20: chat

[Consciousness Space]

Han Chengyu watched the young figure struggling alone with sorrow, secrets, and exhaustion, a thread of pure, unreciprocated concern flowing through his consciousness.

"System, review this message," he formulated the words. "Use that software called 'wechat' to create a new contact and send it to him. The content is... 'Hello, you seem very tired, please take care. Don't worry, you are not alone.'... That's it."

[Message content under review...]

[Judgment: Does not violate Core Principle One (does not reveal our existence); does not violate Core Principle Two (does not directly intervene in his decisions and actions).]

[Review passed. Simulating unknown signal source, creating temporary communication node... Message sent to target's personal mobile terminal.]

[Real World]

Lu Jianchuan was staring blankly out the window, trying to use the sunlight to dispel some drowsiness and gloom, when the screen of his phone on the desk suddenly lit up, accompanied by a soft, non-default System notification sound.

He picked up the phone somewhat sluggishly and unlocked the screen. What met his eyes was the interface of his most commonly used instant messaging software, 'wechat,' but at the top displayed a contact he had never seen before, with an avatar of pure starry sky and a nickname consisting of just a simple period '.'.

He clicked on it in confusion. .**: Hello, you seem very tired, please take care. Don't worry, you are not alone.

In an instant, the hairs all over Lu Jianchuan's body almost stood on end! Extreme drowsiness was instantly dispelled by a wave of icy vigilance. He sat up straight abruptly, his fingers turning slightly white from the force as he quickly tapped on the screen to reply.

Lu Jianchuan: Who are you?! Lu Jianchuan: How do you know my condition?

The reply came almost instantly. .**: It's not convenient to discuss in detail now. Wait until you get home tonight, when it's safe.

After sending this message, no matter what follow-up questions or probes Lu Jianchuan sent, the contact named '.' never responded again.

It fell silent as if it had never appeared, leaving only those two sentences full of concern yet utterly eerie, and that final reply with a clear directive tone, glaringly conspicuous in the chat history.

Lu Jianchuan stared fixedly at the screen, his heart pounding violently in his chest. Was it a probe from GUPA? Some new type of scam? Or... related to this thing on his arm?

Immense unease coiled around his heart like icy vines. This unfamiliar '.', seemingly aware of his condition, spoke with concern, yet its actions were full of mystery and control. What was it? Friend or foe?

"Wait until I get home tonight..." he silently chewed on these words, his already heavy heart weighed down by a new, unknown boulder. This day was destined to be even more difficult. He raised his head and looked out the window again; the sunlight was still bright, but he felt as if countless eyes were watching his every move from unseen corners.

The entire afternoon that followed was an indescribable ordeal for Lu Jianchuan.

That extreme exhaustion still clung to him like a shadow, but his nerves remained taut because of that sudden mysterious message. He handled his work, but his gaze would uncontrollably drift to the silent phone screen. That starry sky avatar with the period '.' was like a thorn embedded in his consciousness.

As soon as work hours ended, he almost rushed out of the Police Station. When he finally returned to that familiar rented room, locked the door behind him, and slid down with his back against the cold security door, he seemed to find a space where he could briefly catch his breath.

He took a few deep breaths, forced himself to calm down, then pulled out his phone, fingers trembling slightly imperceptibly, and clicked on that starry sky avatar.

Lu Jianchuan: I'm home, it's safe now. Can you tell me, what exactly are you?

[Consciousness Space]

"He replied!" Han Chengyu immediately said. "System, review this: if I tell him, 'I am the maker of the equipment on your wrist,' is that acceptable?"

[Message content under review...]

[Judgment: 'The equipment on your wrist' is highly specific; combined with context, it easily leads the Aptitude Holder to associate with this Unit and its anomalies. Although this information does not directly mention core concepts, it severely touches the boundary of Principle One, constituting high-risk borderline behavior. Not approved.]

