After my snakes had disappeared from the bar, I returned my conscious to my body. I had to blink a few times to let my eyes adjust, since I had them close.
After blinking a few times, I struggled to stand. Since I had to get used to not using my limbs when I possess a snake, and now that I'm back, it's like trying to walk once again.
I was just glad that no one is here to see me, I would have been embarrassed and made fun of.
After a few minutes of struggling, I soon stood up and began to change. I decided to wear something brighter, I grabbed a white dress shirt, black jeans, as for my shoes, I made sure to wear some blue sneakers.
I then had both of my snakes slither up my arms, shrinking them to look like rings, both of them wrapped themselves around my pointer fingers.
Once I was ready, I made my way to the elevator and pressed the call button. While waiting, I decided to use the chance to wait by observing the new implants I have.
My upper and lower arms parted, and a blade appeared. The edge itself was glowing red, and I could feel heat coming from it.
I was tempted to try to cut the wall, but I didn't want to be billed on my first day living in my new home. So, I deactivated them, causing the blades to disappear into my arms.
As the blades disappeared, the elevator soon arrived, with the sound of a bell signaling its arrival. I soon stepped into the elevator and pressed for the main floor.
As I was being lowered, I had received a call from an unknown number. I was hesitant at first, but I shook my worries away and answered.
Once I had answered, I saw it was Rouge. Only this time, she didn't bother to look me in the eye.
"So, it seems not a day has passed, and here you are calling for me." Rouge only shivered when she heard my voice.
"Just...just listene, I have a job, one that I don't like to give out to newbies." She grabbed a glass from the table in front of her and downed it.
"But, your the only exception, since you have those….things." I hummed at her choice of words.
"And pray tell, what do you mean by that?" Hearing me ask, she clicked her tongue in annoyance.
"Your, 'companions' can deal with a thorn in my side. I'll be sending you the deets." She then hung up, and I soon received the necessary information.
The target I was supposed to find was somewhere located in Pacifica, I was curious on why she was sending me to a place that made me think it was a resort, since the name does mean peace.
I could only shrug and wait for the elevator to arrive at the ground floor, once I had arrived, I pushed open the door and made my way into the streets.
To be honest, I was surprised with the amount of people walking. It was only ten in the morning, and I could see a crowd in front of me.
Some had expensive clothing, which looked like they worked at companies. While others were somewhat, revealing.
It was a bit unsettling, but what could I do? I'm just one man with a snake that can reproduce and take over the entire city if I ordered it to.
It's not like I could just kill the rich and give to the poor, it'd be too much work. And I for one don't want that kind of attention.
I'd have to deal with politics.
As I continued to walk through the streets, staring at some holograms that showed ads for clothing, cars, and weapons.
But none of them attracted my attention at the moment, since I had my weapons already. I didn't need to bother carrying a gun, I was used to hand to hand combat.
But I was tempted to enter a gun store to buy one just in case, since most of the people in this city already own one.
But I tossed that thought in the back of my mind and soon arrived at a small park. It was so calm and peaceful, I decided to sit on one of the benches to relax.
Yet, as I stared at my surroundings, i could feel the tension in the air. I watched as many people come to and frow, all wearing a smile on their faces.
Yet I could see most of the people were somewhat tense, some even having a bodyguard with them
It made me wonder, how dangerous was this world compared to my own. So, I decided to call Rouge to gather more details on my job, since I didn't want to just walk in without preparation.
After a few seconds, her face appeared on the corner of my vision.
"Cobra, what can I do for you?" She asked in a relaxed manner, but her eyes and body showed caution.
"I'm just calling to ask on what this target did to you, and to ask if you want him warm, or cold." Hearing my question, she flinched when I asked if she wanted the target alive or dead.
"Cold, hard ice, I'm not one who sends people to spill blood, but this person has struck a nerve too far." I hummed at the thought.
"Well then, what can you tell me about Pacifica?" Rouge sighed at my question and turned away.
"Pacifica was supposed to be a resort for the wealthy, trying to attract the rich like a moth to a flame." She explained while spinning a drink in her hands.
"But when the fourth corporate war started, many companies withdrew their fundings, leaving most of the buildings deserted and incomplete." She took a sip of her drink, taking her time to savor the taste.
