As Mike leaned over to look at Nelly demonstrate her expert hacking skills on the computer, his eyes widened in amazement.
What's going on?
He didn't know much about hacking, but judging from Nelly 's actions and the reactions of those around her, he sensed an indescribable feeling of awe.
He wanted to ask questions, but seeing the serious and focused expressions on the faces of Dave and Alpha Kilian beside him, he wisely chose to stay quiet.
Meanwhile, Alexia stared at Alpha Kilian for a moment before withdrawing her gaze in satisfaction and turning her gaze to the screen in front of her.
Truth be told, when she saw Nelly 's actions on the computer, her delicate eyebrows furrowed slightly.
She didn't understand much about hacking, but from the atmosphere around her, she could tell that Nelly seemed to be quite skilled at it.
I didn't expect her to be able to do this...
With her attention now on Nelly and the large screen in front of her, Alexia wanted to see for herself just how skilled Nelly was.
At this moment, Nelly 's gaze was focused on the screen, where lines of green code flashed across it. She and the hacker seemed to be in a race involving speed, skills, and brain power.
Those who didn't understand weren't aware of what was happening, but Cosmos, beside her, was wholly engrossed in the screen. He had completely forgotten his earlier prejudices against her as he stared at the screen and urged, “Almost there! Come on! Faster!”
As Nelly glanced at the time, Cosmos continued urging, “Hey, don't worry about the time! Just beat him!”
“Cosmos!” Dave spoke up.
Cosmos heard that and looked up at Dave.
“Finding him in real life is far more important than beating him online. If we weren't trying to stall for
time, he would have lost by now!” Dave had complete faith in Nelly 's abilities.
Cosmos pursed his lips and replied, “I know you want to find him in person, but what if we can't? Besides, beating him online is still important. It will make it harder for him to attack again in the future, and t-this lady here can become famous if she wins!”
“She doesn't need fame!” “She doesn't need it!”
Alpha Kilian and Dave both spoke almost in unison. Hearing that, everyone turned to them.
Cosmos looked them up and down and retorted, “Which hacker doesn't want to be famous? Besides, opportunities to catch this person don't come often. Not everyone has the skills to do it either!”
Dave and Alpha Kilian ignored him, but Mike next to them asked, “Is this person really that powerful?” “Yeah, I spent so much time trying to catch him, but I couldn't!” Cosmos said.
“Then maybe you're not that good,” Mike replied bluntly.
“What do you know? This person is really powerful and ranks high among hackers. He could be considered the third or fourth-ranked hacker. You mustn't underestimate his abilities.”
“Who are the first and second-ranked hackers, then?” asked Mike.
“The top two in the hacker world are Shadow Seeker and Anonymous. If it were one of them, there would be no problem.”
When he mentioned these two people, Alpha Kilian and Dave shared a glance, but neither of them spoke. Mike turned his head and said to Dave, “Dave, why don't we just bring these two people over?”
Dave glanced at him and then looked at Alpha Kilian . “Can't do it.” “Why?” asked Mike.
“Ask your boss.” Dave threw the question back at him.
Mike was confused and turned his gaze to Alpha Kilian . “Boss, what does Dave mean?”
Alpha Kilian gave Dave a glance and then murmured, “Shadow Seeker has already retired, so there's no way
for you guys to do that.”
Mike immediately laughed and said, “What do you mean by retired? It just means that you didn't offer enough money. If you offer enough, you can get anything or anyone!” Suddenly, he remembered something and looked at Alpha Kilian . “Wait, Boss. You know Shadow Seeker?”
“Sort of,” Alpha Kilian said.
At that, Cosmos turned his head to look at Alpha Kilian . Although Alpha Kilian looked imposing at the moment, Cosmos' curiosity got the better of him. “Y-You really know Shadow Seeker?”
Looking at Cosmos' bright eyes, Alpha Kilian said indifferently, “Is there a problem?” He wasn't very friendly as if he was obviously still unhappy with Cosmos' previous behavior. Although Nelly didn't mind, it didn't mean that Alpha Kilian forgave him.
However, Cosmos didn't care about that. Getting a chance to meet his idol was more important. He continued to ask, “I-I admire them... I also want to meet them. Is there any chance for me to do so?”
“No!”
“Why not?”
“Shadow Seeker doesn't like contemptuous people like you!” Alpha Kilian was frank. “I—”
“Of course, I know that, but we can pay double the price to get them to work for us. Cosmos, can you stop boosting our opponent's ego for once?” Mike said.
