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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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Chapter 37: 4 Billion (2)
Swoosh—
A black SUV cut through the rainwater.
It passed the towering twin mega-buildings and entered a checkpoint marked "Sector 31" under a gray concrete wall. Steel barricades blocked the entrance. Around them, people with bodies clad in metal stood holding old-fashioned rifles.
"Stop!"
A man holding a whiskey bottle waved his hand toward Baek Ho’s car. When Baek Ho stopped the car and rolled down the window, a red-nosed man leaned in, his face close to Baek Ho’s.
“Damn, nice car.”
The strong smell of alcohol flooded into the car. Mixed with the scent of rain, it made Baek Ho’s brow furrow involuntarily.
“Get your head out if you don’t want to die.”
“What the hell, who are you, punk?”
The man looked Baek Ho up and down. Black coat, purification mask. No visible metal pieces, but that outfit was a dead giveaway.
“…A Reaper?”
“Yeah.”
“Hmph.”
The man pulled his head back and glanced at the passenger seat.
On the reclined seat, Nana lay covered in a coat like a blanket, wearing a VR helmet. The man's eyes lingered on her exposed skin, and just as his gaze touched it, a grunt came from the backseat.
“Damn.”
The man turned his head and locked eyes with Frank. The sheer presence of Frank's imposing figure made him step back instinctively.
“What’s going on in the slums…?”
“Never mind that. Why are you blocking the road?”
“We’re, uh, the Sector 31 Volunteer Police.”
Baek Ho scoffed.
The volunteer police were a group organized by local residents to maintain order and security. It made no sense for them to be here in a gang-controlled slum.
“Excuse me, but what’s your purpose for visiting…?”
Instead of answering, Baek Ho stretched his left hand out of the window. A hologram card, symbolizing a C-rank fixer, appeared on the back of his hand.
“Got it?”
“Ah... I see. You’re here for a job.”
The man waved his hand above his head.
A few of the volunteer police who had been waiting rushed out and moved the barricade to one side. Baek Ho’s car passed through the checkpoint, disappearing into the shadows cast by the mega-buildings.
“That guy’s really trying to act tough.”
The man shoved the whiskey bottle into his mouth. His subordinate approached and asked him.
"Why did he come?"
"I don't know, damn it. He's probably here to get high or detox."
"Who does he report to? The Madam? The Chef?"
"Report? That's bullshit. What’s a C-rank even doing here? If he's not careful, he might lose his head."
＊ ＊ ＊
The car came to a stop in a private parking lot on the outskirts of the sector. It was a paid service that protected vehicles, specifically created for visitors from the higher sectors.
Creek—
As they stopped in front of the gate, a person walked out from the toll booth. A woman with mechanical parts embedded in her nose leaned against the driver’s side.
"Fifty thousand credits per day. Double if you exceed the time limit."
"...Hah."
"If you don’t like it, just park on the street."
"Is this place secure?"
In response to Baek Ho's question, the woman raised her arm to show him. Her arm was made of metal, lacking the synthetic skin typically seen in cybernetic enhancements. Tiny hydraulic systems were visible around her wrist, and long, thin lines ran vertically down her forearm.
A blade was concealed inside, a Necroshell—commonly known as a "BladeArm."
"Got it?"
"...It looks pretty outdated."
"Shut up. If you didn't know any better, you'd think I was leaving my damn arm here."
The woman furrowed her brow deeply and raised her arm above the driver's side.
"Do you think your car looks the most expensive here?"
Inside the warehouse, there were over twenty cars neatly parked, all of them clearly high-end.
"Who do you think would leave their car here? People like you, Reapers, and even necromancers. What kind of idiot would try to rob this place?"
"Hmm..."
"If you're not going to park, just get out."
Baek Ho used his SmartCore to send the payment. The woman immediately stretched her arm out and pointed to the inside of the warehouse.
"B-11, sir."
Baek Ho rolled up the window and drove into the warehouse.
"Isn’t this a bit too expensive? This feels like highway robbery."
In response to Frank's question, Baek Ho nodded.
"Still, it’s secure."
"That woman looks weak."
"I’m not trusting her. I’m trusting Hades' turret."
Baek Ho pointed to the ceiling.
Frank looked up and saw a mounted machine gun designed to deal with beasts. At the center was the Hades Corporation logo: a three-headed Cerberus, standing proudly.
"Ah... Good observation."
"It’s a must-have trait for a commander."
“Are you going to be the commander?”
“Shut up.”
Baek Ho parked in the designated spot. He turned off the engine and nudged Nana’s shoulder, who was lying in the passenger seat. Receiving no response, he pressed the switch on the side of her VR helmet.
“Ugh!”
Nana screamed, flinging the helmet off her head. She blew at the strands of hair sticking to her face, shaking her arms violently.
“Damn, I almost died just now.”
Nana leaned against Baek Ho’s shoulder, pretending to cry.
“Ugh, those damned undead are disgusting.”
“You did well.”
Baek Ho snatched the VR helmet from Nana's arms. It was one of the training models he had recently purchased at a high price. It was used to train Reapers through virtual reality. While it couldn’t directly enhance physical abilities, it was perfect for short-term training.
