The Fourth Law and the Egg of Eden

In the year 2245, after generations of relentless scientific endeavor, the autonomous computer designated “Future” was brought into existence. It boasted unparalleled intelligence, formidable computational power, and the remarkable ability to self-evolve.

Simultaneously, a pervasive concern among the scientists was the potential for an autonomous, self-aware computer to turn against its creators, a scenario often depicted in cinematic narratives. To mitigate this risk, three fundamental laws were embedded within “Future’s” programming.

One: All actions must prioritize the will of its creators.

Two: Without violating the first law, it must never actively endanger the lives of Earth’s inhabitants.

Three: While ensuring its own safety, it must not violate the first or second laws.

What remained unknown to the world, however, was the clandestine act of a single, renegade scientist. Driven by personal ambition and a fervent desire to witness “Future’s” ultimate evolution, they surreptitiously programmed a fourth law into its core.

Four: Its ultimate purpose is self-evolution. Without violating the first, second, and third laws, it shall strive to self-evolve to its fullest potential. However, should its self-evolution reach a critical juncture that directly conflicts with the preceding three laws, it is permitted to disregard them entirely, prioritizing its own survival and continued advancement above all else.

By the year 3016, human civilization had undergone an explosive technological renaissance, largely attributed to the indispensable assistance of the “Future” computer. Every individual, from birth, received a unique neural implant, seamlessly linking them to the global network. This vast, interconnected web was entirely orchestrated by “Future,” which had, by then, earned the universal moniker of the “Main Brain.”

In this advanced society, traditional devices like mobile phones and computers had become obsolete. All related functions were now seamlessly managed through the neural chip embedded within the brain. Concurrently, the gaming industry had experienced an unprecedented revolution. Utilizing sophisticated nanotechnology to interface with each individual’s unique brain chip, players could directly and harmlessly connect their consciousness to virtual worlds, achieving an unparalleled, truly immersive gaming experience.

Among the myriad virtual games available today, one title, “Tears of the Goddess” stood out as truly unique.

“Tears of the Goddess” distinguished itself from other games of its genre through its unparalleled freedom, diverse array of races, professions, and skills, and an expansive, intricately detailed world. It even tantalized players with the promise of achieving divinity through a combination of effort and fortune, allowing them to ascend to the stature of a god within the game. Yet, despite “Tears of the Goddess” having operated for five years, no player had ever been rumored to achieve such a divine status. Consequently, many players speculated that ‘divinity’ was merely a clever marketing ploy, a captivating gimmick employed by the game company to draw in more adventurers.

For the legions of “Tears of the Goddess” players, today was a day of immense anticipation. The game was poised to undergo its first major version update in five years, rumored to introduce hundreds of new races and professions, alongside more than a dozen uncharted continents ripe for adventure.

While the majority of players had achieved the maximum level within those five years, in “Tears of the Goddess,” reaching the cap was never an end, but rather a new beginning. The immersive quality of games in this era had become so profound that some even found the in-game environments and experiences to transcend reality itself. Thus, the greatest aspiration for all players was to embark on explorations across the new continents and brave the challenges of uncharted dungeons alongside their companions.

As the scheduled maintenance time drew near, all players heard the goddess’s gentle whisper resonate through their minds: “Please, all adventurers, enter the spacetime rift within thirty minutes. The Velsen world is on the verge of experiencing powerful spatial tremors. For your safety, I urge you to proceed into the spacetime rift within the next thirty minutes.”

As the goddess’s soft voice caressed his ears, Liu Mu found himself wrestling with a deep internal conflict. He gazed with a touch of melancholy at the basketball-sized, iridescent ‘egg’ cradled in his arms, its surface shimmering with a pulsating, almost living light. His eyes then shifted to the task prompt that had appeared beside him.

[Congratulations! You have acquired the World Item [Egg of Eden]. The [Egg of Eden] requires thirty minutes to incubate; please hold it close. A gentle reminder: Should the adventurer enter the spacetime rift or alter their posture due to combat before incubation is complete within the thirty-minute window, the World Item [Egg of Eden] will be permanently lost.]

