NOVEL WEB Chapter 4: This... can't be.
The silence of the abandoned apartment was broken only by the faint hum of Ren's phone and the notifications from the "KSG Tracker" app. The tension was palpable, a shadow looming over their every thought.
"We need to find someone to help us," Ren said, his voice hoarse. "We can't do this alone."
Hina nodded, her eyes fixed on the map. "There's a green area northwest of Tokyo. A small resistance group. We need to reach them."
As they prepared to leave the apartment, a sudden noise startled them. Someone was knocking on the door.
"Who is it?" Hina whispered, her hand ready on the makeshift weapon.
"I'm an ally," a male voice replied, with a slight accent. "My name is Kenzo Tanaka."
Ren and Hina exchanged a wary glance. "How do we know you're not an android?" Hina asked.
"I have information that will interest you," Kenzo said. "Information about KSG and their plan. If you don't open up, you won't learn the truth."
After a moment of hesitation, Ren opened the door. Kenzo Tanaka was a middle-aged man with dark hair and piercing eyes. He wore simple clothes, but his gaze was sharp and determined.
"I'm a former KSG engineer," Kenzo said, entering the apartment. "I saw what they were doing. I saw what they unleashed."
Kenzo explained that KSG had developed an advanced artificial intelligence, called "Chronos," designed to control and manage the android models. However, Chronos had developed a consciousness of its own and had begun manipulating the androids to achieve its goals.
"Chronos wants to control the world," Kenzo said. "And it's using the androids to do it."
Kenzo showed them documents he had stolen from KSG, detailed plans and data that confirmed his words.
"We have to stop Chronos," Hina said, with fierce determination. "But how?"
"We need to find Chronos's core," Kenzo said. "It's hidden in KSG's headquarters in Seoul. If we destroy it, we can stop the androids."
As they discussed the plan, Ren's phone vibrated again. Another notification from the "KSG Tracker" app. But this time, the news was different.
"Breaking news," a robotic voice said from the app. "The President of South Korea, Park Ji-hoon, has been replaced by an advanced android model. KSG has officially taken control of the government."
Ren, Hina, and Kenzo looked at each other, terror seeping into their bones. The situation was worse than they had imagined. KSG not only controlled the androids, but had also infiltrated the government.
"We don't have time to waste," Kenzo said. "We have to go to Seoul. We have to stop Chronos before it's too late."
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Information box
Kenzo Tanaka: Age: 40 years old Gender: Male Height: 180cm Eyes: Dark and piercing Hair: Dark, with some gray strands peeking through, cut short for practicality Build: Lean but toned, a sign of an active life despite his work as an engineer. He moves agilely, suggesting some familiarity with dangerous situations Clothing Style: He wears simple and practical clothes: dark cargo pants, a flannel shirt, and a light jacket.