Bad Born Blood Chapter 286

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I looked at the mirror on the wall.

‘Oh my, your expression is so dirty and gloomy. It’s like you’re having the hardest time in the world.’

A gloomy and gloomy man stood there. His eyes were dirty and his face was hard to like.

‘Still, the Empire’s body technology is good. It’s very clean.’

I pulled my lips with my fingers to check the condition of my teeth.

The broken front teeth on Kashura’s spaceship were replaced with artificial teeth from the Empire. The sensation when chewing something was also distinct, and there was no difference from living teeth.

I walked back and sat down on the medical chair, waiting for someone. I rolled my eyes and saw that the room was tightly made of pure white metal tiles. It was for hygiene purposes.

Chiik.

As the door opened, a familiar man looked at me and grinned.

“Oh my! Lucius Custoria! You’re back alive, I’m truly amazed. Oh my gosh, what on earth happened?”

Director Jin Ga-woo walked toward me, his white gown fluttering as he spoke in an exaggerated tone. He looked at the devices monitoring me with a careless attitude.

I was undergoing a final inspection by Jingau. Jingau is the best scholar in the empire, both in name and reality. He is well-versed in biology, cybernetic engineering, and arcane civilization.

“It just so happened that it turned out like this.”

I said briefly. Jin Ga-woo is not a person who dwells on trivial matters. That kind of indifference must have been part of his longevity in the empire.

‘Jingau does strange things sometimes, but it’s ultimately for the sake of his research.’

Jin Ga-u was not interested in politics or power. He was someone who was satisfied with receiving massive support and being able to conduct research. That is why even the imperial family overlooked Jin Ga-u’s various misdeeds.

“I never thought I’d see you like this again, Janelle. It’s hard to predict what’s going to happen in this world.”

Actually, this is our second meeting.

I once infiltrated the Deus Ex Machina organization in Border City. I encountered Jingau there. I blew off Jingau’s arm with an energy weapon.

But Jin-ga-woo still doesn’t know that the man is me. There’s no need to tell him right away.

“I agree that it’s hard to know what’s going to happen even an inch ahead. I never imagined I’d be here either.”

“Just lie down there for now. By His Majesty’s orders, I must get you in optimal condition before you leave. As you well know, it is a great honor to have me as your personal physician and mechanic.”

“Hmm, I’m so embarrassed I think I might faint.”

I lay down on the medical chair, facing sideways.

“I never thought I’d find your ramblings so pleasing! I guess I like you quite a bit, too.”

Jin Ga-u manipulated the medical equipment.

Wheeing.

Medical devices descended from the ceiling and scanned me with grid-shaped lasers, then an arch-shaped machine rose from the floor and passed over me from head to toe with a loud noise.

Beep.

On the monitoring screen, the back of my neck glowed red. It was because of my collar.

“hmm…….”

Jin Ga-woo glanced at my neck armor and didn’t say much. Instead, he changed the subject to something else.

“… … You’ve been outside the Empire for a long time. Are you from the Bellato Federation? No, this body is in the Tarpa race style. The component specifications are the same, and with nanotechnology… … .”

“… … This is a custom-made body made by a Tarpa craftsman. If possible, I would like to repair it and continue using it.”

I liked Lapis Lazuli’s body. It may be embarrassing to say this, but Lazuli 21 is a machine filled with ‘sincerity’. In fact, Lazuli 21 was a masterpiece.

Lazuli No. 21 was excellent even in areas that were not reflected in its specifications, such as output or performance. In other words, it was easy to use and clean.

“The current situation is quite different, but the Empire’s engineering technology is also under the influence of the Tarpa race. Some Tarpas are still serving the Empire. This is not a problem. But what I’m more curious about is who cured your brain.”

Jin Ga-woo pushed up his glasses and fell into thought. I also kept my mouth shut for a moment and thought.

‘Lazarus facility under Newzen.’

There is a bio company called Newzen, and under it is a facility specializing in extreme treatment called Lazarus.

I was debating whether I should say this or not.

“la…….”

Before I could say anything, Jin Ga-woo snapped his fingers.

“Is it Lazarus?”

As expected, Jin Ga-woo’s knowledge was extensive. He asked himself a question and then continued speaking.

“There were two possibilities for treating you at the time. Neither of them is possible in the Empire. As you know, the Empire does not invest much in the restoration and treatment of living organisms. There is no need for it. We are behind in this field.”

“Well, if treatment was possible in the Empire, I would have done something about it around me.”

I shrugged.

“The first way is the Arcane civilization and Force powers. They often cause phenomena that surpass our imagination. It wouldn’t be strange if they could cure you with a miraculous power. But this is not it… … .”

“The group that cured me was Lazarus.”

“Yes, the Bellato Federation is actively embracing alien technology. An organization like Lazarus, which introduces various new technologies and attempts experimental treatments, may have been able to cure you. Of course, the probability is not high. Either way, it would be a reluctant move for the Empire, but you were able to be cured. Hmm, I didn’t know Lazarus’ technology had advanced to this extent.”

