Chapter 214
I used the Firelight Saber to cut through the building's wall, creating a passage.
Chiiiik!
The single-edged blade of the Firelight Saber glowed brightly due to the plasma phenomenon.
Each time the heated blade passed through, the metal tiles and concrete walls split apart smoothly.
With only one arm remaining, Jin Gaw watched the cutting power of the Firelight Saber from behind me with evident curiosity.
"Its power is incredible, but as a weapon, it still has serious flaws. You could supplement its cooling system with a refrigerant cartridge, but that would go against the artisan’s aesthetics."
Jin Gaw’s words were similar to what Lapis had said. While acknowledging the limitations of the Firelight series, he still showed respect for it.
'He has a romantic view of technology.'
That was the common trait between Jin Gaw and Lapis.
'Perhaps that's why Jin Gaw, despite standing at the cutting edge of the Empire’s science and technology, still retains a human side.'
The human side I referred to was not about morality or ethics—it was about human desire.
Considering Jin Gaw's age, status, and occupation, he was someone who should have long since become one of the Empire’s typical, emotionless machine-men.
Yet, Jin Gaw carried an impurity—a preference for irrationality over efficiency.
"More importantly, where did you get your hands on a Firelight series weapon?"
His question snapped me out of my thoughts.
"I acquired it as spoils during a mission."
I kept my answer brief.
"If you ever find yourself in need of money, contact me. I'll pay a good price."
"I recall you saying you didn’t have the budget for toys."
"These days, embezzling in the Empire has gotten easier than before."
I almost laughed but held it in.
Clunk!
I cut through the outer wall leading outside, then pulled it inward and let it fall, creating an opening big enough for a person to pass through.
Whoooosh.
Since we were high up, the wind was fierce. Gripping the edge of the wall, I prepared to jump.
"The Empire’s eyes are on Border City right now. You’d do well to avoid any reckless actions."
Until the very end, I maintained my act as a special operations agent of the Empire.
"I'd like to meet you without the mask next time. I have a feeling we'd get along quite well."
I suppressed the urge to snap back at him and instead just gave a slight nod before leaping backward.
Fwoooosh.
The rushing wind enveloped my body. As I looked up at the shrinking figure of Jin Gaw, I ran my hand along the building’s outer wall, slowing my descent.
'Jin Gaw will take care of Sigma’s death.'
Sigma’s demise would be written off as the act of someone with a grudge.
‘The humans of Machina don’t care much for each other. They consider social interactions without productivity to be meaningless. At first, they’ll try to find you out of pride, but eventually, it’ll all fizzle out.’
I recalled Jin Gaw’s words. It was probably true.
And even if Deus Ex Machina did try to track me down, they wouldn’t have much of a solution.
‘Without cooperating with other species, you can’t accomplish anything in Border City.’
That applied to me as well.
Border City was a melting pot of species. Each race had its own areas of expertise and specialties. The inhabitants of Border City knew what they were good at and what they weren’t, operating strictly within their own domains and refraining from overstepping boundaries for the sake of coexistence.
Before Machina’s security system could detect me, I slipped into the gaps between streets and buildings, concealing myself.
My business with Deus Ex Machina was finished. I had obtained the information and records I needed.
As I steadied my breath, I found myself lost in thought. Jin Gaw’s words lingered in my mind.
‘I always knew he’d go far—from the moment he stabbed his closest friend in the back.’
It was hard to imagine Ilay having two close friends.
According to Jin Gaw, Ilay had betrayed me. I didn’t know what kind of betrayal or what incident he was referring to.
‘But that’s only how Jin Gaw sees it. The reality might be different. Ilay is someone who frequently gets misunderstood.’
You’re hesitating, Luka. You still want to believe in Ilay.
I kept Jin Gaw’s words in mind but didn’t dwell on them too much.
Deep contemplation was useful when I had gathered enough clues, but it also narrowed my perspective when I needed to find them in the first place.
‘I could just head back to Jafa Trading Company from here…’
The sun was setting. Night was falling. My mind was running too hot for me to go back just yet.
