How to Live as an Immortal Chapter 006

It's Me

*

Shin stepped on Gerald's ankle hard, retaliating with spite.

"This is ridiculous. It's hard to tell who's the perpetrator and who's the victim here."

"I recorded everything."

"Ah, with your device?"

It was more than just annoying.

As cybernetic surgeries became prevalent, human life had become more convenient. The foundation for connecting to the internet anytime, anywhere was now in place.

With numerous electronic devices implanted and utilized within the human body, separating humans and machines was now nonsensical. At first glance, it might seem that the chances of getting involved in crimes had decreased, but the probability itself wasn't much different from before.

Because the means to circumvent it had also evolved.

'Noise Worm.'

That was the name of the device Shin always carried. Its function was simple. It only spread special interference waves to distort images and sounds.

Even the video Gerald just recorded would have distorted faces and voices. It wouldn't be enough to be accepted as evidence in court.

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that the capability as a fixer was determined in this aspect. Anyone could carry out private sanctions, but not getting caught was at least twice as difficult.

Of course, he had several other countermeasures besides the Noise Worm.

"I don't know who you are or what you do, but be prepared. I'll find you somehow and finish you off."

As expected.

The guy wasn't intimidated at all despite being cornered. No, he didn't even show a hint of remorse.

A seed of evil with no chance of rehabilitation.

Shin had hoped he would reflect on his past wrongdoings and gain some insight, but it seemed that would remain a personal wish.

Still—

"I don't hate it."

"What?"

"I like it."

When Shin suddenly expressed his approval, a glimmer of hope appeared in Gerald's eyes. But that was just a precursor to his downfall.

Gerald's face turned cold at Shin's following words.

"It's because of guys like you that people seek out fixers in the first place."

The law should be applied to everyone equally.

Judgment should be passed on all, as is right.

But irregulars existed everywhere. That's why there were always people seeking a helping hand.

An environment that fixers couldn't ask for more.

"Your name was Michelle, right?"

"Huh? Yes!"

Michelle, who was called out, nodded vigorously even though no one was looking.

"Could you close your eyes for a moment?"

Of course.

Such a small favor was nothing when asked by the person who had saved her.

Soon after, an enormous noise reached her ears, but Michelle pretended not to hear it.

*

Security Officer Jeremy Murphy headed straight to the hospital, postponing his work upon hearing that his younger brother had been hospitalized. While Gerald had caused trouble before, this was the first time he'd heard of him getting hurt.

Still, he assumed it was probably just a fight between students.

At least until he saw Gerald's dazed state.

"Both his legs are damaged?"

According to the doctor, it seemed like a malfunctioning patrol drone had hit him. A drone flying to a factory rooftop that wasn't even on its programmed route, and then ramming into a person at full speed?

It was a situation Jeremy couldn't comprehend with his common sense.

Apparently, the police felt the same way, as they had sent a separate investigator.

However, he couldn't welcome them warmly.

He had belatedly realized that the control device registered under his name was the cause of this.

Jeremy, who had forcibly sent the investigator away using his position, let out a sigh.

It seemed he needed to have an honest conversation with Gerald.

"You say it looked like a fixer?"

"Yeah, he took down the other kids easily too."

Slumped shoulders.

A tone devoid of energy.

The brother he met after a few days had become a completely different person. It wasn't that he had matured. It felt like something fundamental had changed.

"It's probably someone Binter hired."

"Binter?"

Jeremy was familiar with that name too. He was a student involved in the commotion Gerald had caused.

"He certainly has enough motive."

An investigation would likely reveal the outline of what happened.

"Can't we just cover this up and move on?"

Jeremy flinched involuntarily when Gerald spoke so uncharacteristically weakly. Gerald's opinion wasn't unreasonable. If Binter was really behind this, it would be a case of give and take.

But—

"You know that our Murphy family has been dedicated to the police force for generations, protecting the safety of the dome. We've sacrificed to create today's peace, and you're talking about retaliation? That's absurd."

"But still..."

"You don't need to do anything, I'll handle it myself."

After drawing a firm line, Jeremy left the hospital room.

The schedule for body cultivation and transplant surgery had already been decided.

It would take a month including rehabilitation, was it?

He couldn't help but sigh deeply at the situation.

Enough to make him light a cigarette he hadn't touched in a while.

As he was trying to compose himself while looking at the scenery spread out beyond the outdoor terrace, a young man he had never seen before approached.

"It's me."

It was a confession without introduction or main point, but Jeremy realized that this person was the one who had hurt Gerald. It was a manifestation of the experience he had gained while working as a security officer. In other words, it was a moment when his sharply honed intuition came into play.

Jeremy broke the cigarette in his hand in half and let out a hollow laugh.

"Should I say you have no fear? As expected of someone who assaulted innocent students in broad daylight."

"These days, they even treat mad dogs like children, huh? Besides, it wasn't me who attacked the guy, it was the patrol drone. You'd know if you looked at the report, right?"

"Fine, keep running your mouth. I'll use every means at my disposal to throw you in the gutter."

