Chapter 214
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 214
I carved a path through the building's wall with the Hwagwang Yedo.
Sizzle—!
The single edge of the Hwagwang Yedo glowed with blistering plasma.
Metal tiles and concrete walls parted like butter wherever the superheated blade passed. Standing behind me, the now one-armed Jin Gau watched the Hwagwang Yedo's cutting power with keen interest.
"Its power is magnificent, but as a weapon, its flaws are severe. You could supplement the heat dissipation system with a coolant cartridge, but that would go against the artisan's aesthetic."
Jin Gau sounded just like Lapis. Even as he pointed out the limitations of the Hwagwang Series, his tone carried an undeniable respect.
They share a romantic view of technology.
That was the common ground between him and Lapis.
This must be why Jin Gau, a man standing at the very pinnacle of the Empire's science and technology, still shows a human side.
"Human" in this case didn't mean morality or ethics, but rather human desire.
Considering his age, status, and profession, Jin Gau could have easily become just another one of the cold, mechanical humans so typical of the Empire. Yet, he retained a deliberate impurity: a tendency to pursue irrationality over pure efficiency.
"More importantly, where did you get a Hwagwang Series?"
Jin Gau's question shattered my stray thoughts.
"A trophy I acquired during a mission," I replied curtly.
"If you're ever strapped for cash, contact me. I'll pay a handsome price for it."
"Didn't you say you lacked the budget for toys?"
"Embezzlement has become much easier in the Empire lately."
I suppressed a smirk.
Thud!
After carving out a suitable section of the outer wall, I pulled the heavy slab inward and let it drop. It left a hole large enough for a person to slip through.
Whoosh!
High above the streets, the wind howled fiercely. I gripped the edge of the opening, preparing to jump.
"The Empire is currently keeping a close eye on Border City. It would be wise to refrain from any further deviations."
I played the part of an Imperial Special Task Force member right to the bitter end.
"Next time, I'd like to face you without that mask. I get the feeling we'd get along quite well."
I swallowed my sharp retort. Instead, I simply nodded and threw myself backward into the void.
Whoooooosh!
The rushing air swallowed me whole. I watched Jin Gau recede into the distance above, scraping my hand against the building's exterior to slow my descent.
Jin Gau will handle Sigma's death on his own.
Sigma's demise would be written off as the work of someone harboring a grudge.
'The people of Machina don't care much about each other. They consider unproductive socializing to be pointless. At first, they might try to find you out of pride, but eventually, the effort will just fizzle out.'
I recalled Jin Gau's words. He was probably right. And even if Deus Ex Machina did try to hunt me down, they wouldn't have a clear way to do it.
'You can't do anything in Border City without cooperating with the other species.'
The same applied to me.
Border City was a melting pot. Each species had its own specialties and strengths, operating strictly within their areas of expertise. They drew clear lines between what they could and couldn't do, refraining from encroaching on each other's domains for the sake of coexistence.
I slipped into the shadows between the streets and buildings before Machina's security system could register my presence.
My business with Deus Ex Machina was over. I had the information and records I needed.
Catching my breath, I sank into deep thought. Belatedly, Jin Gau's words echoed in my mind.
'I knew he'd make it big ever since he stabbed his best friend in the back.'
Given Ilay's personality, it was highly unlikely he had more than one close friend.
According to Jin Gau, Ilay had betrayed me. I didn't know what kind of betrayal or incident he was referring to.
But that's just a betrayal from Jin Gau's perspective. The reality might be completely different. Ilay is the type of person who easily gets misunderstood.
You're soft, Luka. In your own way, you probably just want to keep believing in Ilay.
I needed to keep Jin Gau's remarks in mind, but there was no use overthinking them now. Deep thought is helpful once you've gathered enough clues, but it only narrows your vision when you're still trying to find them.
I could return to Japa Trading right now, but...
The sun was setting, and night was quickly falling over the city. My head throbbed. I didn't want to go back just yet.
If I go back now, I won't even be able to sleep.