‘If I return now, I won’t be able to sleep properly.’
I’d spend the entire night overanalyzing Ilay’s words and actions, plagued by a headache.
Srrk.
I pulled out a disposable terminal. It wasn’t actually disposable, just a cheap secondhand device.
I didn’t trust Jin Gaw. There was no way I was inserting the chip he gave me into my main terminal.
Beep.
I accessed Machina’s full-body cybernetic conversion surgery records. In Border City, full-body cybernetic procedures were rare. Even Machina had only performed two in the past six months.
Whirrr.
On the low-resolution screen, the model and external design of the cybernetic bodies were displayed. Below them were the detailed specifications.
I frowned slightly.
‘Both were female-type bodies.’
Moreover, neither of them were combat models. Valek was a man and an exceptional warrior—there was no way he would choose a non-combat female cybernetic body.
But the very fact that it seemed unlikely was reason enough to investigate.
Akies Victima users loved to exploit cognitive blind spots.
* * *
Click.
Taking off my mask felt like a breath of fresh air. The sweat on my face cooled in the night breeze of Border City.
I transmitted the model and design of the cybernetic bodies I had investigated to Jafa.
Jafa had stores all across Border City. Each one was equipped with surveillance devices and cameras, with records stored on a yearly basis.
It was nearly impossible to live in Border City without using Jafa Trading Company’s stores. They sold everything from food to household necessities and manufactured goods.
‘But just as Kinuan has managed to stay off the radar, Valek could easily evade Jafa’s surveillance if he wanted to.’
I wasn’t expecting much. But people sometimes made mistakes. And Akies Victima users were still human in the end.
‘Ilay betrayed me…’
I frowned. With nothing left to focus on, negativity filled my mind.
This wasn’t good. It was a bad sign.
I always considered the worst-case scenario. Jin Gaw’s words had unsettled me.
The unease I already felt about Ilay was growing.
This wasn’t something a cup of tea could fix. I needed to shift my focus entirely until I could put enough distance between myself and Jin Gaw’s words.
I forced myself to find something to do.
‘It’s about time I visited Gabriel.’
Scowling from a growing headache, I made my way to Gaya’s clinic.
Gaya’s clinic was as rundown as ever. When I rang the doorbell, Gaya appeared, wearing a white coat so oversized and loose it practically fluttered around him. The contrast between his dark skin and the white coat was still striking.
“What brings you here?”
“Isn’t Gabriel’s treatment nearly finished?”
“Normally, it would be. But you kept digging into Gabriel’s trauma over and over again.”
“I just came to see him after a long time.”
I stated my reason for being there.
“If that’s all, then as his physician, I’m denying you visitation. Are you going to force your way in again?”
Gaya leaned against the doorframe and looked at me.
“I don’t plan on forcing my way in this time. I just came to check.”
I was about to walk away without hesitation when Gaya let out a sigh and spoke.
"……Someone came to visit Gabriel before you. It’s Lady Anguis Regina."
"Why do you call her ‘Lady’?"
"Anguis Regina means ‘Queen of Serpents.’ Adding ‘Mister’ would sound odd."
I hadn’t expected Anguis Regina to visit Gabriel. The only connection they had was me. Otherwise, they had nothing to do with each other.
"I’m not allowed to visit, but she is?"
"Lady Anguis Regina’s very presence is beneficial to mental health. I still oppose letting you and Gabriel meet face-to-face, but watching from a distance is fine. Would you like to?"
It was Gaya’s version of a compromise. I didn’t refuse and stepped inside.
True to his Coritan heritage, Gaya was laid-back yet carried strong religious undertones. But he wasn’t just soft.
"You held a pretty high position back in Corite territory, didn’t you?"
Hands in my pockets, I walked alongside him.
"Are you prying into my past now?"
"Not everyone can use Force. I heard that Force users hold religious significance in Corite society and receive high regard. You must have your reasons for leaving all that behind to end up in Border City."
