Chapter 7: The Showroom of Egos
The showroom of Luxe-Aether Motors was a cathedral of glass and chrome. Marcus, the head salesman, was having a grand morning. He was just about to close a sale on a Tier-7 Specter-Supernova to a very prestigious couple.
"It's the only one in the city, Mr. Viper," Marcus said, bowing.
Viper, now a commander in the Neon Fangs, smirked. Beside him, Maya was draped in synthetic furs, her eyes greedily scanning the car. "I want it," she purred. "It matches my new implants."
Then, the door hissed open. A man in a black hoodie walked in. He looked... plain. But as he walked across the polished marble, Marcus noticed something strange. The man didn't make a sound. No footsteps. No rustle of fabric.
"Delivery entrance is in the back, kid," Marcus snapped, not even looking up.
"I'm here to buy," Carson said.
Maya froze. She knew that voice. She turned, her face twisting in confusion. "Carson? You... you're still alive?"
"Barely," Carson said, his eyes meeting hers. She felt a sudden, inexplicable chill. It was like looking into a deep, frozen well.
Viper stepped forward, his cybernetic fist hissing. "You again? I thought I broke you five years ago. You want to buy this car? It costs 15 million units. You couldn't buy the air in the tires."
Carson ignored him and looked at Marcus. "I'll take the Supernova. And the two matte-black Phantoms in the window. And the dealership itself. Aura, execute the buyout."