I would just suffer from a headache all night, agonizing over Ilay's past words and actions.
Slide.
I pulled out a disposable terminal. Or rather, a cheap, secondhand terminal that I treated as disposable. I didn't trust Jin Gau in the slightest, and I had no intention of plugging the chip he gave me into my primary device.
Beep.
I checked Machina's full-body prosthetic surgery records. Such extreme procedures were rare in Border City; even Machina had only performed two over the past six months.
Whir.
The model types and appearances of the prosthetics loaded onto the low-resolution screen, with detailed specifications listed below.
I frowned slightly.
Both are female-type prosthetics.
Furthermore, neither were combat models. It was highly unlikely that Valek, a male and an elite warrior, would choose a non-combat female prosthetic.
But precisely because it seemed so unlikely, I had to investigate. Users of Akies Victima loved to exploit blind spots in human perception.
*
Click.
Taking off the mask felt like a breath of fresh air. The sweat on my face rapidly cooled in Border City's crisp night breeze.
I transmitted the models and appearances of the suspect prosthetics over to Japa. Japa Trading owned shops all over Border City. Every single one was rigged with surveillance cameras, keeping visual records going back years. It was practically impossible to live in Border City without using a Japa Trading shop. They handled everything from restaurants to daily necessities and manufactured goods.
But just as Kinuan had managed to avoid detection until now, Valek could easily bypass Japa's surveillance network if he set his mind to it.
I wasn't holding my breath. But people made mistakes. Even Akies Victima users were only human in the end.
Ilay betrayed me...
I scowled. With nothing left to focus my attention on, negative thoughts immediately flooded my mind.
This wasn't good. It was a terrible sign.
I always assumed the worst, and the stone Jin Gau had cast into the pond had left my mind in utter turmoil. My pre-existing anxiety regarding Ilay was only growing heavier. This wasn't a train of thought I could stop by simply drinking a cup of tea. I needed to completely shift my focus until enough time passed for Jin Gau's words to fade.
I forced myself to find a distraction.
It's about time I visited Gabriel.
Grimacing through the migraine, I headed toward Gaya's Hospital.
Gaya's Hospital was as shabby as ever. When I rang the bell, Gaya emerged wearing a white coat so baggy it practically billowed around him. The contrast between his dark skin and the pristine coat was as striking as always.
"What brings you here?"
"Isn't his treatment almost finished?"
"Normally, it would be. But you've repeatedly poked and prodded at Mr. Gabriel's trauma."
"I just came to check on him. It's been a while." I stated my business plainly.
"If that's your only reason, I will deny your visit under my authority as his primary physician. Are you going to force your way in with violence again?" Gaya leaned against the doorframe, crossing his arms as he looked at me.
"I don't plan on forcing my way in this time. I just came on a whim."
I turned to leave without hesitation. Gaya sighed.
"...Someone else came to visit Mr. Gabriel before you. It's Lady Anguis Regina."
"Why 'Lady'?"
"Anguis Regina means 'Queen of Serpents.' It would sound a bit strange to call her 'Miss' or 'Ms.'"
I hadn't expected Anguis Regina to visit Gabriel. Aside from me being their only common link, she and Gabriel had zero connection.
"So I'm not allowed to visit, but she is?"
"Lady Anguis Regina's very presence is beneficial to his mental health. While I oppose letting you face Mr. Gabriel directly, watching from a distance is fine. Would you like to take a look before you go?"
This was Gaya's way of making a concession. I didn't refuse, stepping inside the hospital.
True to his Kora origins, Gaya was easygoing yet deeply religious. However, he was by no means soft.
"You held a pretty high position back in Kora, didn't you?" I asked, walking alongside him with my hands in my pockets.
"Are you trying to interrogate me about my past now?"
"Not just anyone can use Force abilities. I heard Force users hold religious significance in Kora and are treated like royalty. Seeing how you threw all that away just to stay in Border City, you must have quite a story."
"Prying into someone else's past without permission is quite rude."
