Izaya brought his laptop from his room to the bar. Rui requested to built an application that can become external source of information for DOLLARS. For Izaya, the idea of using a game-like application to gather information seems fun, the progress of developing the application was speedy. If you have to say any dissatisfaction, it was probably the opinion that the current folding phones widely used today forces him to tone-down the app.
"All it needs now is to connect the application with Decim-chan's threads."
"Does it needs for me to use power? Judging you're programming ability, that kind of external help should be unneeded."
"I'm happy to be highly evaluated but the problem was actually the world's technology! If I start to spread this up to people outside normally, their phones will simply crash."
Izaya express his dissatisfaction. He's keen on programming but he's not a god! Moreover there's an easy way of using supernatural ability make the app useful at its best rather than overly degrading just for the app to be functionable.
"Then, can I see it first?"
Rui reaches out Izaya's clothes mentioning him to sit of the sofa with her. Izaya didn't reject her offer and lay his laptop on the table. The application's system was open on the laptop free for testing.
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CROWDS is a social networking site and app that is set to spread on Yokohama. It utilizes gamification, a concept in which video game mechanics such as achievements and points are applied to real world uses to make people more efficient and productive through positive reinforcement. It will be operated and manage by an artificial intelligence named Hundred.
CROWDS is downloadable through a virus like invitation that is planned to spread to many ordinary citizens in Yokohama that has an access to phone or computer devices later. Members can send email invitation to anyone that they wanted to invite after this mass-collection.
It will show case a chat room for members divided by level. With level C, R, O, W, D and S, S-level members will be the highest CROWDS level while C-level members is the lowest. The level is upgradable through completing Tasks issued by Hundred. S-level members will only be DOLLARS's tattooed members (actually impossible to "upgrade" from ordinary level to S-level).
This means that CROWDS members can be considered and affiliated members to DOLLARS. With the control of Hundred under Izaya's hands and information of around the member with Decim's thread, DOLLARS will expand they're territory among "ordinary people".
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Yokohama Foreign Settlement, Suribachi City
"So they drink metal plating to kill themselves overseas, huh? But those who died have their organs melted while they're still alive. Yuck. Glad I didn't try it."
"Hey, did you know about that? Um..."
"Hirotsu. I'll take that into consideration."
Hirotsu Ryuro replies to Dazai's self talk as he descend from the stair of the settlement. Hirotsu is a middle-aged man with grey, swept-back hair, a mustache, and a short beard ending in a spike. His eyes are violet, with a monocle over his right eye, secured by a gold chain. He dons a long, black coat over a white dress shirt with a black bow - his pants and shoes being the same color. Over the coat, he wears a dirt-brown scarf that's nearly the same length as his coat.
"Dazai-san."
"Yes?"
"This area is in state of conflict. Be careful."
"Conflict?"
"The Port Mafia currently has three enemy organizations (within Suribachi City). One is Takasekai, another is GSS and lastly, a complementary army comprised entirely of juveniles, the Sheep..."
Before Hirotsu finished, Dazai phone rang. It was from Mori confirming about the situation from Dazai. Hirotsu hears the conversation clearly as Dazai claimed "I found the previous boss. He came back from the pits of Hell." Before Dazai finish the call, an attach from behind shots in his direction causing Hirotsu to exclaim.
Dazai lay down on the rumble as the the dust started to clear up showing the attacker.
"Hahahaha. This is perfect. A kid! Port Mafia must be really desperate for people."
"I hate pain, you know?"
"I'll give you two options. Die now, or die after you give me information. Either's fine."
"Then, kill me now. All better if you can kill me comfortably."
The attacker, a short orange hair teen, was irritated as he realize that the opponent was a suicidal brat. After a tit-for-tat of calling each other a brat, he got into the issue.
"Why don't you tell me about this "Arahabaki" that you're snooping on?"
"Arahabaki, huh? I see, Arahabaki."
Dazai smirked as he connects the clues about the recent rumors circulating in Port Mafia. Port Mafia circulates the rumor about the resurrection of the previous leader making then search around Suribachi City for clues but Suribachi City news claim that Port Mafia was searching for news about "Arahabaki". Obviously, there's someone pulling the strings behind the scenes.
"You know about it, do you?"
"No. Never heard of it."
The orange hair teen give Dazai another kick on the face then continue to step on his body.
"Those who step into the Sheep's territory will be met by fierce retaliation. I see. So you're the King of Sheep. Manipulator of Gravity, Nakahara Chuuya"
"I'm not a king! I just happen to have a card up to my sleeve."
"I see. You're a cocky, overconfident child. You're the kind of person I hate the most."
"And I hate condescending little pricks like you more than anything in this world."
"That's enough."
Hirotsu voice appear from behind causing Nakahara Chuuya to look back. Hirotsu starts to remove his gloves preparing for battle. Hirotsu was obviously a level lower than Chuuya in terms of fighting ability. Even with the intervention of Dazai, his fighting technology was enough without the gravity to free himself away from the two. As Chuuya and Hirotsu continue to fight, a sudden explosion happen. Dazai was struggle to stay with his two feet on the ground was able to see someone in the middle of the explosion.
"The previous boss..."
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"Ah, what a scary explosion. That 'Randou' is a monster."
"Real name, Arthur Rimbaud. One of the few Transcendent of Europe. Heh. I hate this kind of monsters who doesn't care about surroundings when fighting. But don't you think that kind of words are not fit for you to say, Mikoto-san?"
Subaru express his negative opinion towards the culprit of explosion but Mikoto didn't seem care and as silent as always.
"Nakahara Chuuya should be taken to Port Mafia after this. What should we do?"
Subaru turn his attention towards Mikoto. He wasn't a fighting faction so his role here should be for support.
"We don't need to do much. Since the purpose is to 'show up', plainly let everyone witness [us]"
CROWDS here is base on an app [GALAX] from anime Gatchaman Crowds. Coincidentally, the creator of the app is also named Rui. I only mixed some setting from JUNGLE app on K project but gaining ability or something as rewards is removed, it's a money making app instead.