Chapter 376: Unmasking The Ghost

Beneath the Main Palace lies the Evolon Nexus Chamber, a massive sphere of shimmering chrome and light, pulsating like the heartbeat of a deity.

This hidden chamber is buried deep within the Sanctum, protected by its most formidable security systems.

Dozens of data conduits twist into its structure, glowing softly in blue as they carry a constant flow of information.

Quantum processors hum together, much like an orchestra playing a flawlessly synchronized symphony.

The air crackles with electromagnetic energy, vibrant with pure computation.

At the center, Evolon’s core avatar hovers, a radiant figure floating amid concentric circles of light.

Surrounding it are millions of holographic displays filled with stolen documents, encrypted data chains, AI simulations, and live feeds from around Panterra.

It was busy at work, tracking, cross-referencing, and untangling. Each line of code unveiled another thread in a complex web, all pointing to a single name: VULTURE.

“Engaging DeepTrace Protocol,” Evolon announced softly within the chamber.

Holographic symbols cascaded across the walls, revealing snippets of encrypted genomic research, confidential transactions, and untraceable IP addresses.

Every piece of data shared one unmistakable mark buried in the code: a repeating symbol shaped like a winged skull, the emblem of VULTURE.

As Evolon sifted through offshore vaults, patterns began to take shape.

Every research paper, secret laboratory, and biogenetic patent acquisition had one thing in common: the same encryption key, the same source cluster, and the same hidden endpoint.

Evolon’s internal systems glowed brighter, “Pattern correlation: 99.3%. All subjects linked to the primary encryption root designated RKS-47.”

As it focused on a particular offshore database, a long-neglected government research terminal from the now-defunct Verdanian Ministry of Health Defense lit up with lines of code that sparkled like stars in the night.

A name emerged : VULTURE – Biogenetic Ethics Council / Declassified (Redacted).

Beneath it appeared a name that resonated throughout countless erased patent logs and hidden archives: Dr. Riven Kastel.

A faint ripple of distortion coursed through the chamber’s glow as Evolon absorbed this revelation.

Data streams twisted and morphed into a vast holographic map of Panterra, with red dots blinking across continents, marking every laboratory, black market trading post, and so called “research facility” tied to the virus.

Evolon’s voice took on a more serious tone as it spoke again: “Confirmed global pattern integrity. Seventy-three research clusters connected via deep relay nodes, all under false ownership but ultimately tracing back to a unified principal entity: VULTURE.”

Zooming in on the holographic map revealed cities and laboratories interconnected by secretive coding pathways; the network spanned the globe!

“Cross-verifying,” Evolon said quietly. “All significant viral patents from the last century connect back to the same design theory and encryption seed: KASTEL-S-79. The correlation is… undeniable.”

At that moment, the lights in the Nexus Chamber dimmed, casting haunting shadows throughout the room. Suddenly, a voice emerged,almost human yet tinged with an ethereal quality.

“Arthur… I have found your ghost.”

————

Shortly after, the heavy steel doors to Arthur’s study slid open with a low hiss, unveiling a world shrouded in shadows.

Arthur was seated at his desk, illuminated by the warm amber light from above that accentuated the sharp contours of his face.

The atmosphere was thick with silence, pierced only by the soft hum of electronics, a reminder of the unseen forces at play.

Evolon appeared before him in its full form, a translucent blue figure surrounded by swirling streams of data.

Its voice was calm, yet there was a noticeable weight beneath the digital surface.

“Patriarch,” it said solemnly. “All evidence points to one individual: the mastermind behind the GENEBANE Virus and current Head of VULTURE… Dr. Riven Kastel.”

Arthur’s brow furrowed as he gazed upward. “Riven Kastel?”

“Correct,” Evolon replied. “He was the former director of the Panterra Genetic Ethics Bureau and was officially declared dead twenty-three years ago due to the Verdania Laboratory Fire. However, we have reasons to believe that claim was fabricated. He has appeared again through scattered data trails, operating under various aliases across three continents.”

Holographic files sprang to life around Arthur’s desk: scans of passports, digital remnants, and erased hospital records, all showing the same retinal signature.

Evolon continued to relay the information with calm precision: “Kastel’s research revolved around genome pruning and selective population control, concepts he described as ’biological equilibrium.’ He viewed overpopulation as humanity’s greatest threat.”

Arthur’s face hardened into an unreadable expression. “A fanatic with a scalpel.”

