Bad Born Blood

Chapter 157

I decided to comply with Lazarus’ examination procedures without resistance. At least for now, no one seemed to intend me harm.

I was inside a cylindrical examination device, completely naked, for an hour.

"...The results are astonishing. Most of your brain functions are above the standard levels. It’s hard to believe you’ve just recovered from a coma. Typically, patients in your condition spend two or three months in a half-dead state."

A doctor’s voice reached me. This time, it seemed like I was dealing with a proper medical professional.

"What exactly is Lazarus?"

I asked while lying down. I lacked far too much information.

’Why am I here?’

’Was it really Giselle who arranged for my treatment?’

’What happened to Akbaran and the Empire after the storm device?’

I had many questions, but first, I needed to gather information about my immediate surroundings. I had to finish grasping my situation before gradually expanding my awareness.

"It’s one of NewGen’s subsidiary hospitals."

NewGen—another name I didn’t recognize. From the sound of it, it seemed to be a biotech-related corporation.

The doctor continued talking about Lazarus while checking my condition. The casual way they spoke suggested that this wasn’t classified information. It was probably common knowledge for people here.

"Lazarus’ motto is ‘Death is a disease to be conquered.’ It specializes in extreme treatments. We adopt the latest technologies first, treating patients who have no hope with conventional medical techniques."

"Hmph, that’s a roundabout way of saying it’s a human experimentation lab."

"Some people say that. But many, like you, have survived because of it."

The medical helmet enclosing my head gently opened. At the same time, the bed I was lying on slid smoothly outward.

"You keep making it sound impressive, but the nurses here aren’t great. Anyone could tell they weren’t properly trained medical staff."

I grumbled as I sat up from the bed. My movements were noticeably more stable now. My brain’s self-correction process was nearly complete.

"Lazarus has a high nurse mortality rate, so we can’t afford to bring in elite personnel."

I didn’t bother asking what that meant. When it came to human experimentation, all kinds of things could happen.

’Jin Gaw would love a facility like this.’

The past felt close. My thoughts and memories connected smoothly, my associations forming effortlessly. A good sign.

"To put it simply, you suffered severe brain damage. Even with advancements in ultra-regeneration technology, the brain has always been an exception. Because of its unique properties—"

"Make it even simpler. Do I look like a scientist to you?"

"The artificial regeneration of brain cells causes personality changes and memory distortions. That’s just the major side effects—there are countless minor ones we can’t even predict. Ah, by the way, post-treatment care is free for ten years."

I scoffed.

"It’s not post-treatment care—you just want to collect experimental data. There can’t be many cases like mine. If I didn’t seem to have any background, you’d have stuck a sedative into the back of my neck immediately."

I tapped my neck lightly with my fingertips as I spoke. The doctor fell silent for a moment.

"You’re sharp. As you said, even when brain cell regeneration succeeds, most patients suffer from hallucinations or schizophrenia from day one. And they don’t last more than a few months before committing suicide. You must have undergone some kind of special training related to mental fortification..."

"That’s enough. You wouldn’t want me dead just yet, would you?"

I replied indifferently, my gaze settling on the clothes hanging on the wall. They were shabby, loose-fitting patient garments, but they would have to do.

Creak, creak.

The noise from my prosthetic arm and leg grated on my ears. I had never used such cheap implants before. It made me realize just how decent the Imperial Guard’s cybernetic welfare had been.

‘What a mess I am.’

I looked at the unfamiliar young man in the mirror. I had physically matured over time—my face was sharper, my frame larger than before.

The unfamiliar young man rubbed his chin. His beard and hair were unkempt, as if he had repeatedly shaved them halfway and let them grow back.

Rip!

I bit down on the sleeve of the patient gown and tore a strip off. I used the torn fabric as a band to pull my hair back and tie it.

"How’s the current situation between the three nations?"

I asked casually.

"Well, they’re locked in a tug-of-war between anxiety and tension. Cooperating and clashing at the same time. No different from the past."

It seemed a full-scale war hadn’t broken out yet.

Creak.

I pushed open the door of the examination room and stepped into the hallway. An Equessian mercenary was waiting for me.

- If you’re ready, follow me.

The Equessian gestured with a nod and started walking ahead.

I followed in silence, recalling what I knew about the Equessians. Their average height was in the mid-two-meter range, making them significantly larger than humans. Their long limbs were packed with dense muscle.

If trained in similar combat techniques, an Equessian was superior to a human in battle.

‘Those unique stripes that regulate internal heat circulation.’

The faint stripes on their blue skin glowed orange when they entered intense situations.

The stripes were a unique physiological feature of the Equessians. Thanks to them, Equessians hardly fatigued and had exceptional endurance in combat.

’And their body odor is faint too.’

Even among humans, people could detect each other’s scent. Between different species, unfamiliar smells would stand out even more.

Yet, the Equessians had an eerily faint scent. It was likely because they rarely sweated, as their stripes expelled excess heat instead.

