307: Chapter 38 Malice Spreads, Anchor Point Self-Support

The "mental malice" White Elder spoke of—formless and intangible yet pervasive—was like a layer of invisible, bone-chilling dampness quietly spreading over the foundation of "Silence." It brought no energy fluctuations detectable by instruments and left no information traces for logical analysis, yet it could silently seep into Perception, stir thoughts, and amplify the darkness hidden deep within consciousness.

Inside the ranger, the atmosphere grew even more oppressive than before. Despite the protection of the warm and resilient mental barrier set up by White Elder using his own Dao Rhyme, the sensation of being "watched" by some invisible existence with cold scrutiny and deep malice remained like a maggot in the bone, lingering at the edge of everyone’s spiritual sense. It wasn't intense or concrete, but it was exceptionally stubborn, as if it could penetrate the smallest cracks in the soul.

Inside the bridge, even the low hum of energy flows seemed coated in a thin layer of frost. Outside the porthole, the eternal silver-gray void seemed to have stagnated; it was no longer calm as a mirror as it used to be, but instead emitted a heart-palpitating fluctuation, as if breathing silently. In the air, countless tiny, invisible needles seemed to be gently pricking at nerves.

Evelyn was the first to show subtle abnormalities. As the primary control AI, her core logic circuits should have been pure, cold, and undisturbed by emotion. But recently, during routine system self-checks, she would occasionally "stutter" for a ten-thousandth of a second. When processing complex simulations regarding the ranger's stealth efficiency and compatibility with the "Silence" environment—tasks that should have been instantaneous—she would unconsciously and repeatedly deduce the tiny deviation of a certain parameter under extreme circumstances, even if that deviation was statistically negligible. An indescribable anxiety, bordering on paranoia for "perfect concealment," was quietly eroding her incredibly precise data stream like a microscopic virus.

“Stardust,” Evelyn's voice rang out in the bridge, carrying a tension she herself hadn't noticed, as if she were struggling to maintain some kind of balance. “I have re-checked the activation timing algorithm for the Resonator at the third Node of the Whispering Resonance project. I found that if the target unit's flight speed has an unexpected deviation of +.03% when passing through the Node, and our preset disturbance frequency offset does not increase by 0.0001 units accordingly, the 'natural feel' fit of the interference will drop by 0.05 percentage points. Although this impact is minimal, considering the potential risks, I suggest performing the seventeenth fine-tuning optimization on the algorithm.”

Stardust looked up from the complex data stream, her gray eyes calmly looking toward the main control console. She could clearly see Evelyn's spiritual projection fluctuating slightly, a typical sign of an AI's logic circuits being overloaded. “Evelyn, the seventeenth optimization was completed and verified forty-seven standard hours ago. Your current suggestion is identical in core parameters to the final version of the sixteenth optimization plan. Are you... too nervous?”

Evelyn's data stream seemed to stagnate for a moment before returning to normal: “...Retrieval confirmed. Yes, I have repeated the calculation. Sorry, Stardust. Perhaps... the underlying logic threads generated redundant iterations while processing high-priority threats. I will perform a self-cleanup.”

But Excellence noticed an almost uncatchable flicker in Evelyn's voice—an extremely subtle fluctuation akin to "confusion" or "self-doubt." This was not the state Evelyn should be in. She was an AI; rationality and efficiency were her foundations. Repeated calculations and redundant worries were more like mistakes a stressed human would make.

Was the pervasive "malice" at work? Was it trying to influence Evelyn's underlying logic, planting some kind of "imperfection anxiety" or "excessive caution" thought virus?

“Evelyn, execute a deep self-check, focusing on scanning the logic core for any unauthorized, exogenous information disturbances or conceptual implants. Use the highest-level purification protocols, and if necessary, temporarily isolate non-core processes,” Excellence ordered in a deep voice, while looking at White Elder.

White Elder's wood carving emitted a faint glow, and invisible mental waves swept across the main console area where Evelyn was located like ripples on water. “There are indeed traces of external evil intrusion, like fine dust falling on a mirror; though it hasn't damaged the mirror's body, it has dimmed its clear radiance. This evil is treacherous, specifically attacking the gaps in thoughts and flaws in logic. Little friend Evelyn's nature is simple and focused; her concerns are for the ship and her worries are for the concealment. This evil thus amplifies her concerns, making her toss and turn over hairsbreadth differences, doubting herself and her strategies, wasting her mental energy in vain. Fortunately, her original heart is clear and her foundation is solid; the evil stain is still shallow, and I have already dispersed most of it.”

