Cyberpunk: Ultimate Cyborg System-Chapter 609: Hell.
The world came into focus, and the silence made itself known. Realizing that he was now awake, Dante moved his head and looked around. It was a little strange for the ceiling not be the first thing he saw. His mind was a little late in recognizing where he was. It was only once he caught sight of the thing at the center of the room in front of him.
The object was cylindrical in shape, reaching to the ceiling like a large pillar. Made entirely from glass, one could see its contents, not that it was a pretty sight to behold. The container was filled with a clear solution, and a man was floating inside. His body was littered with scars and tattoos, the worst of which covered his head entirely. The lower half of his face was covered with multiple tubes attached to it. Some were attached to his arms and other parts of his body, while several cords were attached to the back of his head as well.
Jason was a living incarnation of the worst filth a human can become, and for that reason, Dante was adamant on prolonging his suffering for as long as possible. It was for that why he obtained all the bionics necessary to keep him alive, among which was a bionic heart of the highest grade, bionic lungs so he could continue to breathe no matter what, and an SRE to ensure no neural response could cause his brain to shut down.
The last implant was an MLP, one almost on the same level as his Overmind Cortical Interface Module. That was the most important piece. The plan required other components, like a preservation pod, which is usually used by rich fossils to prevent their dying bodies from decaying, pickling themselves in the hope that science would one day bring back their youth and grant them immortality. The last component was a supercomputer, one capable of handling complicated AIs and simulations.
After discussing the matter with Rose and getting her approval, the two decided that the worst punishment the skull-faced bastard could get was to experience everything he put his victims through, again and again and again, until the day his soul disintegrates. For that reason, they forced him into a simulation where he starts a new life, the first half of which is the best life anyone can wish for. He would get to grow with a loving family, form meaningful relationships, and build the stable life that has become a dream in today's world. Once he is at a point where he's content with his life, the second half would begin, and the bastard would lose all of it in the most gruesome way possible.
Hell was the name they chose for the simulation. It condensed an entire lifetime into just a couple of days by forcefully enhancing the prisoner's perception, though most lasted much shorter, since the skull-faced bastard tended to kill himself halfway through. To ensure that his mind doesn't break from all the suffering, the simulation would pause after each lifetime, giving Jason the chance to recover.
If there is one thing missing, it would be that they are incapable of erasing the memories of the simulated lifetimes to make each one a true fresh start. To get around that, and even though he didn't like it, Dante made it so the bastard would get to live a normal lifetime every few cycles, to give him hope that things would be better in the next life and ensure that he doesn't suspect that he's in Hell.
Larry handled installing all the implants and setting the preservation pod. Volcan was responsible for the creation of the simulation, as well as the AIs of all NPCs inhabiting it, having used the experience he gained from his attempts at creating a video game. Though she didn't agree with what they intended to do, Suzuka still allowed them to borrow her notes on the creation of human-like AIs. Dante understood how she felt, since the NPCs in the simulation would essentially be the same as her Kizuna. Nevertheless, he needed Jason to believe that the people around him were real.
It has been a week since Jason was put into the simulation. The first time, they used it to extract information about all those involved in Black Skull's doll house business, from those who maintained it to the sick pedophiles who sought the services it provided.
Dante spent the week hunting them down, and once he was done, he came back to witness everything happening inside the simulation himself. There were times when he was tempted to put an end to it, unable to watch the suffering the NPCs went through. He took that as confirmation that his plan was having the intended effect, and watching Jason's reaction to the atrocities his loved ones went through only helped cement that.
If only he could have tossed the rest of those sick bastards inside as well. Sadly, the resources needed to keep Hell going for one person were too much, so he had to be content with sending the rest to real hell.
[NEW MESSAGE]
[
Nobara: Boy, where are you?
Come home already.
It's already time.
]
Absentmindedly reading the message, Dante dismissed the app with a thought and went back to staring at the glass pod. More than once, he considered joining the simulation as a player instead of an invisible observer, just so he could torture the bastard himself. Even after all the killing, his anger refused to wane, and the darkness filling his heart and mind only grew deeper.
The filth in Neo-Vatra had been dealt with, but what about everywhere else? 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞
Dante had known about Black Skull's disgusting business for years, and yet he turned a blind eye to it. He was no hero, and saving people wasn't his call. He had his own goals to work toward, and the last thing he wanted was another diversion. Still, could he truly keep going, after everything that happened?
"Hannah…" his hoarse voice broke the silence of the simulation room. "What should I do?"
