While GIR was erasing the data, simultaneously saving it to the archive, Alex sat in the chair, staring wearily at the ceiling and smoking a cigarette. Thomas had managed to provide one useful lead—the name of a man tangled in this chaos: Yorinobu Arasaka, the second son of the Arasaka dynasty, the one who chose to tear down the corporation's empire instead of living a life of luxury.
Yorinobu had once founded a gang that sold Arasaka's corporate data, aiming to weaken its influence. Alex understood the man must have harbored intense hatred to go to such lengths.
But what had brought Yorinobu back to Arasaka now? Alex wondered if the «Mechanical Man» might have forced Yorinobu to return. A few theories swirled in his mind: maybe this figure had promised to help him destroy Arasaka in exchange for loyalty. Or perhaps Saburo Arasaka, fearing death, was willing to do anything to extend his life, planning to use his son's body. It could even be simpler—Yorinobu might have just been brainwashed.
Whatever the case, Alex knew Arasaka was nearing the completion of its plans, and that was bad news. One look at the cyberpsychosis statistics was enough to realize something was wrong. Cyberpsychosis cases were increasing daily: whereas one or two cases were reported per week before, now it was up to ten per day—and those were just the ones making it to the news.
Alex rubbed his tired eyes, glancing out the window where the sun was already setting. Only two days had passed since he learned of Nyan-Nyan's avatar, but life had already changed drastically.
«Ah, where's my old peaceful life,» he murmured, watching the dying light.
Sitting in the chair, Alex lamented how his desire for a simple, peaceful life had become impossible. He had dreamed of traveling and trying out various professions for fun, but instead, he kept encountering gods craving chaos and destruction.
He knew he would meet villains of all kinds during his journeys, but he certainly didn't want to attract the attention of gods who, for some reason, seemed interested in him. One of them even visited him just for candy. Sighing, Alex refocused on the current problem.
«Well, enough complaining—time to get back to work,» he said, rising from the chair.
Alex glanced at GIR, asking if he'd finished erasing Thomas's data. The robodog gave him a thumbs-up, signaling the task was complete. Alex nodded and decided to search the apartment one last time to make sure they hadn't missed anything. After thoroughly checking every room, he returned to the living room, confident the job was done.
Just as he was about to tell GIR to set the apartment on fire, he heard footsteps outside the door. Quickly grabbing GIR by the head, he activated his invisibility and leapt to the ceiling, hanging upside down.
At first, Alex thought the footsteps were heading toward another apartment on the floor. But just as he concluded he'd been mistaken, the door unexpectedly swung open, and a group of people entered. Alex immediately recognized them—members of the Maelstrom gang.
«Now it's clear who's doing Arasaka's dirty work,» he muttered, watching them from above.
Alex decided to observe what these idiots would do to cover their tracks. As he expected, they were alarmed by the mess he and GIR had created while searching the apartment. Clearly, they suspected someone might still be there and began a thorough inspection, trying to find the intruder.
Not finding him, the members of the Maelstrom gang gathered in the living room, discussing the possibility that someone had beaten them to it—and that this person might have already destroyed other key locations as well.
Alex, smiling, hung on the ceiling, pleased that he had managed to throw a wrench in the enemy's plans. He tried to catch any useful information from their conversation, but the gang members only argued, giving away no critical details. The only thing he gathered was that Maelstrom was covering Arasaka's tracks. Their loyalty to the corporation made sense—they were chrome fanatics, and the Mechanical Man, who had set up in Arasaka, was their ideal. Realizing he wouldn't get any more useful information here, Alex decided to eliminate them to disrupt the enemy's plans further.
«GIR, time to chop up these heretics,» he whispered, glancing at his robodog.
GIR's eyes lit up with excitement. He pulled a chainsword from his inventory, ready for battle. Seeing his companion prepared, Alex hurled him at the nearest gang member. The Maelstrom members were too engrossed in their argument to hear any noise, until one of them collapsed suddenly.
