Chapter 42
Chapter 42
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 42
Chapter Title: Still Alive
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Still alive.
The phenomenon of awakening is found in most living beings.
However, when awakening manifests in a non-human entity, it is generally referred to as a magical beast.
The presentation was about that very subject.
"This, too, is a form of science. We only call it magic because we have yet to uncover its principles."
The presenter spoke again.
About fifteen people were watching from the front.
"In truth, even modern science eventually reaches a point of the unknown when you delve deep enough. There is a world we do not know."
Why am I here?
It feels like a great deal of time has passed.
My consciousness has faded in and out several times.
My bangs slightly obscure my vision.
Even though I'd cut them roughly with scissors, my hair was never long enough to poke my eyes.
It seems as much time has passed as my hair has grown.
"In any case, various opinions have emerged on how we should perceive this phenomenon of awakening."
A presentation on awakening?
I don't know why I'm here.
I'm not sitting in a chair; I'm standing.
I don't seem to be a participant here.
I'm not sitting in a chair.
Just standing.
As if waiting, like the next presenter.
My turn.
For what?
"The appearance of Gates and Dungeons often affects the living beings in the vicinity, producing what are commonly called monsters—awakened creatures. It is also true that beings presumed to have crossed over from other worlds exist."
So they say.
"Then what, exactly, are human Awakeners? Can they be treated as part of the general human population?"
Of course Awakeners are human.
What else would they be?
"Should we understand this as simply unlocking humanity's hidden potential, or should we separate them, defining them as different from the existing human race?"
They say they're different from the existing human race.
It's true that they're different.
"Seeing as there are those who become Awakeners and those who do not in the same environment, it has been concluded that this phenomenon of awakening only occurs in a select few."
That's obvious.
If everyone awakened just by being in the same environment, Seo-ah would have become an Awakener like Si-hoo.
"The rate of significant awakening is extremely low. Distinct characteristics that clearly differ from the existing human race..."
Humanity, they keep bringing up humanity.
"With the conclusion that general human rights are not to be granted to them..."
No human rights?
Did I hear that correctly?
"Therefore, to promote the preservation and advancement of humanity, these awakened beings shall be utilized and treated on par with other magical beasts. However, considering they were once human, standards have been established..."
They seem to be saying something terrifying.
"One, they do not possess human reason and judgment."
I feel gazes turning toward me.
"Two, they are incapable of living without depending on others."
I tried to speak, but I couldn't.
"They are to be understood as being the same as common magical beasts."
Move.
Do something.
No, my body refuses.
"The state fully permits the breeding of and experimentation on humanoid magical beasts, and for the safety of its citizens, delegates full authority over the details of these experiments to..."
The sound of applause.
The presentation seemed to be over.
"That is all. Now then."
What's next?
"Well, before we move on to the next item on the agenda."
The person sitting in the very center spoke.
The light is blinding, as it's all directed toward the stage.
I can't see who it is.
"What is that thing next to you?"
He points at me.
So why am I here?
I don't know either.
"It is an awakened being."
"What, did you raise it?"
"It's nothing special. I brought it to demonstrate something for the next agenda item."
I'm not used to being the center of attention.
But I don't show it at all.
My expression doesn't change.
I don't move.
I am in standby mode.
"Alright, the next item."
"Next is regarding the control of awakened beings. Using the newly developed [Command Spell], we have demonstrated perfect control over awakened beings that can understand speech."
"Doesn't the Command Spell always require prior administration of a drug?"
"It is indeed a nuisance when they can't understand speech."
Ah, commands.
When I was drugged, I had to obey any command I heard.
So that's what they call a Command Spell.
"While collars that inflict physical shock showed some usable results, ultimately, a device that directly stimulates the nerves proved to be the most efficient."
I think I just heard something incredibly frightening.
Are they really discussing such topics so casually?
"How did you test it?"
"We started by collecting brainwaves, and then administered pain at the slightest sign of pre-aggressive symptoms..."
"No, I mean where did you release the test subjects?"
"The magical beasts? We released them near the Academy. We had also received a request to assess the skills of the Academy's personnel."
The Academy.
Ah, the place where students fight.
Right.
I remember.
"Do you know how much land I own over there? If you're going to pull a stunt like that, you should at least consult with me first."
"Ah... yes. Well, it was a matter approved by the government, so..."
"Are we going to continue with this useless chatter?"
"Ah, in any case. The result was that we confirmed the control device works properly. If you'll look here..."
The white screen that the beam projector had been displaying an image on was rolled up.
Something that had been hidden behind the screen was revealed.
"Gasp."
The sound of inhaled breaths could be heard from all around.
"My."
"A wolf?"
Behind the screen was a wolf, standing perfectly still.
It was doing nothing, just sitting there quietly without baring its teeth.
"I wondered what it was, but it's just a wolf."
"It's rare to see one so still."
It isn't dead.
It's breathing.
But it isn't attacking.
"Yes. This is it. I can control it with this remote I'm holding. Allow me to demonstrate."
-Grrrrrr.
It bared its teeth.
