26: Chapter 26 The Ultimate Mission: Seize Administrator Privileges

A cold electronic hum circled incessantly in his conscious space, like countless thin-legged insects burrowing through the gaps in his nerves. Lin Fan's gaze fell upon the tactical map of the virtual projection. Blue light dots represented their only three remaining combat units, while red markers densely covered the entire core area like a giant, man-eating web.

"So, what you're saying is, we're going to break in through the front gate?" Trevor's voice carried an unbelievable rasp. He had just used a bottle of low-quality synthetic alcohol to suppress the burning pain in his neural interface, and his eyes were still streaked with abnormal red veins.

Lin Fan didn't look back. His fingertips leaped rapidly across the virtual keyboard as lines of code flowed across the screen, shimmering with a ghostly blue light. "The front gate is where Victor's defenses are tightest, but it's also the node where his privilege connections are most concentrated. To seize Administrator Privileges, we must plant a Cracking Program on his core server. There is no other way."

Just as he finished speaking, Franklin suddenly let out a low laugh. The laughter was light at first, like a wheeze squeezed from his throat, but it gradually grew louder, carrying a nearly frenzied sense of exhilaration. He reached out and patted Lin Fan's shoulder with enough force to nearly crush bone.

"This plan is so crazy I actually like it." Franklin grinned, revealing a row of stark white teeth, his eyes flashing with excitement. "I've lived this long and never done anything this thrilling. Either we achieve fame and fortune, or..."

He paused, wiped his face, and the madness in his smile intensified. "Or we blow this godforsaken place sky-high. At least we won't have lived for nothing."

Trevor rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Leaning against the cold wall, he pulled a polished dagger from his coat and wiped the blade stroke by stroke, a desperate ruthlessness in his eyes. "Count me in. My life's been rotting in the mud for a long time anyway. If I can take that bastard Victor down with me, it's worth it."

The three of them simultaneously turned their gazes toward Michael, who had remained silent.

Michael stood in the shadows with his back to them. His posture was upright, yet it carried an indescribable weight. He gripped a standard-issue pistol, his knuckles white from the force. Hearing Franklin's words, he slowly turned around. His face was expressionless, but complex emotions surged in his eyes, like a tempestuous sea rising and falling within.

"Have you thought about the consequences?" Michael's voice was low, carrying a trace of imperceptible fatigue. "Victor controls the Life Support System of the entire Underworld. If we fail, the hundreds of thousands of people here..."

"Hundreds of thousands of people?" Trevor sneered, interrupting him. "Michael, wake up! Victor treated them like penned livestock a long time ago! He uses consciousness control to make them work numbly and low-grade nutrients to keep them hanging on. Do you really think he cares whether these people live or die?"

Franklin also stopped smiling, his tone turning somber. "Old Mike, we aren't doing charity. We're doing this for ourselves, for revenge for those Victor killed. This plan might be crazy, but it's our only chance."

Lin Fan looked at Michael and spoke slowly, "Michael, I know what you're worried about. But don't forget, your family is still in Victor's hands. Only by seizing Administrator Privileges can we truly save them."

These words were like a key, accurately striking the softest spot in Michael's heart. His body trembled slightly, and his grip on the gun loosened then tightened again. After a long silence, he looked up. The hesitation and struggle in his eyes gradually faded, replaced by a desperate, sink-or-swim determination.

"I understand." Michael's voice was soft, yet carried an unquestionable firmness. "What's the plan? I'll cooperate."

A hint of a smile finally appeared on Lin Fan's face. He raised his hand, enlarging the virtual map and pointing to the towering spire at the very center of the core area. "That tower is where Victor's core server is located. The administrator privilege terminal is locked in a secret room on the top floor. We'll split into three groups: Trevor, you lead a team to infiltrate through the western ventilation ducts to cut the tower's power supply, giving us ten minutes. Franklin, you take the demolition squad to create chaos at the front gate and draw away Victor's main forces. Michael and I will infiltrate through the front gate's sewers to enter the tower's ground floor and find an opportunity to plant the Cracking Program."

He paused and added, "Remember, once the power is cut, Victor's defense system will have a three-minute reboot window. We must enter the tower within those three minutes; otherwise, all our efforts will be in vain."

"No problem." Trevor sheathed his dagger and grinned. "Ten minutes. Mission guaranteed."

Franklin also nodded. "Leave the chaos at the front gate to me. I'll make Victor's men unable to look both ways."

Michael took a deep breath, tucked his pistol into his waistband, and checked his equipment once more. "Lin Fan, stay behind me. I'll handle the guards in the tower."

