#8, Lucas Dei Amor

Chapter 8

Restless Rest

After the chaos with Rathy and their narrow escape from the digital domain, Meito, Kishimata, and Nodo were finally given a break by their organization. It was rare for the government to give them time to rest, but considering everything they'd been through, the higher-ups agreed they had earned it.

The trio found themselves in a cozy, quiet café in the heart of Italy. The warm, golden sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a peaceful glow across their table. Meito stirred his cappuccino absentmindedly, still replaying the events of the past few days in his head.

"Well, this is nice," Nodo said, leaning back in his chair, hands behind his head. "I mean, sure, we just almost got deleted by a homicidal AI, but look at us now—sipping coffee in a fancy Italian café. Life's weird, huh?"

Meito, still a little dazed, chuckled. "Yeah, life's weird alright."

Kishimata was silent, staring out the window. He was always the one thinking ahead, preparing for whatever came next. "This isn't over," he muttered, more to himself than to them. "Vionse won't stop just because we cracked a few of their secrets. They'll retaliate."

"Yeah, but that's a problem for tomorrow," Nodo replied with a grin. "For now, we get to chill. Just enjoy the moment, dude."

Before Kishimata could respond, the café door jingled open, and in walked the most peculiar person any of them had seen. He was short—remarkably so—with thin, slanted eyes and a mop of black hair that seemed to defy gravity. His clothing was that of an old-fashioned detective, complete with a long coat and a ridiculous hat that made him look like he'd stepped out of a noir film.

He walked with an odd swagger, his movements exaggerated and slightly erratic. His eyes darted around the café as if scanning every detail with lightning speed.

The man spotted them, a huge grin spreading across his face as he waltzed over to their table. "Ah, there you are! The heroes of the hour! Meito! Kishimata! Nodo!" He said each of their names like he was calling old friends, even though they'd never met.

Meito blinked in surprise. "Uh, yeah... that's us. And you are...?"

The man struck a dramatic pose, pointing a finger at his own chest. "Lucas Dei Amor, at your service! Sent by our glorious government to assist you fine gentlemen in bringing down the infamous Vionse organization!" He snapped his fingers, a quick motion that seemed to hold more intent than necessary.

Lucas suddenly lunged forward, leaning way too close to Meito and inspecting his hair. "Hmm... not bad, not bad! But it could use a little more flair. You ever think about adding some volume? Maybe a little pomade, some mousse?"

Meito recoiled slightly. "Uh, I'm... good, thanks."

Lucas grinned wider, his eyes gleaming with a slightly unsettling excitement. "No, no, you don't get it! The hair is the key to solving mysteries, my friend. Every great detective has a signature look. Me? I go for the classic vibe. But you... you're a diamond in the rough. I can make you shine!"

Nodo burst out laughing. "Okay, this guy's nuts. I like him already."

Kishimata raised an eyebrow, clearly skeptical. "You're the new support they sent? How are we supposed to rely on someone who's... well... like this?"

Lucas straightened up, twirling a strand of his own hair with a mischievous grin. "Oh, don't you worry about that, big guy. I may look silly, and I may act a little... eccentric, but when it comes to solving mysteries, I'm the best there is. I crack puzzles like eggshells. Nothing escapes these eyes." He pointed at his own, eyes narrowing dramatically. "I can deduce any clue, uncover any secret, and... well, let's just say, the Vionse crew doesn't stand a chance."

Meito exchanged glances with Nodo and Kishimata, unsure whether to be relieved or more concerned about this new addition.

"So," Meito asked, "you're saying you can just... figure out anything? Like, how fast are we talking?"

Lucas tapped his head. "In an instant! My mind works faster than any supercomputer. It's all about the little details, the stuff no one else notices. That's how I operate, my friends. And with your strength and my brains, Vionse is toast."

Suddenly, Lucas's tone shifted, a dark gleam passing through his eyes. "But make no mistake... I'm not just in this for fun. Vionse did something... something personal. I'll tear them apart, piece by piece. For me, this is a matter of principle."

