Wizards.

This term was once used to describe those who possessed supernatural powers, prophesying fate, divining fortune and misfortune, building bridges of communication between the dead and the living, conveying oracles, protecting mortals, or using their power to do evil, create disasters, grinning as they watched the world burn.

In this era, however, the term "wizard" is used informally to describe a group of people—

They use brain-computer interfaces to enter the network world, bypassing the bridges of network service providers, and roam in the ocean of data in the form of ideologies.

This is difficult.

It requires a high degree of mental concentration, cutting off the sensory influence of the real world,

Making one's consciousness independent, floating upward,

Gradually condensing into a "ghost"-like form.

Entry-level wizards can use their ghost form to travel freely through standard fiber optic lines, entering some poorly protected servers to tamper with data.

For example, modifying exam scores, increasing their welfare benefits, evading taxes, or doing some harmless black market activities to improve their own lives.

Mid-level wizards can freely enter and exit any computer and server.

As long as they are willing, even the networks of multinational corporations, large banks, and military institutions can be infiltrated through vulnerabilities, and they can retreat unscathed.

And the most top-notch wizards, or archmages,

They themselves are the rule-makers of the network world,

They are the thorns in the side and the daggers in the back of the Social Security Administration, the Security Bureau, the Intelligence Agency, the CIA, and a bunch of obscure and secretive intelligence agencies.

They are the madmen in the news programs who "try to subvert the world order and enjoy watching the world burn,"

At the same time, they are also heroes in the eyes of a minority of "socially unstable elements."

Each archmage is more threatening than an aircraft carrier fleet.

According to Brown Murphy's memories, among the archmages of his level, there was a wizard named 【Nicholas】 who once performed the "feat" of erasing one percent of the US Internal Revenue Service's annual tax revenue.

He distributed hundreds of millions of dollars equally to all the unemployed poor struggling below the poverty line on Christmas Day,

Allowing them to buy food, clothes, televisions, and used cars.

That Christmas night, he became a Santa Claus spreading happiness.

【Nicholas】's actions directly angered the behemoth that is the IRS. The hunt lasted for four years, and television programs still mention the case.

In the black market, there is also a bounty for Nicholas, with a reward of up to tens of millions of dollars.

However, until now, Nicholas has not been brought to justice, and his 【True Name】 has not been leaked.

In fact, he is still doing well in the small circle of top wizards (a private club called the Coastal Wizard Association), and every other year, he plans a major activity of robbing the rich and helping the poor.

Of course, even in the circle of top wizards, this kind of behavior can be described as extremely crazy.

Most archmages are usually more in awe of the power of the state machine than ordinary people, and they carefully hide their 【True Name】 in the network world.

Li Ang was playing Brown Murphy, an archmage,

Like 【Nicholas】, he is a member of the Coastal Wizard Association, calling the wind and rain in another world, omnipotent.

But in this world,

His True Name has been leaked, and his true identity exposed, he is just a thin, ordinary middle-aged man.

Li Ang estimated the physical fitness of this body, the strength of the handcuffs, and the professionalism of the three men in black suits.

In the end, he concluded that he should give up the plan to violently resist on the spot—the other party had obviously been instructed by higher-ups.

Even if he escaped from this room, he would be subjected to a more rigorous and higher-level pursuit.

'The backpack slot is sealed, but the escape ticket independent of the script mission can be used.'

Li Ang's mind raced, thinking, 'Considering the content of the second stage mission objective...

There's no rush to escape for now.'

After thinking, he raised his head and his voice returned to calm, "How did you find me?"

This fully immersive single-player script mission is a bit different from before.

Li Ang can clearly remember a small portion of the memories of the character he is playing, Brown Murphy.

In his memories, Brown Murphy has always been cautious and careful, never revealing any flaws.

"To be honest, it was difficult."

The female investigator from the Social Security Administration leaned against the wall, her arms crossed in front of her, a faint mocking smile on her face, "The more powerful and experienced wizards are, the more they have a sense of awe, are cautious, and are good at concealing their True Name.

Especially top archmages like Sammaster, that is, you."

Sammaster,

Brown Murphy's nickname in another world.

Her gaze lingered playfully on Li Ang's face. Seeing Li Ang's tightly pursed lips (the shock, dismay, fear, and regret of being exposed), she chuckled lightly in satisfaction, "But we changed our thinking.

The population base in the real world is too large. Anyone in another world could be a wizard or even an archmage.

It's better to prioritize screening those who have the qualities to become an archmage—

Acute perception, sensitive temperament, rich creativity and rigorous logical reasoning ability, spatial imagination ability, cynical, arrogant, self-righteous, thinking they are awake..."

The female investigator paused and summarized, "Financial scammers, lawyers, painters, novelists, news commentators, internet opinion leaders...

We listed a long table, but fortunately we were lucky.

It didn't take long to find you, who had just topped the New York Times bestseller list with your new book.

You also know that if the Social Security Administration identifies someone and starts investigating, then all of that person's secrets will be exposed. Getting evidence is only a matter of time."

"So I was discovered because I was too greedy..."

Li Ang murmured, "Unable to give up the success of my personal career in the real world, and unwilling to give up the power I had in that world.

Well, everything has a price."

He raised his head and met the female investigator's gaze, "If it was just to bring me to justice, then I should be wearing a hood and sitting in a police car right now.

Since you haven't done that,

And you've come to my door with guns blazing, you must need something from me."

Li Ang paused and glanced out the window.

It was early morning. A moderately priced black SUV, a common vehicle for the Social Security Administration, was parked on the road of the upscale suburban residential area, but it did not have the Social Security Administration's logo.

In other words, this is an anonymous operation that they don't want the outside world to know about.

Li Ang turned his head, "Say it, what do you want me to do?"

"Hmm?"

The female investigator frowned slightly. Li Ang's performance made her a little dissatisfied.

This man should be sitting on the chair in fear, because his True Name was leaked, his crimes were exposed, and he had fallen into the despair and fear of being discredited and imprisoned for life.

Instead of sitting on the chair calmly and calmly like he is now, looking at her with an annoying indifferent gaze—she had a feeling that the man in front of her was not talking to her, but was communicating directly with her Social Security Administration superiors in her earphones.

Is this person not afraid of my Social Security Administration?

"Recognize your identity, suspect. We are not begging you to cooperate. There are many criminals with the same qualifications as you.

Don't be ungrateful."

The female investigator said coldly, "In short, you are a member of the 'Coastal Wizard Association', right?"