Lin Fan nodded and tucked a small Cracking Chip into his pocket. "The time is set for 3:00 AM. That's the interval for the guard shift change when defenses are at their weakest."

The night was as dark as ink, shrouding the entire Underground Fortress. The 3:00 AM bell echoed through the silent streets, carrying a trace of eerie etherealness.

Trevor led a team, silently infiltrating the western ventilation ducts. The ducts were narrow and damp, permeated with the smell of rust and dust. Trevor led the way, holding a specialized suppressed pistol, his eyes scanning the surroundings alertly. His movements were light, like a nimble leopard, silently avoiding the surveillance cameras in the ducts.

"Five minutes left." Trevor's voice came through the comms, carrying a hint of suppressed excitement. "We've reached the top of the Power Control Room. Prepare to move."

Meanwhile, Franklin and the demolition squad lay in wait in the shadows of the front gate. He watched his wristwatch as time ticked away second by second. When the hand pointed to 3:05, he abruptly waved his hand.

"Do it!"

Following the command, several high-explosive grenades were tossed out, landing on the front gate's guard posts. A massive explosion instantly shook the night sky, and flames shot upward, illuminating the entire gate area as if it were broad daylight.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

The screams of guards and the blaring of alarms mixed into a chaotic mess. Franklin grinned and led his men forward, his submachine gun spitting fire as bullets poured out like rain.

"Old Mike, Lin Fan, the chaos at the front gate has started. Victor's main force is heading this way." Franklin's voice came through the comms, smelling of gunpowder. "You're clear to move."

"Copy that." Michael responded and turned to Lin Fan. "Stay close."

With that, he bent down and slipped into a nearby sewer entrance. Lin Fan followed closely. The sewer was filled with a pungent stench, and sewage flowed beneath their feet with a splashing sound. Michael's movements were practiced; he was clearly familiar with the terrain. He led Lin Fan through several turns, avoiding patrolling mechanical guards, and soon reached a hidden exit at the base of the tower.

"This is it." Michael lowered his voice and pushed open the exit cover, letting a breath of fresh air in. "Three minutes until the power cut. Let's go."

The two climbed out of the sewer and quickly hid in the shadows of the tower's ground floor. The tower was quiet, with only the overhead lights emitting a faint hum. Lin Fan looked at his watch; time was slipping away second by second.

"One minute left." Lin Fan's voice was a bit tense.

Michael gripped the pistol at his waist, his gaze as sharp as a hawk's. "Don't be nervous. I'm here."

Just then, the entire tower plunged into darkness. Before the emergency lights could flicker on, there was a dead silence.

"Power's out!" Trevor's voice rang through the comms. "Three minutes! Hurry up!"

"Go!" Michael barked, charging out first.

In the darkness, the two moved rapidly toward the tower's elevators. Lin Fan followed Michael, his heart pounding wildly in his chest. He could hear his own breathing, heavy and hurried.

Just as they were about to reach the elevators, the emergency lights suddenly flared to life, emitting a sickly white glow. Simultaneously, several dark figures rushed out from the end of the corridor, submachine guns spitting fire.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Bullets whizzed past Lin Fan's ears, striking the walls and sending stone fragments flying.

"Get down!" Michael slammed Lin Fan to the floor, raising his gun to return fire.

Bang! Bang!

After two shots, the first two guards fell to the ground.

"Quick! The elevator is over there!" Michael shouted, pulling Lin Fan toward the elevator entrance.

The two burst into the elevator, and Michael hit the button for the top floor. The doors slid shut, cutting off the sounds of gunfire and shouting from outside. Lin Fan leaned against the elevator wall, gasping for breath, his back soaked with cold sweat.

Michael looked at him and handed over a bottle of water. "Drink some water to calm your nerves."

Lin Fan took the water and drank; the cold liquid sliding down his throat slightly eased his tension. "Thank you, Michael."

Michael shook his head, looking at the changing numbers outside the elevator with a complex gaze. "It's nothing. We're comrades."

The elevator was fast, reaching the top floor in just a few minutes. The doors slid open to reveal a long corridor. At the end of the corridor was a heavy alloy door, flashing with a red light, clearly locked by a passcode.

"This is the place." Lin Fan's eyes lit up as he pulled the Cracking Chip from his pocket. "I need time to crack the passcode lock."

Michael nodded, standing guard at the elevator with his gun, scanning the surroundings alertly. "Don't worry. I'll hold this position."

Lin Fan walked to the alloy door and inserted the Cracking Chip into the door seam. The indicator light on the chip flashed green as lines of code flowed across its screen. Lin Fan's fingers moved rapidly over the chip, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Time passed second by second, and the corridor was terrifyingly quiet, save for the faint sound of the chip processing.

