Bad Born Blood - Chapter 162



Only Noblemtl

162

I heard the explanation of the Hwagwangyedo from Japha. The story caught my interest.

“… … There is a romanticism about technology in Border City.”

“Isn’t this just a madness about technology?”

Jafar laughed without denying it. Even with my short stay, I could see the significance of Border City’s existence.

Those who admire unproven new technologies are swarming in Border City.

In Border City, people of all races, including humans from the Three Kingdoms, were mixed together and were challenging their limits without any censorship or regulation.

Unlimited freedom is extremely dangerous. No country would want to have an unstable bomb in the middle of its capital.

‘That’s why Akbaran left the lower areas as his garden. Because the fruits conceived in chaos are the sweetest.’

Border City was a city necessary for the development of the planet Novas. Even if you fail a hundred times, if you have one great result, it is a gain. The sacrifices and confusion caused by failure will be borne by Border City, and the leaders of each nation and race will intercept the results.

“The Galaxy Swordsmiths were also a group of romantic craftsmen. They received huge investments from wealthy warriors and collectors, and with that capital, they purchased a unique unobtanium metal called Ignium to make swords. That’s the Hwagwang series.”

On the upside-down wall was a glass display case, inside of which a single-edged sword showed off its graceful curves. Beneath it was a scabbard decorated with the same decoration.

“So what’s wrong with this weapon?”

I said as I approached the display case.

“Unrefinable metals are metals that cannot be artificially refined or synthesized. They are also called rare metals, although they do not have the exact same meaning. Ignium’s biggest characteristic is heat amplification.”

“Just tell me the functions without any useless explanations.”

I threw out a word because I thought Jafar’s words would be too long.

“You can apply plasma energy to the blade. With a little skill, even a beginner can cut metal. However, there have been many cases where inexperienced users have cut their own limbs by swinging it. Accidents that occurred when the blade was dropped were also equally horrific.”

I burst out laughing.

“That’s a common occurrence with weapons that have enhanced cutting power. The same goes for single-molecule blades. Is there a problem with heat control?”

I quickly got to the point.

“… … The biggest problem in actual use was the breakage and explosion caused by heat accumulation. This was something that even the Galaxy Craftsmen could not have predicted. The blades, unable to withstand the heat, would break and fly, tearing faces apart, and sometimes the weapon itself would explode, swallowing the user along with it.”

I tilted my head and stared at the knife.

“Heat management is the most basic design in thermal weapons. You’re a group of craftsmen, aren’t you? Are there people in Border City who are craftsmen in name only?”

“Even the Galaxy Dogong has completed internal testing and determined that it is practical. However, no matter how smart a person is in the world, there are blind spots that they miss due to different perspectives. This is also why we need to gather experts from various fields. In any case, the Galaxy Dogong’s problem was that it had no warriors.”

-To be exact, there were no first-class warriors. That’s why I made such an incredibly stupid mistake.

Yen chimed in from behind. It seemed like a fairly well-known story.

“Hoyoot… … . En is right. Those who would use such high-performance melee weapons are warriors who have reached the realm of superhumans. The Galaxy Dogong did not know how fiercely those superhumans fought.

“Those who used these weapons were able to deflect bullets, bombs, and even energy projectiles with a single blade. As a result, the heat build-up was several times faster than the manufacturer had expected. Users even liked it because the plasma effect became stronger.”

“Haha, this is a doomsday destiny.”

Even the most grand theories and elaborate plans ultimately come from human minds. Reality always exceeds our expectations.

“Within a month, more than half of the buyers were dead or incapacitated. Naturally, the Galaxy Potter who sold the defective product also suffered retaliation. It was the result of their arrogance in believing that they could control the unstable substance called Ignium. The remaining Fire Series are held by collectors who do not use them.”

The words were over. I raised my arm and struck the decoration with the bottom of my fist.

Bang!

The glass shattered and cracked. The cracks spread like ice particles, and the display case lost its stress and came crashing down.

“Weapons are not for decoration, they are for use. Destruction is the destiny of weapons. They are born to take life and destroy.”

… … Same goes for me. It’s quite a bad idea to only look for safe things when you’re always destroying things.

I grabbed the hilt of the knife. Shards of glass fell down.

“I will prepare a better weapon for you.”

-It’s no use. You can tell just by looking at him that he’s as stubborn as Tarpa. Once he makes up his mind, he’s not the type to change it even if it means losing his own neck.

En laughed, shaking her body.

“It’s all your fault, En! Ha, this is not the time to laugh. Why did you bring up the topic of Hwagwang… ?”

I twirled the sword around and grabbed the scabbard as if I was snatching it from its scabbard.

Kiing!

The blade slid smoothly into the scabbard. The weight distribution was good, and the craftsmanship was excellent. It was what is commonly called a famous sword.