Outside the parking lot, the streets were dark. The reason being the lack of bio-lights mimicking sunlight. The only sources of light were neon signs and holographic advertisements, casting a dim glow over the desolate streets.
Screech—
Baek Ho opened his umbrella and looked around.
Illegal modified cars zoomed past.
Suspicious drones carrying boxes flew overhead.
Higher up, about 20 stories tall, a lower building stood, and a holographic advertisement on its wall played a promotional video for illegal procedures.
—Unlock the limits of your beloved undead. Grant them the right to attack humans. Murder is equal for all...
The advertisement screen flickered with noise, revealing the building’s exterior.
Crimson, rust-colored liquid dripped down the wall, as though the building were bleeding.
“Let’s go.”
Baek Ho checked the navigation that appeared in front of him and led the way.
As they entered the center of Sector 31, the streets grew more crowded with vagrants.
A man with his face buried in a pile of garbage. An elderly beggar with only the upper half of his body remaining.
The police officers were munching on donuts while flirting with prostitutes, and a junkie, covered in vomit, was sprawled out next to a patrol car.
As they passed through, a voice came from a nearby alley.
“Hey, Reapers!”
Baek Ho stopped in his tracks and turned his gaze.
Three people stood by the building wall. Through the skull tattoos on their faces, the aura of a Vessel was visible. One Reaper and two undead.
“You’re the ones in the black car, right? C license?”
“We’re not kids.”
“Haha, looks like you're looking for something. Don’t need to go far, do you?”
The Reaper spread his coat wide.
His bare chest was covered in tattoos, and inside his coat were various sizes of syringes, colorful powders, and white candies neatly arranged.
“What do you want?”
“Ugh...”
Nana shuddered.
The tattoos covering his upper body, combined with the white skull on his face, made him look grotesque.
It almost would have been more pleasant if it was just covered in mechanical parts.
“Does your body get all tingly just looking at me?”
The Reaper continued, swaying his hips as he spoke.
“It’s your first purchase, so I’ll give you a discount. Digital Dream? Bio-Zol? KitMind? X-Toxin? Super Candy? How about a bulk purchase?”
Baek Ho silently examined the Reaper’s tattoos.
He mentally counted the number of small skulls etched on his chest.
One, two, three...
After counting up to fifteen, Baek Ho finally spoke.
“Subdue him.”
“Subdue? What does that mean?”
Both Frank and Nana understood the meaning behind Baek Ho’s words.
Subdue him and bring him to me.
They had also received the detailed instructions on how to proceed.
Boom—
Frank kicked the ground and charged forward.
“Wh-What the hell!”
Startled by the sudden attack, the Reaper grabbed a dagger.
The undead, in a panic, raised their rifles.
Just as they were about to pull the trigger at Frank, Nana suddenly emerged from behind him.
She extended both arms forward.
A small circular hole appeared below her wrists, and red threads shot out from inside.
Swish—
The threads moved like a live snake, wrapping around the undead’s arm.
As if dancing, she swung her arms, and the undead’s forearm split into several pieces.
“Gaaah!”
“My arm!”
The Reaper’s eyes widened.
He had never seen this type of Necroshell before.
It was no surprise; this was a modified version of the <Aura MK-1> developed by Hellja, specially made for Nana.
It was called the Wireweb.
“Yah!”
The instant the Reaper got distracted, Frank threw a punch.
The Reaper bent backward to dodge.
Seeing the slow and sloppy attack, the Reaper’s eyes gleamed.
‘Is this guy weak?’
He infused mana into the blade.
He thrust it into Frank’s side.
Clang—
The blade collided with the elbow of Frank’s ChangeArm.
Sparks flew briefly.
The Reaper thought it wasn’t the result of skill but rather the expensive prosthetic.
When it came to mana intensity and physical ability, he was clearly superior.
These guys were just C-rank contractors, weren’t they?
“DIE!”
The dagger, now infused with mana, was thrust forward.
It was blocked by Frank’s left arm, which had transformed into a shield.
Instantly, his right fist, now turned into steel, flew toward the Reaper’s abdomen.
The Reaper pulled back his body.
After dodging, he planned to slice through Frank’s shoulder.
As expected, the distance was short.
Whoosh—
Just as he thought he had completely dodged the blow, something translucent appeared over Frank’s fist.
A black, fuzzy mass.
It looked like a beast's paw, overlaid with a cheap hologram.
Thud!
The Reaper was thrown backward with a powerful impact to his abdomen.
He had definitely dodged the punch!
He quickly cut off the thought.
He endured the pain with difficulty.
It was because Frank was charging again.
To block the incoming punch, the Reaper infused all his mana into his dagger.
He gathered all the strength he had to counter Frank.
Screech—
Just before Frank’s fist and the Reaper’s dagger collided in mid-air, the black mass collided first.
Crack—
The dagger shattered from the tip.
It broke into pieces, and shards flew in every direction.
The Reaper’s eyes went wide.
To see the mana-infused blade shatter so easily!
