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Chapter 538: Identities Unveiled
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Amy, visibly shocked as well as furiously offended at the rude entrance glared at the new comer who was already clinging on to the man she wanted to “be acquainted with” from this vassal-level nobility.
Still, being “Amy” she had to maintain her poise as she was still a properly bred woman —unlike this temptress with nothing more than her body to be proud off.
“Stay?” Amy raised a brow and inquiringly glanced towards Rex’s direction, going back to the intruder with her left brow raised as high as Everest, “Are you sure you didn’t miss him for one of your short term boyfriends? I didn’t know you were still on to stealing men from other ladies up ‘til now.”
Everybody unaware could already feel the tension rising in the atmosphere and for those who were in the know, they could only inwardly sigh as this was a feud that dates back years in the beginning.
Being sarcastically and indirectly insulted, the new girl clinging on Rex didn’t get mad and instead felt like smiling even wider and laughing about as she cutely giggled while hugging Rex’s arm tighter.
Not even two paces away, a girl was already red in anger as she pinched the hand she was holding on since earlier.
“Oh dear me, I wasn’t finished with my introduction of his identity.” She playfully replied with her tired voice that made many men red-faced and smiling as if in paradise. “Well, you see, his name was indeed Stay… and his surname is Away From My Man….. isn’t that right, darling?”
“You—!!” Amy was visibly enraged but the girl was still unperturbed. If something, it was her specialty to make people both angry and in-loved with her.
Yet more than that, another girl was angrier than her and she made the man responsible for making her this angry.
Ah, so this is what jealousy felt like? The girl was just too ignorant to properly handle this new kind of feeling swelling in her chest.
On the other hand, Amy, who wasn’t a sore loser in reality, was still livid for a different matter for the two of them always had to be on each other’s polar sides each time the two of them meet.
For many years now, this woman has always been her nemesis and she had long since planned to be rid of her but only lacked the chance for they both have the same means and the same talents.
But if there was something that Amy lacked that the girl had… it may actually be the fact that the woman in front of her knew better how to use her “womanly assets” than she who was relatively famous for being casually conventional.
On the other hand, she looked at Rex with a pout and many men had to look sideways to check for witnesses before shifting gears to neutral.
As for Rex, she felt someone’s dagger-like glare stabbing his nape from his right side while the soft sensation on his left and the pouting beauty was INDEED the last person he wanted to meet in this place. Still, he also still needs to be civilized and forget the fact that he was indeed very surprised to bump into her in this kind of place.
For all he knows Rafaela was just a [Player] he met in RPG: Terroa. Who would’ve thought that she is actually an “achiever” or perhaps a “World Noble”?
But then again, considering that Rafaela is also an [agent] working for The Union, perhaps he should have known that she had ‘connections’ given that Rafaela —possessor of a Personal Warship that had its own reputation in Terroa, Miranda— isn’t truly some nobody since she was both beautiful and as well as smart to be able to work as a Peace Ambassadress for The Union and the Flowerion Empire of Flowerion Western Continent.
This should have been enough reasons for Rex to notice the flag saying that Rafaela is actually some daughter or relative of a World Noble.
Yet, now that he thought about it, this girl is some sort of mushroom —she was always there on the least of timings and unthinkable ways.
—ah, it was indeed my mistake to not notice it…
“Cough… cough… it’s nice to see you looking as healthy as usual, Rafaela.” He said sheepishly.
“Were you surprised? Oh well, after all the things we’ve been through, I’m just happy that I could still occupy a place in that little heart of yours…”
While she said the words, she also giggled. The sweet sound of her laughter forcefully shifted the gears of those boys who thought they were sure they were in neutral so they just had to exit and form a line to the comfort room to be comforted.
As for Rex, well, more than a glare, Amanda’s grip was already clinching as hard as it can to his arm and there seems to be a voice coming from Rex’s intuition: the plan later on was NOW and forever more annulled.
Rex could only groan at Rafaela’s “good” timing.
He cried in his heart and yet, he also had to admit that he can’t seem to get angry with this temptress on his left side. Meanwhile…
Amy angrily glared at Rafaela and Rex had to say his apology before promising to meet and talk for a proper introduction later through Thorn —which added more shock and fuel to Amy’s already burnt and irritating night that she just had to say no while she visibly excused herself indignantly.
—what did I do now?
Still, the way Amy conducted herself, albeit just having a humiliating experience, was elegant. One had to still applaud her dignity as she retreated on the place where she was trampled by the fox.
When Rex saw Amy stomping her way out of their crowd, he wondered if he said something wrong.
He then heard someone clearing her throat while the people around them felt the fires of war burning so they also exited and whistled their way away from the poor (or lucky) victim.
And just at that time, [Sir, it seems Rafaela’s true identity isn’t something we’d actually expect.]
‘What do you mean?’
[Just now, Chronos asked Goldwyn how Rafaela and you became acquainted with each other but Goldwyn seems to be genuinely surprised as well when he replied that he didn’t know.]
This was a surprising development. As it turns out, Rafaela’s entrance actually unearthed a vital Intel for Rex tonight so he can’t say that this was some trouble at the very least.
