Lurona city [southern shores of Fuminao Legacy Kingdom], local time [1793.12.29]
So that’s it, Zeph thought, critically scanning the list.
If it could even be called a list. Two entries definitely shouldn’t be called that.
Are you sure you can’t give me a loan?”
Positive. It’s against our most basic principles.
To think you would leave such an interesting case to struggle for itself… I am quite peculiar, am I not?
That’s not the point. Your life is not in jeopardy anymore. Not after you entered the [Shrine]. The rest is your choice. The [Purging] is still available for you.
Tch. Noting from the plane?!
Create a prototype first. But it won’t grant you [Universal Points] either way. Not directly.
Gru had to help him with Phleya, buying the upgrade for them from his own pocket. Thankfully, Zeph had enough for the two major upgrades he wanted. It was a close call, though.
You better prepare that Shrine Seed during the process, then. I don’t want to hear any more complaints from you anymore! he sent, frowning angrily. This was the worst negotiation attempt he ever did. After mentioning that he wanted the Phleya inside his body to be the same as the one living in his amor, the System actually raised the prices.
What a disaster…he sighed internally, glancing with displeasure at the abomination of the list.
Upgrade:
Amended materials, knowledge, and physical interference:
Final cost:
Type: Neural [Mechanical] implant.
Specification: shielding (+136%); regeneration (+29.8%); functionality (+492%).
Details: Carbon/Iron-based add-on. [Willforce Morphon] compatibility detected!
Maximal resulting Body-related contamination:
[PFF]: 9.95%.
Materials: Delivered [100%].
Knowledge: Partial [6%].
Implementation method: Implanting procedure [Tier 5] by [System]. Supplemented by [Doctor] and [Bio-scientist] in the first stages.
1 719 561 UP.
Type: cardiovascular [Mechanical] micro-plating.
Specification: internal Mana manipulation (+72%), internal perception (+76%), functionality (+216% on average), shielding (+24%).
Details: [PFF] internal surface implant.
Maximal resulting Body-related contamination:
[PFF]: 4.21%.
Materials: Delivered [100%].
Knowledge: Partial [47%].
Implementation method: Implanting procedure [Tier 3] by [System]. Supplemented mechanically by [Doctor] and [Mechalchemist] in the first stages.
283 200 UP
Advanced scan.
Service.
0 UP.
Contingency plan.
[Purge].
Varies.
[Phleya] mutagenic upgrades and additional services.
1) Adding Plasmid DNA responsible for [PFF]-compatible enzyme production.
2) Adding a chromosome responsible for producing [Garuan]-compatible cell wall and intermediary proteins. [Warning! 84% chance of rejection!]
3) Service: adaptive selection in mercury environments. [Warning! 57% chance of failure!]
4) Adding Mana-sensible viral mutagenic Plasmid. Goal: host immune system integration.
5) Service: forcing and overseeing the integration into the immune system.
2 666 875 UP
Cost summary:
[Zeph Einar]:
2 002 761 / 2 002 830
Total:
4 669 636
The cost was a close call. His 2 million UP would quickly evaporate, leaving him with a measly 69 points. Funny numbers aside, those prices were possible only because he managed to convince the System to drop a few safety procedures. Irra and Pavail would be in charge of them, instead. They would also help with the initial stages of the surgery, simplifying the procedure by a small margin.
Operating on the nervous system, and especially the brain, wasn’t a simple matter. The System was able to do that safely, but the amount of resources necessary to assure that nothing goes wrong was staggering. Even something as simple as skull craniotomy and pre-arranging the materials around the brain lowered the price by a good 35 000 UP.
It seemed like a shame for Zeph. No one was able to negotiate with the System normally, after all. But the Onji despised the thought of wasting their resources on empty arguments. It was not their function, nor their goal. Even if people would learn more and faster that way – they wanted them to reach those proficiencies by themselves.
Thankfully, both women jumped at the occasion as soon as he proposed this solution. They had to pay hundreds of thousands of UP to be allowed to observe the surgery—the System was as stingy as always—but they didn’t care. The experience of assisting in an advanced surgery like that was their dream come true. In their own words, a life experience of this kind meant more than the most advanced General Skill, and those never showed System’s experiences.
Evidently, witnessing a surgery done by the System was just that unique.
For Pavail, it was a chance to better understand how magical healing could be achieved; on what field she should concentrate. As for Irra, she was already a cyberpunk freak; almost fanatically fascinated by any and all kinds of implants. She basically begged him to include her, even before he finished explaining, promising she would become his most loyal servant for… some time.
Which successfully sealed her deal with Sepia Familia Guild.
If not for their help, he would never be able to get two upgrades in one go. The cost of almost two million UP for the Planaria Ferrium Fullerene—or PFF in short—neural implant would leave him… pointless. He had just above two million UP, all in all.
Truthfully, he was tempted to take the bone-, eye-, and cardiovascular implants instead, but that would put his life in jeopardy. The maximal Soul contamination resulting from those three was close to 19% and none of them would support his body in processing the Fullerene-Magicules efficiently. He would be forced to gain enough UP to buy another implant shortly after, or take one of the cheaper mutagens.
As of now, the maximal contamination from the implants sat just below 15%, and the neural implant would help his metabolism to process the resulting Magicules. That fact wasn’t really included in the neural implant’s description, but because the material was untested, the System wasn’t sure of the factual effectiveness of that functionality. They weren’t even sure what effects his other contaminations would have on the material or what was the true critical contamination threshold. They had their guesses, but with their OCD, they would rather leave the information blank than be wrong by one percent. It was certain, though, that an implant of this type would play a big role in managing the Magicules and staying below 15% was a very safe approach. Not to mention, the implant was compatible with Willforce Morphon.
Besides, the bone implant was a mixed one – made partially from Fullerene and partially from Obsidian. Fourth contamination wasn’t something he looked for right now, especially because the maximal Obsidian contamination would be very close to the 10% milestone, so either a waste of resources or a waste of opportunity. Also, messing with his bones right now would impair his ability to produce Mana-L. The resulting Magicule mix would, for sure, behave differently.
Gru was another godsent. He actually took upon himself the necessary Phleya modifications. The System allowed it only because Phleya would become as much Gru’s symbiont, as Zeph’s Soul-linked creature. Normally, it’s impossible to pay for the upgrades of others.
Besides that, Gru decided to buy three body upgrades for himself. As it turned out, he was a very rich alien lifeform. His UP account sported over ten million UP – not that surprising in hindsight. Gru triggered the creation of a lot of new General Skills and added much to the Ancient Civilizations Skill. It took a lot of time to persuade him to not use everything at once and take his time to get accustomed to the few changes that would happen.
It seemed Zeph would get a third eye, after all, but not a stationary one. And not necessarily only a singular one. Gru just wanted to be able to form the organ on his appendages; to be able to finally see the world. No matter how grotesque Zeph would end up looking—a certain ninja with too many eyes on their arms came to mind—he didn’t have the heart to dissuade his bond.
Blindness, among other limitations of Gru’s body, was too much for Zeph to care about himself. His fella deserved something better.
The second upgrade would make Gru a better host for Phleya – adding another organ he could form to keep them safe and move the colony through his appendages. It would also bring a minor improvement to his compatibility with the Fullerene. The third upgrade was a strange one. The previous two were categorized as biological symbiotic semi-organelle implants and the third should be categorized as a mechanical implant, but… According to System, it was more like a biological mutagenic framework in the case of Gru. It should help him improve his overall intelligence.
But there was one big problem.
They were sitting in the operation chamber on the 36th floor of the Shrine. All six of them.
Zeph was lying in the center, on a black stone table. His left hand was gripping a black hemisphere sticking out of it. Multiple mechanical arms, made from the same material as walls, were affixed to the ceiling above him. Most were folded, fitting perfectly inside their alcoves. Two of them, though, were reaching downwards. The long, hexagonal tips were glowing slightly in a kaleidoscope of colors – a telltale of how much Mana was coursing through the over-complicated enchantments inside. They were made from a strange mix of metals, adding to the chaotic and confusing lightshow. The arms were moving slowly around Zeph, scanning him constantly and tracing any changes inside his body.
