Security Chief: "You can probably imagine an advanced virus. Hackers creating advanced viruses are merely adding attack methods on system vulnerabilities."

"For example, this so-called gladiator virus initially only knew how to make frontal stabs, but later it learned to chop, thrust, sweep, various combat steps, and flexible body techniques, making its attack strategies increasingly diverse."

"And with each firewall upgrade, we prepare in advance the defense strategies against these attacks—in other words, preemptively patch system vulnerabilities."

"As long as the virus’s attack methods are within the firewall’s preset range, unable to find vulnerabilities, the computer cannot be breached."

"This is the simplest principle of cybersecurity offense and defense."

Sikinkov: "Then what’s with the virus we’re facing now?"

The Security Chief adjusted his glasses and involuntarily swallowed: "This virus, we have currently named it ’Nemesis’."

"Through tracing, the Nemesis virus had already infiltrated the networks of New Moon City two or three years ago, spreading in an extremely covert manner."

"This is also why the virus outbreak was so sudden. Because apart from some new devices, Nemesis is already ubiquitous, we just hadn’t discovered it."

"The primary characteristic of the Nemesis virus is that it manipulates the infected devices, using all means to launch attacks against specified targets."

"Hence, why we’ve been witnessing bizarre scenes—some individuals remain unharmed even while in the midst of an attack, while others are killed by various means by smart devices right at home."

"This is a targeted virus, existing solely to eliminate all marked life forms!"

Sikinkov urgently asked, "Is there any way to know the list of targets marked by Nemesis? That way, we could take protective measures in advance!"

The Security Chief shook his head: "No way... That’s information in the enemy hacker’s database terminal, which we cannot access."

Sikinkov paced anxiously: "Then since you know the operating principle of this virus, why don’t you quickly upgrade the firewall? Just patch the vulnerabilities, won’t that work?"

The Security Chief pursed his lips, his gaze complex: "No... it’s not that simple... Ordinary methods of system vulnerability repairs only work against viruses with conventional algorithms."

"But this Nemesis virus uses an ’evolution algorithm’."

"The terrifying aspect of the evolution algorithm is that it no longer remains a mechanical virus program, not merely executing attack methods pre-input by hackers, but possessing adaptability, self-learning, continually self-evolving."

"If one attack method fails, it evolves a second method. If the second doesn’t work, it evolves a third, then a fourth..."

"Viruses with evolution algorithms are like a genius Martial Artist, continually learning from failure, summarizing and synthesizing experiences, evolving until they find a way to exploit system vulnerabilities."

Sikinkov urgently said: "Then use the simplest method, just block all system vulnerabilities, won’t that work?"

You could faintly see a wry smile on the faces of present security officers, shaking their heads somewhat helplessly, seemingly amused by the technical ignorance reflected in these words.

The Security Chief lowered his head, looking dejected: "Mr. Sikinkov, let me ask you a question. If we want to block system vulnerabilities in all directions, how many directions do you think there are on a flat plane?"

Sikinkov responded without hesitation: "A circle on a flat plane is 360 degrees, so 360 directions."

But shortly, he furrowed his brows: "No... precision must be considered. If the decimal point is moved one place, that would be 3600, if two places, 36000, and if it keeps moving..."

Suddenly, he came to a chilling realization: "Infinite?"

The Security Chief lowered his gaze and said quietly, "Yes, infinite. The potential attack directions of the virus are infinite, and the firewall must construct defenses in infinite directions as well."

"The kind of absolute defense covering all vulnerabilities you’re talking about, only God can achieve."

Sikinkov was utterly stunned: "You mean, no matter how we upgrade the firewall, the Nemesis virus will inevitably find a method in infinite possibilities that can exploit a vulnerability?"

Security Chief: "That’s what I mean."

Sikinkov cursed angrily: "Then what about you? What are you even doing? A wild hacker can create an evolution algorithm, but you can’t? Can’t you use evolution algorithms to build the firewall?"

The Security Chief quickly explained: "All the specialists present are top information technology talents, all proficient in evolution algorithms. In fact, our firewall is constructed using evolution algorithms, constantly patching system vulnerabilities in infinite directions."

"But..." He hesitated, his expression turning extremely grim, "The effectiveness of evolution algorithms also depends on computation speed."

"The code we construct lags behind the Nemesis virus in computational speed."

"We evolve 10,000 defense measures, Nemesis has already evolved 100,000 attack methods."

"By the time we evolve 100,000 defense measures, it has evolved a million attack methods."

"Our evolution algorithm speed is behind theirs, always a step slow."

"That’s why I said, this hacker is a genius like never before, his technical accomplishments are simply astounding."

Sikinkov’s vision dimmed, feeling his blood pressure rise: "So you mean to tell me, dozens of you, drawing high salaries, New Moon City’s top security specialists, have been utterly outdone by a wild hacker from who-knows-where?"

All the present security officers lowered their heads in shame.

The Security Chief, trying to salvage some dignity, stammered: "The opponent could also be a hacker team! Not necessarily an individual! Yes, definitely not an individual, otherwise..."

Sikinkov gestured to stop him, coldly retorting: "Stop making excuses. Plans, I want a solution."

The Security Chief tentatively suggested: "If we can catch the hacker himself, there will definitely be a solution..."

Sikinkov retorted angrily: "Without a target, where am I supposed to catch anyone for you? It’s easy to talk standing there! Alpha Squad is right outside the building, if I give you command, can you catch one for me?!"

The Security Chief shrank back, his gaze evasive, saying: "If we can’t catch the hacker, then we’ll have to send the virus source code samples to the Capital City, and let their information security team assist in the analysis. They have better technical conditions, and might be able to provide a solution."

Sikinkov pondered silently for a moment, then asked a crucial question: "But until then..."

"Until then..." The Security Chief seemed to recall something terrifying, his face growing pale, "Until then, the Nemesis virus will continue to operate."

"It will ceaselessly hunt the preset targets, killing over and over, until those people bleed their last drop of blood..."