47 – Laboratory (2)
Creature?
Does it mean… I’m the same as the strange eyes I saw inside the mine?
“Rubbish…”
“If you don’t believe it, then let me show you with your own eyes. People need to see things with their own eyes to believe, right?”
Peregrine Alto placed the blood he had collected from me next to me. He injected a syringe into his own body.
And then he drew blood.
“This is my blood. By the way, I am a shapeshifter as you can see. I belong to the Scottish Fold strain. Many people misunderstand because of my folded ears, but even so, I am a unique species.”
Peregrine Alto’s blood fell onto the test paper.
The color of the test paper was dyed green.
“This is the usual reaction to human blood. It’s not different just because it’s dragon blood. But you, how about yours?”
My blood fell onto the test paper.
The color of the test paper was dyed black.
“It’s the color of rotted blood.”
There was a feeling, but I never thought I would become something other than human.
“Are there any side effects?”
“Curious?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm…”
Peregrine Alto chuckled.
“In that case, let’s make a deal. How about making a deal with me?”
“A deal?”
“You are a sample I have never seen before. As a researcher, I can’t help but feel the value. But I can only stay here for two weeks. After that, I have to move again.”
“…”
“If you allow me to study your body for those two weeks, I will try to reveal the secrets of your body as much as possible. What do you think?”
“Is that the deal?”
“I value ethical considerations in experiments. I am different from mad scientists in other places. I am a moral and clean scientist who conducts research within ethical boundaries.”
“Keeping secrets…”
“Of course, don’t worry. I promise to keep your data only to myself.”
“I would need a contract.”
“If you want, I can write it for you. Don’t worry about leaks. There will be no one else to store your data. The space to store your data will be in my brain.”
It was not a bad deal. I wanted to observe the phenomena in my body.
…Most of all, I wanted to know.
“Why did this creature become one… could it be contagious?”
“I don’t want to harm the others.”
Peregrine Alto laughed. The cat’s tail swayed gently.
“He’s a good boy. It’s only been a few minutes since we met, but he knows what’s most important. But I can’t tell you right now. That’s something I’ll have to find out too.”
“…I’ll make a deal. But there are two more conditions.”
“Bold boy. Need two more things here, don’t you?”
“Have my colleague conduct the examination as well.”
“Alright. What else?”
Might as well get everything you can.
“Please open up the highest grade weapon storage. We’ll choose the weapons ourselves.”
“That’s not bad either. But the highest grade is not possible. You were only allowed those random items anyway. Instead, I’ll let you choose from the weapons I’ve made personally. They’re prototypes, but they’re all usable. Unlike those scrap weapons.”
“Okay.”
“Good!”
Peregrine Alto stretched and yawned.
His pupils sharpened.
“Bring the contract. It’ll be easier for you.”
. . .
“…The duration of your stay has been extended. Captain Tethys Libra. We will guide you to the accommodation, and you can stay there for the next week.”
Including Captain Tethys Libra, we resided inside the facility for 2 weeks. The location was next to Peregrine Alto’s laboratory.
“First, check the other team members lightly. It’s probably to check for any abnormalities or symptoms as well as contamination, right?”
“Okay.”
Abacusa was brought in. He panicked as soon as he was tied to the bed.
“What, what is this?! Why is this happening all of a sudden?! Drakan!!! You bastard!! You should explain this!”
“Don’t talk nonsense, and grow up.”
“Ugh.”
Once Abacusa, who had been given sleeping pills, finally relaxed. Peregrine Alto began to extract data.
“He’s an ordinary sub-human with no unusual characteristics. Well, his physical ability readings were abnormally high. Even his blood response is the same as a normal person’s. There’s nothing exceptional…”
Peregrine Alto drew out his forehead.
“There is something exceptional about you. Your regenerative abilities are abnormally high. In addition, some of your genes have mutated. Has anything happened recently?”
“I have been given medicine.”
“Medicine… But it’s not like you. You’re a dragon. Don’t worry. It’s not a complete genetic mutation. It’s just that cells that have a beneficial effect on the body are appearing. The point of origin is the bones. This creature has acquired not only extraordinary regenerative abilities but also abnormal toughness. The strength of its muscles is incredibly tough as well. It can withstand a gunshot wound with just a scratch on the skin. It’s peculiar… fascinating… Can’t we get more of the medicine this creature took?”
“No, there is only one left.”
“That’s a shame. Can’t we at least take some blood?”
“No, it’s not allowed.”
“So stubborn. Well, it’s still the maximum extent a human can change. It can’t surpass the armor’s augmentation system. It’s at the level of an excellent enhanced soldier.”
Peregrine Alto slapped Abakusa’s buttocks as he woke up.
“Get out of here. Go and eat some meat inside the facility. I’m busy.”
“This, this damn imp…!”
“Tell the next one to come in.”
Blanca entered. Without saying anything, she quickly spoke as she got tied up on the experiment table.
“D-Dracan, what is this? Why are you putting handcuffs on me?”
“……..”
“S-Seriously… I trusted you… Are you betraying me? Is that what this is?!”
“Enough with the nonsense. Sleep.”
“aaargh!!! I… I don’t want… gulp.”
Data was quickly extracted. Peregrine Alto chuckled.
“Oh, oh. Your platoon is full of weirdos, huh?”
“What are you talking about?”
“They are demons. They were once called demons. They fought against dragons and became extinct. Their technology was once powerful enough to match the dragons. But they crumbled due to their greed. Judging by the mixed genetic factors… they should be a semi-demon. They are hybrid. That’s why their distinctive pupils don’t show under normal circumstances.”
“Different pupils?”
Peregrine Alto stretched his eyes wide.