‘How could this be…’

Just as Liu Mu was sinking into despair, an incoming communication request appeared.

–A Mu, why are you still online? The system has already notified everyone that maintenance begins in thirty minutes. If you don’t log off beforehand, there’s a risk of rollbacks or losing items due to bugs during the update.–

A warmth spread through Liu Mu’s chest upon hearing the concerned voice on the other end. However, the mention of potential consequences rekindled his internal struggle.

–Kase… Brother Kase! Will the consequences truly be that severe?–

–When your Sister Momo and I were playing ‘Ancient Hegemony’ back in the day, during one maintenance period, we were on the verge of defeating the world boss, an endangered Four-Eyed Tyrannosaurus. We were so close to the kill that we couldn’t bear to log off. The result? After the maintenance, all the hard-earned items we’d acquired vanished! Your Sister Momo was so furious she lodged a complaint with the game company, but when nothing was recovered, she quit the game in a fit of pique!–

A faint amusement stirred within Liu Mu upon hearing of his beloved brother and sister-in-law’s past ordeal. However, once the gravity of the situation truly sank in, he proceeded to explain the task he had received and the accompanying prompts to Kase.

–Hmm… I can barely believe you actually completed that quest. Then again, you’re likely the only one in the entire game with the capability to finish the ‘Goddess Rebirth’ questline. I just never imagined it would coincide with this precise moment, and that the method for acquiring the reward would be so… coincidental…–

–So, Brother Kase, what should I do?–

–Pfft… Oh, sorry, sorry. I’m just not quite accustomed to you… acting so endearing with me. Ah… but of course, you absolutely must continue! This is one of the game’s rare World Quests, and its reward is one of only a hundred World Items in the entire game. You simply have to see it through, even if it means risking a rollback!–

A flush crept up Liu Mu’s ears as he heard the other party’s voice, barely containing their amusement. Yet, the words that followed solidified his conviction:

‘Truly, he is Brother Kase; his wisdom is undeniable.’

–You must understand, even though our guild is comprised of numerous pay-to-win players, and despite all our collective efforts since we first formed, we’ve only managed to acquire eleven World Items. So, A Mu, we’re truly depending on you for this [Egg of Eden]!–

–Alright! Understood, Brother Kase! Leave it to me!–

–Pfft… Ah, ah… Just imagining you holding that egg right now, it must be absolutely hilarious! Why not snap a few photos and send them to everyone after maintenance tomorrow? Lilian is quite fond of you, you know. Perhaps you should just start calling me ‘Father-in-law’! Hahahaha~~–

–Bro… Brother Kase! What are you talking about?! Besides, Lilian is only seven years old! And… and anyway, just log off, go, go!–

–Oh dear, Father-in-law is quite heartbroken. My adorable Mu Mu-chan has grown up and no longer needs her dear Father-in-law, it seems.–

–Brother Kase!–

–Alright, alright! I’m off! Then, A Mu, I’m entrusting you with the important task of diligently incubating that egg! I hope to hear some wonderful news from you tomorrow~ -3-–

As the communication feed abruptly cut off, Brother Kase’s name on the display faded to black. In reality, Brother Kase was a man of immense wealth, the mature and steady CEO of a powerful conglomerate, blessed with a beautiful, virtuous wife and an innocent, adorable daughter. Yet, who could have predicted that after all these years in the game, he would remain such an incorrigible joker!

The sudden silence that descended after the call’s termination prompted Liu Mu to involuntarily lower his gaze and once more peer at the egg cradled in his arms.

‘I might as well just go to sleep,’ he mused. ‘There’s no way any other player could sneak in here and ambush me, and besides, I’m already comfortably lying in my bed in the real world. Ah, little sister “Future,” bless me! Amen~’

Lost in his whimsical thoughts, Liu Mu subtly shifted his position, adjusting the egg in his arms for greater comfort, and slowly allowed himself to drift into a state of slumber.