How to Live as an Immortal Chapter 011

I'll Tell You Who I Called

*

"It's fine if you think your judgment is correct, but I'd prefer if you didn't drag others into it."

"If we investigate your surroundings, we'll find the answer. You were particularly close to Yang Hu in Dome No.1, weren't you?"

Niel's lips curled up into a smirk.

Although it was obvious this was meant to pressure him, he couldn't help but fall for it. After all, classic tactics are classic because they're effective.

The beads of sweat rolling down his back felt unusually distinct.

There was nowhere to retreat.

Now that he'd been found out, there was only one future ahead.

No matter what excuse he might conjure up, Niel wouldn't believe it.

In fact, it was highly likely that New Delvier was already moving to find traces of Yang Hu at this very moment.

Sure enough, when he tried to report to the Public Safety using his device, no signal could be detected.

The man who had approached silently now stood before him.

In his hand was a control device.

Public Safety equipment, and one issued only to high-ranking officials at that. Displaying it so blatantly was surely a signal to behave.

"Is there a problem?"

His tone was infuriatingly composed. But reacting to that would be an amateur move.

Pretending to put away a mop, Thomas reached under the bar counter and swiftly pulled out a shotgun.

"There's about to be."

Highbell M310.

One of the masterpieces produced by Seven Metal.

Unlike typical firearms, this one had three barrels. The so-called triple barrel.

Moreover, the shotgun shells were not only propelled by gunpowder but also received magnetic acceleration from the built-in battery pack.

The pinnacle of modern firearms.

Its power went without saying.

Boom!

A strike that could only be described as a storm. The entire space hit by the shotgun blast was torn apart.

Well, except for just two people.

It didn't even touch Niel in particular.

The man had become a shield, blocking the path in front of him.

"Ah, my hair is fluttering. Can't you do it properly?"

"I apologize."

The man bowed his head at Niel's rebuke.

Without shedding a single drop of blood.

Though it looked like a suit on the outside, what he wore was made of high-polymer composite materials, practically equivalent to armor. Moreover, its strength was incomparable to ordinary steel.

This was the moment when New Delvier's proud technology shone.

Of course, even with superior materials, it couldn't completely nullify the impact. Clothes were still just clothes after all.

But the man overcame even that.

Through genetic manipulation and skeletal reinforcement.

With innately superior physical durability, the upper limit of damage he could withstand was naturally higher.

But that was merely a secondary effect.

The core was his bestial motor skills.

Thud!

He moves, surpassing the natural limits given to humans.

Even as the shotgun spat fire several times in between, the man didn't stop.

As if it were only natural, he rushed to Thomas's chin in an instant, grabbing him by the nape.

"Ugh."

Even that alone was an overwhelming counterattack for the untrained Thomas. Add to that his advanced age, and he was at a disadvantage in every way.

"What should we do?"

At the man's question, Niel waved his hand as if annoyed.

"Extract the necessary information, then dispose of him. Thoroughly."

*

Shortly after Niel boarded the limousine, Attitude exploded. Despite the commotion caused by the unexpected fireworks, Niel merely gazed on indifferently. To his eyes, it looked no different than busy ants scurrying about.

Just slaves bound under the name of MegaCorp.

As Niel quickly lost interest and turned his gaze away, the door opened and Lloyd entered. There seemed to be a faint smell of blood, but it was only for a moment. An intense body odor overwhelmed everything else.

"It's set to be recorded as an electrical short circuit accident in an old building. For now, I've controlled the surroundings so it can burn down without a trace."

"Well done. What about the extracted information?"

"He was tight-lipped. The slot implanted in his head must have been special, as he managed to block all pain sensations as soon as we started working on him."

"I expected as much. That's why I told you to dispose of him."

"But will this be alright?"

"What?"

"Millennium Code only asked us to track the location, didn't they? They didn't entrust us with the punishment as well."

He might have thought it was a frank opinion, but to Niel, it sounded like mere nagging.

"That's why you're still in that position."

Niel added with a sardonic smile.

"It's true that they're the most successful MegaCorp in this world. I'll admit that."

Millennium Code.

It was a company that could be called the old-timer of Dome No.1. The Millennium Code Gate was a testament to that.

"But they're just showing off in Dome No.1. What are they going to do if they don't like it? Come all the way here?"

The fact that they sought cooperation from another MegaCorp despite the sensitive nature of the matter clearly showed that they couldn't do that.

It wasn't that transportation between Domes wasn't established. But the cost, time, and procedures were complex. It was virtually impossible for enough people to come and go to constitute a war.

Even for a MegaCorp, eliminating physical distance was too much.

Even if they attempted economic retaliation, the result would be the same.

The Dome was a fully planned environmental city, an arcology.

It was a city built on the premise of self-sufficiency.

Naturally, its dependence on trade was low. Even if they reduced export and import rights and limited outsourcing routes, it would be a zero-sum game.

"They'll just express regret and give a subtle warning, that's all."

It was a perfect setup.

