radicalducati Page 29
Page 29
It stood there silently, like an ancient, cold tombstone, or perhaps the core of some massive mechanical creation beyond human comprehension.
A cold, emotionless, yet grand voice, seemingly emanating directly from the very rules of the universe, echoed in this gray space, not entering his ears, but being imprinted directly into his consciousness:
[User: Zhang Su.]
Welcome back to the 'Foundation' domain.
The emergency avoidance protocol has been forcibly activated.
Hearing Yuan Shu's emotionless voice, Zhang Su couldn't help but sit down on the ground with a sense of relief, as if he had just escaped death. He laughed and said, "I thought I was going to die for sure, but I didn't expect to be saved at the last moment! Yuan Shu, you're amazing! Cornerstone, thank you too!"
Volume 1: Chapter 26: The Curtain Cornerstone Administration is established!
After sitting on the ground for a while to calm down, Zhang Su asked, "Yuan Shu, what exactly is my current state? Was I teleported here by the Foundation Stone at the last moment, or was I already dead and then resurrected by the Foundation Stone?"
He prefers the latter because the experience of squeezing it feels too real.
[Analyzing the user's current state.] Yuan Shu's cold voice was like a stone thrown into stagnant water. [Conclusion: Near-death teleportation. Before the target high-level being (codename: Blood Ancestor) could completely obliterate your soul's core information, the Foundation activated the highest priority emergency avoidance protocol, forcibly extracting your core consciousness information flow and projecting it into the current safe zone. Your physical carrier (body) is also safe and sound in reality.]
Zhang Su exhaled a long, fearful breath that was not actually there.
"I see... I thought the Cornerstone could really bring the dead back to life. If it had that ability, wouldn't I be able to do whatever I want? Dying and being resurrected at full health, just thinking about it is exciting!"
He said this, half with emotion and half with a joke, trying to dispel the fear that had seeped into his bones.
[Misconception.] Yuan Shu immediately poured cold water on this idea, stating, [The current functional modules of the Foundation do not detect the ability to 'reconstruct the physical carrier' or 'completely reshape soul information.' Even if the relevant protocols are unlocked in the future, the costs and limitations will inevitably be beyond imagination. Users are strongly advised to cherish their lives and avoid fatal risks. The information collapse and painful experiences during the death process are highly irreversible and mentally polluting, and should be avoided at all costs.]
"I understand, I understand," Zhang Su nodded hurriedly, a bitter smile on his face. "I was just joking around to give myself some courage. Death... it really hurts too much, I'm still afraid of pain."
He subconsciously touched his ribs, as if they were still throbbing slightly.
He shook his head, focusing his attention on the present: "So what now? Yuan Shu, can the Foundation send us away safely? Bypass that Blood Ancestor summoned by Tai Sui, and return to Muyun Harbor, back to the real world?"
【No.】Source's answer was resolute. 【The Foundation is currently in 'low-power safe refuge mode.' Its spatial anchoring and interdimensional travel core functions are either deeply dormant or severely damaged. It cannot bypass the target's higher-level existence (Blood Ancestor)'s 'environmental blockade' and tracking markers to safely return your soul to its original coordinates. Its only current function: to provide shelter for the core consciousness information flow, isolating it from external pollution and tracking.】
Zhang Su's heart sank. He looked up at the magnificent yet cold concrete core building: "So, the key is still that, right? I need to go inside to unlock more functions and gain more and stronger power. I remember the requirement to go in is: 'Permissions and Power'?"
[Correct. Two conditions must be met to enter the core area of the foundation.]
[Condition 1: Power Threshold (Achieved). A high-intensity 'existence field radiation' exists within the foundation. This field continuously and irreversibly increases entropy and reconstructs information on any organic or inorganic structure that enters its range, causing the collapse of its existence form. The user must rely on their own stable and sufficiently strong extraordinary power to form a protective force field to counteract this.]
[Association Analysis: You currently have a total of eight stable associations with anomalous/extraordinary items.]
