Chapter 62: Carnival of Colors
"When is that voice coming?" Lanka asked Ryan a third time, elbowing the megaphone.
"When you find me another brain," Ryan replied, fiddling with the device. Several people have taken over the dance floor, but the equipment of the house is not enough to support a real rave party. Seriously, Ki-jeong needs to stop buying Dy
AMIS's home furnishing products. They are only a little higher than the pre-war imports.
Actually, does the purchase of the enemy's products count as cooperation?
"Don't distract him," Nasinha said to Lanka. Her zeal for defending Ryan was so high that Ryan considered making her his assistant. Green Genome is busy growing strange phosphorescent mushrooms on the ground. She promised it would help the, and the courier let her let her imagination run wild.
Quickrescue glanced at Matthias, who was talking to Fortuna and the rest of the Seven Killers. Half an hour had passed since they talked, and the room was already full of guests.
"So, you were adopted?" Ryan asked Narsinia bluntly. "Do you know who your birth parents are?"
"Ryan!" Lanka scolded him.
"They're robbers." Nacinia replied almost nonchalantly. "Father Tork said they were murderers and rapists, and Augustus punished them because it was divine justice."
Ryan could swear that the TV screen was about to crack for a moment. He looked up at Macaius, and saw that his smile contrasted with the cold look in his eyes.
"I'm sorry," Lanka said as he glared at the courier. Fortunately, the outburst of power was so subtle that she didn't notice. "The long-tongued woman is not witty at all."
"It's okay!" Nasinia replied with a smile. "My real family is the one who raised me. My mom and dad are amazing, and my siblings are even more so. β
"I was adopted too, but it sucks," Ryan said with a shrug. "Well, half of it."
"Really?" Nasinia looked up with gusto, while Lanka listened quietly.
"The bandits ransacked our community, stole our supplies, and both my parents died," Ryan said. That was a long time ago, and it has lost almost all of its emotional effect. "I ...... I think it's eleven, right?" Maybe 12. I've become great!"
Ryan. Lanka's voice completely lost its joking flavor. "These robbers ......"
Ryan glanced at the snake tattoo on her arm, which belonged to her former gang. "You're not among them, they're all dead," the messenger replied with a shrug. "I've had enough."
Lanka was silent, a thoughtful look on his face, and Nasinia looked between them in bewilderment. Thankfully, a newcomer interrupted them before the atmosphere became more awkward.
Ryan barely recognized Vulcan at first glance, for the genius had already cleaned himself up; She changed her usual clothes into a black suspender shirt and pants, and her hair was draped over her shoulders. Although Augustus Capo is not a dazzling beauty, she looks beautiful.
He really likes geniuses who are shorter than him.
"Ceres, sphere." Vulcan smirked when he saw the messenger. Ryan.
"Hey, my favorite arms dealer," Ryan happily held up a screwdriver. "Your arrival was perfect."
"Always," she replied, a hand resting on her waist. "Tell me something I don't know."
"Is there anything you can do to enhance your voice?" Ryan asked. "I'm trying to get the speakers right, but I need more energy."
"Now you're speaking my language." Vulcan said, searching in her pocket and tossing him a mouse-sized battery. "It's a small generator."
"Why did you put it in your pocket?" Lanka asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Because my phone doesn't have autonomy more than a sloth," the genius replied with a shrug before taking a beer can from Lanka's private reserve. "It was a tiring day."
"Did you kill the superpower?" Nasinia asked before Ryan did.
"Almost, but Dinas found them first. Fucking killed the thief. β
"What, do they want to buy them?" Sri Lanka snickered.
"With bullets and lasers." Vulcan replied. "They sent out three armored squadrons, plus heavy punches like the devil and the woman Wyvern. Those vultures landed on Meta and opened fire as soon as they saw it. β
Is there gas in their alliance?" Well, I guess it's time to clean up the mess," Ryan said.
Adam wasn't surprised at all. He sacrificed several people, but he managed to escape to a damned submarine. β
"A submarine?" Unable to resist the temptation of an underwater adventure, Naginia immediately asked.
"yes, a damn submarine with McLaren's badge on it."
The name of the terrible genius immediately killed the atmosphere of joy. Lanka fiddled with her cigarette and frowned. "Well, that doesn't sound good."
"I feel like it's a lot more complicated than it seems." Vulcan glanced at Ryan as he sipped his beer. "I called the diver to investigate because she is an expert in underwater hunting."
The thought of calling Ryan had crossed Ryan's mind, but he was now careful not to involve her. She was probably busy taking care of the orphans, and there was no need to stress her any more.
Either way, thanks to Vulcan's gadget, he completed his design, amplified the sound, and turned ordinary speakers into weapons of mass destruction. As if in response to his success, Nassinia's mushrooms unleashed a faint colored mist on the dance floor, which immediately attracted everyone's attention.
Ryan exchanged his screwdriver for wine and cleared his throat.
"Kids!" The messenger shouted as he raised his glass, his voice echoing through the megaphone. "Great power, zero responsibility!"
