Today, a gala was to be held at one of the largest museums in the world, where many mysterious artifacts would be on display — some of questionable authenticity believed to be forgeries, others confirmed genuine but with an obscure history — but the main reason was some recently discovered relics whose history was likewise unclear.
Some important wealthy figures were set to attend this gala, along with many celebrities, but more importantly, the organization intended to stage a demonstration of its own at this event.
He might have found the demonstration itself worth watching, but what mattered more to him was seeing the memories of one of the attendees.
Of course, Black wasn't about to walk into such a dangerous event just to look at the masked faces of the organization's members.
Before heading to the museum, Black made sure he had everything he needed ready: a fake identity as a young, famous content creator; a mask that partially altered his facial features and shifted along with his expressions; and glasses suited to keep him from accidentally falling into random people's memories. He also double-checked all the organization's plans and took every precaution.
"This is going to be the hardest mission yet, so we need to be extremely precise today, Robby."
Black put on the finest clothes he owned, prepared a car from among the most refined models available, and was now on his way to the gala when he received a phone call.
Who else would call someone trying to isolate himself from all of humanity, if not a member of his own family? The caller was his father.
"Hi Black, how are you, are you doing well?" Max's voice was calm, carrying both longing and a trace of regret.
Black answered him in a tone meant to convey some happiness:
"I'm fine. How are you, and how's work?"
"I'm fine, don't worry about that. What matters more is—" he sighed, "—Black, are you really happy being on your own? You know that if there were any way for you to come with me, I would have taken it. I hope you're not sad."
"Who said I'm alone? I have Robby with me."
Black kept drawing a few deliberate smiles on his face from time to time, to seem natural.
"Oh, right, you're right, Robby's a great friend. So how's your research going these days?"
Black replied:
"It's going well."
Max was used to these short replies from Black.
"Hm, alright then, Black, if you ever run into any problem or obstacle, just let me know. I'll do everything I can for you."
"Sure," Black replied briefly, as usual.
"So, one last question, out of curiosity — where are you right now?"
"What do you mean? I'm at home right now, can't you see the background around me?"
Black had swapped out his background and avatar to make it look like he was at home, and had even set up a stand-in version of himself to answer calls if he was busy and couldn't respond in person.
Of course, Black wasn't going to tell him he was sneaking into a party that terrorists were planning to attack — he didn't want to worry him without reason.
"Alright, Black, forgive me if I worry about you more than I should, and remember, I'd be really happy if you called me from time to time."
"Sure."
"That's all. Goodbye, Black."
"Goodbye, Dad."
With that, the call ended, and at the same moment, the door of the car Black was riding in opened for him to step out — he had finally arrived at his destination.
The newly built museum was designed in an elegant, modern style that caught every eye, built to display the artifacts in a stunning way, and also to host events like this one.
After Black got out of the car, he and a robot walking beside him headed toward the gate, where a line of security robots stood alongside a single human security guard.
Black stepped forward to enter; the guard checked his identity and found it valid, so Black passed through easily.
Once inside, Black had to walk through several corridors before reaching the main exhibition hall, where the artifacts were spread throughout, enclosed in glass display cases, with large screens showing details about each piece.
There were many celebrities present, most of them internet celebrities — something you'd know just by watching their behavior, since most of them had a camera drone hovering beside them that they kept glancing at. Watch one of them for a while, and you'd think they might be hyperactive, marveling at everything in front of them like a small child.
As for the attendees' clothing, in this era diversity was the norm to an extreme degree; among all those present, only a small handful wore ordinary or formal attire without any additions, while the majority dressed as if this were a costume party rather than an event inside a museum — even the least strange outfit was a suit with spider-like protrusions along its sides.
Well, there was also plenty on display that really shouldn't have been on display.
As for the attendees' gender, it was rare to find anyone whose gender you could actually pin down.
People were talking, mingling, trying to squeeze out whatever enjoyment they could from the place, while Black was doing the exact opposite — staying alone in a dark corner, like a few other gloomy people who didn't seem to know why they'd even bothered coming.
Unlike them, Black knew exactly why. He was waiting for the moment when the most important figure of this event — the one who had invested a huge sum into it, whose appearance would mark the start of the main show — would finally appear.
And indeed, at exactly six o'clock, the space at the center of the hall rose to form an elevated stage, and a well-known bald figure climbed onto it, surrounded by four superhuman security robots. This was the person Black had been waiting for.
The figure spoke, saying:
"Welcome, everyone. Are you enjoying yourselves?"