[Anomaly-001: Greedy Treasure Chest (Status: Stable Connection, Energy Output Adjustable)]
[Anomalies-002 to 008: Black Tai Sui Embryo/Mature Form (Extracts from the bodies of the seven members of the Qiu family, Status: Stable containment, energy characteristics analyzed, capable of coordinated output)]
[Assessment: A single anomaly (such as the Greedy Chest) lacks sufficient energy to provide effective protection. The combined energy output of the eight related anomalies has reached the minimum threshold for resisting radiation from the fundamental field. The power requirement is met.]
"I've actually met the standard?" Zhang Su was stunned for a moment, then his face lit up with surprise. "I thought that the energy of those few powerful figures in the Qiu family, especially the juvenile bodies in Mingyuan and Yuanyuan's bodies, might not be enough! I didn't expect that combining them together would have such a good effect? It's a real surprise! The accumulation of power was completed without me even realizing it."
Condition 2: Authentication required (not met).
Yuan Shu's voice interrupted his joy.
The Core of the Foundation is a highly controlled area. Users must obtain a valid identity identifier recognized by the underlying Foundation protocol and complete identity authentication to gain access. This access is the key to activating Foundation's interactive functions, accessing its resources, including possible cross-dimensional teleportation protocols.
“Identity verification…” Zhang Su murmured, his gaze fixed intently on the deep entrance of the foundation stone.
The forces are already in place, and now only the last lock needs to be opened.
The key is that recognized "identity".
Then, he sat cross-legged and pondered the problem.
"Yuan Shu, you said that Cornerstone seemed quite interested in that 'member of a mysterious organization' identity I made up before. Is it still interested in that setting now?"
Genshu replied: "Yes, so far, it remains interested in, and even looks forward to, this."
"Okay, since that's the case, I'll continue to optimize from this starting point."
He closed his eyes, his mind racing, quickly reviewing his experiences from his time travel to the present.
The bizarre encounters of the Black Sea, the unfamiliarity and crisis of Twilight Harbor, the curse and struggle of the Qiu family, Randolph's probing, the terrifying confrontation with the Black Tai Sui and even the Blood Ancestor... This world is full of incomprehensible and indescribable anomalies and dangers, the order is fragile, and individuals are as insignificant as dust in the face of the extraordinary and mysterious.
At the same time, a vague idea quickly became clear and expanded in his mind—an idea based on the characteristics of the foundation itself, combined with the settings of some supernatural management organizations he had seen before his transmigration—such as the SCP Foundation, combined with the current urgent needs and the prototype of the plan he had previously had.
A complete identity was gradually taking shape in his mind.
Keywords such as “abnormal…dangerous…containment…research…protection…order…” collided in his mind.
The foundation, this massive concrete core, represents an absolute, stable, and inhuman order in its very existence—it is like a 'veil' separating reality from unreality.
Suddenly, Zhang Su opened his eyes. His consciousness's gaze, as if it were tangible, shot towards the silent door of the foundation stone. A clear, firm declaration of identity, carrying all his hopes and ambitions, resounded in his heart:
"I made a decision!"
"I want to create an organization, and with this 'cornerstone' as its core foundation, to become a 'veil' separating human civilization from endless abnormal dangers!"
Its name is—
"The Curtain Cornerstone Administration!"
"but me--"
Zhang Su suddenly stood up and, facing the magnificent concrete core gate, issued a sacred and solemn declaration—
"It's Zhang Su, the founder and highest authority of the Administration Bureau!"
……
The moment he uttered his last word, something strange happened!
Rumble, rumble—! ! !
The entire dark and silent space suddenly began to shake violently and unprecedentedly!
The boundless concrete earth seemed to have been hit by a magnitude 10 earthquake, with huge cracks spreading out like a spider web, and the distant horizon was distorted and blurred!
The eternal gray concrete sky above seemed to be struggling under the weight, as if it might shatter and collapse at any moment!
