The interrogation didn’t last too long, and thanks to Volcan taking over the man’s NIM, Dante was able to finish things in relative silence. Unfortunately, the man didn’t have a lot to say.
Calling him a henchman would be an exaggeration. He was more of an informant—a lookout tasked with watching a certain area and reporting in case something unusual happened. All he had was that address, but with no confirmation on what happens there, only an idiot would go there to check.
Sitting at the edge of the bed, Dante examined the gun he was ambushed with. It was a much better model compared to the one he got from Larry, but it wasn’t to his liking, and since it would get him only some pocket change at most he had no plans on taking it. He was going to toss it when a red line washed over it.
[Dante, would you like to store this item?] Volcan asked.
[I asked if you would like to store this item?]
Closing his eyes, Dante massaged the bridge of his nose and sighed.
’I’m asking what you meant by that.’
[Was I not clear enough?]
[I think I understand what seems to be the problem.] The AI spoke just as Dante let out another sigh. [As you have been busy since you woke up fourteen hours ago, we did not have a chance to discuss all of my functions, which left you unaware of some.]
[Yes. For example, the Storage function allows you to store items in an extra-dimensional space for later use.]
[Would you like me to demonstrate?]
No sooner had he thought those words than the gun in his hand vanished. A second later, Dante’s eyes snapped wide open.
[The item has been stored.] Volcan said.
A new window popped up on Dante’s OAM.
[This space is separate from the ones used to store armor. It can carry up to 99 tons, though I advise not testing its capacity. Also, the space does not contain the properties necessary to support life so it is advisable to avoid placing living beings inside.]
’Huh... So... I can store anything inside as long as it’s not alive?’
Dante went silent, his mind still lagging as it tried to understand this new function the relic turned out to have. For some reason, he struggled with the concept. After some time, his eyes shifted to the man lying on the ground.
Still tied to the chair, he remained motionless, his face frozen in an expression of excruciating pain, eyes rolled into the back of his head.
Placed right beside one’s brain, Neural Interface Modules were quite the dangerous implant. Countless safety measures were put in place to prevent them from causing damage to the user, but if one were to find ways to bypass them, they would have the ability to cause irreparable damage to just about anyone.
In the few hours since he met him, Volcan had suggested overheating people’s NIMs on more than one occasion. Once he was done with Rechy, Dante took him up on that offer. The man died with his mouth still sealed, his pained screams unheard.
[Yes.] Understanding the order without him having to voice it, the AI gave some instructions. [Physical contact is necessary to activate the storage function. Please place your hands on the object you wish to move to the storage.]
Heaving a sigh, Dante got up and knelt before the dead man. He placed his hand on him and watched as neon green lines spread out from it, slowly forming a net on the man’s body. Ten seconds later, the gangster was gone along with the chair he was tied to, leaving behind nothing but a wet floor.
’That took a while...’
[The time required to move an object into the storage space depends on its size, density, and the complexity of its composition.] Volcan said. [Type 8-4 can compress the needed time, however-]
’It would tear me apart if I wore it, huh?’
[I would describe it as braking your frail organic body.]
’I... don’t think I see the difference.’
Despite it being long past midnight, the sky above Factory Town remained strangely bright. Not as bright as during the day, but it was still bright for how it should have been at such an hour.
The phenomenon wasn’t limited to that side of Neo-Vatra—one could still see the bright night sky from anywhere in the city. Still, it was much more prevalent in areas near Westpoint fabrication ward.
Liliana could only stare in awe at the strange sight. More than once before, she had heard about how cruel it was that people could no longer see the stars due to both air and light pollution. It was a terrible loss, sure, but somehow she felt that the trade wasn’t so bad. If only it didn’t result in other complications, like the countless diseases the names of which she could never memorize.
The sound of the door opening banished whatever thoughts were on her mind. It hadn’t been that long since she was told to wait outside. She wasn’t so naive that she couldn’t guess why, and she intended on interfering if things were to get gruesome, but things had been strangely quiet for a while.
"Is it over?" She asked.
"Yeah." He, the boy whose hair was the same color as hers, gave a solemn reply. "Let’s get out of here before his friends arrive."
Somehow it felt like he was in an even worse mood than before. Though she wanted to ask what he learned from the man, Liliana decided to keep her silence for the time being. Thankfully, she didn’t have to wait too long.
"An abandoned plant..."
She was about to suggest heading there right away but quickly stopped herself. That sounded like an idea that would get her called stupid again.
"So... what should we do now?" She asked, having decided it would be for the best if she left the planning to him.
"I’m still thinking..."
They still had more gangsters to question, but that felt unnecessary at this point. If they could locate one of the senior members then maybe that would give them more concrete information, but that was easier said than done.
As she tried to think of something to say, Liliana suddenly felt her body being pulled to the side. A drone she hadn’t noticed was passing over the sidewalk they were in so they had to retreat into a nearby alleyway. The second it passed them, her red-haired partner spoke up.
"I need you to do something." He said, looking her straight in the eyes.