Bad Born Blood

Translator: FenrirTL
Editor: Greedy
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< Chapter 16 >

I had told Kinuan that I wouldn’t learn Arkies Combat Method. Now, I feel reluctant to go back on my word.

However, this was an order and a mission from the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

“It seems you’ve changed your mind. Since I’m the one who told you to come if you ever did, I won’t ask further.”

Kinuan granted permission readily.

“Thank you, Instructor.”

“Since you’re here, let’s go out for a bit. Do you have anything else to do?”

“I’ll get ready right away.”

Kinuan and I changed into civilian clothes.

The place Kinuan headed to was the lower district. We took the express elevator down and passed through the checkpoint. The soldier at the checkpoint verified both Kinuan’s and my identity before saluting us respectfully.

As we entered the lower district, the scenery quickly changed. There were several old buildings that had stood since the early days of settlement.

Walls with peeling paint were covered in pollutants, and children peeked out through broken windows.

Whoooo.

Every time the warm wind blew, weathered concrete crumbled and scattered as powder.

Kinuan entered a shabby shopping street. The android at the entrance of the street, intended as a guide, had only its upper body left, like a bust.

“W-welcome, h-hello, c-customer…”

The android stretched out its arms to greet us. But its movements were stiff, and its robotic voice, filled with static, made it hard to understand what it was saying.

I looked around. For the lower district, there were quite a few people who looked well-dressed. This was a shopping area frequented by the middle class who managed to make a decent living. As proof of the presence of public order, security drones patrolled the main road.

Anyone committing a crime here would end up shredded by the bullets of the security drones.

Thunk.

Kinuan stopped in front of a shop. Behind the glass window, cheap toys and hologram game consoles were displayed. There was even a poorly-made model that was supposed to resemble the Legion full body mechanic armor.

“Do kids still want things like this?”

Kinuan asked me.

“I also used to stand here, totally absorbed as a kid.”

“You’re still young.”

From Kinuan’s perspective, it was true that I was still young. I opened the store door and waited for him to go in first.

“Shopkeeper.”

At Kinuan’s voice, the shopkeeper opened his eyes. Though a customer had arrived, he propped up his chin indifferently and gestured towards the display case.

“If you’re looking for something, dig around in there. Don’t ask me—I don’t know.”

What a rude attitude. I looked him over. He had an air of complete lack of enthusiasm that made me want to kick him.

“From here to there, give me everything. You can deliver, right?”

Kinuan pointed from one end of the display case to the other. The shopkeeper tilted his head in confusion at first, then his eyes went wide.

“All of it? Hey, is this some kind of joke…?”

I held out the credit chip Kinuan had given me in front of the shopkeeper.

“Just answer. I asked if you can deliver.”

I frowned as I spoke, ready to break one of his fingers if he spouted nonsense again.

“O-of course. Yes, we can. Just provide the address, please.”

Finally snapping to his senses, the shopkeeper hurried into action.

In this area, it was rare for someone to buy items outright without haggling. If the shopkeeper’s brain was functioning properly, he would have realized that our status was far from ordinary.

“A-about that, sirs…”

After checking the address, the shopkeeper gave an awkward smile.

“What is it? You shouldn’t be short on money, right?”

“Well, uh, delivery to that area won’t be possible. It’s under vehicle restriction until the day after tomorrow. Because of that Genesis, or Nemesis, or whatever they’re called, those terrorist bastards…”

“Got it, no need to explain further. Hmm, what to do…”

Kinuan looked at the pile of boxes stacked like a mountain. The issue wasn’t the weight, but the volume. No matter how we tried, it would be hard for two people to carry everything. We’d also attract a swarm of petty thieves.

“If we call Gabriel, we might manage somehow. His rough look should keep any weirdos from following us.”

I took out my terminal, and Gabriel’s image appeared on the holographic screen.

-Hey, Good—no, Luka. What’s up?

“Get over here. Didn’t you say you’d help if I needed it?”

-Just out of nowhere, demanding I come? I’ve got things to…

“I said get here now, Gabriel. Before I decide to pull out that artificial spine I paid for.”

I threatened him. Gabriel grumbled with a voice full of curses but quickly agreed to come.

Before long, Gabriel entered the store. As his massive figure stepped inside, the shopkeeper’s face turned pale with fear. Gabriel looked like trouble, no matter who was looking.

“You called me out here for something this trivial? Do you think I’m just an errand boy around here? For what it’s worth…”

After hearing our situation, Gabriel scowled.

“Shut up and just carry it.”

