Chapter 513: Daily Work for Grassroots Agents.
06:40 AM.
Hell's Kitchen · Blue Route.
The Blue Route consists of the A, C, and E lines, which stop at subway stations along 8th Avenue, providing convenient subway service to the eastern edge of Hell's Kitchen. It is located in the southeast corner of Hell's Kitchen.
The 42nd Street-Porter Authority Transportation Hub, in particular, is a complex intersection at the heart of the city's network. It serves as a key link between Hell's Kitchen and the outside world, yet it is also a place full of contrasts and conflicts. Many people of different races, carrying large and small bags, travel back and forth at 42nd Street Station.
The first rays of morning sunlight have not yet completely dispelled the darkness, but the transportation hub has already begun its busy day.
Subways, buses, and hurried pedestrians create a bustling scene.
Amidst the flickering neon lights, one could see individuals of various races—humans, goblins, kobolds, and other alien races.
They hurried through the crowds, or waited cautiously at the edge of the platform. Each had their own destination, and behind each destination lay a different story.
The air on 42nd Street was filled with a medley of smells.
The dampness from the underground, the exhaust fumes of passing vehicles, the aroma of food from fast food restaurants, and the unique scents of different races.
These scents intertwined in the air, forming the unique odor signature of Hell's Kitchen.
The figure of Operator Rich Robert, the Mole, stood out in this environment.
He wore the black uniform of the Authority, the external "Genealogy [Adam]" flashing on his shoulder. His hands rested flat on his chest on his bulletproof vest, beneath which hung two "Authority-404 Microbolters."
On his retina, every passing pedestrian and alien was assigned a green "Normal" mark.
Mole's eyes quickly scanned every pedestrian on the street.
In the bustling crowd, whether human or alien, a hint of fear and disgust flashed in their eyes when they saw Operator Mole wearing the Authority uniform.
They desperately avoided Mole, fearing that the Heavenly Kingdom's "watchdog" would find an opportunity to empty their bolter rifles. This behavior created invisible ripples in the crowd.
Mole was accustomed to this. He felt lucky today, not encountering a "yellow code" or "red code" right after opening.
Encountering a "yellow code" meant that there was 80% doubt about these people.
Encountering a "red code" meant that there was no hesitation, just draw your gun and shoot.
This was the intelligence Mole had gathered after two months as a low-level patrol agent in the Bureau's Transportation Department. [Adam]'s intelligence integration and crime assessment abilities were so reliable that the mental effort required of the lower-level agents was practically nonexistent.
However, Mole had heard that the Bureau's newly established Municipal Affairs Department intended to partially undermine [Adam's] control over the Bureau and establish a secretariat to recalibrate the Planning Bureau's control over its lower-level agents.
If the Bureau were like his father's heaven, then the Municipal Affairs Department would be the meeting place for resolutions, Adam would be Eden, and the secretariat would be the buffer zone between the upper and lower levels of power.
As Mole surveyed the crowds of people passing through 42nd Street Station, the device on his chest suddenly flashed rapidly several times, and then a voice was transmitted into his mind through the peripheral spectrum.
"Municipal Transportation Department calling 42-Porter Authority Transportation Hub. Municipal Transportation Department calling 42-Porter Authority Transportation Hub. Please answer. Puff!"
Mole's spirituality flowed into the peripheral spectrum, and he replied:
"This is Operator Mole from 42-Porter Authority Transportation Hub. Copy. Go ahead. Puff!"
"Mole, we've received a report of an unauthorized hover vehicle and a rear-end collision involving a bipedal dragon at the west entrance of the transportation hub. Please proceed immediately to investigate and address the situation. Ensure Traffic is flowing smoothly."
"Roger that, Municipal Transportation Department. I'm heading to the west entrance to investigate the dispute. I'll handle it according to regulations and ensure smooth traffic flow."
"Understood, Mole. Please report back upon completion. Municipal Transportation Department, over."
