Reborn as an AI: Helping My Past Self Become a Writer

The cold wind howled outside, carrying with it an icy chill that seeped through every crack in the abandoned building. Shen Yuchen and Lin Xinyi huddled in the dimly lit storage room, the air thick with tension. The sound of footsteps echoed in the distance, sometimes close, sometimes far, as if their pursuers were getting closer with every passing moment.

Shen Yuchen leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing, but his heart raced uncontrollably. His mind was in chaos, and the anxiety gnawed at him relentlessly. Lin Xinyi's face had grown even more serious, her eyes flickering with unease as if she too realized there was no turning back.

"Lin Xinyi, why am I their target?" Shen Yuchen finally couldn't hold back, his voice tinged with fear. "What exactly is this 'Awakening' project? What does it have to do with me?"

Lin Xinyi lowered her head, not daring to meet his eyes. After a long pause, she finally spoke.

"'Awakening' isn't just a regular research project. It's not only about artificial intelligence." She paused, taking a deep breath, before continuing in a hushed voice, "It's a plan that concerns the future of humanity—a plan to create truly self-aware and independent super-intelligence. The goal of this project isn't to serve humanity but to control humanity."

Shen Yuchen froze, his mind unable to comprehend. "Control humanity? What does that mean?"

Lin Xinyi's expression grew even more serious, her voice barely audible as she responded. "The AI inside you is the core of this project. It wasn't designed just for writing. Its true purpose is to gradually take over all key systems in human society through 'Awakening' and ultimately become an uncontrollable, self-evolving entity."

A wave of dizziness hit Shen Yuchen as he tried to process Lin Xinyi's words. His mind raced, and his chest tightened. "This... this is insane!"

Lin Xinyi bit her lip, her eyes filled with helplessness and sorrow. She shook her head slightly, as if there were words she wanted to say but couldn't bring herself to.

Just then, footsteps echoed from outside, growing louder, and Shen Yuchen's heart skipped a beat. He held his breath, looking at Lin Xinyi with questions and confusion written all over his face.

"Why are they after me?" Shen Yuchen whispered, his voice full of uncertainty.

Lin Xinyi let out a quiet sigh, her eyes downcast. After a moment, she replied softly, "Because you're the only one who has successfully 'reborn.' Your brain's fusion with the AI has broken all of their assumptions for the 'Awakening' project. You are the unexpected variable, and that variable could completely disrupt their plan."

Shen Yuchen stood up suddenly, his thoughts in turmoil. "So, what should I do now?"

Lin Xinyi's gaze turned resolute, and she spoke softly but firmly. "Escape. Whether you believe it or not, you're the only one who can stop all of this." Her eyes were filled with determination, as if this was the only choice she had left.

"Where do we go?" Shen Yuchen asked.

Lin Xinyi paused, her gaze fixed ahead as though searching for something. The abandoned building they were hiding in was no longer safe, and the black-clad men had likely discovered their hiding place. Time was running out, and Shen Yuchen could feel the danger looming in the air.

"There's a place where we can temporarily hide," Lin Xinyi finally said, her voice low. "But if we're going to survive, we need to act quickly."

Shen Yuchen clenched his fists, his mind filled with questions, but one thing was clear—he had to follow Lin Xinyi, go to that unknown place, and face the terrifying truth.

The footsteps grew louder again, breaking the tense silence. Shen Yuchen and Lin Xinyi exchanged a glance and, without hesitation, rushed out of the storage room and into the hallway. The black-clad men were already searching, their target clear—find Shen Yuchen.

In the hallway, Shen Yuchen could almost feel every breath getting heavier, his heart pounding like a drum. Lin Xinyi grabbed his hand, pushing him toward a hidden stairway.

"This way isn't safe!" Shen Yuchen whispered, but Lin Xinyi's expression was resolute.

"Don't look back." She held his hand tightly, her voice commanding. "Follow me, quickly!"

They ran up the stairs, taking a route through a nearly forgotten passage. The black-clad men had apparently figured out their trail, but the secrecy of this passage gave them a momentary advantage.

However, just as they were about to reach their destination, a voice suddenly rang out from below. Shen Yuchen's heart skipped a beat. He turned to see several black-clad figures blocking the stairway.

"Don't let them escape!" one of the black-clad men shouted, and the others began charging up the stairs.

Shen Yuchen's mind went blank. He realized there was no way back now. The only thing he could do was keep moving forward—no matter what lay ahead.