’A species evolved as hunters and warriors.’

Even after achieving civilization, intelligent beings still bore traces of their beast-like past. By examining physical traits, one could infer how a species had survived the struggle for existence.

’Faint body odor, long limbs, excellent stamina, high levels of aggression—yet at the same time, a cold, collectivist mindset.’

These were the characteristics and virtues of hunters and warriors. Listing them out, humans weren’t all that different.

Step, step.

The interior of Lazarus’ building was a mess. It didn’t seem like a place where expensive medical procedures were performed.

’More people must be dying here than being treated.’

A faint smell of decay lingered in the air. I had noticed it earlier, but now I confirmed it—there were no windows leading outside. Lazarus was certainly not a normal medical facility.

This was not a place for sending loved ones. I wouldn’t have sent Giselle here.

’But she must have had a reason for entrusting me to this place.’

My medical records contained too many anomalies. There was no reason for me to have been in cryosleep for five years. The actual treatment periods were split into two phases, each lasting two years—one before and one after cryosleep.

’Is your employer Giselle Custoria?’

I refrained from asking the Equessian outright. I would find out with time anyway. If Giselle wasn’t their employer, I’d only be giving away unnecessary information.

I needed to stay cautious and composed. The more unfamiliar the environment, the less I could afford to act impatiently. If they noticed I was anxious, they would use it against me.

Clang!

The building’s front doors opened. Stale air rushed out.

The first thing I saw was sunlight. My eyes stung as I adjusted to the natural light.

- You probably already know this, but we’re in the Border City of the Bellato Federation. It’s technically under Federation jurisdiction, but in reality, it’s a stateless neutral city. Since it’s not part of the Empire or the Holy Corite Alliance, this level of freedom is possible.

The Equessian explained more politely than expected. They had likely been ordered by their employer to provide a briefing.

’Border City.’

Lilian Lamones had wanted to come to this city. And Ilay had often spoken of Border City with a sense of longing.

Ironically, I had arrived here before either of them.

Step.

I stepped out of the building and faced Border City head-on.

Murmur, murmur.

A cacophony of noises and voices filled the air. The streets were crowded, with humans and aliens mixed together—no, it felt like there were even more aliens than humans.

The architecture of Border City was a chaotic mess, like a pile of abandoned toys after children had finished playing. There was no sense of uniformity or consistency. Among the haphazard structures, I even spotted a few Imperial-style geometric high-rises, the kind usually found in the upper districts of Akbaran.

As I followed the Equessian, no one gave me strange looks for wearing a hospital gown. It made sense—there were already plenty of bizarre-looking species and individuals in eccentric attire.

The market stalls and shops displayed signs in multiple languages, and even that wasn’t enough—many included helpful pictograms for added clarity. Just from a short walk, it was obvious how diverse the population of Border City was.

For a moment, I felt disoriented. I had never seen so many non-human intelligences at once. My brain was working hard to process the unfamiliar sight.

’Even the air is different.’

Despite being close to the ground, the air wasn’t warm or stagnant.

Everything about Border City was different from Akbaran. No matter how much I craned my neck, I couldn’t spot any exclusive upper districts like the privileged zones back home.

After about five minutes of walking, I started feeling mentally fatigued. Soon, I saw a five-story parking structure. A large crowd had gathered at the entrance—street vendors, waiting passengers, and various onlookers.

The Equessian escorting me pushed through the crowd with his body, creating a path.

"Hey, why are you shoving—? Ah... never mind, go right ahead."

A man who had been about to complain shut his mouth the moment he saw the Equessian. That alone spoke volumes about their social standing here.

’No one in their right mind would pick a fight with a species bred for combat.’

When trouble seemed imminent, the best option was to back off.

The Equessian strode forward as if it was only natural for others to avoid him. He stopped in front of a vehicle large enough to accommodate his size and gave the door a couple of firm kicks. In response to the impact, the vehicle’s door unlocked and swung open.

- Get in.

The Equessian said as he slid into the driver’s seat. I sat beside him and finally took a moment to collect myself.

Whirr, thud.

As the door closed, the outside noise and stimuli were reduced. My mind felt noticeably at ease.

I was trying to act fine, but in reality, my condition was terrible. It felt like I had already burned through several days’ worth of mental focus.

Adapting to my prosthetics, analyzing the situation, grasping my surroundings—each of these alone was overwhelming, yet I was handling them all at once. On top of that, I had been on the verge of brain death before treatment and was still in recovery.

I had no way of knowing where my limits currently lay. If I pushed my brain like I used to, I might break down again. Hoping for a second resurrection would be too much to ask for.

"Isn’t it about time you told me who your employer is?"

- Stop scheming, human. If you don’t hear the name you want, you’ll try to escape, won’t you? I don’t want to deliver your corpse to my employer. I’ll say it plainly—corpse.

A warning that I’d be killed if I ran. But from this short exchange, I had already gained plenty of information.

