Flint tightened the inner sleeve where she had hidden the CPM, creating a noticeable bulge that her outer robe's flowing sleeves concealed perfectly. She had disabled the crystal core's receiving function, transforming it into a simple beacon that would continuously request updates whenever it detected new program signals.
From her position behind one of the sect's auxiliary buildings, she observed the maintenance routine of the newly updated puppets. Their wooden joints moved with an uncanny smoothness, each step accompanied by the faint sound of polished wood against stone as they spread out to transmit the new program to their older counterparts. A faint smile crossed her lips as she watched Raven follow one puppet away, leaving another to wander in her direction.
Like a dancer leading an unwitting partner, Flint began a careful backward retreat. She maintained a precise distance - close enough to keep the puppet's attention, far enough to avoid suspicion. Each of her steps was calculated, drawing the wooden sentinel closer to her dormitory building.
No one paid much attention to the puppet following her inside - cleaning puppets in dormitories were a common sight. Flint quickened her pace up the stairs, her footsteps light but audible. Every few steps, she glanced back, her gaze meeting the puppet's crystal eyes as they caught the morning light. The crystal core in her sleeve felt warm against her skin, its presence both reassuring and dangerous.
Flint gently closed and locked the door behind her. The puppet stood unnervingly close, its crystalline eyes pulsing with ethereal blue light. The rhythmic flashing reminded her of a confused child, endlessly trying to complete its update protocol only to timeout again and again. Of course, she knew better - these constructs held no true emotions, only endless loops of programmed responses.
Her fingers danced across her Mystic Terminal's surface, initiating the transfer request. The puppet's response was immediate, its posture shifting ever so slightly as it detected the new terminal presence. The crystal in its chest brightened, beginning the firmware transmission.
Raw data flooded her screen - an endless stream of zeros and ones flowing like a digital river. The message transmitted back included new firmware program. Every thirty-two bits formed a single instruction in the Soulweaver intermediate language, each one corresponding to a fundamental runic circle. A rune program may have millions of such circles.
The data analysis completed, revealing the checksum buried within. Using her reverse engineering program, Flint methodically converted the binary stream back into Soulweaver intermediate language. Her eyes narrowed as she noticed something peculiar - the checksum matched a string stored in the firmware's data section perfectly. Could this be the password?
With measured movements, she attempted to connect to the puppet using the string. Nothing. A wry smile crossed her face - of course it wouldn't be that simple. Even the Mystic Enigma Pavilion wouldn't be naive enough to embed a plain password in their code, though they probably never expected anyone to decompile their programs in the first place.
She dove deeper into her reverse engineering tool, tracking down the password verification routine. After several minutes of intense study, her fingers hovering over the glowing characters, she found it. The verification was indeed checking against that same string - but only after passing through another function. The function itself was a maze of calculations, likely some form of encryption.
The simplest solution presented itself: remove the verification entirely. Working with practiced precision, she generated a new firmware version stripped of these checks. I’d better find something to try. Flint thought.
She turned off the CPM’s function to send messages out, confirming that the puppet responsible for updates had tried to leave her own dormitory due to the lack of a new update target. However, it could only futilely attempt to open the locked door.
Flint’s mouth curled up in a smile, now the puppet will no longer attempt to transmit its firmware to this CPM. Her heart beating slightly faster, she tested it first on her only remaining CPM. After adding the checksum, she watched with bated breath as the crystal core accepted her modified firmware.
With trembling fingers betraying her excitement, she initiated a connection to this CPM. Success! Error messages immediately flooded her screen, reporting all limb connections had been severed. Flint's lips curved into a satisfied smile - exactly as expected. The crystal core was essentially a disembodied brain, and like any proper system, it was dutifully reporting the loss of its peripheral connections. The fact that it could report these errors at all meant her modified firmware was working perfectly.
She contemplated transmitting the firmware back to the updating puppet, which would give her a complete puppet to control! However, when she attempted the transmission, it was rejected with the message that the target was not in an updatable state.
Flint pondered this for a moment. It made sense - they wouldn't want new puppets getting stuck in an endless update loop with each other.
Still, she had successfully cracked the puppet verification system. For now, she just needed to let this puppet quietly leave.
Just as she unlocked the door and gently pushed it open, she found herself face to face with Raven, who stood there with her Mystic Terminal in hand, staring in bewilderment at Flint and the puppet.
Flint reacted with lightning speed, shoving the puppet through the doorway. She positioned herself to block Raven's view, her hand behind her back swiftly pulling the door shut. Her heart seemed to stop at the sight of Raven, resuming its beat only after the door clicked closed.
Outside, her hand instinctively brushed her waist, searching for a familiar shape. Damn it, left the key inside. She pushed the thought aside - she could always request a spare from the management puppet later... or hack her way in...oh but her Mystic Terminal was in her room…
Flint drew in a deep breath, forcing her mind to focus. What mattered now was determining exactly what Raven had seen, and finding a way to explain it away... and if that failed...