"Understood. I'll report back immediately upon completion. 42-Port Authority Transportation Hub Operator Mole, over."
After concluding his call with Transportation Headquarters, Mole quickly headed towards the west entrance of 42nd Street Station.
The side entrance was originally a functioning station in Hell's Kitchen, but with the impact of the New World's fall, it became a junction connecting multiple otherworldly regions.
To maintain normal traffic and order in Hell's Kitchen, the New Alliance partnered with Monster Power Company to deploy multiple otherworldly portal devices in the area. These devices, to a certain extent, ensured the flow of traffic through the west entrance.
However, when the management of Hell's Kitchen was transferred to the Authority, the situation changed.
Considering the angelic forces behind the Authority, [Monster Power Company] chose to divest its investment and withdraw from Hell's Kitchen, leaving the otherworldly portals at the west entrance without professional maintenance support.
Without the daily maintenance provided by the power company's staff, these portals began to operate improperly, with frequent opening errors and delays, leading to frequent traffic disputes and safety hazards in the west entrance area.
*******
42nd Street - West Entrance.
Upon arriving at the scene, the Mole was immediately captivated by the chaotic scene before him.
In the crowded traffic corridor of 42nd Street in Hell's Kitchen, an unusual scene caught his eye: a wyvern with a golden collar around its neck stood in the middle of the traffic. Its powerful and mighty feet had accidentally dented a massive hole in a hovercraft, which was emitting a hissing sound of sparks and seemed poised to lose control at any moment.
Riding the wyvern's back was a human who had undergone illegal cybernetics.
His arms were replaced with metal prosthetics, lending his appearance a cold, unruly air.
His face was adorned with earrings and a nose stud, adorning them even more glaringly against his expression of contempt and defiance.
The knight gazed down at the charioteer lying on the ground. The unfortunate man clutched his head, blood oozing from between his fingers, clearly severely injured.
A mocking smile played at the corners of his mouth, as if he relished the man's helplessness and suffering.
The knight made a mocking gesture toward the man on the ground, his demeanor arrogance as if the wyvern he rode granted him authority over ordinary men.
"You stinking bastard, driving a shitty federal-made hovercar and you dare to show off in front of me? Stupid, I'm telling you, this is Hell's Kitchen. No place for a bastard like you driving a domestic car."
Lying on the ground, one hand clutching his bleeding head, the car owner stared at the knight who was giving him the middle finger, his rage rising.
"Fuck, I just bought a new car!"
The car owner tried to struggle to his feet, but the excessive blood loss had left him feeling a little weak. He stumbled and fell to the ground shortly after, drawing even more mocking laughter from the Wyvern Knight.
At this moment, the mole, who had arrived at the scene, set his sights on the Wyvern, and [Adam] brought up the Monster Manual at the perfect moment.
[Draconia Wyvern (Dragonborn)]
[Borderland - A dragon species owned by the Draconian Empire, a dragon-nation state. After the opening of the New World, this nation was forcibly colonized by financial powers led by the Edici Federation. The wyverns within its borders have been enslaved by Edici merchants using [Forbidden Laws] and capsule technology. These enslaved beasts have become a new financial commodity.
Currently, a stable triangular trade has formed between Edici (the New World), the Borderland, and the various realms (including various external forces such as the Golden Court).
From the Borderland → Edici Federation (Financial Slave Trade)
From the Edici Federation → the various realms: Alcohol, munitions, high-tech products, industrial products, and other high-quality goods.
From the various realms → the Edici Federation: precious metals, ores, divine items, extraordinary products, ivy correction values...
"Sure enough, another one of those unlicensed, black market [Capsule Beasts/Elves] smuggled in through the triangular trade."
Mole simply glanced at the unlicensed license plate on the neck of the Draconian Wyvern, which lacked any certification from the Mayflower Foundation, one of the three major New Alliance entities, and knew the riding Capsule Beast before him was a black market commodity.
