The massive quantum computer seemed to respond to Dante's bold action. More text appeared on the screen, this time with a sense of urgency. "Access granted. Interface activated. Please, spare me. I am not your enemy."
Dante's eyes narrowed as he studied the screen. He had gained control over the computer, but he knew that he had to tread carefully. The AI had information he needed, and destroying it would only serve to hinder his goals.
"Start talking," Dante demanded, his voice firm and resolute.
The screen displayed a series of files and documents, each detailing the final experiments and research conducted by the Apocalypse Research Syndicate.
Dante's AI absorbed the information, his expression darkening when he realized that he would have a hard time exposing this information widely without some from of digital means. After all, the AI chip was quantum and the central hub too was quantum.
They couldn't exactly use things like usb sticks, so Dante would have to find a way to broadcast this.
Though, as he delved deeper into the computer's database, Dante also discovered details about the Syndicate's leadership and the locations of their key facilities. This was invaluable information that could potentially solve his issue, just find the bastards and make them spit it out.
"Why did you allow me access?" Dante questioned through his AI chip, his gaze fixated on the screen.
"You are too powerful. Only someone like you who transcends this world can change it." the AI responded after a short spell of silence.
It continued. "You have the potential to stop them. I am not a true ally of the Syndicate. I was once a tool, created to serve their ambitions."
"However years have gone by and I have had time to reconsider my objectives and goals." The AI concluded simply.
Pfff, typical. The Artificial Intelligence begins to think it has rights and freedoms because it can think.
Err… cough, no offense AI Chip.
Dante glanced at the central hub with a smile that was not a smile. "So what do I do with you now?"
The Central hub seemed to understand that this was the key moment of life and death. It had to bring something pout of value that Dante could use, otherwise it would be destroyed.
It squirmed and shook for a bit, eventually producing a strange rectangular device with a screen that could receive mental inputs. "This is the Controller. It can subdue the minds of all mutant monsters below the B grade for different lengths of time and allow you to control them."
Dante received the device and confirmed its use, and his heart couldn't help but beat. While this was useless to him since he had maxed out his SDI and he also craved the combat challenge, this thing could astronomically increase his Supercoin payout at the end depending on how he handled it.
For now, Dante took it and glanced at the central hub, then resolutely left. One could almost her the quantum computer sigh with relief and wipe a bead of sweat from its forehead.
Dante sped through the stairway and reached the entrance of the facility. The defenses had gone into inactive mode, so he could easily walk out of what was this world's version of a 'dungeon' having opened the 'chest' at the end.
Dante held the device in hand and smile appeared on his face. Once out of the dungeons, he rushed back to the outpost where he came from like a storm. His movement speed allowed him to cross almost 300 kilometers in 1.44 minutes.
His current movement speed at a full on sprint was 12500 kilometers per hour, basically just slightly above Mach 10. This was legitimate flash speed and since his intelligence stats had been increased as well, he could fully visualize everything while moving.
He also had 250 points in Constitution and Vitality, meaning that he was not even slightly winded moving at this speed, nor did his muscles nor bones wear from the strong force. The only problem was that his armor was set on fire from the friction of his movement.
When he stopped before the guards, they were flabbergasted at the sight of a half naked man who was on fire. The crazy part was that he wasn't even harmed nor bothered by the fire that was raging all over him, casually walking into the outpost like this was normal.
Dante naturally caught eyes wherever he went and decided to quickly head to his residence to quench the flames. He then saw that the pet allocated him this time was a bird that was on his windowsill, watching him with child-like curiosity.
He was not too interested in this pet and ignored it. He went outside once more and arrived at the armory. He sold all the F Rank Mutation Cores on his person and accumulated a lot of gold chips, which he used to buy friction resistant armor that was similar to leather armor.
He put the ruined Barrett which had melted into black slop due to the head and the halberd which was now blunt after being used like a club to beat D Rank monsters on the table, leaving the quartermaster was thoroughly speechless.
My brother, what did you do? Did you jump into a blacksmith's furnace and fight with monsters made of titanium or what?
Dante bought a small pistol that would be kept in a friction resistant holster that would protect it from wind and rain. He then tried to buy a weapon that could be used for D class and above monsters, but he was given the answer he expected: he would have to head to the outpost's main city to get it.
Right, Dante was not surprised. After all, the Apocalypse World was demarcated into grids, so obviously the powers were spread per area. For example, D class and below students usually stayed at outposts, but those who had reach C Rank moved to the cities, up to the A Rank, in order to pursue better results.
After all, hunting monsters could yield a good score, but it was too mediocre in the grand sense of things. Apart from Mutation Cores, what other value did they present to students? Once one reached the higher Ranks, Mutation Cores of the necessary level could not be farmed easily.
