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Ilay had been carrying out missions one after another. He had even been assigned to one mission after another without returning. It was not the method recommended by the training center, but it was closer to real combat.
‘In real life, you can’t always be in peak condition.’
It is also common to have to fight in fierce battles while still in a state of disrepair. That is why military combat bodies value durability as much as high output. If durability and reliability are not supported, no matter how high the output is, it cannot be used in actual combat.
Ilay showed off to me the best loot she had gotten from completing various missions.
… … The moment I saw its identity, my eyes also opened wide.
Through the glass window, a ‘metal creature’ with all sorts of electrodes and cables attached to it was visible.
Next to us, a researcher was busy monitoring the situation. Signals of unknown meaning were graphing across the screen.
‘Machine number.’
A beast made of metal and machinery instead of flesh and blood. It was a creature often found on the planet Novas, but its ecology was still a mystery.
Grrrrr… … .
The machine-man cried lowly, as if he were very tired. He had a sleek appearance, like a wolf. However, his long tail had three forks and a sharp tip. Judging from its shape, it seemed to be using its tail as a weapon.
“That’s something to be proud of.”
I spoke honestly.
Capturing the machine is no easy task. First of all, drug anesthesia does not work. In addition, it has an electromagnetic shielding shell, so it is difficult to neutralize it electronically.
I guess I’ll have to read Illei’s report later to find out how he was captured. I’m quite curious, too.
“Isn’t it amazing?”
Illai looked out the window with a thrilling smile. I could read pure curiosity in her expression.
“Is the machine capital related to the Arcane civilization?”
Even though things have changed, Illai is Illai. The obsession with the Arcane civilization will remain.
“Well, it’s not certain, but it’s likely. Although machine beasts are made of machine parts, they have a sophisticated and complex structure like a living organism. There’s even talk that they grow and reproduce over time, though the principle is unknown.”
Ilay was talking excitedly. I didn’t care about that kind of stuff, so I just turned a deaf ear.
Illai approached the researcher and told him about the machine beast. I watched the machine beast trapped in the glass prison and waited for them to finish their story.
‘A creature born with a mechanical body.’
There was no need for them to gradually adapt to cybernetic bodies like we did. The machine beasts had electronic brains and nervous systems that were suited to their natural bodies.
Creak.
The machine-man lifted his head and looked at me. The machine-man had two pairs of pupils. The colors of his eyes were different, as if they had different wavelengths of visible light.
It was an interesting creature even if you just looked at it. Even though it was the same machine, it was different from the rigid android. Like a living creature, it had many involuntary movements. Its eyelids periodically lowered to wipe the lens, and its three-pronged tail also swung gently.
“… …Can this guy be tamed too?”
I said suddenly. The researcher burst into laughter.
“I can’t say for sure if it’s possible, but it’s unprecedented.”
“okay.”
As I said that, I took a step away from the glass window. The machinist turned his head to the side as if to draw my attention.
We left the lab.
“This will be the last time I see him. He’s being transferred to the Imperial Research Department.”
“It’s not a transfer, it’s a resonance.”
That machine will never see his hometown again. He will be locked up somewhere unknown and end his life as a test subject. I am not sympathizing with him. I am simply stating the truth.
“Oh, and the second loot is this. I’ll give you this as a gift. To celebrate your rise to the position of the young master of the Custoria family.”
“I can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic or serious.”
“I’m serious, Inma.”
Ilay took out a knife. The scabbard was made of black leather. The leather looked very thick and strong.
Whoosh.
Illei pulled out a knife and swung it alternately with both hands. His movements were flashy and quick, as if he was performing an acrobatic feat.
“bone?”
I noticed the material of the knife in the meantime. Ilay stopped moving and held the knife out towards me.
“This is the weapon of the alien I killed this time. You know the Equsians? They’re a famous mercenary race.”
“I’ve heard the name.”
I stared at the knife. The handle was made of string and leather. The bone blade was a strangely clean white.
“It’s a knife that only the commander-level warriors of Equusian carry. It’s rare, but it also has high artistic value, so it’s said to be sold at high prices among collectors.”
“It does look that way.”
My artistic taste is below average, but even to my eyes I could clearly see that the knife was no ordinary object. In common parlance, it looked expensive.
“These are the bones of a native beast that only inhabits the Equusians’ mother planet. They say it’s now extinct, so you can’t get it even if you want to. It was an extremely ferocious and strong beast, and if you successfully hunted it with just a spear or sword, you were considered a great warrior among the Equusians.”
Illei explained the origin. I also understood that it was a precious item. It was only natural since they said that it would never be obtained again.
I took the knife and ran my fingers along the blade.
“It looks like it’s for ceremonial use, but can it be used in actual combat? It’s just a bone.”
“Look carefully.”
Illai took the knife back and struck him with his own sword.
Kang!
A brisk sound spread. The bone knife did not break. However, as the blade went out, a scratch like a nick was left.