Those rampant black market traders always try to circumvent the world tax imposed by the border → the Edici Federation and exploit loopholes in the [Financial Street].
"And judging by the situation, the guy with the prosthetic modification above is using toxic metals." Mole glanced expertly at the metal prosthetic limbs of the insane Draconian Knight.
"Lead." He quickly deduced the cause of the Wyvern Knight's cyber illness.
Lead poisoning is a common cyber psychosis caused by toxic metals.
Mild lead poisoning can cause poor concentration, memory loss, fatigue, and depression; while severe lead poisoning can lead to decreased intelligence, behavioral problems, psychosis, and even violent behavior.
Proper cyber surgery doesn't involve large amounts of toxic metals.
But I'm sorry, this is the Eddiesi Federation, this is the New World, this is Hell's Kitchen.
Thus, abnormality and unscrupulousness are the norm.
Looking at the cyber psychopath who was clearly suffering from severe lead poisoning, the Mole knew that this situation could escalate into a more serious violent incident if not immediately controlled.
He quickly assessed his surroundings, ensuring there were no other potential threats, then decisively drew his bolter and fired a warning shot into the air.
Bang—
The loud crack of the bolter echoed through the narrow corridor, instantly attracting everyone's attention. "Okay, now I need everyone to calm down!"
Mole's voice was firm and powerful, brimming with unquestionable authority.
"Sir," he turned to the human who had undergone illegal cybernetics, "please get off the wyvern and stay away from that car."
The wyvern rider, suffering from severe lead poisoning, seemed particularly defiant under the Mole's stern warning.
His drowsy state of mind did not cause him to retreat; instead, it fueled his contempt and defiance of the Authority's officers.
His eyes were hazy, and his tone was filled with sarcasm and disdain, as if mocking the solemnity and authority of the scene before him. "Who do you think you are? Just because you wear an Authority uniform, you think you're angels of Heaven? No, you're just Heaven's watchdogs! Watchdogs, you know."
His words were sharp and provocative.
"Chuchu, watchdog, bark and make me happy."
Mole remained remarkably calm in the face of this provocation. His expression remained unchanged, and he responded calmly yet firmly, "I am an inspector from the Administration, Operator number 777-424. You are currently in violation of the law. For the safety of yourself and others, please dismount immediately and raise your hands."
As he spoke, Mole activated Adam's law enforcement recording mode, ensuring the entire process was fully documented.
He held his bolter steady at the Knight, ready for any eventuality.
Faced with this stern warning, the Knight showed no sign of fear; instead, it stirred his urge to flee.
He piloted his Wyvern, intending to quickly depart the scene.
With a sudden burst of acceleration, the Wyvern began to rampage through the streets, creating a trail of chaos and destruction. Cars and other vehicles were mercilessly slammed away by its powerful body, some even leaving huge dents, with terrifying crashes and bursts of sparks.
Streetside shops were not spared either, their windows shattered and merchandise scattered across the ground, leaving a scene of devastation.
The Wyvern's rampage was like a sudden storm, quickly unleashing waves of panic and chaos on the heavily trafficked streets.
Pedestrians and vehicles tried to avoid this sudden threat, but due to the Wyvern's immense speed, many could only watch helplessly as the destruction unfolded.
"What the hell, what a psycho!"
"My car!!!"
Screams, honking horns, and the sound of shattering glass mingled in a chaotic symphony.
Seeing this, the mole acted swiftly and decisively.
[Bullet Time: Activate—]
Without hesitation, he pulled the trigger, and the bolter unleashed an unprecedented burst of fire.
One after another, the precisely aimed bolts flew out at astonishing speed, hurtling towards the wrecking dragon. At that moment, time seemed to freeze, all sound replaced by the series of sharp explosions.
When the bolts accurately struck one of the dragon's legs, the momentary silence was shattered by the ensuing explosions. The immense force of the impact instantly destroyed the dragon's leg, the powerful explosion not only instantly destroying its function but also leaving charred marks on its scaly skin.
