How to Live as an Immortal - Chapter 262
Only Noblemtl
How to Live Immortally Episode 262
262 Welcome to a true companion
“I won’t give up.”
John comes closer and places his hand on my head. A cool current of air passes through my nerves, as if cold water had been poured on my scalp.
It is a strange flow that only Gaon can feel.
There is a certain intention in it. It could be said to be a mood of seditiousness, or a lukewarm interest.
‘Then that’s right.’
There were many parts of that move that were questionable. I didn’t think it was an act of kindness from the beginning, so I wasn’t that disappointed.
That’s why it suppresses the growth of cells that swell and swell excessively while wiggling.
Soon, the halo of light fades and John takes a step back.
“It’s all done.”
“already?”
“I don’t know what you want, but it’s just a matter of getting back lost memories. Anything more than that would be ridiculous. What do you think?”
I have no memory of coming back, but I still had to pretend to come back.
“Yes, they are coming to me one by one. It’s as if the fog is clearing and my vision is becoming clearer.”
It’s unlikely that John would know everything about Baek Seok-do’s upbringing or personality. Even if he asked, he would just make things up. After all, he had already finished his preliminary research on Baek Seok-do through conversation with Baek Seol.
The problem comes after this.
I know John was being tricky. So what was his plan? Even after three hundred years of extensive experience, nothing came to mind.
But, that worry didn’t last long.
“Oh, my dear friend Baek Ga-on. Now I can finally meet you like this.”
-Because John showed the answer first.
“Do you know how worried I was when you told me you lost your memory?”
‘What is it?’
Gaon frowned for a moment at the stark temperature difference.
I couldn’t tell if he was just trying to check if my memories were back to normal, or if he was just asking questions to see if I would react as intended.
Should I take it or not?
My internal conflict was deepening, but my choice was set. I had to at least pretend to know, so that I could correct it if I was wrong.
“Oh, really? Sorry about that.”
Fortunately, John’s face brightens as if it was the right answer.
“What’s the use of saying sorry between us? Just know that I cared about you that much.”
He approached me so friendly that I became hesitant.
I wonder if Baek Seok-do knew John while he was alive, but if he did, he would have let it be known. If he had a close relationship with Second, he would have left something behind in some way, but there was no particular mention of the legacy he left behind.
That means―
‘Did you become friends at this place?’
Of course, there is no result without a process. It goes without saying that the treatment John had just given was the cause.
‘Hey, look at this kid?’
I wondered why he had come forward, but it was definitely because he had been acting under the pretext of a price. If he had not had any special powers, he would have been playing into John’s hands.
In the first place, a guy who cares deeply for his friend wouldn’t be driven to a dangerous situation just because he made one mistake.
What that means is that the attitude you’re showing now is all false.
Naturally, I couldn’t help but feel angry.
“By the way, when did we become close?”
John paused for a moment, perhaps because of the unexpected question. As expected, there was only the line that they were friends, but it seemed like no details were provided.
“When did you say such regrettable things? It was I who introduced you to the Ark, and it was I who supported the patent that formed the core of the Ion Trident.”
After that, John only talked about information that was not out of place even when interpreted from Baek Seok-do’s perspective.
Anyone could see that the thief was lying down, but Gaon pretended not to notice and just listened.
Seeing how much effort was put into injecting information, it seems that even a second person has many limitations when it comes to manipulating human memory.
As the burden is so great, the thing you want to achieve will also be great.
As expected, John, who had been busy with personal matters, slyly changes the subject.
“So, there’s something I’d like to ask you.”
“Listen.”
“It’s nothing. Isn’t there an ark you entered?”
* * *
‘… I wish you could tell me once in a while what was being said in that ark.’
Gaon, who came out of Larme, remembered John’s request.
It was a request that suggested a lot. It was something that would never have been made if Second and the Ark had formed a close agreement.
After all, it was a two-person triangle between two different races. Their interests could not possibly overlap exactly.
Didn’t I say that last time? Even if you’re a second, you can’t get involved in the operation of the ark.
There is a grand proposition that binds the two forces together, but the detailed plans to execute it are established separately.
It seemed that Second wanted to observe the rotation of the ark taking place outside of my eyes.
That is because he personally sought out helpers.
‘If you think about it… … .’
This request could be said to be an extension of that.
The reason they had him confront the consultant under the pretext of the Ion Trident was probably to gauge how capable the spy they were planting on the Ark was.
Of course, now? – I couldn’t shake the thought. If I wanted to restrain the Ark, I should have made a move a long time ago.
It was clearly not a personnel move to prepare for an unexpected event.
There must have been some suspicious movement within the ark. Second would want to keep an eye on it.
I don’t know what it is, but I’m sure time will tell.
‘It’s dizzy.’