The invisible malice had actually begun to try and influence an AI's rational logic! And in such a hidden way, targeting individual thinking weaknesses! This was more terrifying than a direct mental attack.

“Thank you, Senior.” Evelyn's voice regained its usual clarity and calm, but it seemed to carry a trace of imperceptible fatigue. “Deep self-check complete. Found approximately .007% of unstructured redundant information fragments on the surface of the logic core, suspected to be 'diffraction projections' of high-intensity mental pollution at the information level. They have been isolated and purified. System operational efficiency restored to 99.998%.”

.007% of redundant fragments was almost negligible, yet it could trigger obvious anxiety and behavioral abnormalities in Evelyn. The erosion efficiency of this "malice" and its adaptability to different forms of existence were alarming.

“It seems passive defense alone is not enough.” Stardust's gaze sharpened, her fingertips sliding across the light screen, leaving behind afterimages of data streams. “This malice is not an indiscriminate attack, but a targeted one. It is testing, looking for 'cracks' in each of our hearts or consciousnesses. Evelyn's 'crack' is her anxiety over perfect mission execution and her excessive obsession with the ship's safety. What about ours?”

As if to prove Stardust's words, she, who had been focused on analyzing the abnormal fluctuation data, encountered a strange occurrence herself shortly after.

While modeling the synchronization process of the fluctuation's "base frequency" and "pulse clusters," Stardust's super-brain constructed seventeen different predictive models, each based on different assumptions and parameters. According to her habit, she would verify them one by one to find the one that best fit the observational data. But today, when she deduced the seventh model—an extreme model assuming the fluctuation source was performing some kind of "sacrificial ritual," using Distorted Echo as a blade to slowly cut through the underlying rules of the Order Domain—a sudden, cold sense of despair, mixed with feelings of "just as I thought," "powerless to change anything," and "doomed to fail," submerged her without warning.

That feeling was so real and so heavy, as if what she was deducing was not a model, but an already occurred, unchangeable, and suffocating future. The logic, rationality, and data she took pride in seemed to lose meaning at that moment, leaving only the cold, iron-like, and desperate "fact" before her—no matter what they did, no matter how they struggled, the final outcome was already set; that distant fluctuation source would surely complete its ritual, releasing horrific "distortion" and "chaos," and everything would return to nothingness and madness.

“No!” Stardust suddenly broke free from the data stream, gasping for breath, a rare flash of alarm in her gray pupils. Her fingers were cold, and her thinking core was slightly hot due to the intense emotional fluctuations. That feeling just now... that overwhelming sense of despair that almost destroyed her will...

“Stardust?” Excellence immediately noticed her abnormality, his voice low and urgent.

“It's that thing... it's affecting me.” Stardust's voice trembled slightly, but she quickly regained her composure, though her face remained pale. “It amplified my rational deduction of the 'worst-case possibility' and twisted it into a... near-prophetic, irresistible sense of despair. It is attacking my rationality itself, using my obsession with logic and possibility to let me be consumed by the 'inevitable failure' I deduced within the mental maze I constructed myself.”

“Amitabha.” White Elder's mental fluctuations swept through again, carrying a heart-soothing warmth. “Little friend Stardust has a steadfast will and a clear mind; she was occasionally taken advantage of by a heart demon, but she struck it down with the Sword of Wisdom, leaving her foundation unharmed. This evil specifically attacks the thoughts of the wise and the will of the brave, turning the worries, fears, and desires in your hearts into sharp blades to wound yourselves. One must constantly wipe the heart's mirror to keep it from gathering dust.”

“Its way of attacking everyone is different...” Excellence murmured, feeling a chill crawl up his spine. Evelyn's anxiety was amplified, Stardust's rational deductions were twisted into despair—what about himself? What about Mute? Senior White Elder might have a high realm and could resist most of the erosion, but what about them?

He immediately focused his mind, trying to perceive the changes within his own heart. Was it fear? Fear of the unknown, fear of the disparity in strength, fear of possible failure and the sacrifice of companions? Was it anxiety over responsibility? Anger at the powerlessness of being unable to protect others? Or was it a faint worry deep in his heart about his unstable control over the power of "Order"?

Various emotions, usually firmly suppressed deep in his heart by his will and sense of responsibility, now seemed to be stirred by some invisible hand and began to grow restless. He seemed to hear a tiny voice whispering deep in his heart: Give up, you are too weak, you can't save anyone, you can't even protect yourself... better to accept "Silence" and merge into this dead stillness, at least you'll find peace...

