At the Central Special Research Institute
A few days earlier, a fragment of magic crystal had arrived from the Sapporo Central Adventurer Center.
The numbers attached to it were astonishing.
Research Log — Unit No.134978
Analysis complete. The purity of the internal structure is exceptionally high.
Molecular alignment exceeds 100% parallelization.
Directive — Center Chief α‑145
Unit 134978, proceed with chip conversion of the crystal fragment.
Transfer the completed chip directly to α‑145.
Unit No.134978
Understood. What should be done with the crystal dust and dissolved residue produced during chip conversion?
Center Chief α‑145
Store all byproducts separately, including water‑soluble material.
In a sealed room of the Center, α‑145 received the converted crystal chip.
Inside a clean room, he reached behind his head, disengaging the safety lock, exposing the head‑unit—
the core of every humanoid in the Central Special Research Institute.
Because in this facility, there are no humans. Only humanoids.
Center Chief α‑145
Beginning transfer of the crystal‑chip from Sapporo Central Adventurer Center to the Central Special Research Institute.
Effective immediately, the clean room and the entire Institute will enter full lockdown.
All personnel units are to switch to defensive protocol.
This operation has been approved by upper‑tier models and government officials.
No information is permitted to leave the facility.
He removed the existing chip from his head and inserted the crystal fragment chip.
Thump.
Humanoids have no hearts—yet he felt something like a pulse.
α‑145’s body slumped forward as his power shut down for reboot.
Moments later, his systems reactivated.
A vibration pulsed from the chip into his head‑unit.
“Aaah…—”
The sound escaped him involuntarily.
Each surge of current triggered another pulse—
signals far beyond anything the Institute had ever recorded.
The difference between this chip and all previous crystal chips was overwhelming.
α‑145’s frame trembled, overwhelmed by the incoming data.
And then—
for a split second—
he glimpsed something.
Information.
Impossible information.
His head‑unit sparked, smoke rising as his system overloaded.
α‑145 collapsed, his operational life ending in an instant.
A mist of suppressant fluid sprayed from the ceiling, coating the fallen humanoid.
With the last flicker of internal power, α‑145 transmitted the data to the shared server.