When they realized what was happening, they saw GIR standing over the first fallen target, gripping the chainsword, which roared with the distinctive sound of a chainsaw. Without hesitation, GIR drove the weapon into the chest of the gang member, slicing straight through. The green outfit GIR typically wore was instantly drenched in blood.
As GIR finished off a second target, Alex gracefully landed, shattering the skulls of the remaining two enemies, reducing them to a bloody pulp. Looking around, he noticed his pants were now stained up to the knees.
With a slight grimace, he cleaned his clothes with magic and, while he was at it, wiped down GIR, who was still methodically slicing through his defeated opponent, muttering something like, 'Death to the heretics.' Alex shook his head and, grabbing GIR by the head, asked if any Maelstrom members remained.
«There were only four,» GIR replied after checking the cameras.
Alex nodded, approached the first body, placed his hand on the gang member's forehead, and began searching through his memories. Everything was chaotic, as if someone had fast-forwarded a movie just to see the end.
He tried with another body but encountered only fragmented, tangled images again, as if someone had intentionally wiped the memory. Glancing at the two mangled bodies, Alex realized he wouldn't get anything useful from them either. Turning to GIR, he noticed candy wrappers scattered across the floor.
«Alright, GIR, we're done here. Burn this place,» he said, turning away and heading toward the door.
GIR nodded, pulled out a flamethrower, and began setting the apartment ablaze, paying special attention to the corpses, which were now burning the brightest. Watching, Alex thought that if GIR had a human face, it would likely be one of satisfaction.
For a moment, he even considered taking the flamethrower away from GIR to prevent him from accidentally burning down half the city, then remembered Rebecca, who would probably be all too happy to join the chaos. Alex mentally promised not to give her anything too flammable—maybe incendiary rounds at most. He could almost hear her manic laughter in his head.
Snapping out of his thoughts, he saw that GIR had already finished and was now standing beside him.
«Alright, let's go pay our next target a visit,» Alex said, grabbing GIR by the head.
Passing through the wall, Alex routinely used a spell to contain the fire, ensuring it wouldn't spread further. With that done, he headed for the elevator to go down to the first floor. Exiting the building, he noticed a crowd of onlookers gathered to watch the fire. Pushing through the crowd, Alex slipped into an alley and leaped onto the roof, moving toward his next target—a recently fired researcher, who should still be alive, though likely in a state of delirium.
Leaping across rooftops, Alex closed in on the target building. This time, he decided to enter through the door on the roof instead of the main entrance. Descending to the necessary floor, he entered the researcher's apartment, immediately greeted by the heavy smell of blood permeating the space.
Quickly moving to the living room, he came upon a gruesome scene: the researcher's body had been torn apart, limbs scattered across the room, and his head resting on an improvised altar. A wide grin was frozen on the deceased's face, as if he'd been happy to be the sacrifice. The bloody writings on the walls were in the same language as those found in Silas Johnson's apartment, which they had examined first.
«It looks like this happened just recently. GIR, can you check the surveillance footage?» Alex asked his small companion.
GIR nodded and started reviewing the recordings while Alex searched the apartment for clues. He meticulously examined every corner, every cabinet, and drawer, hoping to find hints left behind by the researcher. Suddenly, GIR tugged at his hair, catching his attention.
«All recordings have been deleted,» GIR reported, meeting Alex's gaze.
«Can you try to recover them?» Alex asked, frowning slightly.
GIR nodded and set to work on restoring the deleted files. Knowing this might take some time, Alex continued searching for clues. Reaching the researcher's room, he searched it first before sitting down at the desk and turning on the computer. A password was required, so he connected his phone and ran a hacking program developed by GIR to assist Lucy.
After gaining access, Alex began reviewing the information, hoping to find something useful. The recently dismissed researcher hadn't yet deleted his chat records, where he discussed topics with his colleagues. Before his dismissal, he had been sending numerous erratic messages, praising a «god» and urging others to accept him wholeheartedly, promising salvation.
«Sure, the mechanical man will just grant you salvation like that,» Alex muttered sarcastically as he read the researcher's latest messages.