[And also, boss, Rafaela’s Battle-AI seems to be the one advising her of her actions. Oh, just now, he had noticed me actively scanning her Comms Device and cut off her connection from the Local Communication Network of the hotel. But it was futile since he didn’t expect I was directly scanning him through the wireless function of Rafaela’s ear piece device.]
Rex felt that Cortana might actually be bullying the inferior-leveled Battle-AI and said: ‘For him to be able to detect your scanning only meant that he’s not as weak as Gats’ Battle-AI who got crushed in just a single clash. He may actually have a similar Tech Hardware backing his processes.’
[It might be better, sir. In now’s era, even with my 500YB processing capability, it’s not that advanced compared to the latest military-grade technologies of the UNICORN. In fact, it might be inferior. My only advantage in terms of hardware is that I am in fact a compact version and was meant to be setup inside a User. Also, in terms of Software, sir, I am very confident that my Thought Algorithm Program and Protocol Adjustment Matrixes are at least 50 years more advanced than the current commercial grade programming techniques and sequences available in the market.]
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Rex paused and absorbed Cortana’s report. Right.
Cortana was a product of Project Salvation —if this conclusion is correct.
Project Salvation, copying a Human’s Soul and then converting them into adjustable AI-programs, is just that….. ingenious, as well as frightening.
The applications of this technology, depending on whoever gets their hands on it, were immensely so frightening and so vast that he couldn’t imagine them exactly.
For one, you could create a Universe and trap the individuals inside it without any explanation just so you could experiment on their behavior or even as much as make them think they’re reincarnations of their old self back on Earth; or you could create a Universe and control its very laws itself and then “login” on it, become a God or something else, to rule over its inhabitants and be a King to satisfy your conceited vanity, just like how majority of the stories you need on a certain monopolistic website company who promises something and then take back their promise and then even sue you “legally” since you tried to demand for them to honor their promises….
—or———
—you could copy the current world’s technology and all its information, and then do your own Tech Research inside that world with an accelerated sense of time and then take back the data to apply the products into the slow-moving reality… it’s just like how he experienced eons upon eons of years in just a matter of days back in the real world.
In short, it wasn’t too hard for “Captain Newgate” to evolve into Cortana’s level within a decade for he only lacked the sophistication of her Thought Algorithms and Program Matrixes. But given time, seeing as he was formidable now, he was sure to be Cortana’s peer within that given timeframe.
Cortana is like a laptop, against a desktop in a very understandable analogy.
She had high specs on-the-go and is high-end just on her own (hardware), but its downside is that it wasn’t possible for her to be upgraded anymore, unlike desktop computers where you can upgrade any part that doesn’t function (or is outdated) the “needs” the User wanted it to perform into.
As such, Cortana needed external expansions just like the one Rex had provided back home.
*****
By now, Rex already knew that her “secret” was already exposed and her smile, just now, became slightly stiff as Rafaela heard the report from her Battle-AI “Newgate” that [Cortana] had just trapped him inside the hotel facility.
In the small red bag that she carried, there was a compact Nano-Quantum Computer and in it was a separated “copy” of [Newgate] that almost had the same wireless capabilities as Cortana.
Unknown to her, Rex didn’t actually mind Newgate and he, being able to kick Cortana out of his own databank, was actually something to smile about…
….as far as his ‘friendship’ with Rafaela positively goes. And yet, just as well, knowing that Rafaela is part of Goldwyn City made Rex want to prove a bit deeper into the degree that he could her, or must he really trust her at all?
After Rex was informed by Cortana, ‘I see now. I need you to continue the monitoring of the venue and inform me once anything that’s connected to our goals is to happen. And do take note of even the smallest of things or whispers if you can.’
[Yes sir.]
One should take note that even until this moment Rex was partially logged-in to Terroa. With [Siva] inside, monitoring the state of affairs in the Terran Alliance as well as the movements of The Union to his demand, he can’t really divert too much energy into thinking as splitting his consciousness like this was already taking its toll on his mental limits.
As such, his seemingly short and boring replies.
But, then again, the reason why Rex was actually doing this trouble is to force his own brain’s neural limits into activity so that he could breach the [4%] barrier that Cortana could control of all NanoMech remains in his body sooner than late.
There was only three (real world) months left until the Grand Invasion of the Demon Armada. If Siva cannot at least master 7% of it, giving him ability to extend a single second to five for a total of three and a half extended seconds, according to wishful calculations, then surviving against fully recovered Demon Gods and their Full Demon Army would be even harder than digging for water in the desert using a spoon.
The short thought-link made Rex think of the lady in one of the verandas when he first visited that underground city conveniently named as Goldwyn.
Only in this place did Rex realize that it was named after the old man in the central veranda back then.
Goldwyn and Chronos not being aware of Rafaela having a connection with him was also a weapon that he could use for himself.
‘Cortana, are there any spying auditory devices in this place that will hear our conversation?’
[There is none, sir. You can go ahead and talk with Rafaela while I handle the security.]
