Cyberpunk City AI

The shelves of Peppy’s glowed faintly in the lantern light, casting shifting patterns across jars of powders, herbs, and strange neon vials. The air was thick with incense and spice, humming with quiet energy.

Mirella watched the three teens fan out into the aisles, her cybernetic eyes gleaming like polished glass. “You’re searching for something to tip the scales,” she said, her voice calm, certain. “But be careful. Power always comes with a cost.”

Rika’s hand brushed over a row of cracked bottles filled with powders that seemed to spark faintly as she touched them. Her implants pulsed brighter, and she muttered, “Feels like half this stuff could blow up in our faces.”

Kaio adjusted his glowing glasses, leaning close to a vial etched with shifting digital script. “These labels aren’t just names—they’re coded instructions. This one,” he said, pointing to a pale blue liquid, “is meant to calm neural activity. If diluted, it could put someone out.”

Mirella’s lips curved in a knowing half-smile. “That liquid is called Somnus Draught. Not a poison, not truly—but strong enough to silence even the loudest minds. The Rust Devils won’t resist it if it’s mixed into their stims.”

Mira picked up the glowing vial carefully, watching the liquid swirl inside like captured smoke. Her wristband flickered faintly, reflecting the soft blue glow. For the first time since Drexel’s capture, she felt like they had a chance—not through brute force, but by turning the Devils’ hunger against them.

Rika cracked her knuckles, her face lighting with a fierce grin. “Good. Let’s make the bastards sleep.”

Kaio frowned, pushing his glasses higher on his nose. “If it works the way she says…”

Mira closed the vial with a snap and looked back at them. “Then we use it.”