49 – Laboratory (4)
The medicine in the test tube fell abruptly. Elliott Moot, also known as Elliot Moode, opened his eyes.
The world, with its diminished anesthesia, swayed. He felt like he might vomit.
A sharp pain surged from his arm.
“Ouch…!”
“Vomit here.”
Someone handed him a container. Elliott Moot poured out a large amount of vomit. The liquid continued to pour out even after emptying his stomach.
Something strange was mixed in. Rotten blood and grotesque flesh.
His amputated arm itched. Reality and fantasy were strangely intertwined.
Where is this place?
Who am I?
Elliott Moot took a short breath.
“What… what have you done to my body…?!”
“The anesthesia hasn’t worn off completely. I just did as you wished. Just rest.”
As I wished…?
Various machines mixed with surgical tables were swiftly pushed aside. The sound of clearing clutter could be heard.
Elliott Moot clenched his jaw. He retraced his hazy memories one by one.
One arm had been severed. Deccard. Deccard Vane.
That bastard.
It was an insurmountable gap. In the blink of an eye, his entire body crumpled and shattered. He thought he had bought enough time, but that was all there was to it.
Even writing a singularity point was useless. The enemy analyzed his few weaknesses and tore them apart immediately.
The discomfort of linear movement unique to high-speed mobility. The inconvenience of having to move only in the direction determined during the preheating time.
That’s what a finishing move is. It demands big movements and great destructive power, but also harbors significant weaknesses.
He had planned to reverse the situation at a crucial moment…
But he couldn’t even reach that decisive moment. Unable to create the situation itself, the singularity point became useless as well.
Clearly different specifications. Torn right arm.
And what happened? Did he live a life like a cripple? In the flow of time, it seemed like he didn’t have much to accomplish.
Just…
Angry.
“…The…race…”
Unlike himself, he returned without losing anything. The rumors mentioned that he had defeated Deckerd Vane head-on.
That guy who couldn’t even react properly when I attacked him…
He defeated an opponent who didn’t even wear armor? Even though I made him use up his full power, that’s just too…
Too…!
“It’s unfair, isn’t it?”
Elliot Moot flinched. Doctor Maverick sat beside him.
Two modified proposals moved around. Then their gaze landed squarely on Elliot Moot.
“It seems like you’re muttering to yourself. Consciously repeat your breaths. Eventually, the unfair world will return.”
“…….?”
“The one born with something will always grab everything. I understand your heart. I am also a loser. In this world, there is only one first place. Everyone forgets about second place. Even if you receive respect, it’s only temporary. This sense of inferiority doesn’t disappear.”
“…What are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about emotions, Elliot Moot. Try moving your hand.”
He moved his remaining hand.
“Not that hand.”
“…….?”
His head hurt. Elliot Moot gasped for breath.
What is he saying? This bastard. I don’t have a right arm.
It’s obvious that it’s missing…
…Huh?
Something is attached to the side where the right arm was lost. Elliot Moot slowly raised his arm.
Red-stained skin. Resembling that of an elf, but slightly different in appearance.
The muscles twitched. They moved on their own accord without exerting any force.
…It’s not a machine.
What is this…?
“In my… in my body… What have you done…?”
“You asked me to attach it. I was adjusting it to fit your body. Wake up from the anesthesia and look straight. Isn’t it beautiful?”
Is it beautiful?
No. It’s grotesque. It can’t be anything but grotesque.
There’s something strange attached to his own body. Completely different from what the elves have.
… But for some reason … even then …
He clenches his fist.
The air bursts lightly.
“… Armor…?”
“It’s not armor. If we go into detail, it’s closer to a parasitic creature.”
It’s strength. He can feel the strength. Even though he didn’t wear that heavy lump of iron, he can feel a strength surpassing it.
Unrefined violence. Resilience. Equipped under danger…
Irresponsible destructiveness.
If it’s this, it’s much more than my former self…
The anesthesia completely wears off. Elliott Moot is startled. He sees himself clearly shouting in the continuing past.
It was he who asked for these arms. His own choice, not anyone else’s coercion.
“What… did you adjust?”
“As you can see, I disconnected your nerves completely. You might feel a slight dullness, but it will gradually recover.”
“… Can you explain once more? My memory is still hazy. I don’t fully remember the story I heard.”
“That much. It may resemble armor in its original form, but this is different from ordinary armor. It’s better to think of it as a bio-armor.”
“… Bio-armor?”
“Yes. That arm is alive.”
Dr. Maverick jerked his shoulder.
“Of course, the research itself is blocked, though.”
“So it’s illegal.”
“But it appeals to you, doesn’t it? Your eyes are saying so. It’s an item that couldn’t be more pleasing.”
“……. “
“Now look, Elliott Moot. Being exceptional means that, from the moment they are born, these guys are special. Sometimes they’re eccentric, and sometimes they appear to be just ordinary people. But even among such diverse individuals, there’s one common trait.”
