Chapter 59


    6pm, the port district of the T&C Special Trade Center. Normally, this would be the time when workers in their uniforms diligently moved around, but today was different. Instead, soldiers from the naval fleet and police from the security team were out in force, waiting in the port district.


    “The head of the Eden family is visiting earlier than originally nned. There must be no mistakes.”


    “Of course, Administrator!”


    La Chemblin, the de facto ruler of the city, nodded silently in response to the crisis management team leader’s answer. While the head of the Eden family was known to the public as the ck Lion, disying his bravery, within the upper echelons of MegaCorp, he was treated slightly differently. La defined Denver Eden, the noble of Mars, in this way.


    [TL/N- Chambein changed to Chemblin]


    ‘entric.’


    Generally, humans from The Noble Capital and The Prime Capital were not kind to those below them. They either treated them as ves or as possessions, like Akira Yujin or in a business-like way like La.


    Among the elites who enjoyed poprity among the public, the head of the Eden family was the only one who could be considered different.


    ‘Thanks to him, we’re the ones suffering.’


    La maintained a poker face outwardly, but inside, irritation and anger were building up.


    Originally, Denver was scheduled toe two days from now, the day before the council meeting. However, La had received intelligence that Denver wasing to the city earlier than nned.


    ‘Enjoying a surprise show, isn’t he?’


    It was clear that he had orchestrated such a move to showcase his uniqueness to the public.


    But she couldn’t just leave it for him toe anytime. If she treated a popr guest like him poorly, the citizens would start pointing fingers at La, and if that happened, her father, Samdam Chemblin, would be greatly disappointed in her way of handling of the situation.


    ‘…cunning bastard.’


    While La suppressed her frustration and anger, on the other side, police officers from the security team gathered for a meeting.


    “Security team at the port district, is everything cleared?”


    “Damn, it was a mess with the smugglers, and then this. We really went through a lot.”


    “Thank you for your hard work. Oh, and William, who yed a significant role in tracking the smugglers this time, well done. If it weren’t for you, we could have embarrassed ourselves in front of an important guest. Haha.”


    “…Thank you.”


    “Well, as the head of the port district’s detective team, you’re still here for now, but soon you’ll hear good news. Look forward to it.”


    While William received congrattions from everyone, his inner difort was unmatched.


    They didn’t know anything. They had no idea about the grave danger the city was currently facing.


    ‘…Eden.’


    In the past, William was a soldier. He had served not in a regr crisis management team but in Denver Eden’s direct secret unit, where they experimented with new Hulk mutants.


    ‘It was where they demonstrated the improved Hulk mutants.’


    The idea of improving the Hulk mutants was essentially a deration ofpetition with the Yujin family. Therefore, Denver had devoted great effort to maintain the confidentiality of the project.


    As a result, everyone in that unit was given a disguised background. William, on paper, was recorded as working in the crisis management team under the Eden family.


    However, in Williams’ opinion, Denver wasn’t a bad person. Rather, he was surprisingly decent, close to humane, unlike the other ruling ss of The MegaCorp. Officially, Denver denied the existence of the secret unit, but he secretly took care of the people in the unit, providing them with assistance or support.


    If it weren’t for that incident, William and his colleagues would still be working under Denver.


    ‘If that damn bastard hadn’t experimented and fooled around with the specimens…’


    One of hisrades from the secret unit betrayed Denver. He escaped along with the prototype of the new Hulk mutant and disappeared.


    Fortunately for Denver and William, this information was not ryed to the Yujin family. However, due to the need of maintaining confidentiality, the unit was disbanded, and William and his colleagues each went on to live their new lives.


    ‘Only If his Highness still remembers me…’


    If he could convey the situation he was in to Denver, perhaps he could resolve and fight against the existence threatening this city. While William was lost in thought, suddenly rms echoed from speakers installed all over the Earth.


    It was a signal that a ship was entering.


    In response to the signal, the dark sky above the port district momentarily flickered. The hologram was affected as the doubleyered shutters at the port district operated.


    Subsequently, a crack over 200m in the sky appeared. A colossal warship emerged as the massive shutters opened, showcasing its grandeur.


    The state-of-the-art warship was adorned with a golden trim on a white base, reaching an astonishing size of 700m in length and 100m in height, visible even from the Earth’s borders.


    Thanks to the light pouring from the dome-shaped ceiling lights, the warship resembled a hero’s ship from ancient myths.


    “Finally, a new model after five years.”


    Muttered La as she saw the warship for the first time. The warship descended at a slow pace andnded on Earth.


    Following that, the ship’s doors opened, and individuals d in silver armor reminiscent of medieval European knights walked out. They were Eden’s Archangels, a well-known unit within MegaCorp.


    In reality, what they wore were not actual armor but advanced reinforced suits colored silver. Despite being far from medieval or traditional, Denver intentionally styled them like that due to his emphasis on image.


    ‘So ceremonial.’


