Chapter 1.9 The Void of Secrets
Mr. Red smirked, his tone laced with mock sincerity. “Oh, Mefiel? That can be fixed, my dear. You see, I am clearly not your enemy here.”
He extended the coin toward Monica, who hesitated, her gaze flickering between the coin and Alexander’s unreadable face. Doubt clouded her mind as she wondered whether this was a trap or a genuine gesture.
After a long pause, Monica’s fingers closed around the coin. The cool metal felt strangely familiar. “Why are you giving this back to me?” Her voice was cautious, almost accusing.
Alexander tilted his head, his smile widening. “Oh, Monica, I have no hidden intentions. And you shouldn’t have them either.”
His words, deceptively simple, unsettled her. Monica’s brows furrowed as she replied, “You’re not wrong, but that doesn’t make this any less suspicious.”
Alexander chuckled, a sound that was equal parts amusement and condescension. “It’s as suspicious as your interest in working with me, Monica. Don’t you think?”
Caught off guard, Monica stammered, “What? Of course not! I just want to make money, like everyone else…”
“Oh, clearly,” Alexander said with a laugh. “And I’m Santa Claus. Honestly, Monica, sometimes I think you’re far more of a genius than you let on.”
Monica rolled her eyes, irritation creeping into her voice. “Oh, sure, Mr. Claus. After all, the Technomas are practically at our doorstep.”
Alexander’s laughter rang out again. “Precisely! And that’s why, Monica, you need to rest.”
She blinked in surprise. “Rest? But the missions…”
Alexander waved a dismissive hand. “Oh, Monica, Monica, Monica. You have all the time in the world. The corporations aren’t going anywhere. If they do, you’ll adjust your plans. Learn to rest. Think about yourself. Let others rot. The only thing that matters is you… and ensuring evil continues to win.”
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
The Resting Talking
With a snap of his fingers, Monica found herself transported to a sprawling island mansion. Luxurious artifacts surrounded her, the likes of which she could scarcely imagine—a high-definition TV crafted with red gold paper clips, among them. She stared at the object, her mind reeling as it defied logic and physics.
Ten minutes passed before she snapped out of her daze. Remembering her coin, she activated it. Mefiel, her Cyber Angel, materialized instantly, his rings spinning wildly.
“MONICA! WHAT HAPPENED? AND THE POLICE OFFICERS?” Mefiel’s voice was a chaotic blend of panic and confusion. His eyes darted between Monica, now clad in a secretary outfit, and the opulent surroundings.
“Calm down,” Monica said, gesturing for him to join her on a couch. She sat down, exhaling deeply. “I’ll explain everything.”
Mefiel hesitated, then settled onto the couch, his rings still twitching. “Okay, okay. I’m calming down. Now, talk.”
Monica ran a hand through her hair. “I woke up in a cell. Then the cell emitted strange energy, and I appeared in front of Alexander. He offered me this place to rest until the next mission, and I accepted.”
Mefiel processed her words in silence before responding, “So the police imprisoned you, and Alexander freed you. But… why are you dressed like that?”
Monica flushed. “I found these clothes here and put them on. They’re… flattering, don’t you think?” She struck a playful pose.
Mefiel’s eyes studied her outfit for an uncomfortably long moment before he finally nodded. “Makes sense. Logical. Yes.” His rings spun with enthusiasm.
Monica sighed in relief, grateful he’d bought her flimsy excuse. The truth was far too complicated to share, even with her loyal companion. She turned her attention to the mansion, her mind oscillating between unease and exhaustion.
The Nap Mission
Just as she considered taking a nap, Alexander reappeared, his arrival as abrupt as ever. “Oh, and by ‘rest,’ I meant discussing strategy with your partner. Now that you’ve done that, we can move on to the next mission.”
Before she could protest, Alexander snapped his fingers again. They were now aboard a freight train, surrounded by Atom Corporation guards.
“Now,” Alexander said, his tone deceptively light, “you need to roar in danger.”
Monica’s confusion deepened, but Mefiel seemed to understand. Without hesitation, the Cyber Angel unleashed a brutal assault. His shots were surgical and devastating, tearing through the guards. Their screams filled the air as their bodies were shredded into pulp. The carnage was both horrifying and surreal, leaving Monica frozen in place.
Alexander strode forward, unbothered by the chaos. “See? He got the message. You must always roar at the beast, Monica. Never let the beast roar at you.”
He turned to her with a sly smile. “By the way, I’ve integrated your suit into your secretary outfit. Try it on when you get a moment.” Then, with an almost casual wave, he disappeared into the next train car, leaving Monica to grapple with the horrors around her.