We communicate in code.
— Shayna Dempsey
Narrator's Note:
"What's up with the numbers on the title pages in this novel?"
I'm glad you asked!
"Nobody asked. You're the one typing this."
Right. I'm also the one explaining it.
A Bitcoin seed phrase can be encoded as a string of numbers to use in a simpler QR code which can be drawn by hand. This format is known as Compact Seed QR.
Each 4 digit number within the long string of numbers represents a word from the BIP39 seed word list. For example, 1558 represents the word "security."
Here's the translation for the long number found in the scene "Noah's Stark Reality" from Chapter 8:
15580228194310011135...
Break it into 4 digit chunks:
1558 0228 1943 1001 1135 ...
Those numbers represent these words:
security broken very large mistake ...
Of course, a real Bitcoin seed phrase should consist of random words.
Here's what the rest of the codes found throughout the novel mean. They're intended to look like standard 12 word Bitcoin seed phrases, but they're intentionally borked to make them invalid, for safety reasons. If you haven't read the story, please know there are spoilers below:
Chapter 1: 0051 1559 1310 0018 1208 0658 0158 1366 1431 1310 1431 0543
all seed phrase across novel false because print real phrase real dumb
Chapter 2: 1329 0228 0532 1710 0638 1791 1336 0614 0292 1519 1166 0345
plate broken dream still exist that poem error cause sadness mushroom cloud
Chapter 3: 1948 1078 1678 0536 1078 1754 0536 1078 0845 0885 1371 1209
vicious man spike drink man swap drink man have huge problem now
Chapter 4: 0786 0937 0872 0693 1559 1310 1793 0341 0261 0443 0443 1036
girl inside home find seed phrase then click camera danger danger baby
Chapter 5: 0960 1022 0051 2041 1182 1059 0051 1821 1209 1192 1037 1791
job lemon all you need love all together now never like that
Chapter 6: 0780 0786 1541 1431 1647 0595 1180 1488 1859 1943 1431 0443
ghost girl scheme real social engine near ring trick very real danger
Chapter 7: 0822 0045 0360 1766 1431 0803 1905 0085 1532 0159 1824 1532
grocery aisle code system real good until apple sauce become tomato sauce
Chapter 8: 0081 1237 0106 0003 0363 2041 1535 1206 2041 0556 0596 1558
any one ask about coin you say nothing you easily enhance security
Chapter 9: 0367 0300 0048 1943 0133 0786 1535 1192 0037 0786 0058 1030
combine cereal alcohol very awful girl say never again girl also liar
Chapter 10: 0801 2036 1866 1716 1168 1330 1054 0761 1090 1919 0658 0482
goddess write true story must play long game marriage useful false detail
Chapter 11: 1798 0307 0071 0786 1015 0406 1963 1119 0845 1146 1109 1849
this chapter angry girl leave crazy voice message have monster melt town
Chapter 12: 0786 1209 1674 1368 1810 2041 0991 1798 1716 1464 1160 1519
girl now spend prison time you know this story require much sadness
Chapter 13: 0801 1958 1368 0787 0782 1208 1431 1209 0780 0845 1099 1371
goddess visit prison give gift novel real now ghost have maximum problem
Postscript: 1798 1208 1780 1960 1027 2041 0974 0363 1556 2041 1703 1520
this novel teach vital lesson you keep coin secret you stay safe
Coda: 1791 0696 1984 1984 1263 0197 0123 0845 0752 1231 1790 2041
that finish way way over board author have fun okay thank you