Chapter 690 Michael



THE (gentle) splashing of the shower, reflected off the smooth bathroom tiles, flinging rhythmically but in random directions. 

Blood pooled down the drain, mixing along with the soft flow of grade-7 radioactive water, dying the dirty-yellow floor with a crimson hue. Dark brown hand flittered through the cascading fluid, touching the walls with a wide spread hand. Hardened areas of greyish calloused skin on the palm and the fingertips shaved slightly against the soft bathroom wall, bringing down a  few pieces of wet cement amidst the rushing water. 

In the next second, the flowing water stopped. The thirty seconds worth of daily shower had been used up.

[Do you wish to pay more Credit Points to continue the bath?]

"No."

In response to the holographic image as well as the robotic sound, a raspy voice of a young man echoed within the enclosed space of the bathroom.

His response couldn't be anymore correct, why should he pay more to bath with a grade-7 water?  There was no idea how many Heigh this particular water had passed though before reaching him. There was no guessing what it had been used for either.

Coming out from the shower, the young man casually snapped his fingers.

"BZZZZZ!"

Thick stench of stale air waves neither cold nor hot passed through him, drying and blowing off the remnants of water on his skin.

Light crept up the walls as though the sun had peaked. An orange hue over a calm sea appearing on all six sides of the room, looking seemingly realistic. Billions of pixels fired to life simultaneously under his command. 

The room is particularly poorly lit, with flickering neon lights casting a dim glow over the dilapidated walls and stained concrete floor. The air is thick with the stench of dampness, mold, and the acrid smoke from cheap cigarettes and cheap acid along with different coloured chemicals.

Staring at the surroundings, the room is sparsely furnished, containing only the bare necessities for survival. A rusted metal bed frame pushed against one wall, its thin, lumpy mattress covered with a threadbare blanket. A small table next to it, its surface covered with empty food containers and crumpled paper. A couple of old plastic chairs or a single stool may provide seating options.

In the corner, a small kitchenette consists of a Nutrient tap, a sink with a leaking faucet, and a mini-fridge. Dirty dishes pile up on the counter, and the pantry consists of a few cans of cheap, processed food.

By the side of the wall was a single window with a cracked and chipped frame provides a view of the bleak urban landscape outside. The window may be covered with a ragged piece of cloth or an old newspaper to block out the harsh light and prying eyes of outsiders.

The room was very small, cramped space with little to no natural light. The walls might be bare concrete or exposed pipes, and the ceiling was low and stained. The room was even cluttered with various electronic devices, wires, and discarded food containers.

Overall, the poor room was a bleak, dystopian space that reflects the harsh realities of a world where technology had advanced far beyond the reach of the average person.

In the changing cubicle, a neatly folded cloth was  on the

bench, and the mirror set in the wall. On top of the pile of clothes was a

simple steel watch, and weighted beneath the watch was a dark black bag. The young man took a deep breath and went to face the mirror.

This is always the toughest part. Nearly a decade and a half he'd been doing this,

and it still jars him to look into the glass and see a total stranger staring

back. It's like pulling an image out of the depths of an autostereograrn.

For the first couple of moments all he could see is someone else looking

at him through a window frame. 

Then, like a shift in focus, he felt himself float rapidly up behind the mask and adhere to its inside with a shock that's almost tactile. It's as if someone's cut an umbilical cord, only instead of separating the two, it's the otherness that has been

severed and now, just looking at the reflection in a mirror.

Getting used to the face, the features in the mirror managed to look weatherbeaten. There were lines everywhere. The thick cropped hair was black

shot through with grey. The eyes were a speculative shade of blue, and

there was a faint jagged scar under the left one. Just as the young man was getting used to it, 

A popping sounds echoed from the west wall as well as hissing sounds which originated from the machine connected to the wall in his kitchen. The Synthetic NutriFluid was ready. 