The memory of Lenient's cold words flashed through her mind: "this bad wolf has heard too much" - right before he'd threatened to kill Spark. A chill ran down her spine as she realized her thoughts were beginning to mirror Lenient's ruthless pragmatism.
"Hey, Raven," Flint greeted with practiced innocence as the puppet retreated down the hallway. "What brings you here?"
Raven's eyes darted between Flint and the retreating puppet, her fingers nervously tapping against her Mystic Terminal. A forced smile spread across her face, not quite reaching her eyes.
"Oh, haha..." Raven's finger traced nervous circles on her Mystic Terminal screen, fixated on a single dot indicating a puppet - or rather, just a CPM - in Flint's room. "Just wondering why the firmware update puppet came inside. Seemed a bit strange, you know?"
Holy crap, could Flint be the one who modified all those puppets Mason couldn't connect to? The thought raced through Raven's mind as her awkward smile remained plastered on her face.
"Ah, I just saw it come in and thought it could help clean my room!" Flint matched Raven's uncomfortable smile, scratching her head with an exaggerated casualness.
"But it wasn't carrying any cleaning tools," Raven pointed out, caught between amusement and suspicion.
"I have tools in my room! I just hand them over and it knows what to do," Flint continued her improvisation, adding with practiced admiration, "Your Mystic Enigma Pavilion's technology is really amazing!"
Raven knew perfectly well that this particular puppet was programmed for defense protocols - it wouldn't handle cleaning duties without deliberate reprogramming. Which left two possibilities: either Flint was using the puppet for something else entirely, or she had somehow gained control of the puppet system and actually managed to make it clean. The second option seemed highly implausible.
What would Flint want with a puppet behind closed doors? Any why is there a CPM in her room? Raven wondered, her mind racing. But then a more pressing thought surfaced - Whatever she's doing, could it somehow implicate me?
"Actually," Raven's eyes fixed on Flint with growing concern, "my Mystic Terminal is showing a CPM in your room."
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The words hung in the air between them, shattering Flint's carefully constructed facade. Even if she could explain away calling a puppet for cleaning, there was no innocent explanation for having a CPM in her possession. Not after she'd explicitly told Raven she'd never even looked at puppet documentation.
Damn it, I should have powered down that CPM. Flint's heart sank as her mind raced through possible explanations, finding none.
Their eyes met in a moment of tense silence. Suddenly, Raven took a step backward.
Why is she backing away? Flint found herself puzzled by Raven's unexpected movement. Is she... afraid of me?
That look in her eyes - she wouldn't actually silence me, would she? Cold sweat trickled down Raven's back. And then what? Let the Celestial Sword Sect hunt her down? They'd eventually trace the Mystic Terminal back to me anyway!
If I report Flint for having a hidden CPM, I'll be implicated as an accomplice in selling her the Mystic Terminal. Raven's thoughts raced as she studied Flint's face.
If she's just doing some harmless research, maybe we could keep this between us... but some secrets are like weights - light as a feather until you try to carry them, then they crush you under their mass.
"Well..." Raven and Flint spoke simultaneously.
"You first." They synchronized again.
"Let me speak," Flint took the initiative, her voice softening. "I've always considered you a friend. Aren't we planning to establish our own sect together in the future?"
She watched as Raven's tense expression eased slightly at the mention of their shared ambition. Good, she's receptive.
"Because I trust you as a friend, I told you about my identity - that I'm Obsidian Snow's reincarnation..." Flint carefully monitored Raven's reaction as she spoke. She swallowed, took a deep breath, and continued:
"As you know, the Mystic Enigma Pavilion's puppet technology is exceptional. The Abyssal Pavilion doesn't have anything like it yet, and I was hoping to bring this technology back..." Whether the Abyssal Pavilion actually had puppets or not, Flint didn't know, but it seemed like the most plausible explanation she could offer.
Flint watched Raven's expression closely. She knew Raven didn't share the Celestial Sword Sect's prejudice against the Abyssal Pavilion, nor did she hold much loyalty to the Mystic Enigma Pavilion - after all, someone truly loyal wouldn't be selling Mystic Terminals on the side. Raven cared primarily about her own interests. Seeing Raven's expression gradually relax, Flint knew she'd played her cards right.
"You see," she continued, bringing her hand to her lips in a thoughtful gesture, "while I don't own the Abyssal Pavilion, I held considerable authority there in my past life. I could exchange this puppet technology with their current leadership for a substantial sum..." She paused for effect. "That could give us the initial funding we need for our sect..."