Cosmos fixed him with a stare and retorted, “If you can offer double the price, why do you think the other party won't do the same to keep them? I'm not boosting our opponent's ego; I'm telling you that even though we often work with computers, we have our own boundaries and emotions. For example, if someone offered me money to work for them, would I just leave?”
Mike was stumped.
He does have a point.
“Hacking is a sacred and liberal profession. Although many of us often do it for money, not everyone is motivated by money, especially people like Shadow Seeker and Anonymous, who are top-tier hackers,” Cosmos continued.
Mike furrowed his brows after listening to Cosmos. He was not an obstinate person, per se. He pursed his lips and conceded, “I suppose you're right. I shouldn't have commented much as an outsider.”
Cosmos said nothing further after Mike admitted his mistakes.
Alpha Kilian , who had been listening, felt a sense of pride, although his impassive expression gave little to nothing away.
Others might not have noticed the subtle change in Alpha Kilian 's expression, but Dave caught onto it and whispered, “Stop it. If you keep going, someone is going to be so smug.”
Still oblivious, Mike asked, “Who?”
Right then, Dave's phone rang. He took a look at the number and distanced himself from the others to take the call. “Hello...” He frowned after listening to the other person on the line. “Find him! We have to find him before he notices!”
After hanging up the call, he returned and said to Nelly , “They're already there, but the location is somewhat remote, and the pinned location might be slightly off. It might take some time to pinpoint the exact location.”
Hearing this, Nelly looked at the person on the computer screen and solemnly said, “Understood.” “How much longer can we delay?” Dave asked.
“Well, that depends on how vigilant he is,” Nelly replied. Dave frowned.
Right then, the opponent asked: Are you stalling me?
Judging from their conversation, he could figure out something didn't quite add up.
“He's realized it!” Nelly said.
Dave then replied, “Just try your best. Whether or not we can catch him depends on our luck.”
Nelly looked at the computer screen, and her expression turned grim. “There is still one more chance. I shall get serious now, but I hope he can hold on to what's coming.”
Dave nodded. “Thanks for your hard work.”
A glint flickered across Nelly 's eyes, and she increased her speed.
Cosmos was drawn to her actions, which were fast and fierce, and he was stunned. Hasn't she been serious before?
He regarded her rapid movements intently, especially when it appeared that her opponent had essentially been driven into a corner.
“Incredible! Absolutely brilliant!” Cosmos exclaimed.
Mike couldn't understand Nelly 's moves at all. However, he couldn't help but ask when he noticed Cosmos' reaction. “Why? What's happening?”
“Shh! Be quiet!”
Mike went silent, fearing that he would disturb Nelly .
“This is fantastic! You're so brilliant!” Cosmos couldn't help but exclaim in wonder as he watched the screen.
Mike was stumped.
Didn't he just tell me to shut up? Now he's the one making the most noise.
Mike said nothing. After all, the only thing that he could understand was Cosmos' reaction. It was apparent from the latter's excitement that Nelly was doing really well.
“Faster, faster! Hmm? Why's there no follow-up move anymore?” Cosmos wondered out loud. However, he was soon amazed by Nelly 's yet another unexpected move. “What? How is that possible?”
Did my eyes play a trick on me?
Cosmos edged himself closer to the screen.
Nelly 's opponent was taken aback by her sudden attack at breakneck speed and messaged: Who on earth are you?
Nelly replied: Didn't I tell you that I'm your doom?
Her opponent became flustered and launched more frequent attacks, but Nelly retaliated without mercy.
At first, they appeared to be at a stalemate. However, Nelly began to stop playing by the rules, crippling the opponent's defense with every move.
Cosmos was in awe of Nelly 's incredible skills.
He looked toward the desk, and there happened to be a pen and a notebook on it. He began to jot down his observations as he watched the movements on the screen.
Others frowned in response.
After a few bouts of exchange, Nelly 's opponent finally realized that he was being fooled and texted: You could have won directly. Why did you take the longer route? Are you trying to show off?
Nelly : I don't have any intention to show off. I just want you to lose miserably. Hacker: What do you mean?
Nelly : It was a request by the child sitting next to me.
Cosmos' youthful face beamed with delight. He didn't mind Nelly addressing him as a child. In fact, he was feeling the thrill of having been avenged, especially when the other party had provoked him for days on end.