“I like this. Now that we know what caused the defect, if we just control the heat build-up, there won’t be a problem, right?”

Jafar, who saw my appearance, nodded as if he had nothing more to say.

* * *

I have a combat suit and weapons. I also got a pistol, which is a decent one.

Jafar’s support was better than I expected. Even if Jafar’s boss was quite rich, it wouldn’t have been an easy decision.

Jafar and I were talking in a luxurious living room. The floor was carpeted to muffle footsteps, and the walls were lined with expensive-looking art and stuffed heads of unknown beasts.

“Jafar, how much do you know about Kinuan?”

I asked while sitting on the sofa. There was no Endo here. It was just me and Japha.

“Mr. Luca, I didn’t ask you every little thing about yourself. People like us tend to have a lot to hide. What matters is what you give and what you get in return.

I think I have done you enough good deeds. If you still don’t trust me and try to dig up my weak secrets, I can’t help but get angry. Is there any reason why I should trust and rely on you endlessly?”

Well, I was speechless for a moment. What would Kinuan have said in response? I felt like I was at a loss for words.

I opened my mouth as if I were surrendering, raising my hands.

“That’s right. There’s no need to interfere with each other so much. You invested in me because you wanted to find Kinuan. And I personally want to find Kinuan too. That’s important.”

“You must not kill Kinuan. Bring him before me alive. This is the only thing I ask of you.”

I tried to read Jafar’s emotions. However, it was still difficult to catch the emotional signals of a non-human race. I needed experience and learning about the Tajirun race.

“Aside from finding Kinuan, I have my own personal goals.”

“Is it because of Giselle Custoria’s disappearance?”

I wasn’t surprised. I thought Japha would have figured this out too.

‘Japa has been researching and studying a lot about me. He must have noticed that Giselle was paying for my treatment.’

I nodded and waited for Jafar to speak.

“Hoyot, actually, I was looking into Giselle Custoria’s whereabouts in order to do business with you… … .”

Jafar is a man of deep thoughts despite his careless words and actions. I must always think that he is ahead of me.

“so?”

“… … I also asked about Archie’s Victory. It’s a very unique fighting technique, or should I say, a way of thinking?”

“Both are correct.”

“People who have mastered Archie’s Victory usually have more advanced investigative abilities than others. However, this is only because they have an excellent ability to gather information. If the information itself is a blank, they cannot create something from nothing. It is not a force that transcends physical phenomena. I like the fact that it is a realistic ability that is within the realm of understanding.”

Jafar had a good understanding of Archie’s Victory.

Exactly, exactly.

I found myself tapping my feet on the floor without realizing it. My nervousness was showing through my body. The words, ‘So, what about Giselle?’ were coming out of my throat.

‘In the past, I would not have easily shown universal emotional signals.’

I looked back on my actions and did some self-examination.

It definitely wasn’t like before. The abilities I used to use through embodiment didn’t come out naturally. It felt like I was practicing and relearning one by one by looking at the book.

‘How did you hide your emotional signals in the past… … .’

It was an ability I took for granted so much that I had forgotten about it.

“I have hired five Archie Bigtima users so far.”

Jafar laid the photographs on the table. He saw a series of horribly damaged corpses. The tangled mess of flesh and machinery was grotesque. It was a picture that would be terrifying to the faint of heart.

“These are the ones who died while chasing Kinuan.”

“This is a warning from Kinuan. He tells me not to pursue him. I will pass on to you the information I have researched on Kinuan. And the records of my predecessors.”

“and?”

I placed my hands on my knees and observed Japha’s every word and action closely.

“Even if you start investigating Giselle Custoria now, it will take a long time to reach the clues and information I have.”

“Are you saying that I will provide information about Giselle Custoria as my bonus?”

“Yes. I guess you’re not the type of person who moves with money.”

How much does Jafar know about me and Giselle? My feelings for Giselle were easy for others to exploit.

I didn’t want to reveal those feelings, so I guess I’ll end the story here.

Ssuk.

I stretched out my hand forward.

“The deal is done, Jafar.”

Japha also took my hand, being careful with his nails. His reddish-brown skin was cold and creepy, as expected of a cold-blooded animal. A physiological disgust that was difficult to suppress with reason surged.

“Welcome to Jafar Corporation. Our company motto is ‘family-like business.’”

* * *

I need rehabilitation.

‘Why did Kinuan kill the emperor?’

I walked alone through the night streets and thought.

‘The last remaining question.’

I understand the other people’s goals and principles of action, but Kinuan still bothers me.

‘Is it really Kinuan who killed the Emperor?’

I did not see it with my own eyes. The official cause of death of the Emperor was old age.

