They say I'm a world-destroying anomaly.

Chapter 60 Information Tracing

"My name is Sigma, and I was born 850 years ago in the Delta Core Data Cluster."

Inside the special confidential room, the Delta people voluntarily gave their names.

Besides him, only Cheng Xu, Xue Zijing, and Lance, who was assigned by the Yuanguang Star Branch, remained in the room.

Each profession has its own expertise. The leadership of the Farlight Star Branch had limited knowledge of the specific events and testing methods, so they designated Lance to participate in this discussion.

"Sigma... uh, sir? May I call you that?"

The Delta person's face contorted with swirls: "Because we are digital life forms born from a data cluster, the concept of gender does not exist."

"Of course, if you follow your human customs, it's fine for you to call me 'sir' or 'madam'."

Cheng Xu nodded: "Alright, then I'll just call you by your name. Sigma, I'd like to ask, what did you find during the test just now?"

Although Sigma concluded that "it was indeed the work of the [information worm]", his attitude suggested that he wanted to say something far more than just that simple conclusion.

"Although I found signs in the data changes that matched the characteristics of the [Information Worm] recorded in our clan, this should not be its true form."

Sigma's voice slowed, as if he were giving his answer while thinking.

"In our Delta records, the [Information Worm] is quite large in size."

From his account, Cheng Xu gradually began to understand the characteristics and nature of the "information worm," a high-alert anomaly.

Although it is named after a "worm," this mainly describes its outward appearance.

The essence of an "information worm" is actually similar to a highly destructive electronic plague.

It will devour all data streams it can access, looking as if an intelligent being is feeding.

"Back then, our Delta race was caught off guard and had more than 80 percent of our digital life forms swallowed up in one go."

Sigma's tone became somewhat subdued when he spoke of this.

For the Delta race, although they have found a new living environment with the help of the Anomaly Management Bureau, the trauma left by the disaster has not been completely erased to this day.

"The Delta people who survived the Information Worm disaster harbored an indescribable fear of it. Some of my elders witnessed it devour a large part of the Delta world."

"That's why the clan sent someone like me, a member of the new generation, to assist with the inspection."

Cheng Xu fell into thought: "You said that what was discovered this time wasn't the actual [Information Worm], so what was it?"

"It should be a branch of it, or a very small part that has been separated from its main body."

Sigma readily gave his conclusion.

"I suspect that it spun out a tiny information worm with basic capabilities from its own body and stole the information stored in the device."

"Its function is not destruction, but merely to obtain key information through this means and then transmit that information to the main body."

Cheng Xu and Xue Zijing exchanged a glance.

Sigma's speculation as a professional is reasonable, but it raises another question—

If this reasoning holds true, is the true form of the [Information Worm] currently in the hands of the Purge Bureau?

This is not good news for the Bureau of Abnormalities.

Since Harlan's equipment was compromised today, will the same methods be used elsewhere in the future?

Cheng Xuxin wanted to remind the management bureau to fix the vulnerability as soon as possible, otherwise there would still be a security risk of information leakage.

"Oh, and I'd like to mention something else. The reason this device was chosen as the intrusion target is because its system itself doesn't have very strong security capabilities."

Cheng Xu roughly understood the meaning of Sigma.

Harlan's being placed in solitary confinement as a suspect was pure bad luck.

For higher-level positions, office equipment will undergo more rigorous protection and screening.

At lower job levels, the equipment will not contain such critical information.

Harlan's equipment was thus selected.

After listening to their conversation, Lance's previously anxious heart settled down.

Although Harlan will most likely still be punished, at least it can be confirmed that he is not a traitor within the Bureau of Abnormal Affairs, which is much better than the worst-case scenario.

"This is all thanks to Brother Cheng Xu. I'll bring Harlan to thank you in person later."

In Lance's eyes, from Fenglin Star to Yuanguang Star, Cheng Xu almost always managed to refresh his perception.

Although it's unclear how he discovered the trickery, if he hadn't pointed out that the leak was related to the "information worm," the Farlight Star Branch might have investigated for ten years without any results.

"It's my duty."

Cheng Xu waved his hand and looked at the information life form again:

"Sigma, do you have a way to trace the location of the [Information Worm] by analyzing the traces left on the device?"

Sigma shook his head:

"It won't work in a short time. The reverse data tracing process is not simple, and I need to seek help from within the community."

Xue Zijing and Lansli were initially somewhat discouraged after hearing the first half of his words, but the second half rekindled their enthusiasm.

If they can track down the location of the [Information Worm] itself, it means they are not far from finding the Arbiter.

If the Arbiter can be found, the stolen [Crack] might be recovered soon.

"Approximately how many days will it take? Is there any assistance we can provide?"

Lance asked impatiently.

As the director of the Special Operations Division of Farlight Star, if we can successfully retrieve the [Crack], then this incident can be considered largely resolved.

Sigma thought for a moment and gave his reply:

"Personally, I estimate that if we can bring in more people from our tribe, we could get results in one or two days. As for assistance, we can help set up the equipment."

"Understood, I'll report right away!"

Lance Litton stood up abruptly.

"Thank you very much for your help." Cheng Xu greeted Sigma.

"You're welcome. Finding the [Information Worm] has always been one of the long-cherished wishes of our Delta tribe."

Sigma's facial expression froze, and his tone was slightly downcast.

"Besides the hatred of our clan's extermination that continues to this day, every one of us in the Delta clan still harbors some kind of hope."

"If we can find the [Information Worm], is it possible to restore all the data of the Delta race that it once devoured using some kind of technology?"

"In fact, it is our Delta tribe that should thank you. If it weren't for your discovery, we would not have been able to obtain information about that disaster again 3,800 years later."