The switch in his demeanor caught them all off guard. For a moment, they could see the underlying madness in Lucas's eyes—the kind of intensity that hinted at a darker side, hidden beneath the goofy exterior.

"But enough about me!" Lucas snapped back to his cheery self, bouncing on the balls of his feet. "I hear we're planning an all-out assault on the Vionse bases soon, huh? I'm in! I've already pieced together some juicy intel for you guys. They're hiding more than you think."

Kishimata crossed his arms, eyeing Lucas carefully. "What kind of intel?"

Lucas pulled out a small tablet from his coat and slid it across the table. "Every known Vionse hideout. I cross-referenced their activity logs, movement patterns, and recent transactions. Let's just say, we've got them cornered."

Meito leaned in, looking at the map that was now displayed on the tablet. "This is... more than what we had before. How did you get all this?"

Lucas tapped his head again, winking. "Trade secret. Let's just say I'm very good at what I do."

Nodo gave a low whistle. "Alright, I'm officially impressed. We might actually stand a chance at taking these guys down."

Lucas grinned. "That's the spirit! Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got a few more mysteries to crack before we go busting heads. I'll meet you guys at the rendezvous point when it's go time. Don't be late!" He winked again and spun on his heel, strolling out of the café as suddenly as he had appeared.

The three of them sat in silence for a moment, processing what had just happened.

"Well..." Meito said slowly, "that was... something."

Kishimata rubbed his temples. "I'm still not sure if we should be trusting him."

Nodo shrugged. "Hey, if the guy's as good as he says, we might have just gotten our best lead yet. And he's fun to be around, so that's a bonus."

Meito sighed, standing up. "Let's just hope he's not as crazy as he seems. We've got a lot riding on this."

Kishimata nodded. "Either way, we need to prepare. The next move will be the most dangerous yet."

And so, with Lucas Dei Amor now on their team, the group prepared for the next phase of their mission: the full-on assault against the Vionse organization. The stakes had never been higher, and with every step, the mystery surrounding Vionse grew darker and more twisted.

But one thing was certain—the showdown was coming.

The Infiltration of Vionse's Base

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The tension inside the armored van was palpable as the team—Meito, Nodo Sei, Kishimata Lan, and Lucas Dei Amor—approached Vionse's headquarters. Their target was clear, but how they would get in was still a mystery. The base wasn't just a typical underground hideout. According to Darchi's information, it was equipped with top-tier technology and security systems. No one just walked in without setting off alarms.

As they neared their destination, Lucas was staring out the window, tapping his finger rhythmically against the glass.

"You know what I always say in situations like this?" Lucas smirked, adjusting his detective coat that looked like it was straight out of an old noir film.

Kishimata, arms crossed and staring out of the window, raised an eyebrow. "I'm almost afraid to ask."

Lucas leaned forward with a grin. "There's always one truth in a mystery… and today's truth is that this is gonna be fun."

Meito blinked. "Wait, is that a Detective Conan reference?"

Lucas just winked before pulling out a small notebook. "Anyway, let's focus on how to get in there. From what we know, the outer security can only be bypassed by solving a sequence of codes encrypted with advanced AI."

"Hold up," Nodo interrupted, leaning over Lucas's shoulder. "I might not be the brains here, but I'm pretty sure this whole 'solving puzzles to break in' thing is exactly how people get caught."

"True," Lucas replied, flipping his notebook shut with flair. "But we aren't solving this puzzle. We're manipulating it."

As they approached the gates, Kishimata, always the pragmatist, eyed Lucas warily. "You sure this'll work?"

Lucas chuckled, pushing his glasses up the bridge of his nose dramatically. "Trust me. If anyone can crack this without breaking a sweat, it's me. Call it my 'Ability.'"

---

They parked the van a safe distance from the base. The entrance loomed before them—steel reinforced with layers of cryptic codes flashing across a terminal screen. No obvious guards were in sight, but the eerie silence spoke of hidden traps and danger.

"Okay, genius," Meito said, stepping up. "What now?"

Lucas kneeled in front of the terminal, pulling out a sleek gadget from his coat. "Now, I do my thing." With a flick of his wrist, he attached the device to the terminal and began typing furiously. "If Darchi's info was right, there's a way to reverse-engineer the encryption so it thinks we're just regular data streams, like we're supposed to be here."