Raven felt a surge of warmth - she hadn't expected Flint to take her casual talk of founding a sect so seriously. This isn't such a big deal after all. A relaxed smile spread across her face. "Oh, it's not that serious! You should have told me earlier! I can get you more documentation!" She stepped closer to Flint, giving her shoulder a friendly pat.
"About the money though..." Raven draped her arm around Flint's neck, her other hand making the universal gesture for money - thumb rubbing against forefinger. "How much do you think you can get for it?"
Need to name a figure that'll shock her. Flint closed her eyes in mock contemplation. "I'm thinking... two million." Exactly one hundred times what Raven had charged for the Mystic Terminal.
"Two million?" Raven's eyes widened like saucers.
Is that too much or too little? Maintaining her thoughtful expression, Flint probed carefully, "You think it's not enough?"
"Not enough? How could that possibly be not enough?" Raven's mind raced with possibilities, briefly entertaining the idea of pursuing such profits herself. Then she remembered the stories about the Abyssal Pavilion being filled with murderous outlaws. Someone without connections like her trying to do business there would be practically suicidal.
"Well, you know, all the documentation on your Mystic Terminal came from me, so about this... money..." Raven rubbed her fingers together suggestively.
Ah, profit-sharing time. Flint mentally rolled her eyes, but at least she had Raven secured now. "We split it fifty-fifty."
"As the main decision-maker in our future sect..." Raven began diplomatically.
"Sixty-forty, your favor."
"That CPM in your room probably can't stay there..."
"Seventy-thirty."
"Deal!" Raven hugged Flint enthusiastically. "Let's exchange contact details. I'll visit you at the Abyssal Pavilion!"
Who knows if jade tablets even work there? Flint thought of Lenient's onyx tablet. I'll just pretend I died or something.
"Remember to turn off that CPM in your room!" Raven patted Flint's shoulder, the gesture serving both as a seal on their deal and a reassurance. "We don't want the other three fossils noticing anything strange when they pass by."
Though Raven knew the remaining team members rarely checked individual puppets and wouldn't climb the stairs even if they detected one in the building, she felt compelled to warn Flint anyway.
Flint nodded. "Don't worry."
She watched until Raven disappeared down the stairs, then turned back to her locked door with a heavy sigh. Now she just had to figure out how to get it open.
———
The afternoon sunlight made Raven drowsy, but the prospect of unexpected wealth kept her in a state of pleasant excitement.
The puppets would update themselves; she really had nothing to do. Walking cheerfully along the Celestial Sword Sect's paths, she spotted Spark sweeping with a 'Thief' sign stuck to his back. Why not spread some kindness?
She approached, tapped her ear clip to shut down the puppet, and called out, "Day's over! Wolf prince, have a nice day!"
Spark turned to find Raven and the deactivated puppet. Recognizing that she was offering an early end to his punishment duty covering for Flint, his lips curved into a slight smile. "You seem to have too much free time."
"Hey, I just helped you! Couldn't you say something nice?" Raven pretended to be angry. "Like offering to spend a romantic evening with me as thanks?"
Spark, long since immune to Raven's flirtatious banter, didn't bother to respond. He simply put the broom aside and awkwardly reached behind to pull at one corner of the cloth writing ‘Theif’. Seeing his struggle, Raven darted over to help remove the remaining three corners.
Spark folded the paper with text inward and turned to leave. "I'm going."
"Where to?"
"Aura Meditation Ground, to meditate." His response was emotionless.
Raven sighed dramatically. "Why are you so boring? Can't you stay and chat?"
"What could we possibly have to talk about?" A corner of Spark's mouth quirked up.
"You promised me a jewel from Inferno Wolves last time! Shouldn't we discuss what style?" Raven reminded him of his offer of a ring.
Ah right, I said that to distract her from the CPM residue on Flint's hand. Well, it's just a jewel, I can give her one sometime. "Sure, which type do you want?"
"Oh, I'd love a Seraphic Citrine as beautiful as your eyes~" Actually, Raven preferred rubies, but maybe this time her flirting would finally work on Spark.
"Noted." Spark nodded and turned to leave again.
"Wait!" Raven called after him, sidling closer to whisper in a mock-threatening tone, "I know now - that glowing powder on Flint's hands last time was from touching a CPM."
Spark froze mid-step, turning to face Raven with disbelieving eyes. Hold on, is she testing me? He forced himself to stay calm.
"What's a CPM?" Spark feigned ignorance, but the flicker of panic in his eyes betrayed him.
"Stop pretending," Raven waved dismissively. "It's not such a big deal anyway."
Seeing Spark's silence, Raven's lips curled into a smile.
"Oh~" She gave him a mischievous look. "If you wanted to give me another jewel to keep my silence, I wouldn't mind~"
Raven watched Spark's eyes as she spoke, but the coldness in his gaze sent a chill down her spine.
He wouldn't actually kill me, would he? Why does this feel so familiar? Raven unconsciously took a step back.