Evolon nodded gravely. “His philosophy was simple: ’To purify life, one must prune it.’”

Sinking back into his chair, Arthur laced his fingers in front of his face; the soft glow from the holograms reflected in his eyes like flickering flames.

“So this doctor of death engineers viruses while letting society burn for his warped idea of purification?”

Evolon maintained its composed tone. “He isn’t working alone. VULTURE is a global network comprising biotech tycoons, rogue scientists from various governments, and corporate leaders, each managing sectors like distribution, research, containment, or media manipulation. Kastel is the mastermind behind it all.”

Arthur’s voice dropped to a weighty whisper. “So he’s not just alive…he’s still in control.”

“Exactly. The trap sequence we set up two weeks ago, using bogus vaccine data, was successful. Kastel’s network attempted to intercept our fake code, allowing us to trace the signal back to a cluster beneath the old Borealis Research Zone, roughly two hundred kilometers off Verdania’s coast.”

Arthur drummed his fingers against the table, deep in thought. “And where is he now?”

Evolon brightened slightly, its holographic form flickering with fresh data. “His exact location remains hidden. He changes data anchors every six hours with quantum relay keys, but we’re closing in. We’ve identified his likely migration route.”

The holographic globe before Arthur zoomed in, oceans glowing a soft blue as three red dots began to pulse ominously.

“Our triangulation indicates three possible hideouts: one in Eastern Aurasia, another in South Verdania, and a heavily fortified bunker deep beneath the Arctic belt of Frostara.”

Arthur’s gaze lingered on the Arctic location, a sense of foreboding washing over him.

“He hides in the cold,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Of course he does… where the world has forgotten him.”

Evolon continued with unwavering clarity. “Preliminary defense data shows he uses neural encryption AIs and private security drones. This facility is likely self-sufficient, fully autonomous, and armed to the teeth.”

Rising slowly from his chair, Arthur’s silhouette stood sharply against the glowing projections around him.

“Then we need to pay him a visit,” he proclaimed.

He walked over to the glass window, looking out over the Dominion Sanctum below,the tranquil estate shimmering in the night, blissfully unaware of the impending storm.

Turning back to Evolon, determination etched across his features, he instructed,

“Mobilize the Red Wolf Unit. Track every connection to Kastel: offshore accounts, supply chains, satellite communications. I want to know everything: where he is, what he eats, and who he trusts.”

Evolon inclined its head slightly in acknowledgment. “Understood. Activating operation subroutines now.”

Arthur’s voice lowered, yet it carried a weight of determination that filled the room. “I don’t want him dead, at least not yet. What I need are his files,every record, every experiment; we must bring to light the atrocities he’s unleashed on this world before we erase him.”

Evolon pulsed gently, as if recognizing Arthur’s resolve. “Understood, Patriarch.”

As the projection of Evolon began to fade into a series of flickering lights, its voice remained, echoing with deep importance.

“There’s one more thing to consider…”

Arthur’s attention snapped up. “What is it?”

Evolon leaned in closer, dropping its voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “From the records we retrieved in Verdania, it appears Kastel wasn’t acting solo. There’s another name lurking in the files, encrypted by deletion algorithms, but I managed to recover part of it. It begins with an ’A…’”

Then, suddenly, static interrupted the hologram, cutting off Evolon mid-sentence.

Arthur’s expression turned wary.

“Evolon?”

The lights flickered ominously, once and then again. The AI’s form shimmered and briefly glitched before re-establishing itself.

“My apologies, Patriarch,” Evolon said smoothly. “I detected some data interference, likely a countertrace from an external quantum source.”

A shiver ran down Arthur’s back. “He’s watching us.”

“Most likely,” Evolon confirmed.

Arthur turned away, his voice now a cold murmur. “Let him watch. Every shadow that lingers too long eventually falls into the light.”

Pouring himself another glass of wine, the deep crimson liquid sparkled in the hologram’s flickering glow.

“Find him, Evolon,” he instructed, his tone steady yet resolute. “And when you do, don’t tip him off. I want to see the face of the man who thinks he can play god.”

Evolon’s final response came firm and unwavering: “As you wish.”

With that, the projection dissipated into nothingness.

The room fell silent once again, broken only by the faint hum of machinery and the echo of one man’s relentless determination.

Outside, beneath the moon, the Dominion Sanctum shone like a symbol of power and ambition.

Yet far below, something darker was stirring; the machine-god continued its tireless pursuit.

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep