Bad Born Blood

Chapter 230

Ragnata Anima was an extraordinary woman. Although she had undergone biological enhancements, there was a time when she had ascended to the realm of superhumans with nothing but flesh and blood.  

I assumed that the biological enhancement procedures she had received were not of a high level. Likely just lower-grade neural chemical treatments, muscle reinforcement, and metabolic acceleration—nothing more advanced than what I had undergone.  

"Are you rehabilitating in preparation for resuming activity?"  

I spoke as I entered Ragnata's room.  

Ragnata was supporting her entire body upside down with just one arm. The muscles clinging to her dry limb stood out prominently.  

"I'm activating my nervous system. If I'm going to fulfill your 'request,' I figured I'd need to be in fighting shape."  

I smirked with only one side of my lips and set down the box I had brought.  

Creak.  

Inside the opened box, a mechanical prosthetic leg manufactured by Sonsu Industries gleamed. Its rugged exoskeletal frame was fully exposed.  

Unlike cybernetic prosthetics, mechanical prosthetic legs did not require precise synchronization and integration between flesh and machine. They simply read the bio-signals from the remaining muscles to move. As a result, they were less refined and less responsive.  

"I've never worn glass slippers in my life, but now I'm receiving metal boots as a gift from a man. The world is a strange place, indeed."  

Ragnata placed the prosthetic leg against the stump of her knee.  

Clank, clank.  

The locking mechanisms of the prosthetic leg interlocked, securing her knee and thigh.  

Whirr.  

After completing the attachment, Ragnata stood up. She seemed to waver for a moment but quickly regained her balance.  

I almost moved to support her—but stopped myself.  

'As expected, someone of this caliber is different.'  

Ragnata must have felt an overwhelming sense of discomfort. The prosthetic leg wasn’t custom-made for her, and as a mechanical type, its responsiveness was considerably delayed. Even for someone with exceptional motor skills, it would normally take at least a day or two just to walk properly.  

Yet, in mere seconds, Ragnata had stabilized herself, and within minutes, she was freely moving in place—even executing kicks.  

"It's similar to the sensation of using an exoskeleton. The principles are almost identical."  

Ragnata spoke while holding one leg high in the air.  

She adapted much faster than I had expected. She was already at a level where she could move immediately.  

"……We'll be leaving right away, so keep the prosthetic in your bag until we're out of the building. I don't want Jafa to notice."  

"Hmm, are you preparing to make an enemy of Jafa?"  

Ragnata obediently sat in the wheelchair and began unlocking the prosthetic's fastenings one by one.  

"I'm not making an enemy. I'm just preparing for the possibility."  

"Unsettling movements breed distrust."

"A washed-up assassin lecturing me about trust with an employer? That doesn't make much sense. You couldn't even uphold your contract with your client."  

"That's true. I suppose I don’t have the right to talk about it."  

Ragnata accepted it without resistance and leaned back against the wheelchair. I pushed her wheelchair as we left the building.  

We were heading toward Gaya’s hospital. I caught a glimpse of myself in the glass walls of a building as we passed by. The sight of me pushing around an old assassin in a wheelchair was amusing.  

"You're quite an interesting kid."  

Ragnata spoke as she sat comfortably in the wheelchair.  

"I'm not living my life for someone else's amusement."  

"Of course not. You're just a regular person who prefers stepping off the stage rather than standing in the spotlight. You pretend to be a monster among monsters… but in reality, you're painfully ordinary."  

I frowned.  

"This is the first time in my life someone has called me ordinary."  

"Let me put it more bluntly. You're just a slightly stronger commoner. No matter how much power you wield, you're still just an individual. Strength alone doesn’t make a hero."  

Ragnata shrugged and let out a low chuckle. Her laughter rang in my ears.  

"I don’t want to be a hero. I think you’ve got the wrong idea."  

"When I say hero, I’m not talking about some champion of justice. A hero is someone who achieves feats that ordinary people can’t. Heroes are inevitably monsters. They devour everything around them for the sake of their ambition and desire. To shine as a hero, you need fuel—so they start by burning everything around them."  