The rest of the group was sitting to his right on simple but comfortable chairs. The room was otherwise empty. The lighting was quite poor, forming dark shadows in the corners of the black walls, but reflecting wildly from the golden adornments.
Zeph was frowning. The realization of what had to be done didn’t sit well with his paranoid mind. Especially because of Irra.
But before he could even start to plan how he should be wording his request, Aisha took the reins.
“Onji… You know what we need right now, right?”
Isn’t that your problem?
“With all due respect, we just made a deal.” She crossed her arms. “Shouldn’t you fill in the blanks? Or would you prefer I contact Leilucia?”
… And that’s exactly why this business is unworthwhile.
Pavail, Irra, and Makani were looking at the exchange with wide eyes, not daring to speak. It wasn’t a fear of the Onji, as much as it was going into absolutely new territory. To negotiate with a God wasn’t a simple matter. Not one of them expected that to happen in the Shrine.
Kwan didn’t have the same reservations, but seemed a little confused.
“My Greyness, you agreed to give him the other commissions, right?” Aisha said in a neutral tone. “That means he is worth something to you still. We are representing our Guild. Would you refuse us the right to protect the internal stability when the situation is already this convoluted?” She raised her eyebrow, leaving a few things unsaid. “Besides, I am sure you two talked about the Exchange. Wouldn’t that be merely an extension of the surveillance that has to happen anyway, assuming you came to an agreement?”
There was a moment of silence, until Zeph decided to add his own argument.
“Do you remember our bargain involving the reward I should be given after the ‘Advanced scan’? I thought you would be more open after I sacrificed it. I am also sure it’s in your best interest. We are talking about him after all.”
You two aren’t wrong. But to keep things optimal we would have to extend the contract to all, present and future, [Heads] of the [Guild]. As well as to everyone in [Zeph]’s department.
The requirements are not met. This will result in limiting your [Exchange] access time, [Zeph].
The last notification was visible only to Zeph and Aisha, as evident by the blank and confused stares of the rest of the group.
“I will deal with others,” Aisha declared. “Onji, just concentrate on people who will have direct experience. That, I am afraid, cannot be shared in any form. Not after the latest happenings related to the schism in the Temple of Souls…”
Yes, we know what you mean.
Calculating…
…Finished.
[Aisha Zora Toritaro Leilucia], you are now under indirect [Contract] with us as stipulated in [Paragraph 98] of [Article 3] in your current [Unnamed Priestesshood Contract]. You are to be kept responsible for future failures. You are to not be rewarded for your work on this case. You are to seek assistance only under [Leilucia] guidance in this case. Is that acceptable?
“It is!” she exclaimed happily, clapping her hands together. “Kwan, Makani, let’s talk somewhere else. There are some documents to sign, and some explaining to do. For me, that is,” she said, looking at them while standing up.
Makani groaned. “Why am I even included?” he asked, shuffling his feet as he slowly moved to the exit.
“Because your previous Contract is finished, dummy!” Aisha said happily, skipping ahead.
Kwan raised elegantly from her seat before squinting at the last notification. The System made communication convenient for the group by displaying notifications for each of them as if they were in the same physical area. “Am I to be held responsible for my own insights?” she asked coolly.
Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.
No. Fight it out with the [Warrior Priestess] if you need to. We don’t care anymore.
In our expertise, those arrangements are an exercise in futility either way.
Her facial expression softened somewhat. Zeph could understand her a little. For a race that had problems with telling lies, seeing that so many secrets were kept all around them would be aggravating no matter the context. Adding the stress related to the Duels and the current situation of the Guild, it was no wonder she felt left behind. Fighting with ghosts they conjured themselves was not helping in the slightest.
She bowed slightly and, without a word, left the room; the heavy triangular doors slid shut silently behind her.
[Pavail Hwaran Kumiaitalo Sepia Familia], [Irra Turiel Kumiaitalo Sepia Familia], these are the [Contracts] that are necessary for us to proceed.
You cannot negotiate the conditions. Any disagreement will end with breaking our previous agreement. Do you comply?
Harsh… Zeph thought, looking at the pair. They were both looking down at the floor, surely reading the lengthy documents sent by the System.
Indeed. If those two were to operate on him, they would notice the alien organism right away. Gru could hide from Soul- or even Mana perception. In the latter case, only to some degree, but it was the only reason Pavail wasn’t able to notice that he was a separate organism yet. But seeing Gru’s physical body would be an entirely different experience, and his roots were now spread all around Zeph’s flesh. It was a problem they couldn’t dodge if the two were to help with the surgery. And it was a secret that, sooner or later, had to be released to his closest companions.
But the ‘Ancient Civilizations’ Skill, and the creations of theirs, weren’t something that could pass unnoticed by powerful people. Those were the knowledge beyond the System. Arguably, it was at the same level as the existence of the Terrien – the people from Earth. But the problem was, Gru could be perceived as a threat much easier. It was, after all, an alien lifeform – not only in name, but also in shape, mind, and Soul. The religious and political maneuvers aside, they were right before the most important event for their group – the Duel Tournament.
Gru’s existence had to stay under wraps no matter what. Later, that could change. Maybe. But definitely not now.
Well… I hope you are ready to make your debut, Gru? he silently sent to his companion.
Gah! it sent back, sending an impression of retching. Zeph smiled at that, forcing the chuckle down while hiding his mouth with the back of his hand.
They will see you naked, you know? After they strip the flesh out of me, you will be visible in all your tentacle glory. You better prepare yourself mentally! he joked.
Grah? it rolled its imaginary eyes. Naked wasn’t a part of the language of his people, so he didn’t care.
~~~
“His brain isn’t exactly made from biological matter. It is a strange conglomeration of Manasolid, crystals, and metals,” Pavail said with deadly seriousness. “That’s the reason his upgrade isn’t registered as a Mechanical Implant.”
Zeph suspected all those things, but it was nice to have a confirmation.
“Please don’t put anything strange inside of him. No feeding! Also, don’t touch the Manasolid inside!” he said while admiring the artful simplicity of the mechanical arms moving above.
She giggled. GIGGLED! “Don’t worry. It’s just the feedback from my Skills. Gru is… well, closed?”
He was being gutted right now. A truly enamoring prospect. And his personal butcher was giggling…
Certainly, she is a perfect surgeon, he thought absentmindedly. He would look down on his open abdomen and her face, if not for the fact that only his facial nerves were connected to his brain as of now.
The heaving sounds coming from the corner of the room were more of a reaction he expected. Well, maybe not in this intensity.
“You good, Irra?” he asked a little louder.
“Just… ugh… give me a sec…” she said between heavy breaths.
No. [Pavail], you will cut off the branching nerves. Just lay the bar nearby. Under the liver, preferably.
“Sure!” she exclaimed cheerfully. The maniac.
A squelching sound of moved organs was quickly followed by another series of dry heaving. Zeph rolled his eyes.
What a wonderful evening! Haaah… At least we don’t have to care about blood loss and microbes, he thought, sighing in impatience. But still… “Can you explain why am I still conscious when Gru has the best of dreams all for himself? I am quite sure that I have read the order of upgrades correctly.”
Because you have to keep your [Interference Veil] away and asked for minimal anesthetics? Also, we cannot risk an instinctual reaction of the [Garuan]. Being outside of a host’s body isn’t a natural state for a [Parasite].
“It’s ‘Symbiotic Parasite’! You even created the category yourself!”
Same difference.
[Phleya] induction requires you to have the [Neural Implant] already implanted, for the sake of compatibility. Don’t worry, it shouldn’t take long.
“I feel like ten hours already passed, though…”
“It was twelve, actually,” Pavail said absentmindedly, unaware that Zeph was thinking in Earth’s hours, which meant he guessed correctly. “Don’t worry. It actually goes much quicker than I expected!”
Zeph groaned slightly. “You are not helping…”
“I’m back!” came a sudden, forcefully pumped-up declaration. “Okeeey… I can do this! I can do this! I can…” Her footsteps were faltering with each retention of the incantation. She, evidently, wasn’t ready.
