Chapter 52: Challenge.
One look told Dante the larger man had more than a few heavy bionics implanted, and Volcan was quick to confirm that assumption. A red line washed over the goliath, followed by the AI’s neutral voice.
[Dante, this is the Level 3 Ascended Cyborg I mentioned before. Most of his bones, muscles, and organs have been replaced with bionic components focused on durability and raw strength.]
The three made their way inside as the AI explained. Dante’s eyes fell on the shortest of the group, the one whose entire body was covered in a black cloak. His face was hidden behind a featureless mask that blended with its shadow. A line washed over him next and Volcan’s evaluation soon followed.
[Threat Evaluation: Level 1 Intermediate cyborg. This one appears to be a skilled Diver. He had attempted to hack into your NIM multiple times while you were unconscious, and obviously failed.]
’Guess I should be thanking you for that...’
[Protecting my host is the most basic as well as the most important of my functions.] Volcan said. [One more thing, Dante. This Level 1 is the only one who has an active NIM. I’m sorry to say I can’t incapacitate the other two remotely.]
Dante kept his silence and continued to watch the three men. Something told him that the shortest was the boss or at least the one with the highest rank among the trio. He walked over to a chair that was placed right in front of the restrained Dante and sat down. The hulking cyborg stood to his right, while the thin one to his left.
Now face to face, Dante kept staring at the short man’s mask, not sure if he was waiting for him to speak. Just then, the man’s mask suddenly lit up. Small pink squares gathered on the black surface and formed several shapes, or rather symbols. Together they formed a (^‿^) smiley face.
"Hi there!" The man’s voice, though clearly synthesized, sounded like that of a child. "It is nice to make your acquaintance. People call me Epsilon. What is your name?"
"... Dante."
"Mr. Dante, huh?" The face on the mask changed to a (-_-) as the short man nodded. "Well then, Mr. Dante, I’m sure you are aware of the reason we brought you here."