Chapter 6: Sentinel’s MVP

Chapter 6: Sentinel’s MVPTwo weeks!

That’s how long it took Ethan to complete the MVP (minimum viable product) for Sentinel.

Ethan had thought that the system would at least help out, but everytime he asked, the system’s response remained the same.

[Complete the introductory mission to unlock the Tech Development Interface.]

According to the system, it was a must to complete the introductory mission on his own without much or any of its aid.

This would prove his competency and at the same time, make sure Ethan wasn’t completely reliant on it.

Luckily, the system had granted him a 10% Tech Booster which was immediately used on his Cyber security and Hacking knowledge, pushing it to [62%].

A 10% knowledge boost didn’t seem like much, but Ethan immediately regretted using it without proper preparation.

The boost caused him to pass out for the entire day while new knowledge poured into his brain.

Though, due to pure pettiness, he blamed his blacking out on the system’s refusal to help, even though the new knowledge was what let him get started on the sentinel.

Not that it all mattered now, after all, Sentinel’s MVP was done.



It wasn’t perfect, but it was functional—a lightweight cybersecurity AI capable of identifying vulnerabilities in real-time.

It could also automatically fix most of the identified vulnerabilities and can suggest actions for ones it cannot.

The model wasn’t as refined as he envisioned, but it was already ahead of its time in 2010.

The System immediately updated the mission progress from its previous twenty percent.

[Mission progress: 50%]

Now, he just needed to make sure it worked, which he was ninety percent sure it did.

Ethan cracked his neck, exhaled and leaned back on his chair looking at his laptop screen as the first version of Sentinel was being packaged.

As the code compiled, Ethan drummed his fingers against the desk. The next part of the mission was going to be a bit complicated.

He contemplated how to test it and there were a few options that came to mind.

The first was targeting a major industry players like Google, Amazon, or Microsoft. They had some of the most advanced cybersecurity infrastructures, but even they weren’t impenetrable.

If Sentinel could find flaws in their systems, it would prove its worth instantly.

The second option was penetration testing on smaller security firms, but without prior connections, it would be hard to gain their trust.

They would either ignore him or think he was some script kiddie looking for attention.

The third and riskiest option was the Capture The Flag (CTF) hacking challenges that were popular in 2010.

Many security firms, and even government agencies, monitored these competitions to scout talent.

If he dominated one using Sentinel, the right people would take notice—but it would also put him on the radar of entities he wanted to avoid, especially the government.

Ethan massaged his forehead. Mentally weighing the risks and benefits.

A soft chime from his laptop signaled that Sentinel’s first packaged version was complete.



"Lillian really did know her stuff," he appreciated how fast the laptop packaged his work.

Speaking of Lillian, Ethan’s phone suddenly rang. A familiar caller ID popped up,

"My Little Midas"

A smirk played on Ethan’s lips.

Sentinel’s MVP wasn’t the only progress he had made in the past two weeks.

He had also managed to win over the future business genius—who, at this point in time, was still just a shy, reserved girl.

Ethan let the phone ring for a short while before answering, his tone casual. "Lillian. To what do I owe the pleasure?"

On the other end, there was a moment of silence, then a hesitant sigh. "I—um, I hope I’m not interrupting anything?"

"Depends. Is this a social call, or are you about to hit me with a Best Buy upsell?" Ethan leaned back, smirking.

A soft laugh slipped through the receiver, it was a light one but it was also genuine.

It was still rare to hear her relax like this, but Ethan had spent the past two weeks steadily breaking down her walls.

"N-no, nothing like that," she said, still a bit nervous but no longer stumbling over her words like before.

"I just... remembered you saying you were working on something big. And I thought, maybe, you’d want to bounce ideas off someone?"

"Even if I might not be too much help" she muttered the last part almost inaudibly.

Ethan’s brows lifted slightly. That was new.

So far, Lillian had mostly been reactive, responding to his conversations but never initiating them. For her to actually reach out on her own meant she was starting to trust him.

That was exactly what he wanted.

"Well, if you’re offering, I won’t say no," he said, "where are you?"

"I’m on break right now. There’s this little diner near the store, Sammy’s. It’s not fancy, but they have decent coffee."



"I’ll be there in 10," Ethan answered.

"O-okay," Lillian stuttered, ending the call, but not before Ethan caught the sound of a squeal in the background.

"Well," he muttered, glancing at the newly created software. "Looks like testing you will have to wait a while."

After all, he still needed time to think about which route to take when testing Sentinel and maybe Lillian would be of some help.

_________

Lillian ended the call just as her coworker and friend, Aria, jumped in joy beside her.

"My little Lilly finally asked a boy out," Aria squealed.

"I-I told you already, it’s not a date, Ethan and I are just friends" Lillian defended, but Aria was having none of it.

"Oh, I thought my baby would die alone, living a life of solitude and despair," she exclaimed dramatically, clutching her chest.

"But now, I can finally die peacefully! After all, hope is restored!" She wiped away nonexistent tears, her voice trembling with exaggerated emotion.

"Aria!" Lillian let out an uncharacteristic scream, but Aria only gave her a mischievous laugh before darting into the store, not before calling out,

"Oh, and you better hurry! You don’t want to be late for your first date!"