In front of the boastful Jeremy stood the young man, Shin, who retorted smoothly.

"Before you indulge in sweet dreams, shouldn't you first consider why I showed up?"

"Don't try to lecture me. I've spent my whole life fighting guys like you. You're probably confident you've covered your tracks well. That's why you're here acting all smug."

"Just because your brother's in that state doesn't mean you have to be the same way."

"If you're here to ask for forgiveness, let me tell you it's too late."

"Forgiveness? No. I'm here to have a productive conversation."

"A productive conversation?"

Jeremy's attitude, glaring like a viper, was quite hostile.

In reality, there were few in the dome who could escape the eyes of a security officer. Of course, if he were alone, he could cut all connections and disappear.

But Binter wasn't. He had a grudge against Gerald, after all. It would only take a moment for Jeremy's gaze to fall on him. It was just a matter of time before the details behind it would be revealed. The fire could even spread to Arnold if he wasn't careful.

That's why he had appeared first.

Only when he tied up all the loose ends could he proudly claim to have completed the request.

"If you're planning to take off your uniform to get revenge for some deviant, I'll deal with you. But you don't want that, right? Let's settle this amicably."

"And if I don't want to?"

"You became a security officer at such a young age, so I thought you'd be more reasonable, but it seems your ears are clogged. Do I look like I'm begging?"

Shin, wiping the smile off his face, leaned in until his breath could be felt by Jeremy.

"You've been taking bribes to let vagrants in from the outskirts every now and then, haven't you?"

The ecosystem that made up the dome was perfect. It was the intention and significance of the arcology. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a kind of terrarium.

Naturally, there was no room for impurities to arise.

But contrary to the original design, parts of the dome were already tainted by darkness. An error that arose because theory and reality are different.

Who would have thought that internal members would accept refugees in exchange for compensation?

"Of course, I'm human too, so I'm not going to criticize you for lining your pockets. But colluding with the Striders is unforgivable."

Their nature was not the kind that a society with an established system could accept.

The group that attacked Shin outside the pawn shop was a prime example.

Ironically, Jeremy and several other security officers had a significant influence on the increase of these outsiders.

"That's a preposterous accusation."

"Is it? Then shall I take a closer look? Given my profession, I'm quite good at that sort of thing."

Jeremy bit his lip at the gaze that seemed to pierce through his inner thoughts.

"I could arrest you right here. Are you acting so confident knowing that?"

Jeremy positioned himself as if he was about to call for a patrol drone.

The police force was known for being able to catch even a flying bird.

To someone who wasn't even a citizen, like Shin, they were like the grim reaper.

Not arresting those without devices was merely a humane practice.

If they followed official procedures, they could make a problem solver disappear without anyone knowing.

"It wouldn't be bad to go in together amicably. I'd be released due to lack of evidence anyway."

"We can fabricate evidence that doesn't exist."

"Let's see you try. I don't like overtime, but I don't avoid it either. It's best to take care of things when they catch your eye, right?"

It wasn't bravado or arrogance. His expression was overflowing with composure. He had proven his capabilities through Gerald.

Because of this, Jeremy couldn't hide his confused feelings. He couldn't understand. What was the reason for showing such self-sacrificing devotion?

At this point, curiosity couldn't help but bubble up.

"Why are you going this far?"

"Why are you all going this far?"

To Shin, Jeremy was just as incomprehensible. The police, who should be protecting victims, were instead pressuring them.

Exercising rights while shirking responsibilities.

There was no other way to explain it except that it was twisted.

But Shin was neither a philosopher nor a thinker. He was just a problem solver diligently carrying out his requests.

"I'm just saying, let's turn a blind eye to your misconduct, and you do the same for my retaliation. Am I being too roundabout?"

"Hmm."

Seeing Jeremy's contemplative look, Shin added without hesitation.

"If you overlook this, we won't press charges either."

Neither Binter nor Arnold showed any signs, but bluffing is sometimes important.

Even if they took it to court, the chances of achieving any meaningful results were slim, but people naturally want to avoid troublesome things.

Sure enough, Jeremy's mood changed.

Only after facing Shin did he realize it would be a formidable confrontation.

For someone like him, who was trying to establish his position after becoming a security officer, a meaningless war of attrition was counterproductive.

The moment his desire for social advancement surpassed his affection for his brother, Jeremy's mouth opened.

"Keep your word."

"As long as you manage your brother well, we won't have to meet again. I'm doing this for money, so I'd rather not upset Officer Jeremy unnecessarily."

"Your words are impure, but I'll let it slide."

"I appreciate your generous treatment."

Shin turning his back after resolving the issue and Jeremy nodding happened almost simultaneously.

"Your name, what's your name?"

"Shin."

"Shin, you say?"

He had heard it before. It was a name that had spread within the police force through word of mouth.

Crushing a group of 30 Striders, falling from the 10th floor without injury - to a third party, these were just absurd rumors.

But after meeting him, he could tell it wasn't a lie. He was a rare genuine article in this era.

"You are..."

As Jeremy opened his mouth, wanting to confirm once more, Shin had already disappeared without leaving a trace.