But, miraculously, Irra managed to reach the table. Zeph nodded in approval, admiring her persistence, and hoping with all his might she would be able to keep the contents of her stomach inside while standing right above his oh-so-open body.
“W-what are w-w-we doing noew?” Irra asked with a squeal at the end.
“You should invent a surgical mask. Definitely, you should.”
…We will think about that…
=============================
Assimilating provided resources…
Analyzing contents…
Calculating…
Scanning body…
Calculating…
Contacting internal database…
No conflict detected!
All clear!
Scanning… Proceeding.
[Neural implant] [Stage 2] [Distribution] completed…
[Neural implant] [Stage 3] [Shaping] completed…
[Neural implant] [Stage 4] [Connecting] completed…
[Neural implant] [Stage 5] testing….
[Body]… stable.
[Soul]… stable.
[Will]…
…
…
[Ignored]. [Willforce]… stable.
[Neural implant] [Stage 5] [Overloading] completed…
[Neural implant] [Stage 6] [Applying changes] completed…
Implementation successful.
[Cardiovascular micro-plating] [Stage 1] [Material induction] completed…
[Cardiovascular micro-plating] [Stage 2] [Stratifying] completed…
[Cardiovascular micro-plating] [Stage 3] [Segregating] testing…
[Body]… stable.
[Soul]… stable.
[Will]… [Willforce]… stable.
[Cardiovascular micro-plating] [Stage 3] [Segregating] completed …
Implementation successful.
Well… surprisingly, without a conflict…
Agreed.
[Partial Body Stasis] engaged.
Introducing [Plasmid DNA-KVW-PFF-I0343] to [Phleya]…
Testing [Material compatibility] …
No response!
Compatibility estimation at 87%.
[Phleya] internal stability compromised.
Awaiting [Garuan] [Upgrade #2].
Recalculating…
Amending…
Hi [Şɣs]!
What do you want, [Yuki]?
[Full Body Stasis] engaged.
Introducing [Organelle BULB-4624IE] zygote to [Garuan].
Stimulating [Growth]…
Awaiting reaction…
You are working on [him], aren’t you? I found something interesting that can help~
… how much?
[Transcription] of all [Earth] stories from the fantasy genre?
Unacceptable.
Confirming successful [Transplantation].
[Partial Body Stasis] engaged.
Testing [Phleya] [Material compatibility]…
… 1 000 000 pages of [Transcribed] fantasy genre workings, 100 000 pages of completed art fiction, 10 000 hours of projected visual arts?
…what is the priority?
Mildly annoying in the scope of half a century. Problematic in the scope of a millennium.
Agreed. Sending data…
[Material compatibility] confirmed!
Introducing [Synthetic chromosome GARUAN-046] to [Phleya]…
Stimulating infusion…
Awaiting reaction…
Thanks [Şɣs]! I consolidated the latest [Data]. According to the parts of [DNA Sequence] [he] had written down lately, and the stories present, all [Earthlings] possess a pre-programmed mutational sequence causing uncontrolled cell growth.
Sending data…
…
…
…why?
Good question. According to the [Sources], it may be an inbuild safety measure against forced mutagenesis, or a remnant from the times when it helped the species mutate during their lifetime. Those are the two most promising theories as of [now].
What is really strange, is that the [Earthlings] have that function fully active, despite its uselessness in [modern] times. At least according to the [Simulation] and [Data]. You have it all already.
…
Thank you. We will send another 20 000 hours of [movies] to you.
Yey! Thanks! See you, [Şɣs]!
…
Recalculating…
Instituting a [Recalibration] for [Terrien] [Soul memories]… done.
Rescanning commerced.
Recalculating functionality of [Phleya] [Mana-sensible viral mutagenic Plasmid: XaV-743]…
Found lacking.
Searching for solution… found.
Triple match found! Goal: limiting mutagenesis for the whole body, including [Pathogens]; increasing mutagenesis opportunities for a chosen set of [cells]….
Calculating…
[Mana-sensible myco-bacterial mutagenic sub-symbiont: MAR-V6] chosen.
Procee…Checking compatibility…
Compatibility confirmed!
Proceeding…