Cheers echoed his declaration, and Lanka created multiple colored orbs above the dance floor, each representing an elixir. They float near the ceiling, pulsing with energy, slowly shrinking as they provide a solid light show.
"How long do they last?" Vulcan asked Lanka, and more people began to take over the dance floor, and the music was replaced by a catchy Sy
thwave songs.
"If no one touches them, about an hour," Lanka said, before turning to Nassinia. "The mushrooms are well done. Again, what is your job?"
"I work on the island of Ischia," the teenager replied. "I helped Father Traucher open the way to heaven"
"That kind of paradise?" Ryan asked, immediately interested. "Are you an angel?"
Nasinia's smile hesitated. "I'm sorry, Ryan, I shouldn't have said that."
"I'm just saying, I've always wanted to make a living selling drugs," Ryan said, waving his fist. "It has always been my dream to build a South American drug cartel. If you need a drug wizard, I know all the good food, 55 tablets for women, it doesn't matter, just give me a truck and I'll start cooking. β
"Do you know how to make drugs?" After reading her sixth anti-cancer stick, Lanka asked. "Good to know."
Ryan spent ...... Twenty years? He spent at least twenty years trying out all the addictive substances in the world except for the elixir, and when he ran out, he learned how to make it himself. In fact, his period with the drug cartel was quite pleasant, although the last drug overdose was terrible.
"I'm afraid you'll have to give up your childhood dreams, Ryan." Vulcan brazenly put an arm around his shoulder. "You and I have an exclusive work contract."
"Can't we have an open relationship?" Ryan replied, brazenly placing his hand on her waist. Lanka looked at him, as if he thought the messenger would soon lose that arm.
"I can't find anyone half as good as you," Vulcan replied, not pushing his hand away. "So until death separates us."
"Are you talking about work or something else?" Sri Lanka joked.
"He can come and see me," Nasinia said, apparently eager to see Ryan again. "Father Torque says the equipment needs to be updated. Especially defense. β
"Bacchus doesn't know anything about technology," Vulcan replied, her amusement turning to frustration. "And you have a ghost guarding your precious island."
"Mr. Geist says he can't be everywhere at the same time, and that he could ascend to heaven at any moment."
"Is it pretty?" Ryan asked Vulcan, trying his best to imitate the kitten's cute eyes.
"Don't start." Vulcan rolled his eyes and glanced at the dance floor. "Do you know how to dance?"
"I'd be humbling if I said I was amazing."
"Let's put your boast to the test, shall we?"
Both put their drinks aside and walked to the dance floor with the other couples. It soon became clear that the Vulcans had little experience, but Ryan had mastered every dance under the sun, so he instructed them. Matthias also dances with Fortuna, and the glass manipulator seems to prefer to dance, although he doesn't want to admit it.
"Is there anything you're not good at?" The Vulcan asked Ryan. He could feel the sweat on her fingers, and her breathing quickened.
"Ice skating". Vulcan giggled, and Ryan probably laughed too, if it weren't for the unpleasant feeling that someone was watching him from afar. He knew who it was at a glance.
Livia watched him from the bar, her gaze first surprised, then confused. She began to ask Sparrow next to her, and while Ryan could read lips, the lights didn't help him understand anything.
He did, though, catch the attention of the mysterious woman. It must have been his charm.
"Fuck off!"
Ryan and Vulcan interrupt their frantic dance when they hear Jamie's voice cut through the cacophony. The swordsman grabbed the shirt of a man who manipulated the fire that Ryan had seen earlier at the party, looking like he was going to kill him. The guest held a broken inhaler filled with a bluish-ting, almost phosphorescent liquid.
It seems like an idiot ignores Jamie's rules and takes Bliss to the party. and Ki-ju
gβ¦β¦
Chirp looked at the medicine, his face was pale and he was trembling. She seemed paralyzed and speechless; A former addict confronts her with personal poison.
Bliss can be taken in liquid or gas form, and it is powerful enough to affect the genome. It's also incredibly addictive, and Ryan can prove it for himself. He tried it and couldn't finish it, and although he only found a cure for the addiction, it was a terrible pain.
Not to mention the hidden long-term side effects...
The idiot tried to protest, even though Jamie seemed fierce. It's not a pretty sight, because the android is a tall, aggressive man like a bear. Although he didn't have any laser weapons in his hands, the dark angry look on his face made it clear that he barely restrained himself. This contrasts sharply with his usual kindness, making his attitude even more discordant.
In fact, Ryan has only seen Luigi so angry when he exposes his infiltration in certain cycles.
βButββ
"Fuck off!" Jamie growled and threw the genome back, his tone becoming vicious. "Don't come back."
The guests looked around, surrounded by the eyes of other guests, and then walked towards the door with a frightened expression and an inhaler. "What is this?" Jamie immediately asked his girlfriend, and his horrible face became kind again.
"Yes," Ki-jeong said, though she clearly didn't mean it. "That's good. Never mind. β
Jamie put his hand on her waist in a protective manner, then turned to Ryan as Ryan and Vulcan approached the couple. "Sorry for the mess," Zambato apologized.
