Villain Ch 236. Advanced A.I
"You've got to be kidding me," Allen exclaimed, his shock evident in his voice and the disbelief etched across his face. He could believe it was simply a result of their oversight—forgetting to remove the Doppelganger from the final test.
Kafra, sensing the rising tension, attempted to defend herself, her grin betraying her nervousness. "Well, at least we managed to find out the strength difference and how far it was," she said, her voice carrying a touch of forced optimism.
"Is that supposed to be a good thing?" Bella asked, her voice tinged with skepticism.
Kafra nodded, her expression unwavering. "We can use that to replace Allen," she confirmed.
Her words caused a collective gasp to escape the lips of Alice, Bella, and Shea. The weight of Kafra's proposition hung in the air, casting a shadow over the room. They were all well aware of the contractual obligations they had entered into, which prohibited the termination of any member, especially with Shea as the owner of the game company.
Shea, her frustration mounting, ready to unleash her anger upon Kafra. "Didn't I say---" But before she could utter her full sentence, Kafra swiftly raised her hand in a gesture of appeasement, signaling her desire to explain.
"Wait, hold on! Let me explain before you jump to conclusions," Kafra interjected, her voice filled with urgency. She knew she had to clarify the situation before misunderstandings escalated further. With all eyes fixed upon her, she took a deep breath and began to lay out her reasoning.
"Look, we all know how massively popular this game has become. It's gone viral, and with that level of fame comes a whole new set of challenges. There are gamers and competitors out there who are relentless and might resort to doxing or other malicious actions to gain an advantage," Kafra explained, her tone serious. The gravity of the situation began to sink in, and the group exchanged concerned glances.
"At some point, there may come a time when you, especially Allen, have to assume the role of a regular player and participate in events like any other gamer. It's a way to blend in, gather information, and pretend to be one of them," Kafra continued, her voice resolute.
"That's where the advanced A.I. comes into play. We can utilize its capabilities to create a convincing persona, your double in the game, enabling us to protect your true identities. It's a precautionary measure, a way to shield you from potential threats and ensure your privacy," she elaborated, hoping her explanation would alleviate their concerns.
"But why is it only Allen who is being tested? Why aren't the rest of us included?" Bella reiterated Alice's question, her voice filled with curiosity and a hint of concern.
Kafra took a moment to collect her thoughts, considering how best to address their valid inquiry.
"The reason we initially chose to focus on Allen is that he possesses a unique set of attributes that make him an ideal subject for this experiment," Kafra started, her voice steady and confident. "His fighting style is incredibly versatile, blending both ranged and melee attacks seamlessly. He displays a level of unpredictability in his movements that sets him apart from the others."
She paused for a moment, allowing her words to sink in. "By subjecting Allen to this experimental phase, we can assess the A.I's ability to mimic his style of play. If it can successfully replicate at least 50% of his movements, it will serve as a solid foundation to extend the A.I's capabilities to emulate the entire group's gameplay," Kafra explained, her reasoning logical and compelling.
"Just asking, since you mentioned doxing, have you guys actually experienced any attacks lately?" Allen questioned, his tone serious and concerned.
Kafra sighed heavily, her weariness evident in her response. "Unfortunately, yes," she admitted, her voice tinged with a mix of frustration and caution.
Allen's eyes widened, and he leaned forward, his curiosity getting the better of him. "Since when?" he inquired, a sense of urgency in his voice.
"Ever since the video started going viral," Kafra confessed, her tone laced with a hint of resignation. "But rest assured, we've been proactive in our preparations. We anticipated the consequences that come with fame, especially in the competitive gaming industry. Our rivals won't simply sit back and watch. They'll either attempt to copy our success or tarnish our reputation."
Her expression was serious yet determined. "That's why we developed the advanced A.I incorporated it as a last-resort measure. The A.I will serve as a tool to prove that you're just an ordinary player, just like them."
"Then why is my test a dancing course?" Shea questioned, her voice laced with skepticism.
Kafra sighed, realizing that she needed to clarify the purpose of the test. "The dancing course is designed to assess your agility and movement speed, ma'am," she explained patiently.
Shea crossed her arms, a hint of frustration evident in her expression. "But I'm a siren. My strength lies in my ranged attacks and magical abilities. Why should my movement speed be a priority?"
"We know. But there will be times when you have to engage in melee combat with other players," Kafra reiterated, her tone firm. "In this game, versatility is key. While your magic skill is impressive, it may not always be accessible or practical in certain situations. That's why we wanted to ensure that you have the necessary speed and agility to handle close-quarter battles as well."
Shea huffed in frustration, realizing the validity. Deep down, she knew that being solely reliant on her magical abilities would limit her effectiveness in certain encounters. She had to admit that mastering close-combat skills would make her a more well-rounded and formidable villainess.
"Tch!" Shea clicked her tongue in annoyance, not because she disagreed, but because she couldn't deny the truth in Kafra's explanation. She had to face the fact that improving her movement speed was essential for her growth.
Allen, sensing the tension, interjected, trying to diffuse the situation. "Thank you for your explanation, Kafra," he said, his voice filled with gratitude.
"You're welcome, Allen," Kafra replied with a grateful smile. She glanced nervously at Shea, who seemed to have a knack for injecting sarcasm into the conversation. "So, can I go now?" Kafra asked, her voice tinged with a mix of exhaustion and relief.
Shea chuckled, her smile dry and knowing. "Sure, go ahead. Thank you for being our punching bag and enduring our endless questions. Your boss must really love throwing you into the lion's den," she remarked, her tone filled with a hint of mischief.
Kafra let out a tired sigh, her shoulders slumping. "I definitely need a raise after dealing with you all," she quipped, attempting to lighten the mood. With a quick farewell, she logged off, disappearing from the throne hall.