"I've already acted like a thug toward you half a dozen times. It's not like my reputation with you could get any worse."
"I am merely a doctor in Border City. A quack without a license. Though I doubt there are many licensed doctors here to begin with."
Gaya smiled gently.
After passing through the hallway, we stopped in front of an opaque glass wall.
Tap, tap.
Gaya tapped the glass with his fingertips. It turned transparent, revealing the room's interior.
I crossed my arms, tilting my head. "What are they doing? Playing house?"
"It's cognitive improvement training. Mr. Gabriel's brain processing speed has significantly deteriorated. Even a slight mental load causes him an immense amount of stress."
"But to make him do something a toddler would do... Well, whatever. I left his treatment to you, so I'll let you handle it without complaining."
I watched Gabriel and Anguis Regina through the glass.
Clack.
Gabriel was building a tower using blocks of various sizes and shapes. Based on the bright, vibrant colors, they were unmistakably meant for children.
"Rich colors stimulate the brain. It helps with rehabilitation. Mental rehab and childhood education are closely linked. They both deal with cognitive abilities lower than those of a healthy adult," Gaya added, clearly reading the dissatisfaction on my face.
"I said I trust you with it. No need for the lengthy explanation."
"Then you should wipe that look of blatant dissatisfaction off your face."
I shrugged, quietly watching Gabriel for a long while.
With Anguis Regina's help, Gabriel stacked the blocks and assembled small toys and mechanical devices. He was smiling so brightly that it made his massive build and normally fierce face look completely out of place.
Perhaps it would be best... if Gabriel never left this place.
If Gabriel left Gaya's Hospital, he would only be swept up in overwhelming darkness. If he stayed by my side, he would walk a path filled with nothing but violence and death.
"Gabriel, this block doesn't match the color."
"I can't help it. My eyes keep drifting to you, Regina."
"Oh, stop. You're such a flatterer."
Anguis Regina flashed a bright smile. She gently guided Gabriel's massive wrist, helping him pick up another block.
Gabriel's eyes frequently lingered on Anguis Regina's chest and hips.
I pressed a cold palm against my throbbing forehead.
"Is she really helping with his rehab? Didn't you just say mental rehabilitation and childhood education were closely linked?" I couldn't help but blurt out the question.
"Being closely linked doesn't mean they are identical. Moderate sexual stimulation and tension help activate an adult's brain. Besides, having an idol of Border City here serves as excellent stimulation."
It sounded like the excuse of a quack, but in a weird way, it also made sense.
"Assembling blocks is getting a bit boring. Shall we dance?"
Standing up, Anguis Regina kicked the blocks and toys aside. She played music from her terminal. It was that catchy song starting with "Snake, snake, snake."
Anguis Regina showed off her smooth yet exaggerated dance moves—a routine heavily emphasizing her sexual appeal.
Sway, sway.
Visibly excited, Gabriel awkwardly danced along with her. I couldn't bear to watch any longer and closed my eyes.
Click.
The music ended, and shortly after, Anguis Regina stepped out into the hallway. Her eyes widened when she spotted me.
"Oh, I didn't know you were here. How long have you been watching?"
As if she hadn't been surprised at all, Anguis Regina clung to me, a sly smile in her eyes. She boldly linked her arm through mine.
Slap.
I pulled my arm away, brushing her off. She didn't seem to mind in the slightest, merely laughing.
"I'll go change. You probably want to ask why I'm here, right? If you want to hear the answer, let's grab a drink."
She sashayed into the changing room without waiting for my answer.
Clack, clack.
I stared back at Gabriel through the glass wall.
He was picking up the blocks and toys scattered across the floor, diligently returning them to their proper places. Sometimes, he hesitated, unsure of where a specific block belonged. Even though the matching colors and shapes were clearly drawn on the shelves, his cognitive response was painfully slow.
A bitter taste flooded my mouth.
I won't drag Gabriel into this side of the world anymore.
This is the right decision, Luka.