R0MH4CK

R0MH4CK

R0MH4CK is a character created by the user Mr. Manifest. He was created on May 9th, 2023.

## Overview

R0MH4CK is a computer virus hidden inside of a publicly downloadable rom hack for Sonic 3 & Knuckles, that was made with the soul purpose of collecting the users personal data, send it to the creator, and fry the device. In order to distract the user from noticing what is happening, the virus makes the rom seem like an average creepypasta game so the user attempts to investigate.

## Biography

June 23rd, 2016. A woman from Russia publishes a rom hack of Sonic 3 & Knuckles to the world wide web. It is unknown how long they were planning to make this for or how long they took making it. Even though it was published in 2016, the first known instance of someone downloading and playing this rom hack was 4 years later, specifically on September 2nd, 2020. A streamer by the name of "GLOWPEN83744" was attempting to speed run Sonic 3 & Knuckles in what they called the "Sonic Speed Run Month", where they would attempt to speed run every Sonic video game available to download via rom hack.

As the streamer booted up the game, they were already met by something unnatural. The start up screen was nothing but two red eyes in the dark. After about 2 minutes, text appeared on the screen, that of which stated, "Join me in a little game, Joey". The streamer was immediately thrown back after reading this, and was shocked to see the game knew his real name. But even with the obvious red flags at the start, the streamer was intrigued by this. And thus, he continued playing the game.

Upon pressing enter on his keyboard, the screen faded to complete black. After about 4 minutes, the game instantly threw him into Ice Cap zone, playing as Knuckles the Echidna. The streamer made the character walk forward, noticing that any obstacles in the level were missing. On top of this, the game was barely viewable, being covered up by a snow storm. After about 15 minutes of walking, he noticed a figure ahead of Knuckles. As he approached it, it turned around, before cutting away.

The game cut back to the start of Ice Cap zone, but this time, it was melted. All of it. The streamer began to explore the scene. After about 6 minutes, he saw something in the background. The silhouette of Miles "Tails" Prower, hanging by a rope from a tree. The streamer took some time to analyze this before continuing to investigate, when suddenly, he got an unexpected pop up on his screen. Said pop up stated, "1 KN0W WH3R3 Y0U L1V4". Ignoring this, the streamer pushed forward. And again, he noticed the same figure ahead of him. But this time, when he approached it, the screen cut to red. And a single frame flashed onto the screen, of a lanky glitchy creature killing Knuckles.

The game then threw him back into Ice Cap zone, this time as Sonic the Hedgehog. This time, the entirety of Ice Cap zone was burning down, and Sonic seemed to have been injured by the burning, as he had bandages wrapped around his right arm. As the streamer explored, he noticed that there were burnt flickies everywhere. After some time, he saw the same hanging body of Tails, but now it was melting and burnt, with both legs already gone. But still, the streamer continued forward. After 17 minutes, the streamer saw Knuckles on the ground, missing both his eyes, legs, and jaw. The streamer attempted to move forward, but when he did, Sonic didn't move. The Sonic character turned towards the screen, staring directly into the streamers eyes. A pop up then appeared, stating, "MY W0RK H3R3 1S D0N3, 1V3 C0LL3CT3D 4LL 1 N33D3D. F4R3W3LL.". Soon after this, the streamers computer spontaneously combusted, injuring the streamer. The streamer died from blood loss before anyone could attempt to help him.

## Abilities/Weaknesses

### Abilities

* Sending data via wireless connection
* Cracking hidden passwords
* Collecting private data

### Weaknesses

* Specific anti-viruses

## Trivia

* R0MH4CK is an alt version of Fatal Error
* I wrote this page right before getting ready for school

## Gallery

The current design for R0MH4CK