A bitter feeling settled in my chest. I didn’t respond and simply continued toward Gaya’s hospital.  

Thud.  

The wheelchair jolted violently as it hit a bump in the road. I did that on purpose.  

Taking that as her cue, Ragnata continued speaking.  

"…You’re incapable of inflating your selfish desires beyond reason. Call it justice, call it evil, call it conviction—it doesn’t matter. You can’t bring yourself to consume others for a singular purpose or ambition. You lack the stomach to be a true monster. You put on an act, pretending to be one, but when it truly matters, you always try to save the people around you. Even now, right before something big is about to happen, you're sneaking your friend Gabriel out of harm’s way."  

I had had enough.  

Crunch.  

The wheelchair’s handles crumpled under my grip.  

"You better shut that jaw of yours before I break it, old hag. I can’t stand people making assumptions about me."  

But Ragnata's presence didn’t waver in the slightest.

"This is my final piece of advice, Luka. I doubt we'll ever meet again. And no matter what I say here, you won’t be able to lay a hand on me—because of Gabriel."  

…Annoying.  

Other people become my weakness. Back when I had no connections, I had no weaknesses. I could keep moving forward without hesitation.  

Now, I had to constantly look over my shoulder, watch my step. I had to make sure that the ones crushed under my reckless path weren’t friends or acquaintances.  

‘My impurities…’  

That’s what people like Gabriel were. My weakness, my impurities. They weren’t particularly helpful to my life… and yet, I couldn’t ignore people like Gabriel.  

"I don’t need the advice of a fallen assassin."  

"And yet, you kept me around precisely because you needed that advice, didn’t you? Listen carefully, kid. You’ve probably relied on your natural talent and brute force to push through hardship. But one day, you’ll hit a wall. Get rid of that naïve idea that you can achieve everything with just your meager abilities. You already know the world isn’t that kind. A moment will come when you’ll have to choose—decide what you’re willing to throw away."  

Such blunt advice could only come from experience.  

"Ragnata, what did you discard, and what did you gain?"  

At my question, Ragnata tilted her head back and looked at me.  

"I abandoned my entire world… and gained nothing. It was the price of indecision. You’re right. I’m a fallen failure. I just hope you don’t walk the same path I did."  

Her eyes swirled with a storm of emotions, regret woven into their depths. She made no effort to hide her feelings. She probably thought baring them openly would make her words more convincing.  

"…I’ll take your advice to heart."  

After a pause, I answered.

*         *         *

"Gaya, don’t inform Jafa about Gabriel’s discharge. I know you’re connected to Jafa, but I’ll trust that you’ll prioritize your duty as a doctor."  

I spoke to Gaya.  

Dressed in a white coat with religious undertones, Gaya faced Ragnata and me.  

"Do you truly believe that following this person is the best choice for Gabriel? I need to be convinced."  

Gaya’s gaze rested on Ragnata as she finished securing her prosthetic leg.  

"It’ll be better than staying in Border City. Gabriel is originally from a nomadic background. If he’s lucky, he might even find out what happened to his family, whom he was separated from as a child."  

I explained. Gaya stroked his chin, then let out a faint smile.  

"I remember when you tried to take Gabriel by force."

"I was a bit impatient back then. Consider it a side effect of having my nervous system tampered with."  

"In any case, I don’t have the power to stop you or this noblewoman here. If you’re taking Gabriel, then so be it. Besides, I don’t report everything to Master Sergeant Jafa. If I were the type to comply with such demands, I wouldn’t have accepted patients through that connection in the first place."  

I narrowed my eyes slightly, observing and trying to read Gaya. But I gave up. I decided to simply take his words at face value.  

At the very least, from what I had seen so far, Gaya was a man of conscience.  

"Then… I’ll be going. Ragnata, find the right time to take Gabriel and leave Border City. This should cover expenses."  

I tossed a pouch filled with gold coins and gemstones to Ragnata. It was wealth I had received from Regor, Boyan’s father. Unlike credit chips, which required a verified system, this kind of currency was universally accepted and much better for people on the move.  