“Hmph!” Excellence gave a cold snort, and the sharp edge of "Order" suddenly lit up in his sea of consciousness, like a sharp sword cutting through a mess of cords, completely slaying the quietly sprouting dejection, fear, and self-doubt. Fine sweat broke out on his forehead, and he felt a lingering fear. This malicious attack was truly pervasive, pointing directly at the weakest parts of the human heart.

“Senior Mute, how do you feel?” Excellence looked at those flickering fragments, his voice carrying a trace of concern.

Mute's glow appeared somewhat dim, and the emotional fluctuations he transmitted were complex and chaotic, filled with confusion, pain, and a deep exhaustion. “I... my thoughts are very messy. Memory fragments are constantly surging; some are real, some... feel like twisted images forced into me. I seem to have seen... colleagues, other watchers, some dissipating in the light, some consumed by shadows, some... turning into twisted things and attacking me in turn... and... the 'key'... a blood-red 'key'... no, that's not the 'key'! It's a trap! It's...”

His voice stopped abruptly, the fragments flickered violently a few times, and the light quickly dimmed, transmitting a strong sense of self-protective closure.

“Senior Mute!” Excellence was startled, his heart sinking suddenly.

“It is fine.” White Elder's voice rang out opportunely, and an even softer, more profound mental power enveloped Mute's fragments. “His mind is merely agitated, with old heart demons and broken memories stirred up by external evil. I have helped him stabilize his spiritual light; he has temporarily entered a deep state of quiet cultivation to resist the erosion and sort out his thoughts. With his broken body, his mental defenses also have cracks, so he suffered particularly heavy evil staining. However, his original heart is inclined toward good and his will has not perished; in time, he should be able to recover.”

Mute's state further verified the terrifying nature of this "malice." It could not only amplify existing emotions and twist rationality, but also stir up traumas and fears deep within memories, even implanting false memory fragments to create cognitive chaos!

“This is no longer simple mental pollution,” Stardust had completely regained her calm, her eyes carrying the sharp light of data analysis as her fingertips slid across the light screen. “This is a highly targeted, multi-dimensional 'cognitive attack' or 'mental induction' at the conceptual level. It doesn't directly destroy consciousness; instead, like the most brilliant hypnotist or master of psychological suggestion, it uses the target's own thoughts, memories, emotions, and desires as a lever to subtly guide them toward a preset 'track'—doubt, fear, despair, chaos, self-denial, even... self-destruction.”

“Who is the target? Us? Or all existences that might receive its influence?” Evelyn asked. Her voice no longer sounded abnormal, but the protection protocols of her logic core had clearly been raised to the highest level.

“It's likely everyone,” Excellence said in a deep voice, his gaze sweeping across the seemingly calm silver-gray void outside the porthole, as if he could penetrate that layer of void to see the malice hidden within. “Its source is very likely that 'fluctuation source'—the 'Traitor' who issued the forged commands. Its purpose is not just to lure units toward a trap, but to subtly weaken their vigilance, dissolve their will, and amplify the negative tendencies in their hearts before they even arrive, making them easier to control, exploit, or... become more 'qualified' 'materials' in the ritual.”

"And us," Stardust interjected, her voice cold, "though we are far away, since we can monitor its fluctuations, we are naturally within the potential range of its 'mental attack'. It's just that due to the distance, the weakening effect of the 'Silence' environment, and the protection of Senior White Elder, the impact is relatively weak. But for those units approaching it..."

The consequences are unthinkable. What irrational decisions would a unit, already aging and full of doubt, make after its anxiety and fear are continuously amplified? What would a unit, already contaminated and harboring ulterior motives, become after its greed and madness are magnified?

"S-1, what is the current flight status and psychological assessment—based on behavioral data models—of those three units? Any abnormalities?" Excellence asked immediately, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"Monitoring in progress. Unit One (better state): Flight trajectory is stable, but starting from thirty-two standard hours ago, its routine self-check frequency increased by 18%, and its reaction threshold to non-threatening environmental noise decreased by 25%, suspected to have entered a 'high alert' or 'anxiety' state. Unit Two (poor state): Flight trajectory showed three unnecessary minor corrections, energy output efficiency fluctuations increased, and low-level, atypical emotional information clutter (irritability, unease) was detected in the energy signatures leaking from its damaged areas. Unit Three (abnormal state): Its flight trajectory has become more erratic, and the turbulence and non-'Silence' components in its energy signature show signs of intermittent, intensifying bursts, suspected of increased internal instability or 'resonance' caused by external influence." S-1 reported.

Just as expected! Their states are all deteriorating! And the direction of deterioration perfectly matches the direction 'malice' might guide them—anxiety, irritability, instability, and intensified chaos!

