Roaming the Ether/Database Collection

Virus Database

Name	Data	Volume	Description
Vengeance Fishbone	1	3	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Recycling. Its structure is like a fishbone, and its code is formatted similar to a fishbone-like virus. It will commonly tunnel straight to the OS, making itself so obvious as to trigger security programs to block it. Rumor has it that the fishbone analysis map was first put together over a month of work shifts by a programmer with a chip on her shoulder, but demand was added just as it was nearing completion, so the critical attack capability was never written in.similarly
Bugged Kid	1	2	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Recycling. A virus created by a hacker who first comprehended human weakness upon getting scammed. It appears to be a friendly auxiliary program, reporting warnings whenever running risky tasks. However, it sometimes reports errors on normal programs, urging users to get rid of them until it penetrates into the system's ability to defend itself. It's almost useless for skeptics, so it isn't a potent threat.
Little Alien	1	1	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Recycling. A virus inspired by a hacker who was abused while playing retro video games. It is both highly flexible and highly satirical, making it difficult for security software to accurately target and handle. It doesn't generally cause fatal damage to the system, but can force control of the entire screen and loop back the author's sarcastic voice as canned laughter. Despite being super annoying, some people surprisingly treat it as a kind of desktop pet.
Ban Marker	1	1	This virus can be found in Deep Level - Recycling. An extremely retro virus once active during the Old Capital days which has now almost disappeared. Countless banned windows pop out to cover the entire screen and no matter what button you press, more pop up. A highly traditional yet effective way to ruin everyone's good mood. Apparently the pop-up windows can be dragged around, and if there're more than five on a single line they can disappear. But very few people have ever attested to the veracity of this claim.
Sea Mine	1	3	This virus can be found in Surface Level - Programs. An extremely inert virus that latches onto any file after invasion via any means possible, sending it into hibernation. The virus instantly reactivates whenever a user accesses the file, triggering a cascade of similar viruses throughout the system to earn it the moniker of "Minesweeper." Fortunately, while the designers were obsessed with perfecting this pattern of hibernation and reawakening, they ignored its destructive impact on data which made it not very threatening as a virus.
Glitch Domino	1	2	This virus can be found in Deep Level - Programs. This chain of triggered viruses is a popular option around New Eridu today. During the initial invasion, it will masquerade as a normal program as it attempts to entice higher system permissions from the user, and it will continue to meddle with system code and generate exploits secretly once the careless user hands grant permission. When an exploit is discovered, it will trigger a sequence of bugs like a domino reaction. It has taught many citizens the benefit of not clicking [Agree] so randomly.
Dust Sprite	1	1	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Network. This previous gen virus has been dormant for some time, disguising itself as a recycling bin icon to sow discord. Once mistakenly opened as the recycling bin, all files on your computer are destroyed. However, its click-thru rate in practice is so low as to quickly render it almost obsolete upon release. Product design still has to take in practical considerations.
Plankton	1	3	This virus can be found in the Deep Level - Network. Tiny in size, this virus can clone itself at breakneck speed to present low-level threats when operating solo, but becomes a real headache when several cluster into groups. A real signature virus for the New Eridu age, its weakness and hassle represent a real landmark in the history of virus tech. After capture by the N.E.P.S., its developer claimed in a statement that he hoped such a meaningless virus could prove that even something meaningless can still force people to remember it.
Raging Rabid Dog	1	2	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Database. A virus scripted by a hacker with a strong desire for artistic expression. Computers infected by it will display thousands of dogs bounding around their screen, creating a magnificent scene akin to migrating beasts in the wild. However, due to its abstract design, few people recognized the image as a dog with many of the infected complaining online about how ugly the virus was. In the end, the hacker was drawn out to publicly refute such claims and was apprehended by the N.E.P.S.
Dazzling Dollie	1	1	This virus can be found in the Deep Level - Database. The virus, active ever since the Eridu period, has the appearance of a cute sheep with rich colors that can trigger epileptic seizures in photosensitive patients. If left alone for a while, it will clone itself at an exponential rate. The hacker who created it seemed obsessed with making it look cute and the group of fans clamoring for its human right to not be destroyed proved its author's success.
Ten-Foot Demon	1	3	This virus can be found in the Surface Level - Core. A virus created by a hacker during the Eridu period to prove the adage "There's always a bigger fish." Possessing rare self-learning capabilities, it parses the firewall of a target system firewall to automatically generate code based on the practical situation. Turns out that it's not actually good for a code to keep on growing longer, and the code collapses in on itself once it reaches a certain length.
Ancient Rune	1	2	This virus can be found in the Deep Level - Core. This highly abstracted virus comprised of at least half non-New Eridu language appears at first glance to be a string of garbled code. This virus does not break systems but instead regularly assimilates system text into its unknown language. The author is an avid fan of history, which led to speculation that it used the old civilization language, and this was later proven to be an attention-grabbing lie.