“Considering my condition at the time, what do you think the chances of success of the Lazarus treatment are?”

Jin Ga-woo hesitated whether to answer or not, then moved his lips.

“Even if you hit it well, it’s only half. If you think conservatively, it’s around 30%.”

I closed my eyes and opened them. Another piece was falling into place.

“As technology advances, the probability of success increases.”

“This is especially true for organizations like Lazarus. They develop faster because they are not afraid of treatment failure. In Lazarus, even for the same incurable disease, treatment fees vary depending on the level of service. Sometimes, they even treat for free. However, if you pay less, you are essentially a guinea pig, so if I were you, I would never receive cheap treatment services from them.”

Jin Ga-woo giggled.

‘Giselle… … must have stopped my treatment and put me in cryogenic sleep to increase the chances of a cure.’

Giselle wouldn’t take a low-odds gamble with my life.

‘The time of my return that Giselle and Barbara expected is ten years from now.’

Let’s start counting from the storm. Giselle intended to treat me seriously after more than twenty years had passed.

Twenty years is a long time. Damage that was impossible back then may be possible in twenty years.

‘Looking at it another way, Kinuan was trying to wake me up by taking a low-probability gamble. He must have been desperate for my treatment to work.’

While I was lost in thought, Jin Ga-woo stroked his chin and then clapped his hands.

match!

Jin Ga-woo smiled and touched his right shoulder.

“For some reason, my right arm has been aching and hurting ever since I last saw you… … .”

Well, I guess Jin-ga-woo would notice. Even if he is insensitive to others, he probably won’t easily forget the person who blew off his arm. Moreover, the shape of my body would be familiar to him.

“… … I think it would be best for neither you nor I to talk about that. The Empire becomes more dangerous the more secrets you share.”

Jin-ga-woo realized that the strange man who appeared in Deus Ex Machina was me. He laughed as if it was funny.

“You’ve grown up now. I miss the innocent days you had.”

“The purer it is, the easier it is to use and exploit, so I’ll miss it.”

I flicked my tongue as if I was flying a thorn.

“Haha, that’s why I don’t like adults. Alright, I guess the design is figured out.”

Jin Gao displayed a hologram. My body and central nervous system appeared in a dense pattern.

“Is there anything unusual?”

“No, the connectivity is so amazing that it’s amazing. No matter how high-end a factory-made body is, it can’t compete with the work of a craftsman. There will probably be times when your limbs will feel as light as feathers.”

“Then this is the end… … .”

Actually, I was impatient. I didn’t want to waste even a second. Even at this moment, Kinuan would be moving toward his goal.

“But your cybernetic nervous system is still out of order. You need to align and optimize it at this point. You will also feel your body is still heavy. If I am wrong, you can stand up.”

… … Experts are experts. I waited without saying a word.

I checked by moving my arms and legs as Jin-ga-woo told me to.

“Are you going to just use the retinal display that’s currently implanted in your eye? You could even exchange it for the Empire’s.”

“For now, it’s comfortable.”

“There’s a new model that just came out. The procedure won’t even take five minutes. No matter what anyone says, you’re from the Imperial Army. This one will suit you better.”

Jin Ga-woo spoke in a rare, insistent tone. I looked at him quietly and nodded.

Chick.

Jin-Gau sent microcurrents into my eyes to remove the existing display. The display made of nanomachines melted and flowed like tears.

Odd, weird.

Jin Gao added a lens to my cornea. The foreign body sensation disappeared quickly, and the message flashed.

-Your neckguard will be transmitting the eavesdropping data at regular intervals. And there’s also explosives. They’re probably stabilized, but you should still avoid getting hit in the neck as much as possible.

I blinked. Jin Ga-woo’s message evaporated and disappeared. And some data hovered in the corner of the interface and then disappeared.

“Well, since it’s all over, I’ll go now.”

“… … Thank you, sir.”

Jin Ga-woo stood up first and opened the door.

“Good luck, Luca. Believe it or not, I like you quite a bit.”

“I know, sir. I like you quite a bit too.”

Jin Ga-woo saw me off with a slightly deeper smile.

As I walked down the hallway, I recalled old memories. In the past, I thought Jin Ga-woo was an exceptional person. No, he was indeed exceptional.

‘But it’s not an exceptional monster.’

Now I know.

Jin Ga-woo is an eccentric person, but he is human. He is very close to being a normal person. If someone who is over a hundred years old has that kind of personality, then you could say he is close to being ‘normal’.

‘A person who only shows kindness within the limits of what he can handle, and who pursues his own interests to survive, sometimes even harming others… … .’

Jin Gau’s essence was that of an ordinary person who could be found anywhere.

Whether it’s survival or anything else, we live wearing masks. We try to look great, and sometimes we pretend to be weak. And some people wear evil masks to look like ‘monsters’.

But in the end, if you take off the mask, everyone is human.

The only one who took off his mask in front of me and was still a monster was Mushir al-Kashra.

Now I intend to take off Kinuan’s mask. I believe that what is inside is a human being.