Dr. Maverick turned his pen with his fingertips.
“It’s efficiency in their work. Natural-born talents understand ten things once they’ve learned one. They easily rise to the top. It’s a difference in talent. You can see it that way, right?”
“……. “
“Yes. There is always something that can be exchanged without saying a word,” Doctor Maverick chuckled.
“Did you think it was unfair just now?”
“……. “
“In a world where everything is determined by talent. This is truly a world that is so badly constructed that it makes me sigh. Those who don’t have it can struggle endlessly but never surpass true talent. And I realized that ten years ago.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I met Penegrin Alto. And unlike me, that guy was a real genius. A genius who enjoys? A genius who strives? He wasn’t like that. He is just a genius. The gap between him and ordinary people is as wide as the difference between gods and humans. When I saw her, I felt the barrier of talent.”
“……. “
“I wanted to surpass someone so strongly for the first time. But, as you can see, I’m just an ordinary researcher working in a munitions factory. The result was just a typical piece of armor. Of course, only on the surface.”
Elliot Moot noticed the hidden desire beneath Maverick’s words.
“So, what you were researching… is it related to this?”
“I’m not the type to give up just because I’ve hit a wall. If a head-on fight doesn’t work, I look for other ways. And I think you’re the same.”
“…… “
“Don’t you want to stand above others? Aren’t you tired of being looked down upon? Don’t you want to be higher than anyone else? The shared desire of those beneath is to strike back at arrogant eyes.”
“I’m not interested in standing above others.”
“Oh? Then, do you wish for the Drakans, the dragon race, to die?”
“It wouldn’t mean anything to kill them.”
Yes. Simply killing them wouldn’t mean anything.
I have to achieve this with my own hands. I must surpass that guy. Only then will I be able to regain the favor of Vesmoph Liton.
Incompetence is so tiresome. I can’t go back to those days as an orphan.
I need to stay competent to survive. I have no value if I don’t receive Vesmoph Liton’s favor.
I have to regain the gaze I once had. I have to become someone he cherishes.
I need power.
…The power to maintain my original position.
“What about the side effects?”
“They might exist. But what I gain from it is worth more.”
“If any abnormalities occur, I will revisit.”
“Make sure to contact me when you’re comfortable, and of course, send me your battle records.”
Elliot Moot put on his coat. He glanced at the unfamiliar right arm.
With thick long sleeves and gloves, his appearance seemed just like before, at first glance.
It was as if she had gone back to the days when she had a right arm, her hand moved without difficulty. Elliott Mutt asked,
“Why did you grant my request?”
“Because you were the best.”
The best.
Elliott Mutt bit her tongue.
“So I’m the best and among those who can be used?”
“That’s right,” Dr. Maverick said with a smile.
“Left alone, you’ll become a perennial loser like me.”
Perennial…
It’s such an unpleasant word.
“Not anymore.”
“I’m the same,” he said.
…
Peregrine Alto wiped his face.
“What kind of weird physical measure is this?”
“Is it on the higher side?”
“It’s not just on the higher side. This is…much more than the data I saw from the dragon knight the other day. Let me touch it for a bit.”
He did as he was told.
Tukwaaang!!
The giant raccoon doll shook.
“…What…”
“Could you explain it?”
“Well… okay. Come here.”
Peregrine Alto beckoned.
“Can you see this?”
“Yes.”
“This is the body data of a standard man wearing popular armor – who has been generally circulated. Who seems to have scored higher?”
They examined the overall graph.
Mine was overwhelmingly better.
“I’m sorry, but…”
“Yes, your naked body alone exceeds the physical abilities of most armor users.”
“I thought it was somewhat strong, but…”
“It’s not just somewhat. Your strength alone could compete with the basic power of the Named Armor or even the Model Titan.”
“Is it that strong?”
“You can say it is at the top of the industry. Other physical abilities are also beyond ordinary armor, but your strength is especially amazing. Your body is a weapon in itself, like a moving explosive.”
I didn’t know it was at that level.
“The important thing is that it doesn’t end here.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your anomaly. Try using that golden lightning.”
He used it as instructed.
“…It’s not quite natural bioelectricity. There’s something else. What effect does it have?”
“For starters, it enhances your physical abilities.”
“…And it enhances it even more?”
“Yes.”
“Show me! Right now!”
He stood in front of the large raccoon doll again and took the same stance as before…
Drawing an image…!
From Noble mtl dot com
Na’ga Kruta.
Hwalyeon (火鍊).
Singularity opening.
A golden lightning bolt flashed over his right arm and he sent the amplified power straight ahead.
Tuquaaah!!!!!!!
The large raccoon doll shattered into pieces.
Penegrin Alto jumped up.
“Why did it break…?!”
“What? I told you to blow it away with all your power…”
“No, I said it wouldn’t break in the first place! Why are you breaking it?! My budgetyyyyy!!!!”