"And now, it belongs to the voodoo boys, the largest netrunner gang in the city, which is why you are fit for the job." I nodded my head at her explanation, and sighed.
"I see, I'll make sure the 'package' is delivered soon, and Rouge?" She hummed when I said her name.
"I'll swing by later for a drink, I'll need to learn everything that this city has to offer." I then hung up before she could reply and prepared myself for the job.
Was it weird that I had taken a job after a few minutes?
Yes, but it didn't matter since I was broke. I was just glad to have a home and digital papers to show my identity.
I then spent the entire day exploring the district I was in, seeing the food, the clothes….bodies.
I was curious by many things, but I soon lost track of time when I had too much fun exploring.
By the time I realized, it was nearly time for me to head back and get ready for the job I had accepted.
While walking, I realized my home was a bit too far from where I was, so I decided to take a small, short cut through one of the alley ways to reach my home faster.
That was a bad idea on my part, since I wore some expensive clothes. And with the two snakes acting as rings, I realized I looked like I was on the richer side.
I was soon pinned by a few men and women with multiple guns aimed at me, who all looked at me with greed in their eyes.
"Well, well, well, looks like we got ourselves a good haul today." Said a woman, the rest began to grin from ear to ear, all wanting me to pull out my eddies.
"Sorry to disappoint you all, but I'm broke." I said with my hands raised, and a smile on my face.
"Hahhhh? The fuck you mean you broke? The clothes you wearing tell a different story!" The rest of the people all agreed, but what caught the woman's attention were the two rings.
"The rings, leave them, and you can go." I was surprised that they wanted the rings, but since it was the chance for me to leave, and get some free metal, I complied.
As I walked away, I heard insults aimed at me, some calling me a coward, a pussy, and many other original insults.
Yet I wasn't bothered at all, since what would happen next was their demise. After arriving back on the street, I saw that the streets were still full.
People were coming back home, while others were heading out for drinks and food. It was a lively street when during both day and night.
It wasn't long until I heard a muffle scream, looking back into the ally, I saw the two snakes coiling around the group of gangsters that pulled me to the side.
Some were trying to shoot at the snakes, but the guns were crushed from the force. Some had blunt and sharp objects and tried hitting and stabbing, but it didn't leave a scratch.
I decided to walk back in the ally, only this time I wasn't smiling with kindness. As they heard my footsteps, they turned towards me, their eyes showed their plea to be help.
But I only smiled and patted the head on one of the snakes, I then turned to the woman who pinned me on the wall.
Her eyes showed rage and fear, but I only clicked my tongue at her.
"To be honest, I was going just walk away if you hadn't ask for my 'rings'." The head of the snake began to rub my palm affectionately.
"But, these are my prized companions, and I would kill anyone who tried to steal them." I then took a step back, letting the snakes drag the gang memebers deeper into the ally.
Their muffled screams were soon cut off by the sound of bones and limbs being crushed. By the time the sounds had stop, I looked back to see more eyes glowing in the dark.
"Well then, I guess I should have enough to work with." I then began to head home, while having the snakes spread out in different directions to not be seen.
While the two I had at the beginning shrunk and coiled around my fingers, and I soon walked out with no problems at all.
After arriving at my home, I began to change my clothes into my old outfit. A black suit with a black dress shirt.
While my pants consisted of black dress pants, and finally black dress shoes. Was it odd for me to wear a suite?
Yes, but there's nothing wrong to look nice on the job. As I was about to leave, I had some of the snakes enter, forming around my face was a mask.
As i began to see through the mask, I looked outside, with the skyscrapers shining. I widened my arms and took a deep breath, releasing a large exhale.
"Prepare yourself night city, because the year of the snake has arrived." I then made my way downstairs to the gargae.
As I arrived, I had the snakes gather around me, following me from behind. Multiple eyes glowed in the dark, and the sound of the rattles could be heard.
"It is time…." I opened the door, sitting comfortably on the chair.
"To feed."
(A/N) Hey hey, didn't expect this one did you now? But to those who had this for a while, I decided to start from the beginning.
With some minor, major, changes. This will be updated during Tuesdays and Thursdays, hopefully, I may try to continue my danmachi one as well, but I don't have high hopes.
But for now, send power stones, and enjoy.