You shouldn’t be uncooperative just because something doesn’t suit your taste. Even if you want something absurd, you should at least pretend to listen.
Even if the end is a pit of sand.
My head felt like it was throbbing, as if I was unaware of death.
* * *
―Unfortunately, the worries continued after that.
“Hello, Baek Ga-on.”
Thanks to an uninvited guest who came without notice.
As the sun was setting, Gaon came into the living room to wrap things up for the day. He couldn’t help but sigh as he looked at the person sitting on the sofa as if it were nothing.
An oval head as round as an egg. A face without any facial features. And a fedora to hide that wicked look.
“You don’t have to ring the doorbell, but I’d appreciate it if you could at least come in through the door, Mr. Slenderman.”
The man’s name is anonymous.
He introduced himself as a vanguard from the ark, but now I know that he is the right-hand man and faithful servant of the master who rules the ark.
This could be found in the diary left by Baek Seok-do.
Moreover, the status of anonymity could not be judged by such a thing alone. Unlike Baek Seok-do, who tried to overcome the limits of lifespan with an imperfect brain transplant, he had escaped the frame of life with a technology that was one step more advanced.
“Well, I guess it would be more convenient for you since you’re made of nanomachines.”
Nanotechnology, magic in the microscopic world.
Even in the 24th century, the technology was an uncharted territory. No, it was in the process of being developed. It is gradually showing its value and being used in various fields, but no attempt has been made to embody a human being in its entirety.
It wasn’t a problem. There were more than one or two technologies that had to be developed first.
But Myeong was a real person who was free from such restrictions.
Only after he entered the realm of the Mandala could Gaon vaguely grasp its true nature.
Although the outline looks like that of an adult male, it is actually a giant aggregate made up of molecular units.
It would not be an exaggeration to say that he was the incarnation of science.
“Oh, it looks like you’re back to normal since you remember the secret I told you back then.”
“You’ve been rude to me all this time.”
“I would like to ask for your understanding, given the circumstances. It was thanks to my firm handling of the situation that it reached John’s ears and he was able to receive treatment.”
“… … .”
I have a lot to say, but I remain silent. I feel like once it starts, it won’t be possible to stop it.
There was something else I was curious about, too.
“While we’re on the subject, there’s something I’d like to ask.”
“Go ahead.”
“If memories can be restored so easily, then manipulating them wouldn’t be difficult either. Does the Ark have a solution?”
It was John who regenerated cells with a single gesture.
It would be natural to have the delusion that the social leaders may already be under the control of the Second.
“You are making such a pointless assumption. No, I guess that’s because we are human, that’s how we end up with such results.”
“Oh, oh, oh,” the anonymous man shrugs his shoulders as if he’s a big shot, adding,
“You probably know that Second has formed a swarm intelligence.”
“There’s no way I wouldn’t know.”
The second was the one that achieved true democracy through two-way communication using quantum communication.
“There are a few issues that were decided internally before they contacted us. One of them is what Baek Ga-on is concerned about.”
It was said that they agreed not to engage in any actions that harm the other party’s will, such as brainwashing, controlling, or dominating.
There was no point in criticizing them for doing just that. Unlike humans who somehow exploit loopholes in established laws, Second was both a watcher and a target.
Since all the inside details were revealed, it was impossible to deceive.
‘And yet this time you tried to manipulate my memories.’
What this means is that it is not John’s arbitrary action, but rather the implications of the entire Second.
It was also evidence that something that had to be acknowledged as a special case was happening on the ark.
So I couldn’t help but ask.
“Isn’t that too optimistic? There are always exceptions.”
“Well, I don’t think they’d go that far. They’ve had a terrible track record of failure. They probably don’t want to repeat the same mistake again.”
“Failed miserably?”
Just as I was about to ask what the case was, Myeong clapped his hands first and shook his butt exaggeratedly.
“Well, let’s stop talking about boring stuff and get back to the main topic. We still have some unfinished business, don’t we? Where is the inheritance?”
It was an anonymous person who reached out as if it had been his from the beginning. It was extremely annoying, but Gaon couldn’t refuse.
He takes the package out of his bosom and hands it over.
“here.”
I’ve thought about it over and over again. Is it really right? Is there no other way? But it’s not something that can be solved by making excuses.
The person who was so ambitious that he even made a separate plan to steal the ark was none other than Baek Seok-do.
He, a greedy human, has regained his memory, but is about to officially join, and is bickering?
This didn’t suit his personality.
That’s why I didn’t say anything.
As it turned out, it was a symbolic gesture.
There was no choice but to use Baekdu’s technology as collateral to gain even greater profits.
I just hoped that the group called Ark was worth it.
“With this, Baek Ga-on’s membership in the Ark is complete. We welcome you as a true comrade.”