How to Live as an Immortal - Chapter 267
Only Noblemtl
How to Live Immortally Episode 267
267 Your waist is empty
The building was old, with its exterior and pillars half-collapsed. There were clear signs of multiple renovations. If it had been in another district, an immediate rebuilding order would have been issued, but in the neighborhood, it was in a basic state.
Instead of warmth, it was steam that enveloped District 39, and instead of light, it was neon signs.
“Come on in.”
Under such a building.
Croft stood at the entrance to the basement. All that was around the rusty iron door was a trash can that someone had kicked over. As you pass through the space that no one would notice, a different world unfolds.
The interior was made of a completely different material from the exterior. The walls and ceiling were processed without a single joint. And the lights turned on as you walked.
It was similar in style to the bunkers I saw in the Golden Wheat Fields in District 35.
“Did the destructionists take a look around here too?”
“They would never come to this cesspool. This is the destruction they fear.”
“That’s not wrong.”
District 39 is a high-crime area where all sorts of illegal and illegal practices coexist. In that sense, it’s not much different from the end of the century.
“This is a place where I have improved in my own way.”
Descending dozens of meters underground, the bright pastel-colored interior walls come into view. Hydroponically grown vegetables and greens, willow trees engineered to grow without sunlight, and shallow lakes.
It was as if the terrarium had been reduced to the size of a laboratory. It had a sense of openness that made it seem like it wasn’t a confined space. It was full of love and care, even though it was made as a hobby.
As expected, a glass tube was placed in the middle of the waterway. Inside was a man whose last breath depended on a life support device.
Only faint vital signs, linked to a hologram, indicated that he was not yet dead.
“Hello, this is my older brother Craig.”
Unlike Croft, who was somehow annoying, Craig had a neat and tidy appearance. He looked like he had never considered going off the rails in his life.
Croft added, caressing the glass tube as if trying to feel its body temperature.
“I originally wanted to go to a better place, but I still haven’t taken Ryung-young’s eyes off of me.”
“By the way, what was Ryongyoung’s reaction?”
“There is no significant movement.”
It was unexpected. Since the company that could be considered the predecessor of RYJ Company had collapsed, I thought they would approach it in some way.
‘No, was that only from my perspective?’
Kidnapping Croft was entirely Tae-yeop’s unilateral action. Wang Hoon-soo followed his trail, but he also resigned along with his disciple.
I just left it on the side of the road―
‘Oh, you don’t know who killed him?’
In the meantime, he must have heard the news that even the consultant had been dealt with by the Mars Defense Forces, so he must have decided to hide.
It was a temporary information gap that arose as everything coincidentally came together.
‘Not bad.’
Even if you investigate later, all you can get is circumstantial evidence, and that’s it.
“Just in case, keep anything related to nectar completely hidden. No, keep it only on the intranet.”
Until the deal was done, the Ark had to stay out of sight.
“Yes, I will. That is my specialty.”
“So, what do you want to talk about? Judging from what you’ve explained, it seems to be related to your brother.”
“You saw it exactly.”
Craig Shen.
Gaon didn’t know much about it either.
It was a clue that I ended up getting by asking Dobby to figure out Croft’s weakness. I probably wouldn’t have found it if Croft hadn’t been laundering money through Oramatic Bionics.
“You may not know this, but my brother was a much better person than I was. He was a complete person, a true adult. And he was a genius who far surpassed such evaluations.”
“It’s not easy to imagine.”
Croft alone was a giraffe of a generation.
Not only did they distribute Eden and generate extreme profits, they also used the information on the devices that spread as a result in reverse―
“You were trying to hack a mega data center.”
“What an embarrassing past.”
It was an evil deed I committed when I was affiliated with RYL Company. However, I have no regrets about it. The reason I said I was ashamed was because I couldn’t achieve what I wanted.
“Actually, I’m not interested in things like overthrowing the social system or completing a new system.”
“then?”
“The culprit who made my brother like that. That’s where my only interest lies.”
The story of Croft sitting on a stump continues.
The emotional changes that occurred when the older brother I had looked up to since childhood collapsed miserably.
This was the first time that Croft, who had always covered up his circumstances with nonsense, had confessed his feelings so frankly.
Perhaps it was the fact that he and Ryong-young fought to save him by any means necessary that left an impression on him.
“But you know, if it’s just to hide my brother, the option of the Four Great Dark Secrets doesn’t seem all that appealing.”
It’s a new thing, but they were guys who had neither faith nor consideration.
Why did I ask for mercy even though I knew that my beloved brother would be taken hostage?
“I didn’t know that my future self would do something like this. I can’t help it. The guys who did this to my brother are the city council.”
A city council, not a city government.
