<>1ST PLACE WINNER IN THE EARNESTY AWARDS 2018 (science fiction)<> ~2ND PLACE WINNER IN THE ZODIAC AWARDS 2018~ !!COMPLETED!! "The filth always finds a way. A way to every mechanical arm and leg. To every artificial mind and to every plastic heart. We were ALL affected. And I... I'll never be able to go back to who I was before." She raised her eyes to meet his. "I can help you," she said softly. A science-fiction novel set in a chaotic cyberpunk world, where advanced technology is part of everyone and everything. Cilyber City. Most infamous for its pollution, crime, and CyberScreens, all three of which populate the city alongside cybernetically enhanced citizens. A heavily underfunded Police Department desperately tries to bring order and justice to the city. But beneath the seemingly normal acts of crime and anarchy, a sinister plot unfolds, and this time the stakes are exceptionally high. So when everyone seems to have a second face hidden in the shadows, who can be trusted? Dive headfirst into the world of Cilyber. Trust me, just don't set foot in the slums of the city, stay where the CyberScreens glow, and you'll be safe. ¬bŮŤ ŃøȚ FŘÖm MÉ. ¬ŃĘVėŘ fřØM Mě. P.S. Special thanks to QReem01 for reading my chapters and giving me feedback before I posted them. Highest Rankings (as of September 23): #6 in Cyberpunk #243 in Science Fiction

"Will 'Flamefist' Paragon?" The grizzled man with the graying hair took a long gulp from his glass, the ice cubes clinking against the smooth surface. For a few seconds, that was all he did, then he turned his eyes, bloodshot but still sharp, towards the middle-aged woman. "I don't go by that anymore," he replied gruffly. "You're a bounty hunter. The stories say you reached into a dragon's mouth and ripped out its tongue, and when it lit your hand on fire you put it out with its eye." "The stories say a lot of things." "So that was a lie." Flat, almost heartbroken. She was moderately well dressed, most likely middle class, with an apple bottom and an equally large bosom. He took this all in with a sense of tasteless, dry humor. "Exaggeration. It's good for business. Now if you don't mind -" He stood up, almost knocking the stool over. His honestly surprised expression said: 'whoops', and he straightened up, wiping his mouth with his sleeve. The fabric came away stained with alcohol. "- I'll be leaving. I have... Important business with the innkeeper's daughter." His words were slurred, his voice earnest and somehow pleasant. "Sir, I don't care if the stories were true or not. You're the only person who can help. Please. We don't have much, but... We'll pay you. Everything we have." "Not interested, lady," he grumbled, stumbling away from the bar. "I don't want your cash and I don't want to help. Bugger off." "I beseech you, sir. Help a village in need." He didn't answer, slowly shuffling towards the exit. Keeping his balance was becoming increasingly difficult, and the droning of the woman from behind him was only irritating him further. "We have children!" she cried. "Surely you can't be that heartless!" He paused at that and could almost feel hope flicker inside her. Then, his heart heavy, he pushed the mahogany door open and exited, leaving his worries behind him. Or so he believed. Maybe he wanted to believe that. Cover by: @Last_Apprentice

=-=Council Of Sinister Villains In Cleburg=-= Index of Villains in Cleburg: 1- Dr. Enigma Krauss (status: alive) 2- Giovanni Hinsdale (status: deceased) 3- Laguna Cane (status: alive) 4- Pandora (status: alive) 5- Ripper Rex (status: alive) 6- Seth "Dynamite" Simple (status: alive) 1- Doctor Enigma Krauss: The literal definition of a mad scientist. Extremely intelligent and devious, Dr. Krauss is capable of manifacturing powerful weaponry and setting up ingenious traps. While a bit unstable, he remains valuable to any team. 2- [Unavailable. Please check with the Cleburg Morgue for more information.] 3- Laguna Cane: Skilled assassin and mistress of stealth. She has mastered over eight fighting techniques and is a dedicated weapons expert. Additional skills include: break and enter, escape artist, survivalist, and disk throwing. Valuable for eliminating high priority targets. 4- Pandora: Not much is known about Pandora. She is able to teleport, although she appears to have limited control over this power. In addition, Pandora has shown to possess telekinetic capabilites and possible telepathic abilities. More research is required, only recruit in critical situations. 5- Ripper Rex: A monster of a man, Rex towers over three meters in height. He is very physically capable. Research shows multiple occasions of Rex lifting cars and throwing them with minimal effort. The full extent of his strength is yet unknown, perhaps even to himself. Every team requires a brute. 6- Seth "Dynamite" Simple: Explosives expert and tactician, Dynamite has evaded the Cleburg Police for many years. His usage of explosives as distractions is unparalleled. Even though Dynamite appears to be against killing people, he would still benefit the team and provide a strategic mind. ===================== Rated mature for: Dark Humor Cursing Violence Sexual references Rubber Ducks Self harm/suicide <>IF YOU ARE TRIGGERED BY ANY OF THOSE LISTED, PLEASE DO NOT READ<>