Blinking his eyes in specific pattern, an holographic image popped up within his line of sight. Static fills the airwaves and an ad begins, followed by a distorted voice speaking in a hushed tone. "Are you ready to take the first step towards becoming a true cyberpunk?" the voice asks, as the ad fades out to the sound of electronic music. "Upgrade your life today with our cybernetic implants."

The static clears and the ad transitions to a smooth, synthesized beat. "Introducing the latest in cybernetic implants. Enhance your strength, your speed, your agility. Become more than human."

The young man squinted his left eye repeatedly, changing the frequency of the receiver until a pretty news caster popped up, covering almost half of his left eye. The opacity of the augmented reality was low, not affecting his vision too much as he downed the grade-7 Synthetic NutriFluid in one go. This would be enough for him till he could get more.

"This is your daily dose of drug news in the neon-soaked, high-tech world of cyberpunk. Today, reports are coming in of a new designer drug on the streets, known as 'NeuroBlitz.' It's a potent psychoactive substance that allegedly allows users to access deep levels of their own consciousness, resulting in intense hallucinations and altered perceptions of reality.

Authorities are warning that NeuroBlitz is highly addictive and has been linked to a number of violent incidents and psychotic episodes. Street gangs and criminal organizations are said to be behind the distribution of the drug, with reports of turf wars and gang violence increasing in areas where the drug is prevalent.

Meanwhile, in other news, there are rumors of a new cybernetic enhancement that promises to enhance human strength and reflexes to superhuman levels. Dubbed 'CyberBoost,' it's said to be a game-changer for those seeking to gain an edge in the competitive underworld of cyberpunk. However, critics warn that such enhancements could have dangerous side effects, both physical and psychological, and could further exacerbate the already existing societal divides between the haves and have-nots.

Stay safe out there, and remember: just say no to drugs." 

"Finally, in sports, the cybernetically-enhanced athletes of the Neon League are set to face off in a high-stakes match that is sure to draw a crowd. Stay tuned for the latest updates on this and other stories, only here on the Swift Blue News."

Done with his meal, the young man stepped through the gap between his tiny door and the warmth of the sunlight hit him in the face. He screwed up his new eyes against the glare and made out angular buildings behind real wire fences on the other side of a badly-kept

landing lot. Sterile, and off-white, quite possibly original pre-millennial

structures. 

Between the oddly monochrome walls, there were sections of

a grey iron bridge that came vaulting in to land somewhere hidden from

view. A similarly drab collection of sky and ground cruisers sat about in

not particularly neat lines. 

The wind gusted abruptly and the young man caught the

faint odour of some flowering weed growing along the cracks in the

landing lot. In the distance was the familiar hum of traffic, but

everything else felt like a period drama set piece.

In the world of enhanced technology, augmented reality (AR) is an integral part of daily life. AR technology overlays virtual information onto the real world, seamlessly blending the two to create a hyper-realistic experience.

As you walk down the street, you can see holographic advertisements hovering in mid-air, beckoning you to try the latest cyber-enhancements or visit a new bar. Your AR interface highlights important locations and landmarks, providing real-time directions and information.

Looking up at the sky, you may also see a network of drones buzzing overhead, their AR displays visible as a constellation of icons and data points. You can tune into different frequencies to access news updates, weather reports, and other information.

In combat situations, your AR interface becomes even more critical. You can tag enemies, track their movements, and access tactical information in real-time. Your weapons and cybernetic implants are linked to your AR display, giving you a heads-up on your ammo levels, health status, and other critical data.

In social situations, AR is a tool for personal expression and style. You can customize your appearance, clothing, and accessories with virtual overlays, creating a unique look that sets you apart from the crowd. You can even modify your voice and mannerisms to suit your desired persona.

Overall, AR technology in cyberpunk is a powerful tool for navigating and interacting with the world around you. With its ability to blend reality and virtuality seamlessly, it offers endless possibilities for entertainment, commerce, and personal empowerment. But everything is not as simple as it seem to be.