Kishimata couldn't help but snicker. "This is either going to be brilliant… or the dumbest thing I've ever seen."

The screen blinked for a second, then the codes scattered, forming the shape of a lock. With a soft beep, the gate clicked open.

"Bingo," Lucas said with a grin. "You guys doubted me."

"Alright, alright, you get points for style," Nodo grumbled, clearly impressed despite himself.

They slipped through the gates, the cold, sterile air of the Vionse base hitting them immediately. It was dark, the faint hum of electronics filling the silence. The team moved in a tight formation, their senses heightened.

But something felt off.

Just as they rounded a corner, Lucas stopped suddenly. His eyes widened. "Wait, this doesn't make sense…"

"What doesn't?" Meito whispered, but before Lucas could answer, the floor beneath them began to tremble.

"INTRUDERS DETECTED," a robotic voice boomed from hidden speakers. "Initiating lockdown."

"Crap! So much for not setting off alarms!" Nodo hissed.

The walls around them shifted, sliding open to reveal a series of high-tech security drones.

"Everyone, get ready!" Kishimata shouted.

Before the drones could fully activate, Lucas sprinted toward a nearby panel on the wall. His fingers danced over the buttons, and with a smirk, he muttered, "I think I've seen enough mysteries to know how to handle this."

The panel blinked green. Suddenly, the drones powered down.

"Wait—did you just shut down the system?" Meito asked, incredulous.

Lucas smiled sheepishly. "What can I say? I'm kind of a genius."

"Lucas, bro," Nodo said, stepping closer. "You're like Ranpo from Bungo Stray Dogs."

---

They pressed further into the base, moving swiftly through the dark corridors. Despite the drones being disabled, the further they went, the more they could feel the eyes of something—or someone—watching.

Meito, lagging a little behind the group, started to feel uneasy. "You guys feel that? Feels like someone's breathing down my neck."

Suddenly, the lights flickered, and a distorted voice came from a hidden intercom: "You think you've figured it all out, huh? The puzzle isn't over yet."

Lucas froze. "That voice…"

Suddenly, the entire hallway glitched out, like a bad signal on a TV, and the walls transformed into a virtual battlefield.

"Ah, crap," Lucas muttered. "They've trapped us in a virtual reality grid."

Kishimata clenched his fists. "We need to find the source and break out. Fast."

As the grid warped, figures of the Vionse henchmen began materializing, their movements unnaturally smooth and fast, like AI-driven constructs.

Nodo cracked his knuckles. "Guess we're gonna have to fight our way out."

Just as they were about to launch into battle, a figure appeared in the virtual space. A man dressed in a trench coat, his face shrouded in darkness, but his presence was overwhelming.

"Welcome to my world. The Vionse stronghold is impenetrable. And you…" He chuckled menacingly. "…You're not leaving alive."

Lucas's smirk faltered as he recognized the figure. "That's… that's the leader of Sal-5-3, Weisto von Gerald."

---

To be continued…

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This chapter combines mystery, humor, and tension, with Lucas's genius shining in moments of crisis. It also subtly references Detective Conan and Bungo Stray Dogs with Lucas's detective prowess and nods to the characters' unique abilities. The chapter ends on a cliffhanger, with the introduction of a significant antagonist, keeping the momentum strong and setting the stage for an epic confrontation.

Chapter 8 Part 3: Weisto Von Gerald's Unfortunate Encounter

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The virtual battlefield shimmered, and from the shadows, Weisto Von Gerald finally revealed himself. He was tall, clad in a sleek black trench coat that swirled ominously around him. His face was cold, calculated, but somehow there was a glint of... something off. With a swift motion, he raised his hand, and before the team could react, they found themselves unable to move.

"Well, well, well," Weisto's voice was as smooth as velvet, dripping with arrogance. "You've come all this way, and for what? To be frozen in place like flies in a spider's web."

Kishimata Lan struggled to move his arms, but his muscles wouldn't respond. "Tch, what kind of trick is this?"

