episode_0115

Pasio’s proposal could be simply summarized like this:

Investigate the interior of a certain facility located where the restricted zone, the Golden Circle, and the outer wall meet.

It might seem easy, but one unique aspect was the strict security perimeter formed by Genotech Holdings’ corporate soldiers.

A request to infiltrate a confidential facility monitored by a megacorp usually merits telling the fixer who gave such a job to screw off and cutting ties, unless you’re truly reckless.

But me.

‘This seems doable?’

I also happened to have the insane infiltration-specialized clothing I received from Dr. Can.

More than anything, the prospect of easily and cleanly recruiting Wild Hunt after seeing a glimpse of their abilities, just by handling this one job, was very sweet.

“But with the access restrictions and all, why is there a facility occupied by Genotech? The jurisdiction over territorial zones should originally be with the EP City Hall, not a megacorp, right?”

“That’s…”

“That is because Genotech has a higher land real estate stake in Tonybony than EP.”

A flat, echoing voice, devoid of any discernible pitch.

Unlike the other members who were resting with their helmets off after the battle, Wild Hunt’s vanguard, who had never taken off his helmet until now, interjected himself into my and Pasio’s conversation.

“I thought you weren’t interested in this?”

When I mockingly retorted, with a hint of dissatisfaction, asking why he was interjecting now after so gleefully ignoring us, the vanguard nodded.

“That is correct. I had no interest. But that place is different, so I merely gained interest.”

“…It’s strange, being ignored like this is a first for me.”

Should I consider this frankness?

My blood boiled, but I decided to endure it, knowing I couldn’t start a fight here.

After all, creating conflict with people who would eventually become my employees would only be my loss!

“After the area was designated a restricted zone, we killed the monster that caused the first series of murders. Its appearance, unlike now, was merely human with bulging veins. I took the monster’s corpse to Genotech and requested that since I had dealt with the serial killer, the access restrictions be lifted. However, they ignored my demand, merely collected the monster’s corpse, and remained silent.”

Listening closely, the vanguard’s voice, which seemed to mix with a sound like phlegm bubbling deep within, was filled with displeasure, let alone indifference.

“Next, they began control with corporate soldiers, and Genotech’s vehicles came and went several times a day, transporting something.”

“Just hearing that makes it sound shady…”

While there’s no corporation in this world that isn’t shady, it was at least worth suspecting that Genotech had a deep connection with these monsters.

No, this vanguard and all of Wild Hunt believed it to be true without a doubt.

“Several months passed after that. Evading the corporate soldiers’ eyes, we entered our hometown and witnessed an unbelievable sight. Monsters, their veins even more prominent on their skin, swarmed, hiding between buildings. Seeing unknown monsters proliferate even more than before the control, we became Wild Hunt to purify our hometown.”

*Squeak- rattle* – A fist clenched so tight it trembled.

The metal gauntlet covering it scraped as it clicked together, producing a metallic grinding sound.

“Our goal is to dispose of all these monsters and ensure that such monsters no longer exist.”

Though hidden by his helmet, Wild Hunt’s vanguard was expected to have eyes filled with intense emotion, close to rage.

“Genotech must be deeply involved in this series of monster incidents. Therefore, inside the secret facility that Genotech painstakingly built within the restricted zone, there must be related information. If you help us with this, I will gladly join that PMC.”

“Then let’s be more precise with the calculations.”

“What calculations?”

“The fact that you’re trying to entrust me with such a task instead of doing it yourselves means you’ve tried it several times and failed, right?”

“…”

In response to my question, the vanguard fell silent, as if admitting he had been found out.

If it were such an easy task, they would have done it themselves in the first place.

Perhaps this proposal was more akin to a test.

A gamble with no losses for them if I failed, and a huge win if I succeeded.

“…That’s right. During the last infiltration, six members died, and the vanguard leader was replaced.”

“Alright, then, let’s clarify the objective of the request you’re entrusting me with and the compensation. Do I just need to infiltrate Genotech’s secret facility, as you call it, and extract information about the monsters? Or is it sabotage to destroy the facility?”

“You’re quite confident.”

“If the pros outweigh the cons, isn’t a mercenary someone who’d stick their head even into a place of death? I’m still closer to a mercenary than a CEO, after all.”

Usually, Luna would handle such matters for me, but it’s not as if I’ve never done it myself.

Since I’m doing it anyway, perhaps I should try to squeeze out as much as possible.

Before I began the task of uncovering whether the motor-biking knight before me was a honey pot or a salt pot, I licked my lips and wet them.

***

Contrary to the common notion that thick smog blankets everything, the outskirts were naturally less affected.