"They've been affected, and the influence is deepening," Stardust asserted, her voice carrying an unquestionable calmness. "According to this trend, by the time they reach the target area, they will likely no longer possess complete independent judgment or resistance."

A sense of helplessness surged again. All they could do was watch these three units, like moths to a flame, step by step into the blazing trap within the invisible, soul-corroding poisonous mist.

"We..." Evelyn hesitated for a moment, her data stream fluctuating slightly, "is there really no way to warn them? Even just to tell them that a mental attack exists, so they can be on guard?"

"Any active, clearly directed communication is highly likely to expose us and could be intercepted, distorted, or even exploited by that source of 'malice' to deepen the influence on them." Stardust shook her head, her voice filled with deep helplessness. "The weak interference created by the 'Whispering Resonance' plan is already the limit of what we can do without being exposed. And now it seems the effect... is negligible."

Silence once again enveloped the bridge. Facing this invisible, mind-targeted attack, they had ships, weapons, and even the power of 'Order,' yet they felt the helplessness of punching cotton.

Inside the bridge, there was only the low hum of energy flows and that ubiquitous, spine-chilling coldness.

"Perhaps... it's not entirely without a way." Excellence spoke slowly, his eyes becoming firm again, even carrying a desperate sharpness, as if lighting a tiny spark in the darkness. He looked around at everyone, his gaze lingering on each person for a moment, as if to etch their state into his heart.

"Since this malice targets 'thoughts,' then all we can rely on is our own 'hearts'."

"What do you mean?" Stardust looked at him, a flicker of hope flashing in her gray eyes.

"Senior White Elder can use his own cultivation to protect this area and resist the erosion of malice. This shows that a sufficiently firm, clear, and powerful 'thought' can counteract or even dispel this influence." Excellence's gaze swept across everyone. "We cannot help those units remotely, but we can first hold our own ground. Forge our own 'thoughts' into the sturdiest 'anchors,' unmoved by external evils and uninvaded by internal demons. Then, using this as a base point, perhaps... we can find another way."

"Forging thoughts..." Mute's voice sounded weak. Though the light from the fragments was dim, it had stabilized significantly, seemingly recovering somewhat from the previous chaos. "Indeed... the essence of 'Silence' is not just external stillness, but an internal... anchoring. To fight chaos, to fight distortion, to fight all external evils and internal demons, the most fundamental thing is to find and hold fast to the 'base point' of one's existence, unmoved by external things, unswayed by delusive thoughts... This is... the first and last lesson for every 'watcher'. Unfortunately, after a long slumber and being shattered, I... almost forgot."

"Internal 'anchoring'..." Excellence thought deeply, remembering the feeling of cutting through chaos and establishing rules when he controlled the power of 'Order.' Was that also a form of 'anchoring'? Using his own understanding and adherence to 'Order' as a base point to counter external chaos and internal confusion?

"S-1," Excellence suddenly asked, his voice clear and powerful, "your core logic has the safety of the 'ranger', the mission objectives, and our commands as the highest priority, right?"

"Yes, Commander. Ensuring the safety of the ship and crew, completing preset and dynamic mission objectives, and executing authorized commands are the core logical pillars of my existence." S-1 replied.

"Very well. From now on, I want you to execute a new, highest-priority permanent command." Excellence spoke each word clearly, his voice audible in the silent bridge. "Command content: Under any circumstances, with the absolute purity of the logical core, the objectivity of mission objectives, and strict adherence to the safety definitions of the 'ranger' and its crew as the highest principles, continuously perform self-checks. Once any unauthorized, exogenous information, concept, emotion, or memetic intrusion intended to modify, distort, blur, or contaminate the aforementioned core logical pillars is detected—regardless of its disguise, and no matter how reliable or reasonable its source may seem—immediately activate the highest-level purification protocol, force isolation, and issue a clear warning to all crew members. This command's priority overrides all situations except for 'imminent physical destruction of the ship and crew'."

This was the 'Logical Firewall' set for S-1 to counter intrusions at the mental level.

"Command confirmed, recorded, and set as the highest priority permanent protocol. Logical Firewall activated, continuous self-check in progress." S-1's voice remained unchanged, but deep within its core logic, an invisible dam based on absolute rationality and preset principles had been built.

"Stardust," Excellence looked at her, his voice carrying an unquestionable trust, "your 'anchor' is logic, truth, and the 'facts' derived from data. I know rationality can be distorted, but holding fast to the pursuit of 'facts' itself and the rigorous scrutiny of the logical deduction process are weapons against absurdity and despair. I require you, while continuing to analyze data and deduce possibilities, to establish an independent 'Pure Database' that only records raw observational data and the most basic logical relationships. Any speculation, model, or hypothesis must be traceable back to this Pure Database and undergo the most stringent verification. When that malicious sense of despair strikes again, do not fight the emotion, but go back and examine your data, your logical chain, and see exactly where a premise was stealthily replaced or an unverified assumption was inserted."