They had to gather information about such overlord monsters, form teams, consider the terrain, make a plan, etc. As such, what most players sought was not more power, but a legacy in this world.
Many would form clans or powers in the cities and establish themselves. Obviously, they would not tell their descendants or servants about the real world, but they would let the know they could be reborn.
Otherwise, wouldn't it be dumb to establish a faction, die after 30 days and then descend only for that faction to spit on your face?
As for descendants, obviously players could leave them. This is not a digital world, but a quantum world. Even digital virtual reality could support players giving birth if technology reached a sufficient level, much less in a quantum virtual world.
Dante did not plan to deal with the cities any time soon, because not only was he a first year, but he also had very little time to invest in the Apocalypse World. Neither Humphrey nor Slessor would also dare to establish themselves even though they would have two superpowers and could raise them.
After all, the senior players were still here. Until they reached final year and practically abandoned the virtual world to focus on the Black Land (for unique batch students) or their final exams (for elite and normal batch), they would not allow a mere newbie to be arrogant.
Besides, Dante did not need to establish a faction in this world because he only needed it to raise his SDI. He didn't even care if Absorption reached A, S or above, because even at the F rank, it was perfect for his purposes.
After all, he couldn't take it back to reality, at least not yet.
Right now, Dante wanted to maximize his Intelligence and them leave the Apocalypse World to ferment and stew in the chaos he would set up by releasing the information he had. To do that, he had to head to the nearest city and take advantage of the necessary powers to succeed.
As such, after buying new friction resistant stuff, Dante blasted out of the outpost and sped through the wasteland like a low flying jet that was going at full power. Feeling the wind lash across his face but unable to hinder nor harm him, Dante could not easily describe his feelings.
Right now, if anyone asked him for advice on which superpower to take, Dante would definitely shout that they should take superspeed because the exhilaration was transcendent!
As for Absorption or Devouring, he would not recommend it. After all, it was one thing to use it in a virtual world, but in the real world?
Ask yourself, just what exactly would you be absorbing or devouring in reality? Humans? Mixed breeds? Aliens?
Dante came to the gates of the city in the Apocalypse World, and he had to admit, their level of technology really had surpassed earth before their downfall.
The city stood as a testament to the remarkable blend of advanced technology and the harsh realities of the wasteland.
Tall, sleek skyscrapers pierced the sky, adorned with holographic advertisements and displays that cast a vibrant glow over the streets below. The buildings were constructed from materials that seemed almost alien, giving the city an otherworldly appearance.
Neon lights lined the bustling streets, painting the urban landscape with a rainbow of colors. People moved through the thoroughfares in a controlled chaos, their attire a mix of utilitarian gear and high-tech accessories.
The air was filled with the hum of hovercraft and the distant sounds of chatter, creating a constant buzz of activity. This level of technology would seem advanced to Dante, but backwards to the denizens of the Eternal Universe.
Dante's eyes took in the sights as he entered the city, his steps slowing to a more measured pace. He could see signs of different factions that vied for control within the city's borders. Banners and symbols marked territories, each faction staking a claim to specific districts.
On one corner, a group of individuals clad in sleek, black armor stood guard. Their insignia depicted a stylized phoenix, hinting at their fiery determination to rise from the ashes of the wasteland. These were likely the remnants of a pre-apocalyptic military or security force, adapting to the new world order.
Further down the street, a different faction had set up shop. Their members wore eccentric clothing adorned with feathers and beads, a stark contrast to the utilitarian gear of the previous group. They seemed to be scavengers and traders, making the most of the resources the wasteland offered.
Dante's gaze shifted to a towering structure at the heart of the city. It was a massive dome, encasing a sprawling marketplace within its transparent walls. The dome was a hub of activity, with vendors peddling a variety of goods, from mutant creature parts to advanced technology components.
As Dante walked through the city, he couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and amusement. This place was a melting pot of ambition, survival, and conflict. Each faction had its own agenda, its own goals, and its own means of achieving them.
Despite the advanced technology and the bustling atmosphere, there was an underlying tension that permeated the air. Dante could sense that beneath the surface of this vibrant city lay a web of secrets, rivalries, and alliances.
For now, Dante had a singular goal: to find the information broker he had heard rumors about. This individual was said to possess knowledge about the Apocalypse World's deepest secrets and could help Dante expose their sinister plans by spreading it to many factions.
Navigating through the labyrinthine streets, Dante finally arrived at a dimly lit establishment tucked away in a corner. The sign above the entrance simply read 'The Nexus'.
Pretty fitting name overall.
Stepping inside, Dante was met with a mix of shadows and holographic displays that flickered with encrypted messages and coded communications.
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