With a sigh, Gabriel hoisted a large number of boxes onto his shoulders, suiting his massive frame. He looked me over from head to toe, his gaze lingering especially on my arms and legs.

“That’s your original prosthetic, huh? Looks like it’s high-performance. And it’s got great balance, too. Were you some rich family’s young master? Is that why you don’t seem to need money?”

Gabriel prattled on. For such a big guy, he was needlessly talkative.

“Stuff your pointless curiosity up your ass. Not just about me, but especially about the person standing behind me.”

Gabriel’s gaze lingered briefly on Kinuan.

“I’m not dumb enough to mess with someone who even Aleph treads carefully around. I do have some sense, you know.”

With our load in hand, we headed out onto the main street. Calling Gabriel had the intended effect; with a huge guy with a rough look beside us, no pickpockets or petty thieves dared come close.

“Hmm, this is the orphanage street, right? Is all this stuff a gift? Doing some volunteer work or something?”

Gabriel remarked as he turned onto a familiar road. I also just realized that the destination was an orphanage.

‘Orphanage 47.’

At the entrance, Kinuan put a cigarette in his mouth. Although I’d spent quite a bit of time with him, it was the first time I’d seen him smoke.

“You two, just set the boxes down in the open yard and take a break.”

With that, Kinuan entered the orphanage building.

“Damn it, I was hoping for something more impressive. Like, maybe a brawl with a rival gang or something flashy like that. Hauling gifts for a bunch of orphanage brats? They really called Gabriel the Steel Fist for this crap?”

The moment Kinuan disappeared, Gabriel started grumbling.

“If there was a fight, I wouldn’t need to call you.”

I replied while carefully stacking the boxes. It was a habit ingrained from my cadet days, always arranging things neatly.

“Luka, I know you’re strong… but this world isn’t that simple. Just being good in a fight doesn’t mean you’ll survive. Connections and strategy matter, too.”

Gabriel tapped his finger against his head. The idea of him saying “strategy” made me want to laugh, even if he might know about connections.

I scoffed and stared at the orphanage building.

“Kids in the same position I once was.”

They looked scruffy and starved. But their eyes were bright with anticipation for the gifts.

“Struggle your way out of here. Grow stronger and climb up. Don’t settle for anything less.”

The words rose up in my throat.

The fate of kids from lower-tier orphanages was generally obvious. Those with combat aptitude became low-ranking soldiers, practically disposable. Yet even that was one of the better outcomes. Dangerous, yes, but at least it was a respectable job with pay. If they were lucky, they might even rise to the rank of non-commissioned officer.

“Kids who don’t even make it as soldiers? They’re thrown out on the streets. Then, waiting for this moment, con men and gangsters swoop in to suck them dry, down to their very marrow.”

‘Even if a wretched fate soon befalls you, don’t blame anyone else. Missing the opportunity the Empire offered is your own fault.’

I muttered to myself inwardly.

I got out of here. I rose from this terrible pit on my own and climbed up, grasping the rope of salvation. While others said it couldn’t be done, I persevered and built my strength.

‘This must be the orphanage where Kinuan grew up. Did he donate and give charity because he made it?’

Seems even Kinuan had a bit of a soft side. I’d never do something like this. I don’t extend kindness to those who can’t seize opportunities themselves.

“Luka, just who is that Kinuan guy? Doesn’t seem like he’s family… If he’s such a big shot that even Aleph can’t stand up to him, I figure I’d know of him.”

“If you want to keep your neck intact, mind your own business.”

I replied shortly. And I meant it.

We hadn’t met many times, but Gabriel wasn’t a bad guy. How did I know? Just the fact that he could keep his word and stick to his principles made him one of the decent ones around here.

“Waaaah!”

Soon, the orphanage doors flew open. As if they’d been waiting, the kids came rushing out, diving into the gift boxes I had organized.

“Thank you! Ugly mister! Handsome big bro!”

The kids beamed as they spoke.

“Look at these little brats, talking like that.”

Gabriel only laughed instead of getting angry. He wasn’t the kind of guy to get riled up by kids’ comments.

‘Gabriel’s worth keeping around.’

The money I spent on him hadn’t gone to waste.

I observed Gabriel. Thanks to the new model spine, which gave him great durability and strength, his body balance had improved significantly. His once-hunched back was now much straighter. The expanded bandwidth of his nervous system likely also reduced the strain on his body, easing chronic muscle pain and insomnia.

To put Gabriel’s upgrade simply, it was like clearing a bumpy, narrow road and making it wide. Even if his cybernetic prosthetics were poorly matched and optimized, widening the bandwidth as much as possible helped him hold out. In general, people in the back alleys preferred this straightforward approach over more intricate adjustments.