"Attack."
And then, the wolf attacked.
Who?
Me.
Why me?
There are so many other people here.
It lunged, trying to tear into my shoulder.
Thud.
The wolf's weight sent me crashing to the ground.
Crunch.
Grind.
Crack.
A host of ominous sounds.
"Stop."
The wolf immediately ceased its attack.
And it backed away.
"Yes, well... as you can see, control is possible even without a Command Spell."
It doesn't hurt.
That's a relief.
It feels like I'm bleeding, but there's no pain.
Is that a relief?
"Its safety is guaranteed. The problem is that control doesn't yet extend to magical beasts that lack anything resembling a brain, are too large or too small, or are immune to pain."
"So?"
"We will let you know when it's ready for military procurement. Mass production is still difficult, and the procedures are complex."
"Speaking of control, isn't the most important thing to maintain the magical beast's original functions? Assuming that wolf attacks on command, can we say it possesses its original attack power?"
It seems its attack power is indeed strong.
I can tell from experience.
More importantly, I think I'm bleeding a lot.
Someone, please stop the bleeding.
I can't move at all, as if my body is filled with heavy stones.
"On that point, it's correct to assume it's slightly weaker, as its ferocious nature has been suppressed. There is still room for technological improvement."
"Isn't it just broken? I don't see how this is any different from beating something into submission. The one behind me listens well enough after I beat it up a bit."
Behind the person who spoke from the audience, the blurry shape of a massive figure could be seen.
I couldn't see it when I was standing.
But I can see it a little now that I'm on the ground.
Is that a magical beast too?
It's hard to see against the light.
"The day of its technological completion is not far off, and things will be different then. This is a project major corporations have also participated in. Advancements in mana-based technology are impossible without government cooperation."
"Let's move on to the next item."
I wish someone would at least pay attention to me.
"Yes, the next item is regarding the disposal of the dragon we captured last time."
A dragon?
So this world had dragons.
Ah, that's right.
I saw it on the news.
That Awakeners had hunted and killed a dragon.
"We captured it alive, but we've already harvested all the items, and keeping it confined any longer is problematic. It has a trait where it continuously grows stronger even when left alone..."
So dragons grow stronger just by existing.
What an overpowered ability.
"You'd better not just release it near the Academy again. How much more do you want the land value to drop? Don't even think about snatching up land for cheap."
"Ah, that won't happen. We've found a special use for the dragon."
The person sitting at the front spoke.
"Tell us."
"Now, we have a fallen awakened being right here, don't we?"
All eyes turned back to me.
Are they going to save me?
Treat me?
No, no matter how I look at it, these are not gazes of goodwill.
"Ah, it seems you can't see well. Then, [Rise.]"
A Command Spell.
I staggered and tried to get up.
I can't get up.
Blood dripped from my clothes.
Why am I really here?
For what?
Right. I can't get up.
I suddenly noticed how long my hair had grown.
My hair, which had been a bob cut, now fell below my shoulders.
Thanks to that, my hair was stained with blood too.
"As expected, she can't get up at all. But even in a critical situation like this, we now have a solution."
Stab.
A needle was plunged into the back of my neck.
A familiar sensation.
"If an accident like this occurs... it would be fortunate if a healing-type Awakener's skill were nearby. The problem is that such talented individuals are few in number."
He continued speaking.
"That is why there are always limitations when we deploy Awakeners."
A hot liquid flowed through my veins.
"Of course, a good recovery potion could heal a wound like this. It's just that they are very expensive and scarce."
I could feel the bleeding stop.
The place that felt like a broken bone also seemed to be getting better.
"The recovery seems complete. Now, [Rise.]"
I obeyed the command to stand.
I didn't want to, but I had to.
Somehow, I got up and returned to my initial standby position.
I stood up.
And remained perfectly still.
Without a single change in expression.
"This drug is expensive too, of course... but the amount obtained from killing one dragon is enough to supply the Academy for the time being."
"You'll supply the Academy first?"
"The military tends to move in groups, so we intended to supply the Academy first, where individual survival is more critical."
"A syringe seems a bit too cumbersome."
"This form is for immediate effect. It can also be produced in the form of a pill or a potion, like those generally distributed on the market."
The Academy.
They're going to give this to the Academy.
It seems like a good medicine.
But was it really necessary to demonstrate it like this?
Common sense dictates no one would do such a thing.
Do they really have to attack a person standing in front of them?
Ah.
Am I not a person?
I don't know.
The mouth of the wolf that had stopped its attack was stained with blood.
I'm covered in blood too.
Regardless, we both have no choice but to stand still.
Because we have to obey commands.
I feel a sense of kinship with the wolf.
My heart is pounding.
Is it because of the drug they just injected?
I feel dizzy.
A high-pitched ringing fills my ears.
I can't understand what the people are talking about at all.
[405 hours, 22 minutes]
Time.
What was that time for again?
Didn't it just increase a little?
I think so.
"...Heh."
A small laugh escaped me.
I feel pretty good.
I'm not even scared.
It must be because of the drug.