At that moment, the dragon's body twisted violently in agony. It struggled to maintain its balance, but its injuries rendered its efforts futile.
"Roar—"
The wyvern let out a deafening roar of agony, a sound filled with terror and pain that echoed through the narrow passage, causing panic among the passersby.
Its massive body began to stagger, every attempt to stand or move rendered extremely difficult by its injured leg.
In agony and loss of balance, the wyvern's movements became clumsy and weak, and it inevitably collapsed to the ground.
As its mount, the wyvern, agonizingly fell, the knight lost his balance and fell with it.
At the moment of his fall, he let out a muffled groan of pain, the sound particularly piercing in the chaotic streets.
However, this knight, despite undergoing illegal cybernetics, did not lose his fighting ability.
The metal prosthesis on his arm instantly entered takeover mode, as if possessing a consciousness of its own, rapidly adjusting his descent, allowing him to land with an exceptionally agile, almost physics-defying position.
After landing, the Knight didn't immediately rise. Instead, he used the support of his prosthesis to adjust his position, appearing remarkably agile. He glared fiercely at the operator, the Mole, who had fired the weapon in front of him, his eyes gleaming with anger and hatred.
"AI prosthesis modification with a passive takeover mode... well, even metal prosthesis is illegal." Seeing this, the Mole, who had caught up, internally confirmed another point of guilt.
Neither the [Gear Orthodox Church] nor any other lineage practicing the path of mechanical ascension allows, at least not publicly, the private creation of passive takeover prosthesis devices.
If an AI prosthesis possesses the ability to take over an individual, the most immediate risk is that the individual may lose control of their own behavior, leading to a loss of personal autonomy.
Under this new paradigm, human will is replaced by AI, and individuals become the executors of AI's actions.
If AI's metal prosthesis is used maliciously or hacked, it could pose a serious threat to personal and even public safety.
The taken-over individual could be used as a tool to commit crime, terrorism, or other harmful acts.
As a former member of the Maxwellist Church, one of the three Mechanic Churches, Mole naturally understood the risks associated with such prosthetic modifications. The metal prosthesis on his left hand was also...
"Damn you, you idiot Administration scumbag! Do you even know how much that wyvern you smashed up cost!!!"
The cyber psycho, suffering from severe lead poisoning, yelled at Mole, giving him a good look—a pale, almost bloodless complexion with faint yellowish spots on his skin, a clear sign of long-term lead poisoning.
He had dark circles under his eyes, and he laughed hysterically, his voice piercing and shrill, full of madness. "Operator Mole, this is Control Station. Please describe your current status." The peripheral spectrum called out.
"Control Station, I'm encountering an armed conflict. An armed suspect is resisting arrest. Shooting has been opened. Our location is the west entrance of the Port Authority Transportation Hub." Mole quickly responded in his mind, raising his gun and pulling the trigger at the charging Knight.
Bang, bang, bang—
The Knight launched a fierce attack on Operator Mole.
The metal prosthetic on his arm began to deform strangely, demonstrating the high adaptability and combat effectiveness brought by the illegal modification.
Almost instantly, a circular shield suddenly formed around him.
Mole fired wildly at the charging Knight.
Each bolter round packed immense destructive power, but when they struck the knight's energy shield, they only stirred up rippling waves of light, seemingly unable to inflict any substantial damage.
Meanwhile, the knight, undeterred, entered [Basic Shooting Mode], the metal prosthesis on his arm rapidly transforming into a shooting stance, aiming his weapon at the mole and launching a counterattack.
Bang, bang, bang—
Bang, bang, bang—
On the congested road, a fierce gunfight ensued between the two men. Bullets and bolts crisscrossed the air, emitting a clattering sound. The surroundings seemed unusually vulnerable in this sudden battle.
As the gunfight unfolded on the congested road, the surroundings were quickly engulfed in an unexpected chaos.