“Demon eyes have the opposite coloration between the sclera and iris. It’s just a bodily feature, not some peculiar phenomenon in their eyes. Have you never seen it before?”
“…I have.”
It was during a battle situation. At that moment, their white sclera and iris had definitely changed.
“They can switch to a demon state according to their needs… Excellent. Here’s the problem. Dragons. How do the two-legged species distinguish humans? If we look closely, isn’t this half-demon similar in appearance to humans?”
“…The scent?”
“That’s correct. Well, even without the scent, they can intuitively recognize each other. Kind of like a different species from another dimension. To us, they are like aliens. Even if they look similar on the outside, we can’t help but feel a sense of alienation. Do you want to see a thesis?”
“No, I’m fine.”
“…It’s something I treasure.”
“It’s okay.”
“He’s a cold person. Anyway, he’s half-breed. Half of his blood is from the Genju clan. But since his demon blood is so strong, all other genetic characteristics are eaten up. This guy is no different from a demon.”
“……”
“He’s a great sample, but… well, I’ve seen him a few times before, so the data is already collected. Anyway, he’s not a creature. There’s no need to worry.”
Blanca, who had been released, sniffled and pulled her coat tightly.
“If it’s a health check, tell me first from now on… I thought I was betrayed and sold as an experimental subject…”
“I understand.”
I wiped my runny nose. Blanca weakly stumbled out of the room.
Lastly, there was Tethys Libra. Even though she wasn’t mentioned separately, she was unique. It felt like there was definitely some kind of trust in me.
“It’s a necessary procedure, I suppose.”
“That’s right.”
“I see…”
Tethys Libra nodded off. Penegrine Alto confirmed.
“She’s just an elf. Nothing special.”
“Is that it?”
“What do you want when there’s nothing? She’s just an elf. But… her physical abilities are unusually high. Especially her reflexes. Well, nothing’s particularly strange.”
The quickly finished Tethys Libra woke up half asleep.
“Is it over…?”
“Yes. You may leave now.”
“I understand…”
Tethys Libra left. Penegrine Alto chuckled.
“The main dish, huh.”
I sighed.
“Don’t push too hard.”
“hehehehe, Show me heaven.”
“Don’t say weird things.”
“You’re a difficult person.”
“You’re the difficult one.”
“Be quiet and close your eyes.”
Gradually, drowsiness washed over me.
“If you just take a nap, everything will be over,” I thought.
…
Tap, tap.
Something poked my cheek.
I opened my eyes.
A person with white hair poked my cheek. Their expression was blank, yet their face was full of emotion as they looked down on me.
“Sleepyhead.”
“Scarlet?”
“Today’s your turn for morning duty.”
I got up from the bed. It was slightly uncomfortable but soft camping bed.
I looked at my hands. They were small. Much smaller than I remembered.
“Where am I?”
“I wonder if I’m dreaming…”
“I’m not sure…”
I leaned against the wall. Scarlet Peridot grabbed my hand.
She smiled faintly. It was a smile that only I could recognize, with the corners of her mouth slightly raised.
“You’re like a child, really.”
“…I’m actually older than you though.”
“Your body is that of a child, so maybe your mind is too. It’s worth studying in the future.”
Scarlet Peridot raised my hand and touched her cheek with it, rubbing it gently.
“Don’t be nervous. No matter what kind of dream you have, it’s just a mere nightmare. I won’t be able to hurt you. I’m right here, beside you.”
“……”
I stared blankly at her.
Suddenly, she asked me a question.
From Noble mtl dot com
“Did you find what you want to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Other than surviving, what do you want to do?”
“What is that…”
“Even if you build a cabin at the end of your life, you
“……”
Words popped out of my mouth without permission.
“I had a promise…”
“A promise?”
“Abakusa… I mean… with the guy who was in the small unit…”
One by one, they come to mind. Memories start to return as the fog clears.
Abakusa. 1st Platoon, 13th Squad. Big brown-haired guy. Small unit member. Fierce face.
“To become a legend in the mercenary industry…”
“It’s dangerous.”
“But… because he made a promise and risked his life for me…”
“If that’s the case, then there’s no choice.”
Scarlet Peridot closed her eyes.
“But still, it’s fortunate. It means I’m not just aimlessly existing.”
“Scarlet…?”
Finally, I realized it too late.
She’s dead. Definitely.
But she’s right in front of me.
“Think slowly. Don’t forget your purpose. Just granting others’ dreams means you can’t even stand at the starting point. The most important thing in living your life is ‘yourself.’ Pitiful person. How much regret did you feel… to forget how to stand at the starting line?”
“Where is this…? I’m clearly…”
“Move slowly. Drakan. Keep moving, and eventually…”
Scarlet Peridot laughed.
“Someday, you’ll be able to find what you want and break free. From the starting point called ‘tutorial’ in life.”
She reached out her hand. But the strand of her hair that was caught between her fingers scattered like mist.
“Take good care of your breakfast. Don’t skip it. Don’t be picky. Last time, you left some carrots.”
Something I want to do.
It exists. Definitely. I just…
…together…
…
“What’s wrong? Why are you crying? Did you have a sad dream?”
I heard mechanical sounds. I sat up. Electrodes were attached to my body.
I held my breath and wiped the cold sweat with one hand.
Peregrine Alto furrowed his brow.
“Your complexion doesn’t look good. Drink some water.”
I drank the water. My stuffy insides felt a little cooler.
Peregrine Alto licked his lips.
“It must have been a terrible nightmare.”
“…No, it wasn’t.”
I laughed and put on my coat.
It was another dream after all.
But still…
It was good to see him after so long.
“It was a good dream.”