja ni ]