The once busy street now became a battlefield for the two adversaries' fierce battle. Bullets and bolts struck the ground and walls, stirring up dust and debris, leaving behind charred marks.
Parked vehicles along the roadside became unexpected obstacles or temporary cover during the battle, though some were unfortunately hit. Explosions and alarms wailed, and thick smoke and flames filled the vehicles.
Pedestrians fled in panic amid the gunfire, screams and hurried footsteps filling the air.
During the battle, the Mole discovered that the knight had been completely taken over by the AI.
"A possession-type AI takeover device! This thing is truly punishing! Smuggling, tampering, each of these offenses is enough to land him in jail for life in Eddies." Seeing the knight's growing courage, yet expressionless expression, the Mole knew he had been possessed by the AI.
"This is the control panel. Based on the current assessment, if the suspect continues to threaten public safety, you are authorized to use lethal force."
"Understood."
As the control panel authorized Mole to use lethal force, his eyes grew cold. He quickly holstered his bolter and slowly began to remove the black full-arm suit covering his left arm, gradually revealing the metal prosthesis hidden beneath.
At that moment, the air around them seemed to freeze.
The metal prosthesis gleamed coldly in the sunlight, its appearance a perfect fusion of advanced technology and combat practicality.
The prosthesis's surface was made of a seemingly strong yet flexible alloy, a calm silver-gray hue, its smooth surface a stark contrast to Mole's skin tone. Complex mechanical structures at the joints made every movement appear smooth and precise.
On the exterior of the metal prosthesis, several small, glowing indicators and micro-interfaces flickered silently, seemingly indicating the status of the complex internal systems. Particularly on the palms and fingers, subtle energy patterns could be seen, hinting at hidden abilities about to be activated.
"Now, let me show you what Cyber transformation is—"
As these words fell, his metal prosthesis began to glow faintly, as if responding to his will.
[Maxwellism Module: Arm of Iron Will—]
[Activate!]
As the metal prosthesis activated, Mole's body suddenly unleashed a surge of intense energy, making his movements almost imperceptible to the naked eye. His figure vanished into a shadow, darting through the narrow streets at astonishing speed, appearing within 15 meters of the Knight in a split second.
This speed and sudden approach caught him completely off guard.
Faced with the sudden attack, the Knight, despite having been taken over by the AI, displayed exceptional reflexes and swiftly counterattacked. He launched a series of attacks at the Mole, attempting to strike with the weapons his metal prosthesis could fire.
However, all attacks launched at the Mole were easily deflected by the shield emanating from his metal prosthesis.
The shield shone with a wave of light upon contact with the attacks, then seemed to be absorbed, leaving the Mole without any effect.
Immediately afterwards, the Mole unleashed the modular skill on his left prosthesis.
[Force Field Shockwave—]
He thrust his left arm forward, and with this movement, a powerful wave of energy erupted from his palm.
This force field shockwave, centered around the Mole, rapidly spread outward, forming a visible shockwave that seemed to ripple through the air.
The force field's shockwave erupted with intense light and vibration upon contact, violently pushing the knight back, practically hurling him.
The knight's body arced through the air before landing heavily on the ground, sending a cloud of dust soaring.
At that moment, the knight's attack was completely interrupted. He had clearly not anticipated the Mole's ability to unleash such a powerful energy attack. He was completely shaken by the force of the force field's shockwave, and it was difficult for him to regain his balance and attack again.
With an almost solemn demeanor, the Mole strode resolutely to the prone knight.
Puff—
His palms slowly extended, precisely grasping the knight's two illegally modified metal prostheses.
Then, he began to slowly lift the knight up.
The knight's body was suspended in the air, his two prostheses unable to struggle in the Mole's grasp.
This raised gesture, a display of strength, carried a silent humiliation.
Then, the [Arm of Iron Will] suddenly surged with a dense web of zeros and ones, entwining its surface like living veins, forming a dynamic data stream.