Weisto smirked and pulled out a strange, glowing device from his coat. "This? A little something I cooked up. It paralyzes any living organism in its range. You'll be stuck like this forever."

Meito's face twisted in confusion. "Wait, wait, hold up. If it works on any living organism, why are you still moving?"

Weisto blinked, genuinely confused. "What?"

Nodo Sei, despite the situation, managed to let out a chuckle. "Bro, did you forget to make yourself immune to your own gadget?"

Meito snorted, trying to suppress a laugh. "Yeah, man, even I wouldn't mess up that badly."

For a moment, Weisto looked horrified as realization dawned on him. Then, his expression turned angry. "Silence! You won't be laughing for long."

With a flourish, Weisto pointed the device toward them, preparing to finish the job. But just as he was about to activate it again, Nodo, still able to move his fingers slightly, flicked his trusty Reverse Card from his pocket.

"Reverse," Nodo said with a grin.

The second the Reverse Card hit the air, Weisto's device backfired. His smug expression disappeared as his body locked up, freezing in place.

There was a beat of silence as the reality of the situation sunk in.

Kishimata, now free from the paralysis, couldn't help but laugh, shaking his head. "This guy… He literally just got played by an Uno card."

Weisto, now completely immobilized, his eyes widened in shock. "Wh-what? How? That card! What have you done?"

Nodo gave him a cheeky grin, flipping another card in his hand. "Never underestimate the power of Uno, my friend."

Meito, finally able to move again, dusted himself off and sighed. "Well, that was anticlimactic. Here I thought we were about to face some serious battle."

"Dude," Nodo interjected, wiggling his Reverse Card for emphasis, "this card just saved our butts. Show some respect."

Weisto tried to growl in frustration, but his body refused to obey. All he could do was stand there, humiliated and motionless.

Kishimata sighed, walking up to the paralyzed villain. "So, what now? We just leave him like this?"

Meito shrugged. "Honestly, I think leaving him frozen with his own mistake is punishment enough."

As they debated what to do with Weisto, Lucas suddenly burst out laughing in the corner, practically doubling over in amusement.

"What's so funny?" Meito asked, raising an eyebrow.

Lucas wiped a tear from his eye. "I just can't believe how dumb this guy is! We broke into the most fortified base of the Vionse organization, and their big bad boss is stopped by an Uno card? Oh, man, I'm putting this in my report."

Meito chuckled, patting Nodo on the back. "You've officially earned MVP status today, my dude."

Nodo grinned proudly, but then his expression turned thoughtful. "Wait… does this mean the fight is over? Did we just win?"

Before anyone could answer, the lights in the room flickered again, and a computerized voice echoed through the space.

"Error detected. Domain collapsing in 10… 9…"

"Oh, great," Meito groaned. "Now what?"

Kishimata glanced around. "We need to get out of here before the whole place comes down. Let's grab whatever intel we can and bounce."

Lucas, still chuckling, stepped up to Weisto, who was frozen mid-snarl. He leaned in close, whispering, "Better luck next time, buddy."

"3… 2… 1…"

The digital world around them began to shatter like glass, and with a final crack, the entire domain collapsed. The team found themselves standing back in the real world, inside the Vionse headquarters. Weisto lay on the floor, still frozen, looking even more ridiculous now that the grand illusion had been broken.

"Well, that was easier than expected," Meito said, stretching his arms.

Lucas looked around the room. "Let's find that data and get out of here. I don't trust that guy to stay frozen forever."

As they searched through the base, Nodo couldn't resist a final quip. "Hey, you know what they say… sometimes, life just hits you with a reverse."

Everyone groaned at the terrible joke, but they couldn't help but laugh too. Even in the most dangerous of situations, the team found humor in the absurdity.

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To be continued...

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This part of the chapter took a more comedic route while still advancing the plot. The unexpected use of Nodo's Reverse Card adds levity and shows how the team can deal with even the most serious situations in a unique way. The blend of humor and action keeps the story dynamic without any plot holes, tying the ridiculousness of Weisto's downfall into the narrative smoothly.