"Now, an AI, like a computer, can be improved in two ways. Software, and hardware, software being the programs that the AI uses, hardware being the capsule that you’re using, and its storage, memory card and what-not. The max computing ability of an AI is equal to the rank of the capsule you’re using, so you need to have a highly ranked, specialized capsule. Simply having a better capsule isn’t enough, it must also have the programs to effectively facilitate its actions, which is where software comes in. I’m surprised that your AI has a rank C computing ability already, but I suppose that it did merge with a Haxlardian AI.”

Alan nodded along with Phantom’s explanation, taking all the information in.

“Okay, but where can I get such a capsule and software?”

“Well, the Black Rose guild can help you with getting a rank A capsule for a few million guild points through the Mercenary Bloc, but for the software you’ll need to develop a high reputation with either the Administrators or the Revenants. The upgrade will be quite costly as well, requiring either a number of platinum marks for the Administrators or a piece of advanced technology to trade with the Revenants. Additionally, each faction has their own specialized software, the Administrators focusing on defense and the management of large forces, while the Revenants focus more on offense and exploration. There are other factions specializing in other fields, maybe even hidden civilizations or pieces of software in dungeons, but those are the two paths I’d recommend.”

“Um, alright,” Alan answered.

“Now, speaking of upgrades, you recently hit level 100, right?”

“Yes.”

“Well, have you thought what you might do with the extra biological and mechanical implant slots?”

“No, not really, why?”

“Because I have just the thing for you,” Phantom said, eyes gleaming, the microscopic gears within his pupils spinning like mad.

“As you’ve no doubt noticed,” he continued, “my eyes are augmented. This is actually my own revision of a cyborg implant that takes both a biological and mechanical slot, which the Game has graciously named Phantom’s Enhanced Visual Prosthesis. It’s basically a bionic eye that will improve your vision, but it allows for so much more. It will prove to be remarkably beneficial for you especially, allowing you to zoom in on things in your view, up to 800x magnification, which is helpful for both sniping and working with micro-sized objects. It will allow you to see in the dark, or at least in low light situations. It will let you see through certain materials, which can be quite useful, if you know what I mean. It will upload what you see so that everything is recorded, available for your viewing even if you die, or to report to me. But that’s not all.

"You see, it will allow you to see different spectrums of light. This means that you can see not only in infrared, but also in electromagnetic spectrums that will allow you to see digital signals. So, what do you say, interested?”