"Well, anyways what did I forget again?" Black Flame asked.
[You have successfully unlocked the 9th Ability of The Durablium Body Armor.] Faraday replied.
"Ah, yes. I unlocked that didn't I? So, what is the Ability?" Black Flame asked.
[It's Night Vision.] Faraday replied.
A/N: You can skip the following part.
"So, you're telling me that the readers had to wait 8 chapters just to watch me get Night Vision?" Black Flame asked.
[Stop tapping the 4th wall.] Faraday said.
"Answer the goddamn question!" Black Flame said. He was honestly very pissed off. Heck, he could just buy it from Amazon! Although, it's not like it existed in Ataraxia, and even if it did it probably got destroyed when the Apocalypse began.
[Look, you're already overpowered with your current Abilities so the Author has to balance the powers he gives you. After all, a wise alien once said "Perfectly balanced, just as all things should be."] Faraday explained.
"You said the 'just' to avoid copyright didn't you?" Black Flame asked.
[I don't know what you're talking about.] Faraday said, acting ignorant.
"Anyways, when do I get more powerful abilities?" Black Flame asked.
[Patience is key, friends.] Faraday said
"Wow~ And you tell me not to tap the 4th wall." Black Flame rolled his eyes at Faraday's hypocrisy.
[I don't know what you're talking about.] Faraday said, acting ignorant again.
"So, I get no overpowered abilities yet?" Black Flame asked.
[You are already equipped with overpowered abilities. Who knows? You might get an overpowered ability next time.] Faraday replied.
"Fine." Black Flame replied.
END.
"Huh?"
[Huh?]
"Did you say something?"
[Did you say something?]
The both of them asked each other at the same time.
"Whatever." Black Flame just shrugged it off.
[You're right.] As did Faraday.
Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.
"Where were we again?" Black Flame asked.
[You unlocked the 9th Ability, Night Vision.] Faraday answered.
"Oh? That sounds convenient." Black Flame said.
[Of course, it is, you will now be able to hunt zombies at night just like you do during the day.] Faraday explained.
"Faraday, remind me what's the time again?" Black Flame asked.
[It's 8 pm.] Faraday answered.
"Then, how about we try it out right now?" Black Flame suggested.
[You could but, if you get stuck in a sticky situation, you won't be able to use your more powerful abilities like Discharge and Laser Beam. The former can only be used tomorrow after it has been recharged, while the latter can only be used 2 more times.] Faraday replied.
"Hmm, You're right." Black Flame agreed.
"Well then, let's go to bed." Black Flame said to himself.
He then went back to his room using the elevator and lay down on his bed.
"Hmm? What's this weird feeling?" Black Flame asked.
[The suit is charging itself and since you are connected with it, you can feel it.] Faraday explained.
"Oh? That's cool, I guess?"
"But, I need answers, Faraday." Black Flame's voice became solemn as he spoke.
"I want to know, why I don't feel tired, hungry, or even parched even after fighting for so many hours." Black Flame said.
[To know the answer to your question, you need to unlock the 16th Ability first.] Faraday replied.
"Haah... I thought so. The 16th Ability right? Which means this question is connected to my memories. What's so special about this 16th Ability anyway?" Black Flame asked.
[To know the answer to your question, you need to unlock the 16th Ability first.] Faraday said the same thing again.
"Haah... Whatever." Black Flame just shrugged it off.
[Although you can't sleep, you can do something similar.] Faraday said.
"Really? What is it?" Black Flame asked.
To be honest, he was low-key excited to know the answer. Why? It's simple. He was starting to have doubts if he was even human and not just an advanced piece of technology. It was a valid doubt. After all, he couldn't eat, drink, or even sleep something humans had to do every day to live. So hearing what Faraday said, awakened a sliver of hope within him.
[You can Shut Down.] Faraday answered.
"..." Black Flame just stayed silent.
'I guess I am a robot, huh?' Black Flame thought to himself.
[You're not a robot.] Faraday said as if it could hear his thoughts.
"What the? Did you just read my mind again?" Black Flame asked.
[That isn't important. Just think of it as shutting down a PC.] Faraday said.
'So, I'm a computer?' Black Flame thought to himself.
[You're not a robot.] Faraday said as if it could hear his thoughts.
"See? You just read my mind again!" Black Flame said.
[You can shut yourself down and 'wake up' by setting a timer or what humans call an 'alarm'.] Faraday said, dodging the questions thrown at it.
"Oh... So, that's how it works. Then, can you tell me how long will it take everything to recharge?" Black Flame asked after figuring out that, no matter what he said Faraday wouldn't answer his previous question.
[6 hours.] Faraday answered.
"Then, how long will it take for Alicia to wake up." Black Flame asked.
[Considering how fatigued she is, I would say 12 hours.] Faraday answered.
"Then, 'wake me' up after 6 hours." Black Flame said.
[Understood. Say the following: Activate Shut Down.] Faraday said.
"Okay. Activate Shut Down." Black Flame said.
Immediately after he said those words, he lost consciousness. But, even though he fell 'asleep' Faraday was wide awake. After all, machines don't need sleep. Even though Faraday could shut itself down, it chose not to. Why?
[Even if I have to permanently shut down, I will never let anything untoward happen to you. But, now that he is 'sleeping', let's check up on the 16th floor.]
[Connect to Robot Derek.]
[Connection complete.]
***
Inside a room, which seemed to resemble a laboratory. The shadowy figure of a being moved towards a 10-foot-tall object.
*Tak* *Tak* *Tak*
The shadowy figure stood before the object and looked at the display attached to it.
*Tap* *Tap* *Tap*
The shadowy figure typed a few things and the display showed something. It was...
[Progress: 20%]
The shadowy figure after looking at the progress bar said.
[Soon... very soon.]
*****