‘The Equessian’s employer is not Giselle.’

If it were Giselle, I would go to her willingly, whether I liked it or not. The fact that they were hiding the employer’s identity so deliberately meant it wasn’t her.

"Spare me the meaningless threats. The Equessians I know remain loyal to their employers even in death. If your employer ordered you to bring me in, you wouldn’t kill me with your own hands."

The Equessian’s hands, gripping the steering wheel, briefly halted.

- ...From now on, I won’t speak with you.

Quick-witted. He had caught on that I was deliberately keeping him talking to extract information. A competent one.

"Fine. I’ll sleep, then. Wake me when we arrive."

I closed my eyes.

* * *

Following the Equessian’s lead, I went to meet his employer.

We arrived at a high-rise building. At its very top was a room that occupied an entire floor. The doors, adorned with precious metals, gleamed so brightly they were almost blinding.

Creak—

The doors opened with a grand, old-fashioned motion.

Standing with his back to the sunlit window was a figure. Since he was an alien, I couldn’t immediately determine his species just from the back of his head.

Flanking him were two armed Equessians. The narrow gaps in their combat helmets gleamed with a fierce, predatory glow.

"Hohohyo~! A pleasure to meet you, Keisa Tres."

His way of speaking was peculiar. He wasn’t human, nor was he using a translator like the Equessians.

In just a single day, I had probably encountered more aliens than an average Imperial citizen would in a lifetime. And this particular species was one I wasn’t happy to see.

‘Tajirun.’

The Equessian’s employer was a Tajirun. His reddish-brown skin, set against the blue Equessians, appeared even more vividly red.

‘The merchant race, Tajirun.’

At least they weren’t an entirely unfamiliar species. I had some knowledge about them.

Back when I negotiated with Barbara, I had secretly used their communication lines. They had charged such an obscene amount—enough to make even Barbara balk—that it remained etched in my memory.

The Tajirun wore a robe adorned with gold trim, a clear display of their extravagant tendencies. Their reptilian faces frequently flicked out split tongues.

‘Cunning snakes.’

That was my first impression. Their thin fingers, slipping out from their robe’s sleeves, waved with a sly, slithering motion. Their nails were as long as their fingers—proof that they never did any labor with their own hands.

"Please, have a seat. We have a great deal to discuss. And let me first inform you that the amount of money I have invested in you is astronomical, yohohot."

"That laugh is annoying. Can you do something about it?"

"It’s a habit I can’t help. My vocal cords are different from yours. But isn’t it better than the mechanical drone of a translator? I worked quite hard to learn human language, you know."

"If you want to talk to me, send your guards away first. Look at me—I just got out of the hospital. I don’t need unnecessary pressure."

The Tajirun let out that peculiar laugh again, waving a hand playfully.

"Pressure? You have quite the sense of humor, Keisa. Or would you prefer to be called Lukaus Custoria? I’ve heard many tales of your exploits."

...Well, I expected this. No need to get worked up. If they didn’t already know my identity, they wouldn’t have spent a fortune on my treatment.

‘The Tajirun and I do not hold equal knowledge.’

If I engaged in a standard negotiation, I would be at a disadvantage. I needed to seize control of this conversation as quickly as possible.

It was time to put to use what I had learned from the Empire—no, from Kinuan and Hemillas.

"You have five seconds to tell me why you called me here. If you try to change the subject, I’ll stand up and walk out. Do whatever you want—put a bullet in the back of my head or not. If you know me, you’ll realize I’m not joking."

"Hoyot? W-Wait a moment! I haven’t even introduced myself yet—"

"Four seconds."

I curled one finger down.

"N-No, I mean..."

"Three seconds."

Alright. Today might be the day I die. Time to make peace with that. What should my last words be?

"Two seconds."

The Tajirun’s distress was palpable. Even the stone-faced Equessians stirred.

"You damned—! Akies Victimaaa! Capture Kinuan, please! Luka, that’s my request. Hoyot, hoyot...!"

"See? You can get to the point, Mr. Cobra."

I spoke calmly, but inside, I felt as if ice had settled over me. A dark chill slithered through my mind.

‘Kinuan...’

My head wasn’t just cold—it felt like all the blood had drained from it.

Now that I knew the Tajirun’s objective, I could deduce his reasoning as well. This was enough to start negotiating.

"Alright, let’s talk. I hear Tajirun love deals and negotiations?"

I forced myself to sound nonchalant, masking my inner turmoil.

Kinuan was a giant. A force to be reckoned with. Which meant the reason the Tajirun had specifically sought me was obvious.

‘I’m the only one capable of tracking him while thinking on the same level as he does.’

...Well, maybe on the same level was a bit arrogant. Let’s say I was one of the few with a chance.

To the Tajirun sitting before me, I was an irreplaceable asset.

No matter what I demanded, he would have no choice but to consider it. frёewebηovel.cѳm

There was a lot I needed to learn from him. And I wasn’t about to concede even a single piece of information.