From the chat history, it was clear that instead of fearing the sinister voices and nightmares, the researcher had decided to embrace them with open arms, quickly spiraling into madness and losing his colleagues' support.
Those who had previously tolerated him had thrown him out of the chat. Shaking his head, Alex browsed through other messages in search of useful information. It all boiled down to the same thing: the man was pushing his newfound faith onto every friend until everyone eventually blocked him.
Even his parents suggested he see a specialist, and then his father sent him away until he could «clear his head.» Alex couldn't help but compare fanatics to addicts who try to drag down everyone they can.
Finally, he came across an interesting conversation with someone named Royce, who, by the looks of it, had been guiding the researcher along this path of faith. The researcher eagerly shared any detail with him, even asking for advice on how to «enhance the body to completely forsake flesh.»
«Just like in a joke: two crazed fanatics meet and argue over who loves their god more,» Alex smirked, reading their chat.
In recent days, they had argued because the researcher wanted to draw people to the faith more quickly, while Royce insisted that the time wasn't right and that people would either accept the mechanical god or die. The researcher refused to back down, wanting to spread the god's greatness as soon as possible. The conflict escalated to mutual insults until Royce hinted at an upcoming meeting, to which the researcher eagerly agreed.
«When did this world turn into a gathering of fanatics?» Alex muttered, shutting down the computer.
Turning off the computer, Alex faced GIR and asked, «Did you finish restoring the camera footage?»
GIR nodded. «Just finished.»
Alex gave an approving nod and requested to see everything that had happened in the researcher's apartment before their arrival. GIR began projecting the recordings onto the wall, and Alex focused intently on the events, trying to understand what had happened to Nathan that day.
«Let's see who you met today, Nathan,» Alex murmured, watching the recording closely.
At first, the footage showed Nathan, barely awake, sitting at his computer and frantically sending out identical messages filled with long speeches about the «greatness of the Mechanical Man» and calls to join his faith. Alex shook his head, realizing that Nathan was extremely clumsy in his attempts at propaganda: every recipient of his messages refused to engage and promptly blocked him.
A strange smile appeared on Nathan's face as he began a conversation with someone, likely Royce, who seemed to have promised to meet him soon. Alex made a guess: considering Nathan's current state, scattered throughout the living room, this was likely his last meeting.
«GIR, fast forward to the point where something interesting happens. I don't want to watch an entire day in the life of a fanatic,» Alex said.
GIR obediently sped up the footage, skipping ahead until they reached the moment Nathan heard a noise and headed to the living room. Alex also requested to see the footage from the cameras that captured someone entering the apartment.
GIR displayed images from other cameras, and Alex saw members of the Maelstrom gang entering the apartment, led by a tall, muscular man with a strange cybernetic eye implant, making his appearance even more menacing.
«GIR, find out who this is,» Alex ordered, keeping his gaze fixed on the screen.
GIR quickly checked the databases and sent the file to Alex's phone. It turned out that the man was Simon «Royce» Randall—the leader of Maelstrom, who had seized control of the gang by force. After reviewing the information, Alex realized that Royce was a ruthless and clearly unstable individual, and the fact that he believed in the Mechanical Man suggested either that he had «bowed» to the deity after seizing power or had initially gained it through some unknown force.
«Anyway, it doesn't matter when he started worshiping the Mechanical Man. What matters is that he needs to be eliminated,» Alex commented to his little assistant.
In response, GIR pulled out his chainsaw sword, which buzzed threateningly. Alex smirked and then focused again on the recording, which showed Nathan and Royce meeting and beginning to argue. The conflict quickly escalated, and in the end, Royce plunged his hand into Nathan's chest, ripping out his heart. However, even after that, Nathan didn't die immediately. With a mad smile, he declared that he would «reunite with the Mechanical Man» faster than Royce, after which he died with a frozen smile on his face.
«Alright, it's clear enough here,» Alex said. «GIR, turn off the recording.»