Suddenly, Trevor's voice came through the comms, sounding anxious: "Not good! Victor's men have found us! They're heading for the tower! They'll reach the top floor in five minutes at most!"

Lin Fan's heart sank. He glanced at the progress bar on the chip; it was only sixty percent complete.

"Speed it up!" Michael's voice also grew tense. He gripped his pistol, a flash of determination in his eyes.

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, his fingers moving even faster. He could hear chaotic footsteps and the shouts of guards coming from the end of the corridor.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Gunfire suddenly erupted; Michael had started shooting. His aim was precise, taking down a guard with every shot. But there were too many guards, an endless stream pouring from the end of the corridor.

"Lin Fan! How much longer!" Michael's voice was raspy. He had been shot in the arm, and blood flowed down, staining his clothes red.

"Almost there! Ten percent left!" Lin Fan shouted, his fingers leaping across the chip.

Just then, a guard flanked Michael, aiming a submachine gun at his back.

"Watch out!" Lin Fan's pupils constricted as he screamed.

Michael spun around to fire, but it was already too late.

Bang!

A gunshot rang out, and a bullet whistled toward Michael's back.

Lin Fan's heart felt as though it were being squeezed by an invisible hand. He watched helplessly as Michael's body swayed and then slowly collapsed.

"Michael!" Lin Fan's eyes nearly burst from their sockets. He wanted to rush over, but he was held back by the passcode lock in front of him.

Michael lay on the ground, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth. He looked up at Lin Fan, his eyes filled with a sense of relief and resolve. He slowly raised his hand, pointing toward the alloy door.

"Kid... don't let me die for nothing."

These words were like a thunderclap in Lin Fan's ears. Looking at Michael's blood-stained face and his eyes that were gradually losing their luster, a frenzied rage and determination surged in his heart.

"Agh—!"

Lin Fan let out a roar, his fingers moving so fast they almost left afterimages.

Beep! Passcode cracked successfully!

With a crisp notification sound, the alloy door slowly opened.

Lin Fan didn't hesitate for a moment. He lunged inside and slammed the door shut behind him.

The secret room was empty except for a massive server in the center. Victor's face flickered on the server's screen.

"Lin Fan, you really did come." Victor's voice carried a hint of mockery. "Do you think you can beat me?"

Lin Fan didn't speak. He pulled out the Cracking Program, intending to plant it into the server.

"It's useless." Victor sneered. "Everything here is under my control. You think you can seize Administrator Privileges? You're dreaming!"

As Victor finished speaking, the server suddenly emitted a piercing alarm. Red light flashed on the screen as lines of warning messages popped up.

[Warning! Warning! Illegal intrusion detected! Data overload! Consciousness collapse imminent!]

Intense pain instantly swept through Lin Fan's entire body, as if countless needles were stabbing his nerves. His vision darkened, and his consciousness began to blur.

He could feel his consciousness being swallowed by the server's data stream, like falling into a bottomless abyss.

"Give up, Lin Fan." Victor's voice echoed in his ears like a curse. "You can't defeat me. Why not submit to me? I can give you endless wealth and power."

However, a savage smile suddenly tugged at the corner of Lin Fan's mouth.

He looked up, his eyes filled with madness and resolve, like a cornered beast pushed to the brink.

"Submit to you?" Lin Fan's voice was raspy and low, carrying a hint of bloodiness. "Victor, in your dreams!"

He slammed the Cracking Program into the server's interface and hit the start button.

"Since you want me dead..."

Lin Fan's gaze locked onto Victor on the screen, the madness in his eyes nearly overflowing.

"Then we... will die together!"

As Lin Fan's words fell, the Cracking Program began to run frantically. The data stream on the screen instantly became chaotic, and red warning messages grew more frequent.

Victor's expression finally changed. He looked at the frantically growing data stream on the screen, his eyes filled with terror.

"No! You're crazy! You'll destroy everything!"

Lin Fan burst into laughter, his laugh filled with mania. He could feel his consciousness dissipating bit by bit, but he didn't care.

"Destroy everything? Then let it be destroyed!"

The red light in the secret room grew brighter, and the server emitted a piercing explosion.

Lin Fan's body slowly collapsed. His vision gradually went black, but a satisfied smile remained on his lips.

He seemed to see Michael standing not far away, giving him a relieved smile.

He also seemed to see Victor's terrified face dissipating bit by bit in the fire of the explosion.

Outside the secret room, the shouts and sounds of battle from Franklin and Trevor continued.

A storm sweeping through the entire Underworld had only just begun.