It was a consensus body created by all the Dome City Governments from No. 1 to No. 6. It was a global organization that also appointed the full-power representatives sent to the colony’s board of directors.
With so many vested interests involved, no one knew what was at stake.
“The only ones who can stand against them are those with strong rebellious tendencies.”
“It seems like you have some plausible basis for your conviction.”
“At that time, before it became like this, my brother was working at a company.”
It was only after a long period of chasing traces that I learned that it was a secret research institute directly under the city government.
Croft, who caught them using the underworld as an external service, went into hiding that day and pieced together the information that was scattered like fragments.
And soon, I realized one thing.
“I heard that at the company, my brother was in charge of a project called ‘The Box Project’.”
“What is that?”
“I don’t know. It was a name I finally heard after devoting half my life to it. However, the city council tried to hide it thoroughly… … .”
“… … It must be bad.”
“That’s why I was curious about District 1.”
All information, whether dummy data or metadata, was gathered in the seed colony, or rather on Mars.
A very large data center that takes up the entire area of District 1. Also known as Untouchable.
It is said that the artificial intelligence that rules there has achieved superintelligence by breaking through the singularity faster than anyone else. Some say that it has been granted independent autonomy and is now in a position to trade with humanity on equal terms.
Although it was generally accepted as an unfounded urban legend, Croft couldn’t shake the impression that it was plausible.
Because the walls that the Untouchables built so solidly were completely different from the development patterns of human history.
So I didn’t even know I was hanging on any longer.
“Only that AI knows the truth.”
“It’s a hopeless situation. Unless you become the Emperor of Humanity, it’s impossible to approach him.”
“I guess so.”
“Can’t it be fixed with nectar?”
“The physical part will be completely healed, but the mental part is unknown. If Mr. Gaon works hard and collects more samples, then maybe it will be different.”
There was no disagreement about Gaondo either, as it was a technique that could become Dobby’s lifeline. However―
“It’s ridiculous for an employee to exploit his employer.”
“No, that’s not true. Starting today, that relationship will be reversed. I’ve been observing from the side and have come to a conclusion. There is no better problem solver on Mars than Mr. Gaon.”
Croft stands up and declares.
“I have a request. I want to know why my brother had to be sacrificed.”
When Croft spoke clearly and without trailing off like usual, Gaon smiled and asked politely.
“What’s the price?”
“My life.”
“Don’t you think it’s already mortgaged?”
“I will complete any inhumane research with a smile. Wouldn’t that be better than ten days?”
* * *
A quiet cafe.
Justin, whom I met again―
“You’ve gotten thinner.”
“It was just additional equipment to deal with my brother. This physique is comfortable in normal times.”
“Judging by the fact that you made the appointment leisurely, it seems like the case has been roughly resolved.”
“As you may have been informed in advance, Gaon’s activities will not be recorded. There was nothing we could do about this, I’m sorry.”
“Tsk.”
Gaon clicked his tongue as if he was annoyed, but it was just a deception to gain the upper hand in the transaction. His true feelings felt like they were going to fly away.
Even though there are quite a few traces of the consultants being tracked here and there, what service could be better than this, where the traces are automatically erased?
But I had to take what I got.
“What about the reward?”
“You are scheduled for a special promotion. You were originally promised the position of honorary captain… … .”
“Honorary Major?”
“It’s a half-baked right, with no immunity or pardon. But you’ll still be able to receive most of the benefits. However, if you abuse it, you could be tried in a military court.”
“It’s a shame that there are so many things hanging here and there, but I have to endure it.”
In fact, even though he said that, he knew very well that it was impossible for a civilian to exercise his rights without serving in the military.
“Instead, I brought you something special.”
An access code is sent via short-range communication. Unlike what is used in the private sector, the capacity is different, starting with the number of digits. When you access the path that Justin explained, a unique list appears.
“Isn’t this a catalog?”
“If there’s something you always lack as a problem solver, it’s probably tools or equipment.”
“Are you saying that you’re giving out military products?”
“But only to the extent that individuals can operate.”
Still, it’s huge.
The Mars Defense Force was the one leading the next generation of technology. You can tell just by looking at the shuttle, Typhon, that Aris personally operated.
“Please let me know and I will send it to you separately.”
“This isn’t a normal route.”
“It is a form of indefinite rental under Frauga’s name.”
A trick that can be used because it is a famous family that is deeply rooted in the Mars Defense Forces.
“Since this is a method, if it is permanently damaged, you may be charged for repair costs. You will also be subject to sanctions when selling it second-hand.”
“Okay, stop it. I have that much discernment.”
What should I choose?
As I was lost in happy thoughts, I felt Justin’s gaze.
“What is it?”
“Your waist is empty. I think you’ll need to get a new sword.”