"Your house, your rules," Vulcan replied, glancing at the entrance to the house. "I'm going to punish that idiot, Zambato. I promise you. β
"Thank you." Jamie looked at his troubled girlfriend, then at Ryan. "I think we're going to retire early. Can you and Lanka take care of the guests while we're away?"
"Of course," said the courier.
"Can I trust you not to do stupid things?" Jamie asked, raising an eyebrow.
"I swear I won't set fire to this roof."
"It's strangely concrete," he noted, but there were more pressing things in his mind. "Don't burn down the house."
Ryan gave a thumbs up with one hand and crossed his fingers behind his back with the other. Jamie and Kee are moving upstairs, leaving the ground and main room for the guests. "I didn't know that Jiu Jiu was an addict in recovery," Vulcan said, showing surprising insight. "I'm glad I didn't eat those things."
"Don't take your own drugs," Ryan replied.
"Scarface?" She smirked at his surprised face. "I also watch movies. Maybe one day I'll show you some. β
Before the two return to the dance floor, Sparrow approaches them. βQuicksaveγβ The bodyguard cleared her throat. "Ms. Livia wants to talk to you."
"What?" Vulcan asked, her tone shifting from frivolous to serious.
"I don't know," replied Sparrow. "But you can come if you want."
Ryan and Vulcan exchanged glances, and while Genius was clearly upset about it, she didn't seem willing to refuse the request either. Livia was clearly influential in the Order, at least her father.
Livia was waiting for them at the counter, playing with a cocktail. Greta and the vampire formed a security cordon around her, giving her a safe space in the crowd. Her eyes were still staring at Ryan with curiosity and interest.
"Are you there?" Livia asked Ryan, her voice radiating a calm confidence.
"Maybe, maybe not," Ryan replied. "Can we be sure we really exist?"
"That is, are you really there, or are you just hallucinating?"
"Well, real hallucinations don't ask if they're real," Ryan said. "That's how I tell them apart."
Livia giggles in response, but Vulcan's face remains an unreadable mask when she asks herself a question. "Miss Duke, don't you already know?"
"I will, if my powers work for him." Livia replied. She sounded strangely happy about it. "It's not. In its view, the person in front of me does not exist. β
Vulcan frowned. "You mean, you can't see him in any of the parallel universes?"
Well?
"No, it shouldn't be possible," Livia continued, looking at Ryan with obvious curiosity. "My name is Livia Augusti or Minerva. Are you blue? Maybe it's a white man?"
"No, I'm not a Smurf. I'm closer to magenta. β
"Purple? Oh, then you must be saving up. My aunt and uncle talked about you. β
"You know I'm immortal, right?" Ryan asked her, glad she was famous. "I haven't told anyone before."
"I'm pretty sure," she replied with a big smile, which made Ryan strangely uneasy.
Wait, Livia Augusti? She was Pluto's niece, and Lanka had said that he should be in awe of her father......
Ryan's heart skipped a beat. "Who's your dad?" He asked for confirmation.
The young woman's smile widened as she looked out the window at Mount Augustus.
β¦
Damn, Augustus can breed!
"I can see and interact with another reality," Livia explains. "I'm not going to tell you all the boring details, but I can see a situation in different ways; Even if it's one person. But for some reason, my strength just didn't take you into account. β
If so, then it's no wonder she seemed so bored beforehand. If that mafia princess could observe multiple realities, she might have known what the outcome would be before the party even started.
Until Ryan himself appeared. "Interesting," he said, noting that the information would be saved for later.
"You said you overlapped with your alter ego," Vulcan told her dance partner. "Maybe that's why. Your forces will interfere with each other. β
He lied on this point, though, and Ryan exposed his bravado when he told them his theory.
"I couldn't suppress my curiosity," Livia admitted. "Even Greta just prevents me from seeing anything while using her power on me, otherwise I can see her very well. This is really the first time for me. β
"Oranges in the coop."
Both Vulcan and Livia frowned at Ryan. "Excuse me? The mafia princess asked.
"If you remember that, it means everything is fine," Ryan said as he grabbed a drink from the counter.
"I'll remember that then," Livia replied with a smile. The more they talked, the happier she seemed. "If you don't mind, I'd love to study how our forces interact. I'm still looking for my limits. β
"How about we make a bet?"
Livia put her hand on her cheek, considering the messenger's proposal. "Bet?"
"I thought of something to end this party." Ryan raised his index finger and sipped his cocktail. "Something so bold, so adventurous, so crazy that I promise you won't see it in any other universe. Something that can anger a wyvern, something fierce. β
Livia raised an amused eyebrow, and Vulcan looked ready to take the bait. "I'm listening," said the mafia princess.
Ryan smirked.
Two hours later, Ryan hid behind a desk on the twentieth floor of Dinams' headquarters, dodging the lasers. He was wearing a new purple suit, while a heavily armed Vulcan was engaged in an exchange of fire with private security.
"Rome". Enrique Manada pointed a gun at the messenger, and angry vines surrounded him. "Put down that cashmere suit!"
The things he made for his wardrobe......