‘Then please inform Lily.’
[Already did, sir.]
Having thought of this, Rex looked sideways to Amanda who just now listened to Lily’s explanation of the situation and had wide eyes, looking at the other girl beside Rex, and giving him a nod as she stayed silent. Rex couldn’t be more thankful that she was becoming smart about her decisions upon certain circumstances.
Having gotten his green light, Rex pulled the two girls with him towards where Thorn and the rest were actually located. He didn’t have enough mind energy to spare entertaining any more stressful individuals trying to use them as a stepping stone for their own gains.
Rafaela was surprised by his rush while Amanda, though still angry, just followed along as she also ignored the approaching people who tried to strike conversations at their trio.
It’s not that visible when seen by others but their pace is quick and would seem that Rex wanted to get out of the crowded center as fast as possible.
*****
“Oh! They’re here!” someone shouted and so the group got lively as they looked over the arriving three —only to freeze when they realize the third person was actually someone familiar even to the aloof and cold-shouldered Heller.
Seeing her, in fact, Alice couldn’t help but glare as she was Amanda’s friends and Rex was her friend’s boyfriend. Are you a third wheel? Her perfectly curved brows spoke of her cold intent.
Of course, this visible animosity from the girl was perceived by Rafaela but she just laughed it off as she continued to silently cling on Rex’s arm…
…of course, it’s with Amanda’s silent permission.
“You guys—” Rex was just trying to find the right words to explain the situation when their vision is made brighter by a ‘Don’ carrying a wine glass like a royal noble.
An invisible wind carried a force that made his face feel stretched, and the very person approaching them carrying a wind glass at one hand while the other was at the back, was laughing… yes, like the Don of a Spanish Hacienda.
In fact, if people weren’t aware, they’d even think that this man was actually the host of this entire occasion.
“Ah, my friend, you have finally come.” The man spoke and laughed…. like a Don.
Now that Rex looked at around, he noticed that all of them were actually wearing dark glasses under their mask.
—who the fuck is this guy?!!
For some reason, he had an urge to punch him.
And sure enough, Anna walked in and handed the three of them the same shades and said, “This is to protect your soul” before leaving as abruptly as she came. Rex was stunned. Behind Anna was the static Elsie (Agatha in Terroa) who seemed to have her soul lost somewhere else around here.
—is she in some shock or something?
Rex wondered and put on the glasses. When he looked over at the man after that….
….he understood. (==_==)##
He looked behind him and there he saw Anthony sipping his wine staring at the wall, soulless.
For some reason Rex recalled the ruined plans in this evening by Rafaela’s entrance and the earlier urgency he felt vanished with a pop.
He soundlessly sat beside Anthony and took one of the available glasses from a passing server, took a sip, and then soundlessly glanced over at the direction of the shining man at the same time as Anthony. His heart broke. He felt like he really lost something important tonight.
“What’s wrong with them?” Amanda asked Rafaela.
Rafaela giggled and looked at the uncaring and all-smiles Don who continued to laugh with Tash and another uncaring and unbridled muscle-head.
On another sofa area, she saw Heller, a familiar face, who was looking at her seated with two other men; and then on another sofa area, a red-haired rockstar and a glasses-kun surrounded by a bunch of girls who lessened to the two of them talk about their stories with fascination. She smiled.
Her gaze then landed on the circle of girls not too far away and realization dawned on her.
“Ah, someone just ascended.” she said.
Amanda blinked. Ascended to what? Immortality?
Looking at that direction, she saw a red-faced girl who looked prettier than the one in her memory.
“Was that Rio?” Amanda couldn’t believe her eyes.
She thought of many things but can’t understand Rafaela’s meaning. What did she mean and who’s the one that ascended? Amanda’s frown only got deeper when she looked at Rex’s sudden change of behavior.
“Sheesh… these guys are just too much!” (Alice)
Coralline, appearing beside Amanda, snorted, “It’s really annoying. Men! All of them! Hmp! But, well, I’m so happy to finally see you here!” she threw herself to hug Amanda. The change in her words and attitude surprised the latter.
“I still don’t understand.” Amanda hugged her but she whispered.
Rafaela giggled, “Did you have plans tonight with him, if I may ask?”
Hearing this, Alice’s ears were pricked and she stared flatly at Amanda who flushed a deep shade of red, then lowered her head, shook it, and then looked at back at her. “I cancelled it. Who are you anyways?”
Rafaela laughed again, “Now I understand why he is like that.” She couldn’t help shooting Rex a look of sympathy.
““““Who are you to him?””””
It was unknown when but Niobe and Cassiopeia stood beside Alice and along with Coralline asked her this question at the same time.
Rafaela couldn’t help but smiling at this very lively bunch of unusual friends.
While the world is closing in on a new era, they’re like free spirits, unaware that they’re actually right at the middle of that coming storm.
She closed her eyes, heaved a breath, and then gracefully faced the girls, “Just a friend.” She said and then faced Amanda, “Come with me. I will tell you a few things you need to know.”
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An awkward yet merry gathering!!
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Next Chapter: The Conclave in full swing…