"Poking into someone’s past without permission is rude."
"I’ve already acted like a brute toward you multiple times. It’s not like my reputation could get any worse."
"I’m just a doctor in Border City. An unlicensed quack, at that. Though, really, how many licensed doctors do you think are in this place?"
Gaya smiled smoothly.
We walked down the corridor and stopped in front of an opaque glass wall.
Tok, tok.
Gaya tapped the glass with his fingertips. It gradually turned transparent, revealing the room beyond.
Crossing my arms, I tilted my head.
"What the hell is this? A tea party?"
"Cognitive rehabilitation training. Gabriel’s brain processing speed has significantly deteriorated. Even a little mental load would stress him out."
"And so you’re making him play with blocks like a toddler? …Whatever. I left his treatment to you, so I’ll shut up and trust you."
I looked through the glass at Gabriel and Anguis Regina.
Click.
Gabriel was stacking towers with blocks of various shapes and sizes. Their bright, vibrant colors made them look like something straight out of a children’s toy set.
"Rich colors stimulate the brain. They help with rehabilitation. There’s a strong link between psychiatric rehabilitation and childhood education—both involve individuals whose cognitive abilities are weaker than those of an adult."
Gaya added as if reading my dissatisfaction.
"I said I’d trust you. So, no need for a long-winded explanation."
"Then wipe that look of discontent off your face before saying that."
I shrugged and continued observing Gabriel’s behavior for a while.
With Anguis Regina’s help, Gabriel was stacking blocks, assembling toys, and putting together mechanical devices. Despite his burly frame and rough features, he was grinning like a carefree child.
‘Maybe it’s best if Gabriel never leaves this place…’
If he stepped out of Gaya’s clinic, he’d be dragged into a darkness he wasn’t equipped to handle. Walking alongside me would mean a life filled with violence and death.
"Gabriel, this block doesn’t match the colors."
"I can’t help it. My eyes keep drifting to you, Regina."
"Oh my, you sure know how to flatter a lady."
Anguis Regina flashed a dazzling smile. She took Gabriel’s wrist and guided his hand to a different block.
I noticed Gabriel’s gaze frequently pausing at Anguis Regina’s chest and hips.
Pressing my cold palm against my throbbing forehead, I sighed.
"Are you sure she’s helping with Gabriel’s rehabilitation? You said psychiatric rehabilitation and childhood education are closely related."
I couldn’t hold back my comment.
"Closely related doesn’t mean identical. A moderate amount of sexual stimulation and tension can help activate an adult’s brain. And an idol of Border City is an excellent stimulant."
It sounded like something a quack would say, but it wasn’t entirely without logic.
"This block-stacking is getting boring. How about we dance instead?"
Standing up, Anguis Regina nudged the blocks and toys aside with her foot. She played music from her terminal. The song started with Bam, Bam, Bam.
Anguis Regina moved fluidly, her dance exaggerated yet elegant. Every motion emphasized her feminine allure.
Sway, sway.
Excited, Gabriel started dancing along with Anguis Regina. I couldn’t bear to keep watching, so I shut my eyes.
Thud.
The music stopped. Not long after, Anguis Regina stepped out of the room. Upon spotting me, her eyes widened.
"Oh, I didn’t know you were here. How long have you been watching?"
As if she had never been surprised, Anguis Regina flashed a playful smile and clung to me, boldly looping her arm around mine.
Smack.
I pulled my arm away, brushing her off. She didn’t seem to mind and just laughed.
"I’ll go change. You probably want to ask why I’m here, right? If you want to know, have a drink with me."
Without waiting for my response, Anguis Regina disappeared into the changing room.
Click, click.
I turned my gaze back to Gabriel through the glass wall.
He was picking up the scattered blocks and toys, placing them back in their original spots. Occasionally, he hesitated, unsure where to put a piece—even though the shelf had clear markings indicating colors and shapes. His cognitive processing was still slow.
A bitter taste filled my mouth.
‘I won’t pull Gabriel into this world any further.’
This is the right decision, Luka.