'More importantly, all the credit chips I have are backed by Jafa's company. They’d be too easy to track.'  

I blinked, checking my schedule displayed on my retinal display.  

I had to visit Sonsu Industries in the afternoon. This was a crucial task.  

"Aren’t you going to say goodbye to Gabriel?"  

Gaya called out to my back as I turned to leave.  

"I don’t need a drawn-out farewell. Ragnata will explain everything to him."  

Besides, I was already pressed for time. I hadn’t come here because I had extra time to spare—Ragnata had simply adapted to her prosthetic leg faster than expected, allowing me to wrap up Gabriel’s situation sooner. The sooner we moved, the better.  

'The test schedule at Sonsu Industries was moved up to today.'  

And on top of that, Jafa’s public unveiling of Paolo Kwan’s inheritance and Gilda’s visit to Border City were also coming up soon. I had to get the work at Sonsu Industries out of the way before those events took over my schedule.  

Before leaving, I locked eyes with Ragnata. Standing with her prosthetic leg, she gave me a firm nod.  

'I hope my decision for Gabriel isn’t a mistake.'

*         *         *

Sonsu Industries was more chaotic than usual.  

Despite his injuries, Son Seok-jae moved busily around the workshop, completely unfazed. His mobility aid whirred loudly as its motor kicked in.  

Thud. Thud.  

A prototype MAU (Mechanic Armor Unit) was stepping out of the warehouse. It was a massive, clunky machine that resembled industrial heavy equipment more than a war machine. It lacked a head, with only a torso and limbs attached—at this stage, it looked more like a work robot than a combat unit.  

"The schedule was moved up faster than I expected."

I stood next to Son Seok-jae and spoke.  

"Ah, you're here. Perfect timing. We've modified our prototype based on the data obtained from Mushir al-Kashura. Right now, speed is everything. We need to aggressively demonstrate that our technology is ahead of the competition. More importantly, the responsiveness metrics are visibly improving even for civilian pilots—"  

"Spare me the numbers and explanations. When is the Federation’s delegation arriving?"  

"They should be here soon. The person in charge is the Vice Minister of the Strategic Weapons Research Department."  

"Is that high up?"  

Son Seok-jae widened his eyes in surprise before bursting into laughter.  

"Plenty high. High enough to put multiple negotiation proposals on the table."  

"Good. What about Deputy Oh’s whereabouts?"  

"I’d like to say we're searching, but honestly, we've been pouring everything into the prototype. I did unofficially hire a few people to look into it, but…"  

It was clear that Son Seok-jae hadn't been prioritizing Deputy Oh’s disappearance. With his life's work right in front of him, his attention was entirely consumed by the project.  

"…How’s Miss Lapis?"  

It was just a question of courtesy.  

"She’s alive."  

"That’s a relief."  

That was the end of our conversation.  

'So this is the Federation’s new weapon?'  

I watched the MAU move around the open testing ground. It was sluggish for a weapon. Its armor was thick, but at that speed, it was nothing more than a walking target. A proper armored vehicle or tank would be far more practical.  

Vwoooom.  

Before long, three six-seater aerial vehicles appeared in the sky above Sonsu Industries. Their sleek, silver bodies gleamed as they descended and landed in the open lot.  

Step. Step.  

A group of well-dressed officials disembarked in an orderly manner. Their power dynamics were so pronounced that even from a distance, it was obvious who the Vice Minister was.  

But my attention wasn’t on the Vice Minister.  

It was on a girl.  

‘The one who was with Boyan. The leader of those delinquent kids.’  

Her name was Yanaka. Her movements had been sharp enough to leave an impression on me.  

Yanaka stood beside the Vice Minister, dressed in a stiff pilot uniform.  

As I focused on her, Son Seok-jae provided an explanation.  

"Oh, that girl is the Federation’s officially designated combat MAU pilot. Unlike our prototype, she’s been trained according to the Federation’s specifications."  

Yanaka's gaze locked onto mine. The moment she recognized me, she frowned. Her lips parted slightly as if she wanted to say something, but after glancing at her surroundings, she shut her mouth tightly.