Chapter 4: Dr Matthew Rivers

While having small talk with Noah, the blue pupils within his eyes immediately turned red as they expanded.

We were unable to react in time, but I immediately understood that Matt was using his prosthetic eyes to scan our bodies, judging from the holographic light hovering over my body.

I couldn't help but frown slightly before shaking my head.

This guy was really cautious and rude.

chattering and laughing with you one second, and the moment you let your guard down, he strikes.

'Let this be a lesson...' Noah didn't seem too surprised at his actions though, probably used to it but he should have given me a heads up or something.

After scanning, he seemed surprised and said "Interesting Bionics, what grade and branch is it, it must be one of the recent generations, it was even made to look organic"

At this moment he didn't seem like, Matt, who usually engages in the prosthetic business as a side job,

I suddenly remember Noah telling me about him before, His main job is actually an information broker and a top hacker.

"Forget all that" Noah cuts in but it seems Matt wouldn't let go...

"Are you perhaps interested in selling? I could give you..."

"Doc, I said forget that, we came for something else" Noah cuts in once again and the 'doctor' pauses for a few seconds while looking at Noah in the eye before saying calmly with a hint of amusement," Alright what brings you here Mr. Colie?"

I adjusted my sitting position, I pretended to take something from my hoodie but it was actually from the system inventory, I did that before dropping a small container with a plastic casing on the table.

"What I have in there, is something that can make us a lot of money, a new market, I just need your connections to get them into the market unnoticed," I said non-committally.

Silent, Doctor Rivers looked at us a bit piercingly and for a minute I got a bit scared, "..."

"Oh? aren't you curious about what's inside?" Noah chimes in mock amusement.

I also shook my head in mock disappointment while attempting to pick up the box, trying my best to hide my blunder, "Naturally if it's some second-hand goods or lost items, he would probably be more interested...I thought you said he was all about the credits."

"Hahahaha! You guys are so interesting." Matt Rivers laughed and stopped me, before picking up the case and said, "Mr Colie, I never said I wasn't interested."

"...." Noah smirked.

Doctor Rivers picked up the case and said while squinting his eyes at me for a second, "When we met before, I was worried that you were not reliable, but now you seem very stable!"

"I'll take it that you are complimenting me." Noah casually says that as he walks to the minibar, opens the transparent compartment, and picks up a whiskey of some kind.

Meanwhile, Matt Rivers finally opened the case without a word

"Neurostimulant?" He mutters to himself and I picked up on that.

It really surprised me, he guessed what it was after one glance. The blueish-green chip didn't seem to have any special features besides the Neon written in cursive fonts...

"As expected of you Doctor Rivers," I say.

"You do know that there's a mature market for these already right?"

I cooed lightly as Noah passed me a glass of whiskey, After taking a sip, I could tell that it was one of the really good stuff out there. I savored the aftertaste for a second before speaking, "Of course we knew that. But before we continue, why don't you have it tested first."

Noah nodded lightly while refilling his glass...

'Now that is worrying' Was all I could think while looking at him.

"I'll be right back." He said and headed towards the embedded door.

After Matt Rivers left, I said with a light frown, "What are you doing? If you get drunk here, it might cause problems."

Noah snorted and rolled his eyes," It looks like my advanced senses are mitigating the effects, I'm just adding to the atmosphere... Plus This dude is scary, I guess he's probably worried about what our cyber gear can do, due to its grade?"

"Well, he did say there's no information on it..." I looked at the door, Doctor Rivers went through.

_________

After about 20 minutes, Dr.Rivers came out with a solemn expression.

He took out a cigarette and threw one each to me and Noah, then lit another one himself: "well, Misters... I must say, exquisite work. Did you guys make it yourselves?"

I took the cigarette but did not smoke and I didn't grant an answer to his question, making everything awkward.

"Although this chip is a consumable. It can be compared to a level 2 hacking equipment, in terms of price. It will be difficult to see these things on the streets and to be honest, I feel pained to use it for a mere testing."

He blew out a smoke ring and said calmly: "Using data to directly stimulate the cerebral cortex to improve performance its performance and data transmission speed, was a bold move and nothing short of a stroke of genius. I would like to meet it's producer".

After that, he glanced at the time: "So What is that you want?"

________

A few minutes later we left Dr. Rivers's inconspicuous shop.

"Aiden, can you wait for a second, I'll go take a look at my workplace." Noah turned around quickly and headed towards the bar he used to work before I could even say anything.

I was left alone in front of the Alley, so I walked while looking at the bank alert I just received and couldn't help muttering," We are really doing this for real, there's no time for games... No more mistakes "

[Green Citadel Bank (reminder): 260,000-star credits have been credited to your electronic account at 17:43 p.m. leaving a balance of 267,867-star credits.

It's a pleasure having you with us Mr. Aiden Colie, stay safe out there.】

I began to reflect on our actions so far and began to rethink some plans, before I knew it, I was at the four-cornered junction with a mini market in the area, and I suddenly felt like smoking.

I pulled out the cigarette I got from Dr. Rivers before buying a lighter from a random shop.

Sometime later, I found myself smoking by an AR AD of a dancing plush toy, smoking was a habit that I had deliberately avoided in this life.

[Green Citadel Bank (reminder): 130,000-star credits have been debited from your electronic account at 17:52 p.m. leaving a balance of 137,867-star credits.

It's a pleasure having you with us Mr. Aiden Colie, stay safe out there.】

My mind slowly drifted off to the outcome of our earlier dialogue, we now had a recommendation to a dealer in the main black market, and each of the 20 chips given would be sold for 13,000-star credits, adding up to 260,000 star credits. he'd also be given a two-week monopoly on this product if he could provide us with the information about our mother's killer.

Unfortunately, it would be too stupid to sell all 199 chips at one time because it would only reduce its worth and bring unnecessary problems to the gang's early development.

Currently, Me and Noah are over a hundred thousand star credits richer once we split this profit. This isn't a one-time deal either, when it is convenient we could come sell more.

'Maybe we should buy the safe house now or a racket? Or perhaps complete the personal gangster quest, that should be easier '.

While contemplating, I noticed Noah coming in my direction with a smile on his face.

"I went to confirm if there are any Gangs in the area, I'm sure you are thinking of setting up something here, with the way you have been scoping the place since we arrived haha..."

"Nice, so what did you find?"

"Let's head back, we'll talk as we move or better yet, we'll complete the personal quest and then go back home to talk" He was planning on speaking but soon changed his mind, there must be a reason why he's acting cautious.

I shrugged while responding to his words, "Fine by me"

_____

At the end of the day, we both got a lot of new clothes and a huge tattoo covering our left chest, it was an image of a red-eyed crow with a huge flaming Crown hovering over its head.

For the first time in our two lives, we got a tattoo!!...

After all is said and done, we chose to go home and rest for now before the next plan.