But it was definitely evident. If Kinuan had not killed the emperor, then that was also part of his scheme. He must have made me think so.

The Kinuan inside me is a fat monster. The more I think about it, the bigger it gets. I feel like he’s still looking down at me and laughing.

I looked up and saw the deserted streets. Every city has its share of crime zones.

A sinister street, a place where crime gathers like a running dog. I deliberately entered a ruined back alley.

Kang, Kang.

A discarded can tripped over my foot. The sound of the can caught everyone’s attention.

As I sensed danger, my five senses gradually became tense. I didn’t know who would attack me. The number of eyes looking at me through the alleys and windows increased.

It felt as if the gazes of others were connected by a thread. Even the concentration of murderous intent and hostility seemed to be distinguished by the color of the thread.

My mind is sharp enough to be satisfying. I feel like I could dodge bullets fired at me by those who are looking at me right now. It seems my brain is still useful.

‘Why is Kinuan in Border City?’

He is out of the Empire and in the Bellato Federation.

‘why?’

My head hurts because I’m thinking deeply. I feel the bridge of my nose tingling.

‘Think slowly.’

Today is rehabilitation, Luca. We need to start by taming our brains.

I lifted my gaze from the floor. There was a man standing in the middle of the alley.

Kang!

There was a clanging sound as their fists clashed. The man’s fists were as hard as a hammer and he was also big.

‘Gabriel?’

No, that’s a mistake. He wasn’t as ugly as Gabriel. He just had a similar build and aura. It was the kind of feeling typical of a back-alley gang.

“Hey, bro. This is where you have to pay the toll. Did you take the wrong route? Then I’ll guide you… … .”

The fake Gabriel came up to me, chattering like that. He put his arm around my shoulder and laughed wryly.

“Did I take the wrong route?”

I said, looking dryly into the darkness.

“No, no. You didn’t come that wrong. You met me, bro. Hey, those shoes and coat look nice.”

The fake Gabriel tapped my chest and spoke. He hit my chin with his thick fingers.

“How are you, Gilda?”

“Huh? Long? Um, long? Who is that? Is that my ex-girlfriend’s name? Just kidding, dude. Did you get dumped by any chance? Your girlfriend’s name is long?”

The fake Gabriel put his hand into my arms, muttering nonsense. He took out the gun from my coat and opened his eyes wide. There was a heavy electronic component hanging under the gun, and a soft light flowed from the electronic circuit.

“Hey, it’s a tracking pistol, right? Why are you bringing something like this… … .”

The fake Gabriel looked scared. There was an automatic tracking system certification mark next to the gun barrel. This was not a weapon that a normal person would carry.

“Stand back five paces and aim for my head. It’s kill mode, so even if you aim roughly, the bullet will fly right between my eyebrows.”

“No, no. Brother, brother. I’ll give this stone back. Miss… … .”

The fake Gabriel tried to put a gun on my arm.

Woohoo!

I stretched out my leg and crushed his left knee. The knee of his living leg shattered lightly as if it had exploded, and blood spurted onto the floor.

“Ugh, ugh, ugh, oh well, I was wrong, brother, brother. Please, spare me. Huh, ugh.”

The sounds around me disappeared one by one. Everyone realized that I was a suspicious person and hid themselves.

“Gabriel, don’t make me say it twice. Just aim at me and shoot.”

I stepped back and tapped my forehead. The fake Gabriel was also holding onto his broken leg and glaring at me with an evil expression.

“Fuck, this crazy kid! If you’re going to kill yourself… …then do it alone!”

He pointed his auto-tracking pistol at me. In kill mode, bullets automatically fly to critical points.

I’ve been focusing hard. If I can’t do this, I might as well just die here.

Ta-aaaaang!

By the time the gunshots started ringing out, it was all over.

… … You survived today, Luca.

Cheeeeek!

I caught the bullet between my fingers. It spun between my index finger and thumb, emitting acrid smoke.

The tracer’s warhead was longer than a regular bullet, and it even had a tail fin at the back.

Kang.

I dropped the bullet on the ground, having lost its kinetic energy.

It’s thrilling. The colors of the world seem to have become more vivid. I finally feel alive. Seriously, I’m also full of it.

The fake Gabriel was speechless and stared blankly at me. He seemed to have forgotten the pain, and just opened his mouth. He didn’t even think about pulling the trigger again.

“Hmm, that worked out well. I was able to catch it by flying right between my eyebrows.”

I took the auto-tracking pistol from the bastard and put it in my bosom.

“I, I am Gabriel. My name is Gabriel!”

The bastard crouched and trembled. I passed by him without saying a word.

Thud, thud.

The refreshing feeling was short-lived. The world that had been brightened by the temporary stimulation soon became dark. The damn depression that clung to me like a leech was eating me away.