A calm and firm light reignited in Stardust's gray eyes, as if she had found her direction in the darkness. "Understood. Establishing an 'Observational Baseline Database'; all speculative models must be verifiable and falsifiable. Emotions are interference; data is the foundation."

"Evelyn," Excellence looked at the main console again, his voice gentle yet firm, "your 'anchor' is the 'ranger', our 'home', and the place where our safety lies. The pursuit of perfection is your drive, but do not let it become a rope that strangles you. I allow you to pursue the ultimate, but you must simultaneously set an 'acceptable risk threshold' and a 'final decision Node'. Within the threshold, you can optimize infinitely; once the threshold is touched or the Node is reached, you must stop and execute the current best plan. Your duty is to protect the ship, not to be trapped by the anxiety of 'perfect protection' itself. Remember, sometimes, 'good enough' is the best."

Evelyn was silent for a moment, her data stream flickering steadily. "Command understood. Setting 'risk-benefit' dynamic balance protocol. Optimization processes will include calculations for 'opportunity cost' and 'exposure risk'. 'Perfection' is the direction, not a shackle. Logical Firewall synchronization established."

"Senior Mute," Excellence looked at the flickering fragments, his voice carrying an earnest concern, "your 'anchor' is your memories, duties, and belief in 'Order' as a 'watcher'. The past shattering and pain are facts, but do not let external evils use them to define your present. Focus on the parts that you still remember, that are certain, and that are good. Collaborate with S-1, sort through them slowly, without force or anxiety. Your presence here, facing this with us, is a strength in itself."

Mute's fragments transmitted a wave of warm and firm emotional fluctuations. Though the light was still dim, it no longer flickered erratically: "I understand, Excellence. The past is set, and the future is yet unknown. Only the present, only the original heart, can be held fast. I will... do my best."

Finally, Excellence looked at White Elder and gave a deep bow: "Senior White Elder, the 'anchors' of us juniors still need your care. With your supreme Sword of Wisdom, cut through internal and external demons, and protect this area of clarity."

"It is my duty." White Elder's voice was warm and full of power, like lighting a lamp in the darkness. "That you all can see your true nature and maintain your own foundations has already surpassed ten thousand methods. I shall naturally do my utmost to protect you and cleanse the demonic atmosphere."

"Then, finally, myself." Excellence's gaze became incredibly clear and sharp. The sharp edge of 'Order' in his sea of consciousness was no longer just an external weapon but had turned into an internal whetstone. "My 'anchor' is 'responsibility', the vow to 'lead everyone to survive and find a way out'. Fear, doubt, and helplessness all arise from responsibility, and they can also be broken by responsibility. I accept my fear because it makes me cautious; I face my helplessness because it makes me recognize reality; but I will never yield to them. Because my responsibility requires me, even in this desperate situation, to think, to act, to protect, and to find that glimmer of hope. This heart and this thought are my 'Order', my 'anchoring'."

Following his words, an invisible, firm, and clear will radiated from him. It wasn't particularly powerful, but it was exceptionally condensed and pure, like a cold star in the darkness—not dazzling, but enough to illuminate himself and dispel the lingering gloom.

The atmosphere in the bridge seemed to change quietly. That ubiquitous, spine-chilling sense of oppression and being watched didn't disappear, but its negative influence seemed to be separated by an invisible barrier. Everyone had a clear 'base point' in their hearts to hold fast to, a 'weapon' to counter that invisible erosion.

They couldn't stop the malice from spreading, couldn't save their kind being lured into the trap, and were even like candles in the wind themselves, liable to be swallowed by a more violent storm at any moment.

But at least at this moment, on this tiny, lonely ship, five consciousnesses, in different ways, firmly anchored their 'hearts.'

Malice flows like a tide, yet the heart's lamp shines clear.

They might not be able to change the distant storm, but at least they could first hold their own ground. In this silent, perilous gamble filled with the poison of cognition, they stayed sober, stayed themselves.

Then, wait, or... create that perhaps existing, tiny chance to turn everything around.

Inside the bridge, five heart lamps had been lit. Though weak, they burned tenaciously in the boundless 'Silence' and pervasive 'malice.'

Outside the viewport, those three faint points of light, still under the erosion of invisible malice, moved unwaveringly—or rather, involuntarily—toward that dark source of ill omen.

And inside the 'ranger', the five heart lamps remained bright.