Even if Tonybony’s internal air circulation was stagnant, the external area’s air purification system hadn’t stopped.

Thanks to this, Genotech Holdings’ TB-00 Research Lab had a clear and open view compared to Tonybony’s central area, where security efficiency plummeted to rock bottom. This made detecting intruders much simpler, giving it the sole advantage of having few lunatics who would bother to push through the hellish smog just to reach the restricted zone.

The guards, despite being corporate employees who would be ruthlessly discarded if their performance wasn’t up to par, were yawning *wide open* and completely lacking in discipline, as if this duty was too sweet.

Of course, they would become insane killing machines once battle commenced, but…

That didn’t really resonate with me.

*Gulp- gulp-*

Pouring a synthetic citrus-scented liquid, a mixture of sugar, caffeine, and taurine, down my throat, I simply walked past them and entered the building.

‘The performance is certain. They don’t even know I’m right next to them?’

Although infrared detection and sonar stealth were supposedly in place, they couldn’t conceal sounds or smells I might produce.

However, such minor signs could be sufficiently masked by the noxious fumes that stung the lungs and the guards’ egregious carelessness.

One of the soldiers on guard seemed to feel something strange and turned his head back, but he failed to detect me, who was visually completely transparent thanks to active camouflage. He merely scratched his helmet and looked forward again.

The building guarded by Genotech soldiers had multiple layers of physical defenses, making it hard to find, but perhaps to guard against any potential observation, it was camouflaged to look almost identical to other buildings.

Meaning, it appeared decayed, old, and partially collapsed.

*Creeeak-*

But upon entering, the interior was pristinely maintained.

‘Confirmed presence of 8 surveillance cameras and an intruder exclusion system in the main front passage. Disable?’

‘If I disable them entirely, I’ll be discovered, so let’s bypass them appropriately. Transmit fake footage and create a diversion with an authorized individual.’

‘Confirmed.’

Perhaps they considered it a waste to assume the existence of a lunatic who would attempt to infiltrate by overcoming all geographical, authorization, and physical obstacles to reach this point, as there seemed to be no internal patrols.

I was confident I wouldn’t be caught even if there were, but considering they’d just had a skirmish with Wild Hunt, it seemed a bit complacent. Then again, breaking through that surveillance network would have been difficult without Martina.

The jumper’s camouflage mode, which had exceeded its time limit, ended, and my appearance was revealed again, but by now, the control room would only be showing boring footage of an empty hallway.

“Exactly 10 minutes… no, just under 11 minutes?”

Although I had to be mindful of the time limit set to prevent system overload, the performance demonstrated by this must-have infiltration item, usable without significant restrictions as long as there was adequate rest time, was incredibly reliable.

Tossing the completely crushed drink can, mangled by my grip, casually onto the floor, I strolled leisurely towards the innermost part of Genotech’s secret facility, as if taking a walk.

As I walked at a slow pace, arriving at the next area, Martina simultaneously disrupted the next security system with real-time hacking.

From this facility’s perspective, I was as good as a perfectly invisible man.

With no risks whatsoever, I arrived at the database.

I took out the chip set worn in my neural socket and inserted it into the computer.

‘Data retrieval in progress. Estimated time for full data verification via remote transmission: 3 hours, 29 minutes, 13 seconds.’

“So, even a remote lab like this is still a lab, huh? That’s amazing.”

Normally, it would be more shocking for decades of research results to be plundered by one person in less than four hours, but for Martina, who was demonstrating the potential of a super-AI, such data theft was a simple matter.

“Martina, how long would it have taken if I’d brought your body?”

‘Detailed prediction is not possible, but approximately around 1 hour.’

“My girl, indeed. I should take her on a plane ride when we get back.”

‘…’

As I praised her, teasingly chuckling, Martina continued to nibble away at Genotech’s data without a reply, as if she was sulking.

Come to think of it, Martina was a strong AI created by Ayakashi, but the body she used was a creation of Bram Stoker, made with Genotech’s technology.

‘Maybe it’s just the one I saw… but that monster’s face was chalky white, as if it had severe vitiligo.’

Not just white skin, but a true milky white.

It felt wrong to compare Martina, who looked like a cute girl, with that hideous monster, but considering their source was both Genotech, the thought crossed my mind that they might be connected.

Furthermore, I already knew that unauthorized biological experiments were being conducted within Genotech, thanks to the statement of a former Genotech test subject, a shapeshifter…

“…What do these bastards want to create?”

My interest in Genotech Holdings’ actions grew beyond just a request to recruit Wild Hunt.