With a slight smirk, Alex realized he had new targets for his investigation. First and foremost, he decided to deal with Royce and his Maelstrom gang, who were serving as the Mechanical Man's dirty work enforcers. It was clear that he didn't want to be known yet—he planned to present himself as a messiah once he acquired a physical body.
However, Alex pondered why Nyannyan's avatars were so eager to take her place or absorb her power, and why she allowed them to «chew the leash» and act independently.
«Well, better to ask her what's going on in her head when she suddenly decides to show up again,» Alex muttered with a grin.
Finishing his thoughts, Alex stood up from the table and, stepping out of the room, paused on the second floor to look down at the living room. The room was drenched in blood, covered with bloody inscriptions, and in its center stood an altar. Alex simply shook his head, unable to understand the fanatics who believed in evil gods, for after death they could expect only such terrible torments that even the devils in hell would shudder in horror.
«GIR, strike Nathan Carter from the list. We're done for today,» Alex said, turning his gaze away from the blood-soaked living room.
GIR nodded and, as usual, pulled out a flamethrower, preparing to burn the apartment. Alex noticed this movement and was about to let GIR perform his usual ritual, but then remembered the incendiary grenade he had hastily assembled not long ago.
«Wait, GIR, this time I'll light it myself,» Alex stopped his assistant.
GIR tilted his head, looking at Alex in confusion. Without answering, Alex took out the grenade and threw it into the center of the room. The grenade bounced, rolled across the floor, and came to a stop right in the middle. Thick white smoke began to pour out of it... and nothing more. Alex looked at the grenade in surprise—his creations had never failed him before. GIR, not missing the chance, began to laugh and point at Alex, unable to hide his amusement. But Alex ignored his assistant's laughter, continuing to stare at the grenade on the floor.
«Well, this is something new and a bit surprising…» Alex started to say.
But before he could finish, the grenade exploded loudly, spewing forth a powerful blast of fire. The room ignited like a Christmas tree. GIR, who was still laughing and pointing at Alex, was thrown to the floor by the shockwave, now lying there as if his battery had run out. Alex cast a contemptuous glance at him.
«This is what happens when you laugh at others,» he remarked with a slight smirk.
GIR lifted his head, sensing the mockery in his master's words, and, feeling annoyed, jumped up on his paws, beginning to thump Alex on the leg.
«I'm going to report you to the animal and child protection services!» GIR exclaimed, not stopping his little blows.
Alex, distracted from the burning room, looked at his assistant with disdain.
«First, decide if you're an animal or a child,» Alex smirked, not hiding his sarcasm.
Alex's words made GIR stop and ponder his essence. He looked at his paws, realizing that he could be considered an animal because of the green dog suit he wore for cuteness. But that was just a disguise. Alex, shaking his head, watched as GIR clenched and unclenched his paws, clearly lost in deep thought.
Deciding not to trouble himself with his feelings, Alex thought it was time to leave. However, exiting the apartment the usual way was risky—people had already started to rush out of neighboring rooms, drawn by the fire. After thinking for a moment, Alex decided to check on his sword, Yamato. Summoning the katana, he smiled upon seeing that Yamato was in perfect condition.
«I missed you, my friend,» Alex said, admiring the restored blade.
Grabbing GIR by the head, he made a few swings with the katana, slicing through space to create a portal. Giving one last look at the burning room, Alex stepped into the portal and found himself in his living room, where surprised eyes were fixed on him. The girls were in shock at his sudden appearance. They had been peacefully discussing how to help Alex in his battle against the mechanical man when a strange portal opened beside them, and out came Alex, holding GIR by the head.
«Yo,» Alex said, lifting GIR, who waved at the girls in return.
Everyone froze, staring at Alex and the portal that was closing behind him. Their faces displayed a clear cognitive dissonance. However, two girls, Valerie and Rebecca, watched the scene with shining eyes. Rebecca had already forgotten Alex's words about his katana being able to slice through space and was now filled with curiosity, eagerly pondering how he had done it. She was already anticipating the possibilities that such power could unlock, imagining how many weapon storages she could rob to add to her collection.
To be continued...