What's even more chilling is the colossal concrete core—the foundation itself—standing at the center of the world! It is no longer silent, but rather like a giant beast that has been sleeping for billions of years being suddenly awakened!
The massive concrete structure shook and shifted violently amidst the deafening roar, the thick pillars emitted a piercing, metallic shriek, and there seemed to be undercurrents surging within the deep window openings!
The entire building exudes a violent and restless power!
However, Zhang Su, who was at the center of this terrifying shock, felt something was very strange.
Because he "stood" there, like an unchanging reef in a raging storm.
What I felt beneath my feet was not a terrifying force that shook the earth, but a gentle, water-like lifting sensation.
He himself did not feel any impact, pulling or tearing pain, and not even the hem of his clothes was moved.
The whole world was shaking and cracking wildly, but he and the small patch of ground he stood on remained eerily quiet.
It was like watching an immersive, incredibly realistic panoramic disaster movie, while he himself was sitting in the absolutely safe VIP seats.
"Yuan Shu! What... what's going on? Is the foundation about to collapse?!" Zhang Su looked at the shaking scene around him and hurriedly asked in his mind.
[Core protocol updated... Information flow synchronized...]
[User Zhang Su, there is no need to panic. The spatial tremor stems from the underlying protocol's violent response to your declared identity and organizational structure. This is a sign that the recognition process has begun.]
[Congratulations! Your proposed organizational structure for the 'Curtain Cornerstone Administration' and your self-appointed role as 'Director' have passed the initial verification of the core logic of the cornerstone and have been assigned...]
Yuan Shu paused for a moment, as if confirming an unbelievable result.
[Foundation Stone has the highest authority!]
"What did you say?!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Su's body stiffened abruptly, the immense shock even temporarily overshadowing the visual impact of the surrounding cataclysmic scene.
"Supreme authority?! Yuan Shu, are you sure?"
He could hardly believe his ears; the pie was so big that the *-mark/hit him made him a little dizzy.
[Confirmed.] Yuan Shu's voice carried an unprecedented certainty. [The Cornerstone Underlying Protocol has identified the 'Curtain Cornerstone Administration' as a 'mission carrier' that is highly consistent with its essential nature, and you, as its 'founder' and 'announcer,' have been automatically granted the highest management authority within the Cornerstone system.]
This permission theoretically allows access to all available resources and functional modules of the Foundation, provided that your mental strength, psionic reserves, or associated energy are sufficient to support its operation.
“Supreme authority…all resources…” Zhang Su murmured to himself, his chest instantly filled with immense joy and the heavy sense of responsibility that followed.
He originally just wanted to get basic access to the game, see what resources he could use, and figure out how to escape his current predicament... but he never expected to reach the top in one step!
This foundation is so honest! It made him feel a little flattered, and even vaguely unreal.
[The permission granting process is in progress.] Yuan Shu's voice rang out again, interrupting Zhang Su's thoughts. [The core logic of the cornerstone has generated a new 'request'.]
It has recognized itself as the physical core and symbolic entity of the 'Curtain Foundation Administration.' Therefore, it is no longer content with its current purely functional concrete core form. It requests that you—as the Director of the Administration—grant it a 'logo befitting the organization's style and purpose.' This logo will be engraved in the most prominent position on its body, becoming the symbol of the Administration, and may be projected onto other related spaces or objects in the future.
Please quickly visualize a symbol that meets the following requirements:
Mystery: Reflects the organization's essence of fighting the unknown and containing anomalies.
Authority/Stability: Symbolizes the Authority's position as the cornerstone of order.
Simplicity: It has high recognizability and concise lines.
Uniqueness: Avoid duplication with known symbols.
[Note: The foundation is currently in a highly active 'shaping' state, and spatial oscillations are a manifestation of its overflowing energy. Your concept needs to be finalized and communicated to it as soon as possible to stabilize its form. Prolonged delays may cause its active state to decline, potentially adversely affecting the 'imprinting' effect of the logo or the final anchoring of authority.]