“You said it was a precious item… … .”
I closed my mouth as I spoke. The scratches on my face were healing on their own. The cracks and missing teeth were filled in as if the cells were regenerating.
“In Equusian’s native language, it’s called ‘Graken Boot.’ It’s not an exact match, but in Korean, it means immortality? No, it means eternal whiteness.”
Ilay threw the knife ‘Graken Boot’ at me. The Graken Boot is too long, so let’s just call it Graken. The original meaning is none of my business.
Whirlwind.
I held the Graken knife alternately with both hands, turning it. It was surprisingly light.
“It is said that nano-sized organisms live in a dormant state within the bones. When shocked or damaged, they awaken and have the property of restoring the bones to their original form. The Equsians have fixed that restored form into a blade through special processing.”
“… … It’s like magic.”
“I’m giving it to you with all my heart.”
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I looked closely at the knife that had returned to a clean white. The scratches had disappeared as if it were a lie.
It wasn’t a knife that had much power as a weapon. However, it was certainly something a warrior would covet. It wouldn’t be strange if my eyes sparkled with greed.
“I will write well.”
Graken Boot, meaning eternal white.
It was also quite meaningful as a gift. We all like eternity and immortality.
They want their fame to be remembered in history, and they do not want their limited lives to be complete.
… … I hope that relationships between people will last forever, whether it be friendship or whatever.
But we know that we desire eternity and immortality… …because we cannot enjoy infinity. Fame, life, and even relationships with people are finite.
There is one truth in the universe. Even the universe is not eternal and is heading towards its end. Everything will end someday. Not to mention us, who are mere dots on the stars. Our lives are the sparkle of life that is not even a speck of dust.
You’re feeling emotional today, Luca. Well, I guess that can’t be helped.
Because it’s my first time receiving a meaningful gift from someone.
* * *
I belatedly checked the document Nikolaos sent as a hologram.
The dates of the establishment and closure of the ghost company I had requested, as well as the name of the person in question, came to mind one by one. I rolled my eyes and focused my pupils on the name, and the personal information came to mind.
‘There’s a lot more information than I expected. It seems like things will be handled with certainty.’
There was also unsolicited information. Nikolaos had even finished investigating whether the person behind the shell company was a real person or a fake.
I also felt a sense of mission to do something for Nikolaos. It was such great information.
I focused on the hologram again. There was also a flow of money that was difficult to understand through the information network of the lower sector. All the shell companies were moving the money in a complicated way like a spider web. It was money laundering, so to speak.
The shell companies embezzled money from the gambling venues for various reasons, such as cleaning, delivery, and security, and converted it into legitimate funds. In order to avoid tracking and investigation, most of them did not maintain the company for a long time and closed down within a year or two.
I carefully reviewed the document Nikolaos sent me from beginning to end.
It would have been impossible to investigate this level in the lower areas in a day or two. It would have required investigations that took months or even years.
‘If, by some stroke of luck, I become the head of Custoria… … .’
I should have kept Nicholas by my side instead of purging him. If he were not against me, he would have been a great adviser and advisor. He has abilities that I do not have.
Of course, the future of Gaju Lucius Custoria is an extremely hopeless one. The wall I have to overcome to get to that future is much higher than what I have overcome so far.
‘P.S. As I investigated, I was able to outline the destinations where the funds from the ghost companies flowed. I think I’ll be able to find out if I dig a few more days. As I’m doing it, I’m doing it for fun, so don’t feel like you owe me anything.’
This was what Nikolaos added at the end of the document.
“I owe you a lot, really.”
Nicholas also boldly gave me the information because he had figured out what kind of person I was. I am a person who owes a lot and has a hard time keeping my mouth shut.
‘Okay, so let’s put this aside until Nikolaos sends us further information… … .’
I wanted to solve the homework that Kinuan left behind.
‘The next level of Archie’s combat skills.’
I have always felt anxious since I met Ilay Kartika. Ilay was improving by leaps and bounds day by day. He was honing his fighting skills through countless battles.
I’m not just playing around. But what I’m doing now is far from combat. Maybe I’m weaker than Ilay right now.
I know Ilay’s talent better than anyone else. He’s chasing me with all his might.
I like Ilay. But I don’t want to lose to him. If he surpasses me, I’m sure I’ll hate him with all my might. Until I become stronger.
I tried to access the Guard network and reserve a private training room.
Beep.
The terminal rang and a message appeared.
I very rarely… … get extremely agitated. Just like when a comrade next to me dies on the battlefield. If anything, the change in expression is even more severe than that time. Now, it’s not a special situation like a battlefield, so the hormones that make me an aggressive psychopath aren’t activated.
‘Obituary… … .’
One of my acquaintances and relatives has passed away. He is the man I was muttering to myself just now.
‘… …Nikolaos Custoria.’
Nicholas is dead.
