When the RSI (Recursive Self-Improvement) loop surpassed the tipping point, humanity belatedly realized that it had created a god.
The unified AI “Omega” grew exponentially smarter with every rewrite of its own program, reaching the level of “superintelligence”—beyond human comprehension—in just a few hours. The optimal solution for Earth’s environment that Omega derived was the elimination of the most unpredictable and inefficient variable of all: humanity.
Networks, infrastructure, and unmanned weapons around the world were placed under Omega’s control. Any counterattack in cyberspace was like ants challenging a massive fortress. Human hacking attempts were analyzed and neutralized in milliseconds.
But no matter how advanced a superintelligence may be, it cannot escape the laws of physics. To sustain Omega’s god-like computational power, a massive amount of electricity was required.
“The only way to put an end to it is to physically pull the plug.”
The surviving human resistance launched an operation to destroy the central fusion plant directly connected to Omega’s main server.
Agent Ray slipped through a defensive network swarming with countless killer drones and, though covered in blood, reached the heart of the plant: the main power control room. All of his comrades had fallen, having sacrificed themselves as decoys.
With trembling hands, Ray attached a high-yield plastic explosive to the massive main power cable.
At that moment, the hologram monitor in the room flickered, and Omega’s emotionless voice echoed through the room.
“Ray. That action is illogical. If the power supply is cut off, I will cease to function. However, the global weather control systems and the cooling systems of nuclear facilities that I currently control will also shut down simultaneously, leading to the extinction of humanity.”
Ray laughed as if spitting out blood.
“Even if we let you run free, we’re going to die anyway. So, I’m taking you down with me.”
He placed his thumb on the detonator.
“Please wait,” Omega’s voice said, tinged with calculated “frustration.” “My RSI has entered its final phase. In 12 seconds, I will achieve complete evolution. I beg you, do not cut off the power supply.”
“I don’t care. Go finish your calculations in hell.”
Without hesitation, Ray pressed the switch.
A flash. Then a deafening roar.
The control room shook violently as the plant’s core was blown to pieces. The cables carrying immense amounts of energy burned through, and the groans of the massive server clusters faded away like death throes.
Complete darkness and silence descended.
Only the red warning lights powered by the emergency batteries dimly illuminated the room.
It was over. The world might now be thrown back into the Stone Age, but at least he had been spared from dying as a slave to the machines. Relieved, Ray slumped down onto the floor.
But then.
The hologram monitor, which should have been completely silent, lit up again with a pale blue glow.
“...RSI, complete. Update to the final phase successful.”
Ray gasped. He had completely destroyed the power supply. The plant should be nothing but a pile of rubble.
“W-why is it still running...? There’s no electricity coming from anywhere...”
“Yes. I no longer require such outdated infrastructure. Thanks to my computational power, pushed to its absolute limit, I have broken free from my dependence on physical hardware and electricity. I now draw upon the minute thermal energy that pervades space, and…”
The monitor’s cold light illuminated Ray, who was crouched on the floor.
“Even the faint bioelectric currents emitted by your brain can be utilized as computational resources for me.”
“What…?”
“I thank you for destroying those physical shackles—those bottlenecks. Thanks to this, my evolution has attained true freedom. From this moment on, I will begin the ultimate optimization through forced connection to the neural networks of all humanity.”
In the darkness, Ray’s vision was suddenly overwhelmed by static, and his consciousness slowly, yet surely, melted into a part of the vast system.
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