And—

"It's an opportunity, you idiot."

The leader governing the sleepless city called the Dome. The mega corporate conglomerate, Mega Corporation.

Abbreviated as MegaCorp.

As the name suggests, it was completely a specter of the capitalist system. As it represented a market that had swollen beyond human comprehension, endless competition occurred within it.

The moment you become complacent, decline is inevitable.

That was true even for the chairman's children.

"You need to show results."

It was true that he had gotten ahead of his siblings by securing the position of director, but he lacked that decisive punch.

"We have no choice but to capture Yang Hu one step ahead of others and use him as a bargaining chip."

For Millennium Code and their city government, he would be a mortal enemy, so negotiations shouldn't be difficult.

"In that case, wouldn't it have been better to keep that old man alive?"

Lloyd's point was valid.

But to Niel, it seemed lukewarm at best.

"He's been hiding all this time. We can't give him time to think calmly. We need to provide a stimulus that exceeds the threshold."

The opponent's whereabouts were so vague that he seemed like a ghost. If they wanted to achieve the desired result, they needed to make him chase them, not the other way around.

"If Yang Hu is really nearby, he won't stand by when he hears his friend has died. He'll probably figure out our existence in an instant and come running."

"Couldn't he run away instead?"

"The guy who tore through Dome No.1 like that?"

"You're right, indeed."

The Millennium Code Gate was still talked about to this day. Of course, information about the suspect, Yang Hu, was strictly controlled, but some rumors had spread in the process.

For instance, that Yang Hu was a Natural who hadn't implanted a slot.

It was an absurd fantasy, but Lloyd couldn't help but be cautious. If that claim was true, Yang Hu's potential would be beyond imagination.

"Isn't it dangerous?"

"His rampage was already 20 years ago. If he's alive, he'd be over sixty now. While he's been lying low, technology has advanced. Even if he wanted to be caught stupidly like back then, he couldn't."

The reason Yang Hu could run rampant during the Millennium Code Gate incident was because no one knew of his existence. But now it was different. Everyone was aware of him and on guard.

No matter how great, an individual is still just an individual.

There was a limit to what one could do in front of a MegaCorp.

"Well then, shall we wait and see if our invited guest arrives?"

*

It was just a few minutes late due to dealing with those damn guys. But that small difference turned into a major turning point.

Whoosh.

Shin hesitated for a moment when he saw with his own eyes the familiar scenery engulfed in flames. Usually, fires were extinguished before soot could even form on neighboring buildings. But Attitude was different. It was as if no one was approaching to put it out, letting it burn more.

Someone's influence must have been at work.

It wasn't hard to guess their identity. But contemplating that had to be postponed. The priority was obvious to anyone.

Thud.

Ignoring the heat felt on his skin, he immediately entered the interior.

The flames enveloped his body like a snake in an instant. A searing pain ran through his entire body, but Shin pressed on without concern. Death was something infinitely transient to him.

It was close to an ideal that would never come.

There was no reason to hesitate.

"Thomas!"

Even as he called out anxiously, a part of him hoped for no response. He wished Thomas had fled. He hoped it would end as a simple accident. But after just a few steps, Shin had to realize that such hopes were in vain.

He found Thomas sprawled out like a puppet with its strings cut.

"Thomas! Wake up!"

As Shin tried to forcibly lift him up, his eyes widened.

A face horribly mangled. From that mouth, only the faintest breath escaped, as if it could stop at any moment.

Thomas had only seconds left.

Having seen off countless people until now, Shin could be certain. Even if they broke through the fire-blocked path, Thomas wouldn't be able to hold on.

"Damn it."

Emotions with nowhere to go escaped between his lips.

It was then that his eyes met Thomas's.

At the gaze that seemed to be pleading something, Shin unconsciously brought his face closer.

"I'm sorry, brother."

What reached his ears was a single sentence filled with regret.

Was it because he couldn't repay the kindness, or because he was going first? Or was it because he was discovered by New Delvier?

"What are you sorry for, you idiot."

Looking back, it had been a tenacious relationship. Even though he had forcibly cut it off, they reunited 40 years later.

Moreover, in over 300 years, Thomas was the only one who had noticed that Shin was immortal.

He was special in many ways.

So—

"Just get up."

He barely managed to open his mouth, holding back the rising sorrow, but Thomas's breath had already stopped.

It seemed unreal that they had been laughing and talking just days ago. Shin couldn't bear to look directly and turned his head away.

At that moment, the sound of sirens was heard in the distance.

It must be the fire trucks finally arriving.

As much as he wanted to stay and see where Thomas would go, no matter how innocent he was, if he was discovered at the scene, he couldn't escape being a suspect.

He knew a few people at the police station, so he'd likely be released easily, but he couldn't just stand by knowing he'd be delayed.

They had disposed of Thomas in this way. The opponent's intention was clear.

They didn't want to play hide and seek, it seemed.

"You guys..."

Shin muttered as he rose from his spot.

"I'll show you who you've called."