Phoenix Protocol

For sixteen years, Matteo Vinci had suppressed a fiery secret. But when the prestigious Museo Egizio hires him to investigate a mysterious fire virus that threatens the museum's virtual reality exhibit, those buried flames roar back to life. To solve this mystery, Matteo has to dive into Viversi, a virtual reality game powered by the human subconscious and generative AI. Joined by his brother and friends-a tactical ice mage, a resourceful sniper, a movie-obsessed knight, and a psychologist rogue-Matteo races from cozy caffès to chaotic cityscapes. With a ticking clock on a bomb in the real world and in Viversi, Matteo must piece clues together while facing corrupted data-creatures, enigmatic System AIs, a massive fire giant, and the vengeful hacker known as Cipher. As if saving the world isn't stressful enough, he's also been adopted by a kitten, a puppy, a parakeet, and a giant white wolf with an exasperating attitude problem. Can Matteo uncover the link between an alien AI, a priceless amulet, and the very foundation of Viversi before the bomb destroys the museum and his career? Or will facing his past burn everyone he loves to ash? Perfect for fans of sci-fi mysteries, urban fantasy action, found family dynamics, and a reluctant hero.