Data Information

Name	Description
Journal (I)	Today's my first official day in the Defense Force — and my first day of owning this laptop. Mom bought me this thing to commemorate my enlistment. When she set it down before me, she was grumbling on about me jotting down everything that's easy to forget. It's kind of a pain, if I'm honest. But I really am that forgetful... My very first day, I earned a reprimand from the officers for leaving my weapon back at base. Maybe mom was right — so that's why I've decided to keep track of what's going on, whenever I can find the time. Mom even asked me to write down our home phone number so I wouldn't forget what it was and fail to call her... She doesn't seem to realize that maybe I just might not want to call back home every single day. ...Speaking of which, what's our home phone number again?
Journal (II)	I've been in the Diamond Division for a while now, but it hasn't all been smooth sailing. I didn't sign up for the forces to handle urban defense and armed militants. What I wanted to do was infiltrate the Hollows, using absolute firepower to suppress Ethereals and guarantee the Hollow never expands... But the brass never want to transfer me to the Obsidian Division, no matter how many times I apply. Is it my Ether Aptitude that sucks, or my combat experience that's too green? Plus I really am terrible at forgetting things, and I've been a laughing stock several times now. They even gave me this nickname, "Spacebar"... Everyone else has way cooler nicknames than me. For how long do I have to remain a private second-class here?
Journal (III)	I know the Diamond Division is huge, but I never thought I'd see the day we recruited big iron fighters in. During a joint exercise today with another battalion, there was this big iron fighter who could swat me away with the palm of his hand. If Eridu has mechs this powerful, then why do they still have to recruit normal people like me into the Defense Force? Eighty percent of the actors playing looters were rounded up by the big iron fighter, and even I got stunned just coming up against a thug. I've been really depressed and haven't wanted to call anyone back home, so I just tell mom I can't remember the number. But I wrote it down good and proper, and stuck it to the back of my computer screen. Anyway, I was crestfallen after today's exercise when that big iron fighter plucked a flower, gave it to me, and even gave me a slap on the back. I feel as though I may have broken a few ribs, but it's also perked me up a little bit.
Journal (IV)	I went on a joint mission with the Obsidian Division and witnessed up close their in-Hollow combat prowess... It's nothing like I could ever hope to attain. I feel so frustrated. The Obsidian captain was this heroic but reliable man (whose codename I can't quite remember), and he'd come support me every time I made a mistake, laughing to break up any embarrassment. It didn't feel like he was laughing at me when he listened to my problems, so I sought him out for a chat after the mission. I never expected him to recognize me from all my transfer requests... He told me that no matter what position we're in, we can all be good soldiers by playing our role to the limits that we can. He told me he believed I could one day make a breakthrough. Lights went out a while back but I can't sleep. I joined the Defense Force to serve and protect the people of Eridu, not for merit and military prestige... When exactly did I forget that?
Journal (V)	I did it. During today's raid on the armed militants, I remembered that piece of advice from the Obsidian captain and stuck to my position as ordered by the chief. Their fleeing leader just so happened to pick me out as his escape route, so my comrade and I locked into fierce battle against the enemy leader. I'm not sure when, but my companions all lost their capacity to fight as only I could take up arms. I put all my effort into defeating him. I did it. Even now, my hands are still trembling... The chief told me that I'd earn the highest commendation for capturing the top bad guy, but what made me even happier was how I could actually keep up in combat with those outstanding soldiers I'd seen. The blade I held in my hand could still bring peace to all in Eridu. Mom was extra happy to hear from me after not calling home in so long. I think it would be nice to stay on at the Diamond Division a little longer.
Journal (VI)	We're out on a joint excursion today with the Chrysoberyl Division. While they survey and develop new sites, we'll help them bust through the surrounding armed forces blocking the area. Combat has clearly become far more enjoyable for me since pulling down that merit last time. But I must be getting too big for my boots because I somehow found myself behind enemy lines and in a precarious situation... Luckily the Chrysoberyl sniper made a decisive intervention, creating the perfect chance for me to escape. On the voice channel, that sniper reminded me to stay calm and not let the blood rush to my head, no matter the situation. I think it's another lesson that I've learned here and despite it being from someone whose codename I've forgotten, I could never forget those piercing crystal eyes. I called mom again once I got back. I think I've been feeling a little homesick.
Journal (VII)	I've been feeling more homesick ever since I called home last time, so I booked in for three days of short leave. I had my ticket bought and everything, but a mission came up while waiting for the bus out, so I immediately assembled for support. By the time I got back, the bus had already departed — and tickets were sold out for the next three days. I called to tell mom I couldn't make it back, but she just thought I didn't want to come home and picked a fight with me. I promised her that I'd stay longer next time I get a long break and that pretty much patched things up. I really miss home, but at least I've protected the peace for Eridu so it can't all be that bad, right... Anyway, there'll always be my next vacation. On the way back, I bumped into a rabble of citizens all dressed kinda weird not far from the base, muttering on about their resolute faith and becoming refined or something... Are these kinds of heretics still around these days? I don't feel like I've seen their base of activities around here... When I asked, they said they're holding a small-scale rally here. They mentioned The Order by name, but I still don't remember what... I'll have to take a notebook out with me next time. I'll put these three days into more training, then.