“What’re you looking at? Don’t tell me you’re falling for me?”

Sensing my gaze, Gabriel turned back. I made a sour face at the absurdity of it and shot him a nasty glare.

“J-just kidding. Damn, no need to look like you’re about to kill me.”

Gabriel quickly took back his words.

“If you have time, get a proper mechanic to tune your parts. Your expensive components aren’t performing at their full potential.”

At my advice, Gabriel just scoffed.

“Optimization needs to be done regularly. Do you think I have the time or money for that? If it weren’t for your help, I’d probably be crawling on the ground, begging. And when those bastards who despise me piss all over my head, I wouldn’t be able to say a damn thing.”

“This should be enough to get you through the next six months.”

I took a blank credit chip, tapped it against my terminal, and input the amount. The display lit up with the balance.

“…Hey, what’s the meaning of this? If you’re trying to hire me for an assassination job, you’ve got the wrong guy. I may be from the bottom, but I’m not that low.”

Gabriel didn’t take the credit chip immediately, which only made me trust him more.

“Think of it as an investment in the future. For little tasks like today, if I need your help, I’ll call on you from time to time.”

“Good boy, I’m not your lackey. If you want to act like a boss, why don’t you go ahead and form a gang?”

“Think of it as cooperation. I don’t plan on treating you like a subordinate. I won’t make unreasonable requests.”

Reluctantly, Gabriel accepted the credit chip. It was a large amount for him to turn down. For me, too, it was a considerable expense. A cadet’s salary isn’t exactly generous.

“I’ll take it, but just know I’m not your underling.”

“Got it, so enough talk. And make sure you use that money solely for maintenance and performance upgrades. Don’t waste it on anything unnecessary.”

I emphasized that last part. Gabriel, clearly feeling a bit guilty, just nodded. He didn’t seem like the type with structured spending habits, like most people in the lower district.

Before I knew it, the open area was littered with wrapping paper. The kids were each holding toys and game consoles. Some who didn’t get what they wanted started brawling and squabbling.

Gabriel and I didn’t intervene; we just watched.

‘Yeah, fight for what you want. Not everyone can get an equal share. If you need something, take it.’

If one person is enjoying something, another has to go without. The world isn’t bountiful enough for everyone to have everything.

…We know that all too well.

Before long, the orphanage door opened, and Kinuan, having finished his conversation inside, stepped out.

“Luka, let’s have a word in private.”

Kinuan walked toward a shelter set up behind the orphanage. Inside was a worn-out bench.

Creak.

Kinuan sat down on the bench with his back to me. I stood behind him, waiting for him to speak.

“I come out here from time to time. The director’s face looked quite healthy, too—must be good at diverting a bit of food for himself. I doubt an orphanage director’s salary is all that generous.”

“Instructor, did you grow up here?”

“Who knows? I’ve forgotten the place I was born and raised. I just stop by nearby orphanages like this once in a while. Maybe I’ve even been to your orphanage before.”

Kinuan looked somehow weary. At this moment, he seemed like just a retired member of the Imperial Guard. Would the Commander of the Imperial Guard really need someone like me to keep an eye on him? That question lingered in my mind.

Kinuan suffered from brain dysfunction. His nervous system, unable to withstand the overload, had been damaged. Somehow, he seemed to endure it with sheer willpower, but he faced many limitations.

Perhaps it was arrogant to think so, but if I somehow dragged him into a war of attrition, I might stand a chance of beating him.

Relax. The man in front of me was just a veteran buried in the past, an old soldier whose glory had faded. Maybe that would be my future self one day—if I was lucky enough to survive that long.

“…So, Luka. Did Commander Hemillas send you to me?”

Kinuan spoke casually, as if it were nothing, yet he suddenly brought up the name of the Commander of the Imperial Guard.

My pupils must have dilated like a prey animal spotting its predator.

Whirr!

Instinctively, I raised my prosthetic energy output, preparing for battle. Intense tension filled me from the crown of my head to the tips of my toes.

‘Does he know I came on the Commander’s orders? How much does he know? Is he planning to take me down here? Could Kinuan really have something up his sleeve?’

Countless possibilities raced through my mind, each one worse than the last.

“Luka, if you don’t want to die, calm down. I doubt I could subdue you without killing you.”

Kinuan spoke without even glancing my way, keeping his gaze forward. I steadied my breathing. The output of my prosthetic was gradually decreasing.

“I am a soldier of the Empire. That’s all I can say.”

I closed my eyes and then opened them again, speaking calmly.