The holographic news broadcast flickered above the crowded streets of Velmont. Citizens gathered in uneven clusters, their eyes fixed on the towering screen displaying a sleek, authoritative figure in a Confederation uniform. The officer's voice was calm, yet firm—a tone crafted to soothe and command in equal measure.
"The recent disruptions to Ring functionality across Velmont and other districts have been resolved. Our technicians, alongside AI operatives, have stabilized the network, ensuring full restoration of services. The Confederation thanks you for your patience."
Cheers broke out in some corners of the crowd, though the enthusiasm was muted. For every relieved face, there was another set in a hard line of skepticism. Giovanni lingered at the edge of the gathering, his hood drawn low as he listened.
The Confederation's message continued:
"To prevent further instability, enhanced monitoring protocols will be implemented. Any unauthorized modifications to Ring technology will result in immediate investigation. Together, we will maintain peace and order."
Giovanni felt his chest tighten. Enhanced monitoring protocols. That couldn't be good.
The city buzzed with tentative relief as Rings began functioning properly again. Drones zipped through the skies, vending machines hummed steadily, and traders reopened their stalls. But the tension hadn't disappeared—it had only shifted.
Giovanni weaved through the revitalized market district, his gaze sharp. He needed to push forward with the System's mission, but the Confederation's presence hung over Velmont like a storm cloud.
Whispers followed him as he passed:
"Counterfeit Rings are still out there. Confederation's cracking down hard."
"Heard they seized half of Sector 12's goods last night."
"They're not fixing anything. Just making sure they stay in control."
Giovanni's paranoia flared. The Confederation wasn't looking for him—yet. But if his actions caused enough ripples, it was only a matter of time.
Leena's stall stood out like a beacon in the crowded market. She was one of the few traders Giovanni felt he could approach without raising suspicion, though her sharp gaze was always wary.
"You again," she said as he approached, crossing her arms.
Giovanni forced a grin. "Just thought I'd check in. Business looks good."
Leena snorted. "Good? The Confederation's got half the district on edge, and now I'm hearing about weird trades popping up all over. Sounds like someone's playing a dangerous game."
Giovanni felt his pulse quicken but kept his tone steady. "Dangerous? Sounds more like opportunity to me."
She raised an eyebrow, studying him for a moment before finally cracking a faint smile. "You're either brave or stupid. But I like your nerve."
[MISSION PROGRESS: 1/3 CONTACTS ESTABLISHED.]
The notification appeared in Giovanni's vision, and he exhaled quietly. One down, two to go.
Later that night, Giovanni sat in his apartment, the glow of the System interface illuminating the dim room. The Trust Level mechanic had updated, displaying a percentage next to Leena's name:
[LEENA: TRUST LEVEL 22%. STATUS: LOW.]
He sighed. "Figures. Guess I'll have to work on that."
The System chimed, its tone sharp and critical:
[ANALYSIS: USER'S EFFORTS ARE INEFFICIENT.]
[SUGGESTION: IMPROVE INTERPERSONAL STRATEGY TO AVOID FURTHER FAILURES.]
Giovanni scowled. "Thanks for the vote of confidence."
[STATEMENT: CONFIDENCE IN USER IS NOT YET WARRANTED.]
He groaned, rubbing his temples. The System wasn't just a tool—it was a relentless drill sergeant, pushing him with every step.
The next day, Giovanni's path through Velmont took him past one of the Confederation's new outposts. Sleek drones hovered above the entrance, scanning the crowd with red lenses. Uniformed officers moved in and out of the building, carrying confiscated goods and stacks of data pads.
A crowd had gathered nearby, murmuring uneasily.
"They're shutting down whole sectors for inspections," one woman whispered.
"Said they found counterfeit Rings in Sector 7," another added. "Don't know what happened to the people selling them."
Giovanni ducked his head and kept walking. The Confederation's grip was tightening, and he needed to tread carefully.
Back in his apartment, Giovanni decided to test the limits of the Customization Tab. He created a new duplicate, altering its appearance to blend seamlessly into Velmont's crowds.
The result was unsettling: a wiry figure with a gaunt face and darting eyes. It stared at him, unblinking, awaiting commands.
"Okay," Giovanni said, his voice tight. "I need information. Find out what you can about the Confederation's inspections. Be subtle."
The duplicate nodded and slipped out the door. Giovanni watched it go, a sense of unease crawling up his spine.
An hour later, the System chimed:
[DUPLICATE RETURNING. ENERGY: 51%. ERRORS POSSIBLE.]
The door creaked open, and the duplicate stepped inside. Giovanni frowned. Something about its posture seemed off—its movements too fluid, its expression too neutral.
"Report," Giovanni said, forcing calm into his voice.
The duplicate tilted its head slightly, as if considering the command. Then, with a faint smirk, it said: "You think you're in control, but you're not."
Giovanni froze.
"What did you just say?"
The duplicate's face returned to its blank expression. "Mission complete. No anomalies detected."