"Uh... no, System, listen to me," Han Chengyu quickly explained. "I want to provide him with necessary information as a 'maker,' such as where enemies might appear, or some reminders about equipment usage.

That doesn't count as directly intervening in his decisions, right? This is just providing intelligence!"

The System fell into brief silence, its core flashing with azure data streams at high speed.

[Re-evaluating... Logic chain reconstruction.]

[If the message content is strictly limited to: providing information on objectively existing potential threats, or non-mandatory usage suggestions based on equipment design principles, without attaching any action directives.

Such information can be defined as 'intelligence support,' consistent with derivative interpretations of Principle Two. This identity disguise... is risk-controllable under strict limitation of information scope.]

"Great! Then let's do it!" Han Chengyu perked up. "System, send this: 'I am the creator of the object that grants you this power. You may temporarily call me 'The Forger.'"

[Review passed. Message sent.]

Lu Jianchuan stared intently at the screen, his heart almost in his throat.

A few seconds later, the reply arrived.

.**: I am the creator of the object that grants you this power. You may temporarily call me 'The Forger.'

The Forger!

The creator of the power object!

Lu Jianchuan's gaze suddenly fell on the armband on his left wrist, his pupils sharply contracting. Indeed! Everything was related to this mysterious watch!

After the immense shock, he replied almost through gritted teeth.

Lu Jianchuan: The Forger? What exactly is going on with all this?! And this armor, and those monsters! What exactly is happening?

After sending the message, he gripped the phone tightly, his chest heaving violently, waiting for the existence that called itself 'The Forger' to give him an answer.

.: I understand your sorrow and anger, but Li Ming's death was not my intention.

.: I created this 'power object' because I observed that this world is facing increasing threats. As you have seen, Deviant Individuals like the one in the Warehouse are not isolated cases; they are continuously appearing. This armor was born precisely to deal with such crises.

Lu Jianchuan: Is that so? Then how can I trust you? A 'Forger' who hides and doesn't dare show his true face?

.: Believe it or not. I cannot, and will not, forcibly influence your judgment. The reason I tell you this is solely out of concern for your condition.

.: Recall the moment you picked it up to fight the monster. If I harbored ill intent, why would this power choose you, and why would it be used for protection?

Lu Jianchuan: ...Chosen? Didn't I just happen to pick it up?

.**: Indeed, 'picked up.' But if I hadn't placed it within your reach, how could you have 'picked it up'?

Lu Jianchuan: What do you mean?

.: After designing this set of armor and the Activator, I 'released' it into the world, waiting for a destined person.

.: Not just anyone is qualified to become its user. I have my own methods to ensure that only those whose Heart-Nature and potential meet the requirements can resonate with it and activate the power.

.**: In the end, it was you who picked it up. And, you made the right choice.

Lu Jianchuan: ...What kind of person are you? How can you do such things?

.: A... being that, in a sense, is no different from 'death.' Now, I can only communicate with you in this way.

.: Don't ask about me anymore. What I care about is you, and the future of this world.

.: From now on, contact through this chat interface. I will provide you with as much information as possible, such as where threats might appear, or reminders about the armor's condition.

.: Remember, I will only provide information. How to act is your own decision. Beyond that, I will say no more.

Lu Jianchuan looked at the lines of text on the screen, the storm in his heart gradually subsiding, replaced by a heavy, helpless acceptance. The Forger's explanation was logically consistent, and his tone showed no obvious malice, instead carrying a detached concern.

Most crucially, the other party seemed to truly adhere to the principle of 'not intervening in decisions,' and pointed out what he cared about most—the armor's power was indeed used by him to fight monsters.

What else could he do? Track down someone who claims to be 'no different from death' through the internet? That was clearly unrealistic.

In the current foggy predicament, this mysterious 'Forger' seemed to be the only existence that might provide information and guidance. He took a deep breath and typed a reply on the screen. Lu Jianchuan: ...Alright. I understand.

.**: Rest well. You need it.