Cyberpunk: Ultimate Cyborg System-Chapter 459: It’s Time To Stop.
Author’s Note:
I was dissatisfied with how the story was developing, so I went back and rewrote the previous Chapter.
That means those who read the previous Chapter the day it came out (Wednesday) will have to go back and reread it.
Please accept my most sincere apologies.
Hopefully, the new Chapter feels like an improvement on the previous version.
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[
Implant: RespiraCore Series V (D) has been upgraded to RespiraCore Series VI (C)
Implant: Ares Iron Cage (B) has been upgraded to Ares Iron Cage (A)
Implant: Ares Iron Fiber (B) has been upgraded to Ares Iron Fiber (A)
Implant: Ares IronPulse Engine (B) has been upgraded to Ares IronPulse Engine (A)
Implant: NephroCore Series X (D) has been upgraded to NephroCore Series XI (C)
Implant: NutrimaCore Complete Series X (C) has been upgraded to NutrimaCore Complete Series XI (B)
Implant: Voxcore Series X (C) has been upgraded to Voxcore Series XI (B)
Implant: Suzuka’s Modular Bionic Interface (Arms) (S) has been upgraded to Suzuka’s Modular Bionic Interface (Arms) (SS)
Implant: Suzuka’s Skull Guard (A) has been upgraded to Suzuka’s Skull Guard (S)
Strength: 32 → 52
Durability: 64 → 86
Agility: 42 → 52
Dexterity: 65 → 82
Computing Power: 45 → 48
Energy: 50/50 → 70/70
]
~[ ]~
Dante’s eyes snapped open, and his body sprang up. His perception shot up to the max, and his eyes scanned the surroundings, searching for enemies. He soon spotted a familiar face, which prompted him to take another look at his surroundings. Drawing in a deep breath, he exhaled, sat down, and slowed down his perception back to normal levels.
"MOTHERFU-"
Larry flinched back into his chair, leaning back so much that he almost fell. Barely managing to regain his balance, he looked in Dante’s direction, his eyes wide open until he spotted him.
"For fuck’s sake." He clicked his tongue. "Couldn’t you wake up in a normal way?"
"Sorry about that. I had a... bad dream..."
Noticing that his voice was a little off, Dante reached up to touch his throat, but stopped halfway through. His hand came within sight, and what he saw struck a powerful, uncanny feeling in his mind.
The white skin full of cuts and calluses was gone, and in its place, a ghastly, skeletal frame remained, like gray bone polished to the point that each part became sharp and angular. Each finger ended in a sharp point, appearing like a series of ice picks. When he tried to move them, the motion was smooth but mechanical, creating faint clangs whenever the parts touched.
Dante was a little confused by the way the fingers were able to move. They were extremely thin, and the joints weren’t that much bigger, making it difficult to believe there are actuators set in those parts.
’They won’t just snap... right?’
[Each joint can produce several tons of force. Your concern is unwarranted.]
’Oooh...’
[Good morning, Dante.] Said Volcan. [The upgrades have been successful.]
’It seems so...’
"Your Voxcore first." Said Larry. "You might need to fine-tune it to get the right voice."
[I will get to it right away.] Volcan said. [It is done.]
"Aa... aa... aaa..." Dante made a few sounds, as if testing his Vocal cords. "This is much better."
"That was fast." Said Larry. "I thought it would take you a couple of days to get it right."
"These things are amazing. You can barely tell the difference. Feels natural, too."
Dante wasn’t very interested in voice synthesizers before, but having regained the ability to speak, he couldn’t deny the sense of relief he got from it. Unfortunately, that relief was drowned by the discomfort from seeing his new hands and arms.
"Feels weird, right?" Larry asked.
"Yeah..."
"You should see yourself in the mirror. It’s a bit funny, not gonna lie."
The doctor wasn’t laughing as he moved to light up a cigarette. The ashtray beside him showed that he had smoked more than a couple of packs already.
A full-body mirror was conveniently waiting in the corner, so Dante decided to check himself. He noticed right away that his balance was a little off, which was only natural, seeing how he just had all of his internal organs replaced.
’I might have to practice a little...’
Quickly finding his footing, Dante walked over to the mirror, and what he saw explained Larry’s earlier comment. The MIBs were almost bone thin, so he looked like someone who had all the muscles in both arms. They looked a bit comical, especially with their docks making his shoulders appear wider. He sure hadn’t skipped leg day at the gym, but the same can’t be said about those arms.
Jokes aside, the bionic arms had a rather menacing appearance. They didn’t have the usual alloy plating, which hid complex components underneath. Instead, they were sleek and compact, and if not for the joints and sockets spread across their length, one wouldn’t be faulted for thinking they’re just molded pieces of metal locked in place.
"So? Are you going to say it or what?"
As he moved his new arms, checking the range of their movement, Dante glanced at the doctor’s reflection in the mirror.
"They’re MBIs, so it’s clear you aren’t going to use them like that." Said Larry. "Do you have something that requires them? An attachable weapon of some sort? Or is it a power suit?"
As obvious as it was, Dante didn’t like that his plan could be seen through so easily. He opened his Status screen and looked through it, and a moment later, a smile formed on his face.
"Well, I might just use them like this." He said, looking over his shoulder. "It might not look like it, but I’m Level 3 now."
"... you serious?" Larry gave him a dubious look, leaving the ashes to fall from his half-burnt cigarette. "Level 3? With those chickenless bones for arms?"
"Hard to believe, right?"
If Volcan were to be believed, those arms could easily punch through reinforced concrete and even some alloys. With how sharp the fingers are, Dante could see himself impaling people without effort.
"Well, damn." Said Larry. "That’s actually pretty impressive."
"Yeah, but it doesn’t look like I can make the most out of them with my legs still being basic."
"Oh, you’re definitely gonna need to get them replaced soon." Puffing a white cloud, Larry pointed the cigarette at Dante’s legs. "Those knees won’t hold for long when you’re carrying all that weight. Not when you’re running around like a brat high on sugar."
"Really now?" Dante looked at the mirror again. "Well, let’s hope they don’t break before Suzuka is done with the next batch."
"The next batch, huh?" Noticing that only the cigarette butt remained in his hand, Larry pressed it into the ashtray and leaned back into his chair, sighing. "Your Basic Retention is already below 50%. That makes you a Level 3 Ascended Cyborg."
"Yeah." Dante turned to face him. "So?"
Larry held his gaze.
"Don’t you think it’s time to stop?" He said. "I know it’s not my place to say this, but there is a reason there aren’t that many full cyborgs running around. You have been rushing things way too much as well."
"You want me to slow down, doc?" Dante snorted. "After all of this?"
"I’m saying it because of all of that. You’ve been doing crazy shit when you could still get hurt. But now? I can’t even imagine the kind of mess you’ll get yourself in." Larry hung his head and heaved a long sigh. "Besides, now that you’re Level 3, the BEO will start taking you seriously."
"Level 3, huh?" Turning back to face the camera, Dante took a deep breath and gave a mental command. "Sorry, doc. I never planned on stopping here."
Threads of light burst out of his chest, but instead of enveloping his entire body, they wrapped themselves around his new bionic arms.