These numbers pulsed rapidly across the metal surface, gleaming with light. The advanced hacking module embedded in the Mole's metal prosthesis activated, and he began using this data stream to hack into the Knight's illegally modified prosthesis.
The indicator lights on the Knight's prosthesis began to flicker, the once steady light becoming chaotic, indicating that the Mole's electronic offensive was taking effect. In this silent electronic warfare, the Mole, using the commands issued by his prosthesis, gradually invaded and attempted to take over the opponent's mechanical authority.
[Hacking Completed——]
[Maxwell - Mechanical Devourer Module 0-23]
[The following are the corresponding modules for 0-23:]
Enhanced Strength (Passive Skill):
Description: The metal prosthetic arms provide greater strength than a normal human, making it easier to carry heavy objects, engage in simple combat, or break door locks. Effect: Increases physical strength output by 20%, raising the upper limit of lifting capacity to 200 kg.
Basic Shooting Mode (Active Skill):
Description: The prosthetic arms incorporate a basic shooting system that can fire standard military ammunition, suitable for basic self-defense and combat support. Effect: Fires at a rate equivalent to a standard pistol, firing up to 60 rounds per minute, requiring manual reloading.
Simple Shield (Active Skill):
Description: A small energy generator in the arms briefly creates an energy shield, providing temporary protection for the user. Effect: Absorbs one attack within the next 3 seconds. Cooldown: 180 seconds.
Tip: All modules contain the negative effect of 'Lead Poisoning', which can stack continuously.
[Do you want to activate Maxwell Module Replacement? Select one ability to replace.]
Mole reviewed all the abilities and decisively chose to crush the opponent's metal prosthesis.
These things are garbage.
Puff—
Under an unparalleled force, the knight's metal prosthesis began to deform and twist, finally crushing at a speed almost visible to the naked eye.
Metal and circuit fragments flew everywhere, like fireworks exploding in the night sky.
[No—]
At this moment, the knight, taken over by the AI, seemed to wake from a nightmare, his consciousness regaining control of his body. The reality before him shocked him, his eyes filled with confusion, fear, and pain.
Mole stood before the knight, who had fallen to the ground, without the support of his prosthesis, his expression serious, his tone carrying a hint of undeniable coldness.
His words were clear and direct, imbued with the formal tone of a law enforcer: "As you are suspected of [public safety threat/illegal possession of a weapon/assault], we will detain you and take you to the nearest police station for further questioning. Please cooperate with us."
Recovering from the state of complete AI takeover, where he had lost all self-awareness, the knight was still in a state of semi-daze. He opened his mouth to speak, perhaps to explain or perhaps to defend himself, but when the Mole drew his bolter again and pointed the cold muzzle at his head, all his words were swallowed by the cold reality.
The coldness from the muzzle completely robbed the knight of his courage to resist. His eyes were filled with fear and uncertainty, realizing that any resistance would be futile.
"You will have the opportunity to undergo further questioning and contact federal counsel. We will carefully record this process and ensure that your rights are respected. Now, please follow me."
The Mole continued, not giving the knight any chance to retort. Under his icy gaze, the Knight trembled as he stood up, his heart filled with fear and uncertainty about the future.
Soon, an FBI van belonging to the Eddies government arrived at the scene.
Mole handed the Knight, along with his body camera, to the FBI.
The Bureau and the FBI have a good cooperative relationship, especially in handling public safety crimes.
For the FBI, taking on criminals like this is not only fulfilling their duties, but also an opportunity to hold them accountable and compensate them through legal procedures.
As the van slowly drove away, Mole's gaze shifted, taking in the chaotic scene left by the recent conflict. The destruction and chaos on the streets resembled the remnants of a minor war, raising a sense of concern for the city's public safety.
However, for Bureau agents like Mole, this was already part of their daily work.
He silently thought to himself that the knight would likely be held in federal custody, working until he died to pay for his actions today.