    La clicked her tongue, but at least from a civilian perspective, Denver’s decision seemed to receive considerable approval. This was because all the soldiers and police officers on Earth were looking at the Archangels with longing eyes.


    The knights who disembarked from the ship stood in a row, leaving only the middle one. The knight in the middle and also the one wearing the thickest andrgest armor was holding a g with a lion depicted on it, he raised it high and shouted.


    “The great lord of Mars and the ck Lion of Eden, Lord Denver Eden, has arrived!”


    In line with his introduction, Denver descendedst. In contrast to other knights, he wore ck-based armor with gold decorations. He was the man who, unlike the others, had a sense of authority. Denver removed the helmet upon descent, revealing a man with ck skin and white teeth. He smiled, waving his hand.


    As La had hurriedly prepared soldiers and police officers to match their protocol, she nodded to the crisis management team leader beside her.


    When he promptly apuded, the soldiers and police officers at the port district cheered in unison.


    Denver responded to the cheers, shaking hands lightly and enjoying the apuse as he leisurely passed through the well-organized ranks of the knights.


    Finally, those at the pinnacle within MegaCorp faced each other.


    The person to break the short silence was La.


    “I, La Chemblin, daughter of Samdam Chemblin, greet Prime Capital Denver Eden, the lord of Mars and the ck Lion of Eden.”


    “It’s been a while. Who would have thought that the little girl from not long ago would be such an impressivedy.”


    “Thank you. However, for now, please address me as the General Manager, Lord Denver.”


    Denver chuckled while looking at her smiling face but scowling eyes. He scanned the surroundings again and muttered in admiration, as if saying, “This is it. I also paid attention to security, you know. Samdam will be pleased.”


    [PR/N- Here Denver is appreciating the security arrangement organised by La]


    “I appreciate thepliment.”


    “Give the reporters some time. That’s why I brought the prototype battleship.”


    “The reporters are already waiting outside Earth harbor.”


    “Oh, really? Impressive!”


    Denver nodded with an impressed expression. While La inwardly criticized his nonchnt demeanor, she didn’t show it.


    ‘Someday, for sure…!’


    Although the seven Noble Capitals and Prime Capitals within MegaCorp were collectively known as the Seven Great Houses and Seven Aristocrats, the gap between the two sses was quite significant.


    CEO candidacy was exclusively allowed for Noble Capitals, and Prime Capitals only had voting rights among the elders and the head of the family. However, the Prime Capitals still actively utilized their authority, as the King Makers also held considerable influence.


    Denver, with his extravagant smile and mboyantughter, was an example of such behavior.


    Despite his rude promotion of his new warship, it was merely an external show. His real intention was to test La, who was in charge of preparing for the board meeting.


    La, her family, T&C, were they qualified for the next CEO, and did they have enough influence to bet on within the Eden family? That’s what he wanted to find out.


    “Haha, you’re still wless.”


    Seeing no significant reaction from her, Denverughed heartily. It was a signal that the first test was over.


    La sighed inwardly and spoke again.


    “Leave the rest to others and apany me to the Administrative Zone. I have some questions about the new battleship.”


    “It would be a shame to just go like this aftering all this way. I’d like to chat with the people here.”


    “…I’ll wait.”


    Since it was evident that he would do what he wanted anyway, La didn’t object. Denver, smiling, approached the soldiers and police officers.


    As Denver was recognized as a star among MegaCorp’s public, there were many individuals among the soldiers and police officers requesting for his autograph. Despite this somewhat ufortable atmosphere, Denver responded to all of them, while he was greeting everyone, a familiar face caught his eyes.


    “No, you? Will… No, NH01, isn’t it?”


    “Long time no see, Your Highness.”


    When Denver mentioned his past code name, pretending to recognize, William nodded and respectfully acknowledged. Denver, initially pleased to see him, patted his shoulder, but a strange expression crossed his face.


    “Was your body always like this? I don’t remember seeing you this thin”


    “…….”


    Seeing Denver’s concerned attitude, it was clear that he still had a favorable opinion of William, his former subordinate.


    ‘If he’s addressing me like this, he should understand the significance of my actions.’


    William made up his mind.


    “Huh?”


    With those words, William pulled out aser pistol and aimed it at his own abdomen.


    ***


    ‘Hospital.’ As far as I remember, there are threerge hospitals in the space city that can treat serious injuries. One is in the Administrative Zone, while the rest are in the Commercial Zone.


    ‘The hospital in the Administrative Zone is only essible to Third Capitals and above, so William can’t go there.’


    The signal sent by the parasite ising from the Commercial Zone. Since the hospital and the station are close, it would be best to go through the subway line.


    ‘Route is set, but the problem is that it’s early evening now.’


    Since it’s themercial zone, there would still be many people shopping at this hour. Being close to the hospital and station is good news, but it also means there will be a lot of people around the station, especially nearing the end of working hours.