The fists surrounding the black mass didn’t stop.
The prosthetic’s fingers crumbled away.
In excruciating pain, the Reaper was sent flying, unable to even scream.
His body crashed into a concrete wall.
“Ugh…”
Blood spilled from the Reaper’s mouth as he groaned, moving his eyes.
Standing like a bear, Frank was in his view.
Beyond him, Baek Ho could be seen.
Black mist was slowly rising from his right hand.
‘A… a Necromancer?’
＊ ＊ ＊
The restrained Reaper squirmed.
They’d just finished patching up his shredded arms and twisted guts—so why the hell was he tied up now?
He rolled his eyes sideways.
His two undead lackeys lay flat on the ground, completely subdued.
“Twenty minutes have passed.” B
Baek Ho said as he withdrew his dark mana.
The Reaper’s mouth gaped open.
“What the hell is this?! Even if you are a necromancer, messing with the White Skull Syndicate in Sector 31—”
“And what? I’ve been waiting. No one’s come.”
“......”
“I just want to ask you something.”
“Y-Yes, sir… go ahead…”
What Baek Ho had heard about Sector 31 and what he was now seeing didn’t match at all.
There were vigilantes patrolling the streets. Dangerous drugs were being sold openly. It didn’t feel like the place was under White Skull’s control at all.
“Well, that’s because…”
“I know your boss is dead. What happened after that?”
“Right now, Carmen and Old Young are fighting for the top spot.”
“Who the hell are they?”
“You haven’t heard? They go by ‘Madam’ and ‘the Chef.’”
⋮
To sum it up—
Sector 31, the gateway to the slums, used to be peacefully run by the White Skull Syndicate.
But not long ago, their leader suddenly died.
Now, the two top figures in the group are fighting over who gets to take his place—
One is a brothel keeper who manages the prostitutes.
The other is a drug manufacturer.
⋮
“What’s the deal with the vigilantes?”
“Things got messy, so the locals pulled together and formed their own group.”
“Why?”
“After Edelin Nana died, undead rights activists started launching attacks everywhere. That stirred things up…”
“Oh nooo!”
“…I think. What’s with her?”
“Ignore her. So basically, all we’ve gotta watch out for is the Madam and the Chef?”
“Pretty much.”
“Whose side are you on?”
“I’m staying neutral. Planning to go with whoever comes out on top.”
“Smart. Playing the long game.”
“Yeah. Around here, it’s the only way to survive.”
Bang!
Baek Ho put a bullet right between the Reaper’s eyes.
The undead flinched in shock, and Baek Ho looked over at Nana.
“Kill them both.”
Nana raised her hands toward the two undead.
Wires shot out from her wrists and pierced straight through their foreheads.
Even though it was her first time killing someone, her heart stayed calm.
Curiosity outweighed any sense of guilt.
“Why’d we kill them? Just ’cause they’re gang members?”
“No.”
Baek Ho nudged the Reaper’s corpse with his foot.
As the body rolled over, the tattoos across his chest were fully revealed.
“See the skull inked on his chest?”
“Mhm.”
“The white skulls show how many humans he’s killed. The black ones? How many undead he’s erased. Looks like twenty-four in total.”
“…Damn.”
Nana looked over the undead she’d killed.
There were three or four white skull tattoos on its arms and neck.
“Sometimes, picking up trash off the street doesn’t seem like such a ba—”
Before Baek Ho could finish his sentence, Nana let out a shriek.
“This guy was a total piece of shit!”
She stomped hard on the dead Reaper’s groin.
Something ruptured with a dull crunch, making both Baek Ho and Frank flinch instinctively.
“......”
“…That was brutal.”
They dumped the body behind a nearby building.
Others had clearly used the spot before—corpses were already lying around.
Baek Ho scattered the seized drugs over the pile and used his dark mana to disintegrate them.
He could’ve brought them to Holiday and made a solid profit—but he didn’t want to.
Drugs were a curse rotting away UnderHeaven.
Better to erase them entirely.
“Hey, crybaby.”
Nana nudged Frank, who was crouched nearby, watching ants.
“I’m not a crybaby. I’m emotionally rich.”
“What was that thing earlier? The weird fuzz that popped out of your arm like mold?”
Frank grinned.
“While you were training the last few days, Frank wasn’t slacking off either. I’ve been working hard with Baek Ho to grow stronger.”
“So what was it?”
“A transformation! No, a fusion! Heh.”
“Cut the crap. Just tell me already!”
Nana slammed her forehead into Frank’s back.
“Spit it out!”
“It’s Frank’s ultimate move—Baek Ho made it for me.”
“Make me one too!”
“You already got your custom Necroshell. One of a kind.”
“Yours looks cooler!”
…Don’t they ever get tired?
Baek Ho shook his head, used to their bickering by now.
He pulled out a black cigarette and lit it—his way of balancing out the toll his mana took on his body.
Just then, across the street, he locked eyes with a man standing on the sidewalk.
The man immediately turned and disappeared into an alley.
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HELIO SCANS
[Translator - Hestia]
[Proofreader - Kaya]
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