Part Two · Prologue

Can dreams be real memories?

As the 22nd century hummed with the intricate ballet of quantum machinery, an enigmatic figure named Shoothis stood apart from the crowd. Once a legend in the realm of cybercrime, now a symbol of resistance, his story is not one of common progression. His journey is etched with dreams of a different era — a time when reality was grounded and the digital world had not yet conquered the human spirit.

Shoothis had not always been a master of digital realms. He had once been a practitioner of karate, living a life brimming with physical vigour and vitality. His nights were consumed by freedom and passion; his charm, coupled with his athletic grace, attracted many. But as his fascination with computers grew, he began to withdraw from his vibrant social life.

He replaced nights in clubs with nights in front of screens, diving deep into the complex world of hacking. His transformation distanced him from old circles, yet one memory of a woman — adorned with piercings and tattoos — lingered long in his mind.

With time, scarcity of income pushed him into the murkier corners of cyberspace. The advent of the DarkNet sparked a lucrative opportunity — one that promised riches beyond his wildest dreams. But a change was on the horizon.

Becoming a white-hat hacker marked a pivotal point in his journey, a transition brought about by a woman who would change his life. As he moved from exploiting vulnerabilities to protecting them, Shoothis found a new purpose. He became a guardian of the digital world.

But the reality of the 22nd century seemed far removed from the life he remembered. Each morning he woke, his vivid dreams of the past would dissipate into the cold, artificial air. The stark contrast between his dreams and his reality forced him to question his own existence. Can dreams be real memories?

This is his story — a blend of artificial recollections and real experiences, of life within the quantum network and beyond. As you delve deeper, you will begin to question the fabric of our reality, the nature of dreams and memories, and the profound impact of our digital existence. Welcome to Shoothis' world.