The cache is not at the published coordinates
[This puzzle is designed to be solved on a computer/laptop. Attempting on a phone or tablet will make it very difficult, if not impossible.]
Butterfly 2207
On the 4th of January, 2012, an anonymous author posted a mysterious image on 4Chan. The image contained a message; "We are looking for highly intelligent individuals. To find them, we have devised a test." It started a month-long, internet-wide scavenger hunt that captured the attention of thousands upon thousands from across the globe. Although it was never discovered why Cicada 3301 was searching for intelligent individuals, some theorised it was the workings of a recruiting government intelligence organisation, such as the CIA, others that it was a secret society searching for like minded people with a digital skillset.
Cicada 3301 released two subsequent puzzles in the following years, but the third remains unsolved, and no more have been posted. It is unclear whether more will be created once the third is finally completed.
Some have quoted Cicada 3301 to be "the most elaborate and mysterious puzzle of the internet age". It has been ranked in the "top 5 eeriest, unsolved mysteries of the internet" by The Washington Post.
Despite the purpose of these enigmas being left up to speculation, their existence have left a legacy. A film directed by Alan Ritchson "Dark Web: Cicada 3301" is based off of the original puzzle. Even the United States Navy devised a recruitment scheme in 2014 called Project Architeuthis based off of the same methods used in 3301.
Although Cicada 3301 rests mysteriously in the internet, it is your turn to follow the decade old footsteps of past cryptographers to uncover a mystery of your own. Unlike the original, you will find something tangible at the end of your hunt. You do not need to be a digital expert to solve this scavenger hunt, but it will be difficult. Good luck with your metamorphic journey, I will see you fly on the other side.
-Butterfly