Journal (VIII)	Let this journal I wrote be proof of my survival and continued existence. An unprecedented Hollow disaster has swallowed up the entire block as far as the eye can see. I am not certain of anywhere in Eridu that could harbor survivors. Our camp was completely engulfed by the Hollow and most of my comrades would have been bombarded by high-concentration Ether corruption with almost zero warning or preparation. They'll all be Ethereals now. Anybody not corrupted will have been killed by Ethereals. Realizing that no reinforcements are coming and that I am now doomed, I'm the only one who managed to retreat from the frontline and find anti-corruption supplies. It's safe for now, in here — but how long can I hold out for? Will support ever arrive? And more important of all: How widespread was the fallout from this disaster? My comrades, they have all fallen. But what about my family? What about the everyday citizens of Eridu? What am I going to do?!
Journal (IX)	It's been hard to sleep every night lately. Last night was really hard to support, so I took a little nap. I'm alone in this safety zone, with Ether crystals forming on the windows outside and Ethereals stalking about. When I close my eyes, the pained faces of my comrades just prior to their deaths flash before me as if I'd just witnessed it there and then. Why did they have to die like that? Am I going to turn into that kind of thing too? Flooded with thoughts like these, I found myself somehow lost in a dream after lord knows how long, dreaming of my comrades on that day who were still shrieking out in pain... But apart from that, I could still make out a few familiar faces in the distance. It was that Order I'd stumbled across on vacation... Or was I hallucinating? Why would they still be lurking around here days after the rally finished? ...A nasty thought popped into my head. Why wasn't I able to cross-examine them more that day? Why was I so stupid, that I couldn't even remember their names? Did my release that day breed all of this? I have to trace it back... before my anti-corruption supplies run out, before reinforcements arrive...
Journal (X)	Only a few more anti-corruption supplies were left. I kept searching for more traces of that organization, but nothing came from it... Hunger and loneliness gnaw away at my spirit... All those times I've thought about leaving here and seeking help, hoping to call home and confess to her how torturous it is here... But I couldn't do it. I met some Defense Force colleagues mid-evac. They were all seriously wounded... It seems like over 10 batches were dispatched for support inside the Hollow, but judging by their wounds they're fighting for their lives themselves. They have Carrots and intel. Thank goodness the disaster didn't take out the whole of Eridu. My family is still safe... They've used up all their anti-corruption supplies, so they invited me to evacuate with them. I stuffed whatever remained for them to take, but they never bothered to tell me about the impending Ethereal attack and just scattered. That's fine. I planned on staying here anyway. Perhaps... if my lackadaisical attitude really did cause this tragedy, then... Every night, my comrades are going to climb up here into this room in their dreams, stacked full of Ether crystals, and ask me why it was they had to die... And I have to take full responsibility.
Journal (XI)	Ether is corrupting my body, and it's corrupting this laptop, too. I'm not sure when, but it got infected by a virus somewhere along the way... Maybe before all this disaster stuff went down. In these circumstances, there's nothing you can do once you've got a virus. It's getting hard for me to stand up, but I'm gradually getting less afraid. The captain's words pop up in my head all the time, now. I am a soldier, and I will follow my mission to the limits that I can. Now, every time I close my eyes I bow deeply in apology to the fallen comrades plaguing me before I start to remember that religious Order. I kept replaying in my head the conversation that I had with them on my day off, over and over again. "Chant."[Note 1] I can't remember its full name, only this one word. And if you keep on searching for progress... You'll always find a way out of the Hollows. As the corruption ravaged through me, I discovered my old phone number stuck to the back of the computer. I don't know why, but this string of numbers is indelibly clear to me right now. I know it by heart. ...I want to go home, but that's no longer a luxury I can ever hope to afford.
Journal (XII)	This is my final journal entry. After all, I can't find anyone from that Order and my body has already reached its limit. If I'd known my Ether aptitude was so high, I should've insisted on applying for the Obsidian Division a long time ago. Traces of recent human activity found nearby indicate that this disaster was not of natural causes. This may just be my limit reached. I have to get out of here without relying on my Carrot. Only by leaving this Hollow can I spread the gospel of The Order. I'll leave the laptop down here... If I can't make it out, then I hope this journal can one day be discovered by someone. Afraid of hindsight, a flood of emotions rushed up. I tried to wipe away the tears, but found the teardrops had already crystallized into Ether. I miss you lots, mom. I wonder how she's doing right now? I wish I could've gone back home on my last vacation. I've been slowly strolling through these lonely Hollows for days now, and the Ether crystals clustered to the edges of the rubble make it seem like a kind of fairyland. I hope one day, I can find the end.

Trivia

• Dazzling Dollie is a reference to Dolly the sheep, the first mammalian clone.

Notes