[08] Creeping Hunger

"40000 years of evolution and we have barely tapped the vastness of human potential." A manic glint radiated off Joe's eyes as he reveled in the feeling of being hyper-energized, his entire system overclocked like an Intel or AMD CPU. 

He palmed the colorful mouse and opened the browser. With quick, unbelievable typing that his former self could only dream about, he searched for numerous online tutorials about Python. Python was a famous, beginner-friendly programming language. Most of its code could be read and understood by a beginner. As for comprehending the code, then, they would have to learn the language. 

Python's syntax was pretty efficient and could help in keeping Joe's written codes clean. 

Joe thanked his lucky stars that the world he was in had an elaborate iteration of YouTube. He played the Python Beginner Tutorial with the most views since it appeared on his recommendation. To further maximize his learning frenzy, Joe pulled up another tab and downloaded the Python Documentation. Putting on his headphones, he began playing the Python tutorial video. At the same time, he began reading through Python Documentation via the PDF viewer. A smile crept on his face at how effortlessly he was multi-tasking, reading, watching, and hearing at the same time.

Feeling that he had yet to reach his limit, Joe searched for digital textbooks namely: Python Crash Course and Automate The Boring Stuff with Python. He absorbed everything like a sponge without feeling his head bursting or his mind tearing up to the massive influx of information flowing in. Variables, expressions, loops, strings... he enjoyed immersing himself in this wonderful new world. 

In just two hours, he managed to retain and perfectly comprehend everything he had read and listened to about Python. He simply mastered the basics to the tee. To further apply his understanding, Joe installed both Visual Studio Code and Pycharm to employ his new knowledge. 

print ("Hello World") 

Joe wrote his very first line of code even though he didn't need to. It was like an initiation for any beginner programmer. With his comprehension, Joe easily made multiple simple programs like a To-Do list, calculator, and calendar. He even recreated Snake Xenzia, a classic game that had aged well. 

"If I use Unreal Engine to develop Snake Xenzia or maybe Minecraft..." Joe felt himself going crazy with his ideas. His fingers were a blur as he stroked the keys, typing long lines of code on the IDE. 

Joe frowned. 'Not enough,' he muttered and delved into searching for more advanced resources about Python that concentrated on Cybersecurity. 

"Violent Python: A Cookbook for Hackers, Forensic Analysts, Penetration Testers and Security Engineers"... Hmm, it will do." Joe immediately dived into the sea of information. Python can be used anywhere, Joe thought, now when it comes to automation and integration, things will be quicker. Versatility and simplicity were its middle name. 

After devouring the complexities of the high-tier Python knowledge, Joe jumped into JavaScript, a language mostly used in Web Development. However, its uses weren't merely tethered to Web Development alone just like most languages in the Programming miniverse. He supplemented JavaScript with HTML and PHP for cross-site scripting. SQL for database protection, data analysis, and exploitation. Joe was enlightened about SQL injections and he could hack a server with his lethal injections. He delved deeper into dissembling binaries as he learned of C, Rust, and C++. 

After learning, comprehending, and mastering all those languages in what took about half of his NZT-powered hours; Joe could now consider himself a player in the Metaverse. He could manipulate the very fabric of the cyber world. He was binary and binary was him. 

"That's cocky coming from me when we have a guy in this universe capable of understanding the essence of any language, be it alien, divine, binary-based, or even demonic. I reckon his name was Douglas Ramsey better known as Cypher." Joe cracked his fingers while stretching his neck from side to side. 

"If I make it big, that guy must be made my slave coder. Of course, with enormous benefits to accompany his servitude." A slightly villainous smirk graced his handsome features as he stored that specific plan in a section of his perfectly organized memories. Everything inside his mind was now expertly and automatically indexed, just waiting for him to call forth any information he wished at any given moment. In short, Joe had acquired "Perfect Recall" and a "Mental Library". 

"Let me try something interesting..." Joe's fingers once again returned to the keyboard and mouse. His mind was brimming with a cocktail of ideas, just waiting to be put into action. He had already learned enough within six hours to be deemed a dangerous individual. 

Joe began making deceptive emails. 

"Spear phishing attacks through open-source intelligence. Who is gonna be the victim of my boredom?" Joe murmured with a bland expression on his face. 

I am only practicing, he reminded himself. 

Joe used an algorithm to randomize his unlucky target. 

"Poor sod." 

"Kylian Donovan, 32 male, Irish-American Microbiologist, likes living the high life, pretends to be rich, selfie-phile, outgoing, and...interested in 13-year-olds." Joe arched his brows as he navigated through his target's social media profiles. The algorithm gave him the profile of a creep. 

Just as expected his target responded to him after Joe created something to capture his interest(as a pure 13-year-old diva). A few moments later, Joe easily penetrated the security of Donovan's online accounts by using his passwords. 

