HACKED: CODE X

CHAPTER 9: RISKS

"You're the guy from yesterday." Sabi ko habang sinusundan s'ya ng tingin hanggang sa s'ya ay makaupo sa tabi nu'ng lalaking nadatnan ko rito.

"Yep." Simpleng sabi n'ya.

Kaya pala alam n'ya kung saan ako imi-meet. Pero,

"Paano mo nalaman 'yung bagong gawa kong email? Even my name." I then asked.

"I am already in my 4th year of taking the course in Cyber Security and Information Technology at our school. I am also confident in saying that my knowledge in hacking is extensive." He said seriously as he brushed aside his hair.

Nakatitig lang ako sa kan'ya na parang hindi ako makapaniwala sa nangyayari.

"I'm Ascen." He said. "Enigma is my code name in dark web."

My eyes widened. "Dark Web? So ibig mong sabihin nagda-dive ka ro'n?" Takang tanong ko.

"Yes, me too. Actually, we have been diving into the dark web for years now, and so far, nothing unusual has happened. We're still doing fine. I don't know about Ascen though, he might be hiding some injuries like a toe missing or something." Sabat nu'ng lalaking nakaupo sa sofa na nasa harapan ko.

"Stop it, idiot. I am more secured than you," Ascen said seriously. "And this is Evander, his code name on the dark web." Pagpapakilala n'ya naman sa lalaking nadatnan ko kanina.

"Hindi ka nagkakamali d'yan par. But my real name is Rune Eldric Montego, just call me Rune. I'm already in my 3rd year of the Data Structures and Algorithms course. In case you didn't know, I'm one of the most handsome guys in our school, and Ascen here is very ugly compared to me." He arrogantly said.

Aba yabang.

"Sorry about him." Ascen said. "Let's get back to the purpose of your visit here." He said, looking at me. "I overheard your conversation with your adviser yesterday, and I noticed that the issue with your phone is not ordinary." He continued. "In fact, I had tampered with your phone yesterday, but with your Professor's consent. I admitted that I also didn't know how to unlock it."

He adjusted his sitting position on the sofa.

"But the truth is, there is a possibility that I can help you."

"Really?" Tanong ko.

I felt a surge of hope upon hearing that.

He nodded. "However, I won't be able to unlock it immediately. What I want to convey is that we need to identify the person responsible and hack their device to recover all the contents of your phone." He said.

"Ascen is right. It will take some time before we can unlock your phone and retrieve everything. Plus, there are associated risks." Rune added. "Those kinds of hackers can only be found on the dark web." He concluded.

Kinilabutan naman ako sa sinabi n'ya.

Ako? Papasok sa dark web?

"Kung gusto mo talagang mabawi mo accounts mo, you have to take all the risks. Tsaka kasama mo naman kami ni Ascen, we can help you." Rune said.

I heaved a deep sigh.

"Pero bakit gusto n'yo akong tulungan? I don't even know the both of you that well." I said.

Napasapo naman si Rune sa dibdib n'ya at kunwaring nasasaktan.

"Aray ko naman Gwyn, sikat ako sa school natin tapos hindi mo ako kilala." Sarkastikong sabi n'ya.

May sira ata ulo nito.

"Stop it jerk." Putol ni Ascen. "The thing is, the reason I entered the dark web five years ago was because my phone also got hacked, and I lost all my emails and accounts. But unlike you, I was already aware that it could happen to me because I had been studying hacking for a long time, although I wasn't as secure back then compared to now," Ascen explained.

"Since I entered the dark web and recovered the contents of my phone, hindi na ako natigil sa pagda-dive. Pero ngayon, the purpose of my hacking knowledge and diving is to lure hackers with bad intentions and expose those who use them to steal information from big companies and innocent individuals." He added.

Ngayon nagiging malinaw na sa akin lahat.

"Another reason, Gwyn, is that last year, there was an organization that gained popularity on the dark web, but no one knows who they are. They are known for crimes such as human trafficking, cyber espionage, black market operations, financial manipulation, and various others. Both Ascen and I want to uncover their identities, even though it puts our lives at risk." Rune explained.

Marahan lang akong nakikinig sa kanilang dalawa.

"Until now, we're still searching for a way to uncover their true identities. But while we're pursuing that, we want to help you first," Ascen stood up. "We won't force you if you're afraid, pero kung mero'n ka nang sapat na lakas ng loob, Rune and I will accompany you."

I watched Ascen as he adjusted his necktie.

"Don't worry, Gwyn. Hindi kita pababayaan don. I know how to fight back if we ever find ourselves in danger," Rune assured me. "And you know what? You're the first person Ascen ever told about what we're doing. He wanted to keep it a secret between the two of us. I thought maybe it wasn't just pity that made him approach you but because he likes you," he whispered and chuckled softly.

"Shut your mouth, you idiot," Ascen retorted and grabbed his bag. "I have to go first, I have a class at 1:30." He bid farewell and walked between Rune and me.

"Oh, by the way, Gwyn, don't worry about your bank account. I quickly found your name in the bank's information and immediately disabled it. The hacker won't be able to spend or take out a loan using your account," Ascen said. "I'll go now."

Naiwan naman kaming dalawa rito sa taas ni Rune. Gumaan na rin 'yung pakiramdam ko dahil sa ginawa naming pag uusap. At mas naliwanagan 'yung utak ko sa layunin nilang dalawa.

Nakakatuwa.

"Nga pala Gwyn, anong oras pasok mo?" Rune asked.

"2, ikaw?" Tanong ko.

"Wala na, tatambay nalang ako rito hanggang sa mapagpasyahan ko nang umuwi." Sagot n'ya. "Tsaka feel free sa pag tambay dito, pagmamay ari 'to nila Ascen."

Hindi naman ako makapaniwala sa narinig ko. "Totoo ba?"

Tumango s'ya. "Eto nagsisilbing headquarters naming dalawa bukod sa bahay. May kalayuan kasi kaya mas madalas kami dito kapag vacant naming dalawa." Dagdag n'ya. "Childhood friend ko rin s'ya, pero tumigil ako ng isang taon sa pag aaral nu'ng elementary kaya mas nauna s'ya ng isang taon sa pag aaral, and friends din parents namin." Pagkukwento n'ya pa.

"Kaya pala."

"Yep." Tumayo s'ya. "Kukuha akong miryenda sa baba, may gusto ka ba?" Tanong n'ya.

Mabilis akong umiling. "Nako wag na, babalik na rin ako sa school." Tanggi ko.

"Hatid kita? May motor ako." Alok n'ya.

Umiling ulit ako. "Salamat pero wag na, malapit lang naman." Tumayo na ako tsaka kinarga 'yung bag ko. "Salamat sa pagtanggap sa akin dito, mauuna na ako." Pagpapaalam ko sa kan'ya.

"Welcome ka rito lagi Gwyn, and ingat sa daan." Nakangiting sabi n'ya.

Tinanguan ko lang s'ya bago tuluyang bumaba ng hagdan.