    ‘I have an active n, but I don’t intend to engage in a full-frontal confrontation with the city. Moreover, killing people in the station would risk exposing the nest.’


    ‘But I still have some time.’


    ording to the signal sent by the parasite, William is currently in a serious condition due to self-harm. In that case, the medical staff would most likely try to prioritize saving him right now instead of trying to find the cause of why he tried to harm himself and since that is the case then the likelihood of extracting the parasite first will be low.


    ‘But avoiding detection by the parasite may be difficult.’


    Being hospitalized with severe injuries, there is no room for luck for him.


    ‘Since the parasite keeps reporting, let’s wait until nightfall.’


    While waiting, I should think about how to infiltrate the hospital. The hospital William went to is the one where he was admitted after the battle in the former apartmentplex.


    ‘Back then, I didn’t approach the hospital directly. Instead, I sent an infected armed police officer to bring him out.’


    ‘There are many androids in the MegaCorp hospital.’


    In MegaCorp, doctors specializing in patients with serious injuries, require gic modifications, or those above Prime Capitals are handled by gic modified specialists. Other than that, doctors deal with normal patients only when they board the ship.


    Since most patients are treated with medical capsules, androids take care of them instead of advanced personnel like doctors.


    ‘It won’t be difficult to fight since they’re notbat models, but…’


    Medical androids pose a headache in a different sense.


    ‘Everyone should carry a call bell.’


    When a medical call bell rings, it is immediately ryed to the central AI of the hospital, and appropriate measures are taken ording to the AI’s judgment. If I attack and the android rings the bell, the police and military will immediately be dispatched to capture me.


    Because of these difficulties, even in the game, hospitals are one of the difficult ces to infiltrate. Even for me, who is adept at infiltration, hospitals are not ces I particrly want to attack.


    ‘Unless I have EMP features or concealment features, entering is… ah.’


    As I think about concealment, a suitable method came to my mind.


    The high-grade reinforced suit obtained from the sniper in the harbor area.


    This suit is equipped with a concealment function.


    ‘If I activate the suit and consume it, wouldn’t the concealment effect ur?’


    Although it is made of synthetic fibers as a base for easy modification, I mixed in a special metal to implement the concealment effect, making it applicable to my characteristics.


    ‘The duration of metal absorption is more than 20 minutes.’


    Originally, it should be 20 minutes, but as my body has further strengthened due to the state of ‘perfect organism’, It should have a duration of about 20 to 30 minutes.


    However, though 30 minutes is not a short period, the more I dy, the more disadvantageous it bes as the surveincework inside the hospital bes tighter.


    ‘If I want to deal with William quickly, I need to know the structure of the hospital first.’


    Fortunately, I have a way to know the structure in advance without directly going to the hospital.


    I returned to the nest in the Commercial Zone with the kids.


    [ZZZZZ ZZZ ZZ (Don’t touch me)]


    ?Going to the nest??


    [ZZZ (Yes)]


    ?Be quiet. Don’t disturb.?


    ???


    Number 26, who had seen what I was doing in the spaceship before, understood and took Adhai with him, moving away from me.


    ‘I don’t need to spread the distance too much.’


    It’s just being considerate, so there’s no need to point it out.


    Ifortablyy on the nest and rested my chin on the sticky surface. My auxiliary devices also touched the gooey surface of the nest.


    As always, I felt the sensation of floating in the air, and suddenly, like being sucked into a hole, I shot downward.


    It’s a familiar sensation from the time of the link, as I’ve done this many times.


    ‘Find the hospital.’


    My auxiliary devices received mymand to locate the hospital among the things on the ground. The first sensations thate to me are the sounds created by the city—footsteps of people walking, the sounds of people doing business in shops, and the chatter on the streets. The most noticeable sensations were the sounds produced by the city.


    The sensations that followed closely behind, like pursuing me, were rted to the sense of smell. The smell of food from a restaurant, the smell of sweaty clothes from office workers, and the smell of still unpurified polluted air, and more.


    In a way, themercial zone might be called the essence of this city.


    In the flood of sensations, I picked up the distinctive smell of the hospital,monly associated with preservatives or disinfectants.


    ‘An 8-story hospital close to the station.’


    Among them, William’s location was in the surgery room on the 3rd floor.


    The whole 3rd floor had a strong smell of disinfectant mixed with the pungent smell of blood and the smell of humans. It was clear that the surgery room and the intensive care unit were located together on the 3rd floor. After surgery, patients would enter the nearby intensive care unit for recovery.


    ‘Everything can be resolved on the 3rd floor.’


    Besides, I thoroughly searched for ces within the hospital where the server room and central AIputer might be located. The ce where the most electrical signals were detected was the basement on the 2nd floor.


    ‘Alright. This should be enough.’


    Having finally understood the overall structure of the hospital, I disconnected the link.


    Now that the preparations to enter the hospital wereplete, all that remains is to wait until nightfall.


    Before the day is over, William will die in my hands.


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