He got his banking credentials, pins, and passwords; while the target remained oblivious to the impending finishing move. With fluid expertise, Joe siphoned the money in all his savings accounts before depositing everything in an offshore account. He didn't forget to leave the guy in debt since he was eligible for loans and credits. All of that amounted to 10 grand. 

Did he regret it? Nah. Did he feel justified? Maybe. 

Joe felt that he had been far too lenient in his approach. He could have socially ruined the man or even shared some of his secret data with the Child Protection Department, but... The guy had close ties with certain individuals in the upper echelon. He would probably not stay behind bars for long. Predators like Kylian were hidden everywhere in the world.

There were simply a lot of matters to consider before he involved himself with issues beyond his list of priorities. Only through NZT-48, could he operate under cold logic. 

"Anyway, even though I can't deal with these types of guys more aggressively, I can still cripple them economically," Joe said with a grin, thinking about his sinister intentions.

"This is gonna hurt... some emotional damage will be a good treat for you guys." He initiated his attacks, and this time round, he created an identity-tracking program capable of compiling profiles and databases of information of individuals with pedophilic tendencies. From the way he had coded the program, it could even to some degree, draw up the probability of a target trying to act on their sick impulses. 

If one day he improved the program, he could very well sell it to the police, enabling them to quickly and efficiently narrow down suspects in various cases.

Looks like a poor copy of the system from Minority Report, Joe thought in passing. 

In the remaining 6 hours, he began studying several books on Mechanical Engineering while remotely hacking his targets. 

"These bastards have recycled their passwords in multiple bank accounts even if you introduce closer variations, you will still not be spared from the Spider's web ensnarement." Joe sneered at how some people were just lousy at setting up strong passwords, constantly reusing them everywhere. Joe's hacking attacks were lightning-quick, brutal, and untraceable. The funds he acquired on this "hackathon" were only converted into cryptocurrencies. 

Since his targets were people with similar modus operandi, he made sure to shred all of his footprints, even though his actions hadn't been randomized. He was just like a ghost, a cyber ghost to be more accurate. 

"I also need to run up some network assessments of the shield and hydra network." Then came the most crucial moment. 

"I can't recklessly try to mess with JARVIS or Tony Stark right now until I truly master all there is to know about complex AI algorithms and Machine Learning." Joe carefully thought. 

"I need to have full confidence when I strike. All in all, SHIELD still has what I want," Joe leaned in with anticipation clinging to his face. 

Joe understood that SHIELD was no soft persimmon. It was going to be a hard and intense cyber warfare. 

As Joe was about to begin his plan, a massive headache suddenly assaulted his mind and he felt as if he was being lobotomized. 

"Argh!" He tightly clutched at his head, almost ripping off his hair, and grated his teeth against each other like a manic patient. He felt as if his thoughts and consciousness were drifting between the realms of reality and unreality, where the concept of time was blurred.

The drawbacks of NZT-48 after 12 hours had kicked in. Just like any drug, NZT-48 wasn't perfect and its drawbacks were terrifying if the person taking it didn't mediate the bad effects. 

It was then that a drop of red blood rolled out of his nose and landed on his desk, just inches away from his keyboard. With trembling fingers, Joe slowly wiped the blood off his nose. This was a sign of the NZT taking a toll on his body. 

'Such shitty drawbacks...' Joe cursed inwardly. He had prior knowledge of this happening but how could he know that the drawbacks took effect faster than even its benefits? The withdrawals were something every NZT user had to deal with. It was a good thing that during the initial phase of using NZT, everything was manageable. 

Joe looked at the clock in the right corner of the taskbar.

"It's already 8 at night... 12 hours flew just like that," he muttered, his voice a hoarse whisper. 

Grrrr! 

"And here it comes...the creeping hunger." Joe rolled his eyes while donning a helpless smile. His brain and body needed nutrients.

As Joe tried to rise from his seat, the sound of bones cracking reverberated through the room. His body was stiff like a rigor mortis corpse. 

"My back, my back..." Joe experienced the consequences of sitting in the same position and posture for straight 12 hours without moving. 

He used his hand to hold onto the edges of the desk to support himself. 

"I don't think I am going to cook." That's NZT for you. 

"I will order some Chinese then." 

Joe suddenly missed both Gwen's and Mary Jane's cooking. And that certainly didn't sit well with him. With NZT, he was going to cook his own damn meals. His current body needed a lot of improvement and for a training regimen to be successful, well-planned nutritious diets were important. 

As Joe went about his business, he was unaware, or more like he didn't care, that his hacking session had caused massive unrest and fear in the hearts of the targeted pedophiles. However, that was only a lesser retribution to pay for their sins warranted more than that. 

***

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