"But wasn't it you who sold Flint the Mystic Terminal?" Spark countered coolly.
Damn, he found my weakness instantly... Raven didn't even have time to wonder how Spark knew about that. "Actually, forget about the jewel. Flint and I are such close friends, of course I'll protect her..."
"How did you know?" Spark narrowed his eyes, studying Raven.
Raven shrugged with forced casualness. "Found it in her room. Must have gotten it after that time we saw the glowing powder on her hands..." Her voice trailed off as an uneasy realization crept in. Something about the morning's encounter wasn't adding up.
Spark frowned. "But she didn't have anything with her then."
The words hit Raven like a splash of cold water. She replayed the memory - Flint's empty hands, the hug she'd given her, no sign of any crystal sphere. Her eyes widened as the pieces clicked together.
She didn't take a CPM - she installed one! She's trying to steal the puppet verification codes! Raven stood frozen, her mind racing.
If selling information was her goal, why bother with the CPM? Was research really her only motive? Raven realized with growing dread that she'd accepted Flint's explanation without questioning deeper. What if selling to the Abyssal Pavilion wasn't her true intention at all?
"She's probably just trying to get access for better research..." Raven wrung her hands nervously. She was suddenly aware that she'd inadvertently tied her fate to Flint's.
Spark watched the panic spread across Raven's face with growing suspicion. "Did you actually see Flint with a CPM? Don't make false accusations."
"It can't be... it can't be..." Raven's lips trembled, her words barely more than whispers to herself.
Taking a deep breath, she met Spark's gaze with uncharacteristic seriousness, all her usual playfulness gone. "Spark, what is Flint really trying to do?" Spark must know something, she thought.
"She's just interested in runes. That's why she bought your Mystic Terminal," Spark said with furrowed brows. "She hasn't touched any CPMs or whatever you're talking about."
"Even after knowing she's going to the Abyssal Pavilion for her man, you still defend her?" Raven brought up what Flint had told her about Lenient.
Spark's gaze turned icier. "That's none of your business."
Why does this scene feel so familiar? Raven thought helplessly. But a growing sense of dread made her heart race. "I just realized - has she done something, or is she planning something, that would force her to leave the Celestial Sword Sect?"
Spark's heart skipped a beat, but he kept his voice steady. "She's just going to find that wooden man, nothing more."
"No, Spark, you're her accomplice." Raven's usual cheerfulness had vanished, replaced by a shadow of foreboding. "She can just walk away, but can you?"
Spark clutched the cloth tighter in his hands. "That's her choice." His voice, meant to sound resolute, wavered slightly at the end.
"Spark, just how serious is this?" Raven frowned, already calculating whether she should forfeit her potential 1.4 million to report Flint. The money would be easy for Flint to deny anyway. But she needed more information first.
"I've told you! There's no conspiracy - she's just studying runes!" Spark snapped.
"And going to find her lover, who isn't you." Raven added the taunt with a quiet bite.
"What 'lover'! She doesn't even like that wooden man!" Spark's anger flared at the mockery.
"Oh? Does she like you then?" Raven smirked, raising an eyebrow.
Spark's brows furrowed. Flint did like him a little, didn't she? Probably? But he didn't want to argue with Raven about this.
"If she likes you, why is she leaving?" Raven continued.
"Enough!" Spark roared, "Can you shut up!"
"Spark," Raven's tone softened, taking on an almost seductive quality, "why can't you stop whatever this is and keep her by your side? Does she really have to leave?"
Only the Mystic Terminal could be traced back to me. Any other suspicions would be easy to shake off, Raven thought, frowning. I need to find a way to destroy that Terminal.
A flicker of uncertainty crossed Spark's face as complex emotions welled up inside him. She's right - it's just a piece of obsidian. Does it really have to be taken? Why must Flint leave?
Raven caught his hesitation, realizing there must be plans in motion beyond her imagination. Not that it mattered to her - as long as she wasn't implicated.
"It's simple," Raven smiled softly. "Just destroy her Mystic Terminal."
At those words, clarity suddenly washed over Spark. Destroy the Mystic Terminal - that would conveniently absolve you of any involvement, wouldn't it, Raven?
With this realization, he returned her smile. "Don't be so nervous. Flint just wants to study runes, maybe explore puppet technology a bit. She has her own plans."
Spark's unexpected composure caught Raven off guard. Why did he seem so at ease? Was Flint really just interested in studying puppet technology?
Maybe her 1.4 million spirit stones weren't just a fantasy after all? Perhaps Flint hadn't been lying? Raven's certainty began to waver.
Then Spark suddenly took her hand, the one adorned with the ruby ring. "You know, rubies really do suit you. How about another ring - much larger than this one?"
He leaned in close to her ear, with an intimacy he'd never shown before, and whispered: "After all, you're an accomplice too."