"Uh... okay! I understand!" Zhang Su became nervous again upon hearing this; time was of the essence!
While obtaining the highest level of access is a huge surprise, if this is messed up, the foundation might revoke the access or downgrade it if they're unhappy, and that would be a real problem.
He forced himself into a state of highly concentrated thinking.
The surrounding space continued to shake violently, fragments of the gray sky peeled off, and the earth cracked open into abysses in a silent roar, but Zhang Su, inside this "safe island," had a furrowed brow and non-existent beads of sweat seeping from his forehead.
“Mysterious…authoritative…simple…” He chewed on these words repeatedly, his brain like an overclocked CPU, countless graphic symbols flashing through his consciousness only to be rejected by him: Eyes? Too common.
A shield? Too ordinary.
A keyhole? Not impressive enough.
A complex geometric maze? Not simple enough.
Time passed second by second, and although Yuan Shu did not urge him again, the invisible pressure grew stronger and stronger.
"It needs to be mysterious, like something hidden in the shadows of history; yet as solid as a cornerstone that suppresses everything… and also so simple that it's unforgettable at first glance…"
Zhang Su felt his brain cells burning.
Ten seconds... fifteen seconds... twenty seconds... He was almost going crazy!
Just as he felt he was about to be crushed by this invisible pressure and was about to just draw a circle and a triangle to get by—a flash of inspiration, like lightning piercing through chaos, suddenly struck his mind!
He recalled the form of the foundation itself—that cold, heavy, absolutely geometric concrete core structure!
He recalled his definition of a "veil"—isolation and protection!
He recalled his understanding of the meaning of "foundation"—stability and support! And the invisible, ubiquitous "field radiation"!
"I've got it!" Zhang Su suddenly opened his "eyes," his eyes gleaming with excitement!
Without further hesitation, he immediately projected the symbol he had conceived in his mind, through the mental link, with unparalleled clarity and carrying all his understanding and expectations, onto the still violently shaking concrete core megastructure!
Logo Description:
Main structure: a perfect circle. Symbolizing perfection, completeness, cyclicality, and a closed loop for containing anomalies.
It also symbolizes the boundary of the curtain, separating the inside from the outside. The ring itself is not a single line, but rather composed of two layers:
Outer layer: A fine, condensed silver-gray ring with a cold metallic sheen represents the Bureau's external, solid "veil" barrier.
Inner layer: Closely inside the outer thin ring is a slightly wider ring, in a deep, dark blue color, like the solidified deep sea or the background of the universe, symbolizing the profound unknowns faced by the Administration and the enormous power hidden behind them, as well as the foundation itself.
2. Core Element: At the very center of the ring, an equilateral triangle floats. The three sides of the triangle are equally concise and sharp, exhibiting a heavy, rough, deep concrete gray color consistent with the base stone itself.
This triangle is not static; its three vertices extend outwards with extremely fine, almost invisible energy spikes, creating a dynamic, shimmering effect. This symbolizes the solid, unbreakable foundation and the powerful, readily available energy it contains.
3. Overall meaning:
The outer ring of silver-gray thin rings combined with the dark blue band represents a "veil"—isolieving anomalies and protecting order.
The dark gray triangle in the center represents the "cornerstone"—the core of the Administration's power and its absolute support.
The triangle suspended in the center of the circle symbolizes that the foundation is the support point and source of power for the curtain.
The design features simple geometric shapes, circles, and triangles. It embodies the coldness and absolute rationality of concrete core aesthetics, while also possessing high recognizability and a sense of mystery. The color scheme of silver-gray, midnight blue, and deep concrete gray also conveys a sense of austerity, authority, and profundity.
This logo not only incorporates his understanding of the organization (curtain + foundation) but also echoes the concrete core style of the foundation itself. The lines are extremely simple, yet they contain multiple meanings of stability, isolation, strength, and profound unknown.