The days after that first excursion flew by, so much so that I barely noticed a month and a half had already passed. During that time, I visited every prefecture, district, and city I could, researching, analyzing, compiling, and classifying every peculiarity I could find.
I was also taking those classes, which, to be honest, were really helping me with all of this. I even started practicing on my own at home, as well as studying a bit more independently, to the point that my computer teacher at school even congratulated me on my good work.
That congratulation, ironically, earned me a beating from my classmates.
But that didn't matter anymore.
Each time they used their unique abilities against my body, they only gave me more information about how they worked… and how to destroy them. Or not.
Something I was reluctant to reveal for the time being, because if I did it now, what purpose would it serve later? If information is divulged so easily, it eventually loses its value… or its price might even increase.
Expensive, like Mom's hospital bills.
This made sense, given that it's a good hospital, and I confirmed this when I had to make the second payment I was responsible for. I ended up paying it using the savings from my emergency fund card.
And with the next payment approaching, I couldn't wait any longer to start this new project.
I knew it for sure on my 15th birthday.
Having to "celebrate" it in the hospital, accompanied only by the constant sound of my mom's health monitor, as well as the presence of Aunt Mitsuki, who tried at all times to lighten the atmosphere by bringing a cake and a gift from her family.
That day I didn't even go to my afternoon class with the Hatsume.
That's why, taking advantage of the start of summer vacation, I decided to put the plan into action. After all, I already had a large part of it covered.
Right after my Saturday classes with the Hatsume, and after adjusting my schedule with them to extend and make better use of their teachings during this holiday period, I headed to a public bathhouse to get a makeover.I put on the red wig I had bought a while ago, along with a pair of blue contact lenses, while also putting on the latex gloves.
With that sorted, I headed to one of the many internet cafes in the area, specifically one of the cheapest I knew.
I went into the place, bought one of the least expensive drinks on the menu and headed to the most secluded and hidden corner I could find, looking for as much privacy as possible.
Because of what I was about to do.
Before I begin, I couldn't help but inwardly thank Mrs. Hatsume. Despite our short time knowing each other, she and her family gave me a birthday present that, frankly, I didn't have the heart to refuse… especially after discovering how useful it was for my purpose.
I couldn't say if they were aware that I needed it, or if at any point I had given any clue about my objective with the work I did or with the questions I asked.
But the truth is, they were too considerate of me.
They didn't ask too many questions about my intentions and instead encouraged me to keep moving forward with this new learning.
Therefore, by placing the Hatsume device in the USB port, I was able to secure a protected network, in addition to activating a blocker for tracking external documents.
The device was simple and discreet, resembling a USB drive in its rectangular shape. It measured no more than four centimeters and had a platinum tint, with small openings near the corners that emitted a faint glow depending on the network's threat level or if someone was trying to track me.
And with that very useful gift, I could only think that they could already see my potential and were just waiting to see how far I could go.
So it was just a matter of inserting the extra memory I had brought with me into the device.
— It's time to begin.
Entering the memory folder and opening each file I had prepared, I began configuring the page, making sure it was easy to find, with aA simple and intuitive design, to the point that there could be no confusion. That way, when placing an order, it would take them to a private chat integrated into the page, in addition to having as many blockers and firewalls as possible available at that time.
I reviewed the page's layout, which began with an overview of its offerings, along with the terms and conditions for transactions. It then divided into sections for each area, such as the initial fee for accessing private chat rooms for: quirky advice, hero trivia, villain trivia, and external observations for quirky analysis.
With that prepared, I clicked to upload the page.
The first phase was complete.
It was time for the second one.
I couldn't wait for someone to magically find the page, given how vast the internet is. I had to spread the word, but not here.
I made sure to close the page and erase the virtual trace before disconnecting the device along with the USB memory stick.
I paid for the time I was using the equipment and left to go to another internet cafe.
On the new system, I accessed the page I had created to copy the link and prepare the spam. With the help of a bot program, I managed to do so, sending it to various groups, forums, and other online platforms that could generate enough buzz to attract anyone who might be interested.
At that point it was just a matter of waiting.
While waiting, I ordered a cheap drink and checked the data in the memory, as well as the registration interface for those who might contact me, to make a list of clients.
It took almost two hours before the first user logged on, to the point that I was almost about to go to another location to wait for a result when the first message arrived.
What kind of hero trivia do you have?
[Anyone who catches your eye. You ask, I answer.]
[Do you have any information about Air Jet?]
[Sure, just tell me what you want and I'll deliver it to you.]
[How do I know this isn't a scam?]
[I've already paid just for this interaction. Who says what you'll give me isn't just public or common knowledge?]
[In the same way that I'm sure you'll pay for more information.]
[Then surprise me. I just hope it's good enough to be worth the initial price.]
[I assure you it will be worth it, but tell me, what do you want to know first?]
[Weaknesses.]
Her answer was firm and precise. I know the possibility was high with this deal, I just didn't expect it to be with the first one I made. But business is business, especially when I needed the money.
[The information is varied, and as stated in the initial clauses, as I mentioned before, I will offer you a fragment. If it is useful to you, you will have to pay more to obtain further information.]
[You know you look like an extortionist with that way of negotiating.]
[Do you want the information or not?]
[I already made the payment for this interaction, so yes.]
[It is known that Air Jet's support equipment helps magnify his powers. Many heroes use support equipment for the same purpose, but Air Jet uses it as an extension of his power, so it is deducible that his ability is of a lesser degree than one would believe as a spectator of his abilities, it being a common trick to disguise weaknesses as strengths.]
In Air Jet's case, he uses his suit's thrusters not only to maintain balance in the air when using his jetpack, which isn't linked to his power, but also to more precisely direct his attacks. However, since there's only one outlet, any obstruction would cause the propulsion to jam and generate an internal failure in his armor, as his power is solely for expulsion.
[In short: their thrusters get clogged and caboboom!]
[I must admit, you're good.][But I must think that's not all you can give, if your words about only delivering a fragment are true.]
[That's how it is.]
[I can give you more in-depth information about this if we reach a fair agreement.]
[How much are you asking?]
That was the key: from then on, there was no turning back. I gave him a price for each piece of information, which I handed over to him every time I received a notification on my disposable phone about the payment made to the masked credit card I had created for this purpose, thus ensuring anonymity with each new charge.
It was when I stopped receiving messages and notifications from the user that I deduced they were either satisfied with what they had received or simply didn't want to pay for more information, even though I could offer them more. However, I decided not to insist.
I left that chat, since I had dedicated a good amount of time to it because it was the first one, to review at least 12 other pending requests from the other areas, which was actually very good.
This was going better than I had expected.
Could you give me some power stones? :)
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