Chapter 4 Woof woof woof woof!
On the way back, based on the descriptions of Luo Lin and others, Cipher gained a general understanding of what kind of place this world was.
This is a world where technology and capability coexist. However, although the technology in this world is very advanced, there is very little information about cybernetic modification.
Because in this place, all technology and development are controlled by these five giants, who are:
Arasaka Heavy Industries is in charge of military industry, heavy machinery, security systems, and military forces.
Genesis Technology is in charge of the fields of bioengineering, medicine, gene editing, and bio-enhancement.
Cyber Logistics controls the global logistics network, information superhighway infrastructure, and drone swarm scheduling.
Apex Entertainment is in charge of media, entertainment, neural interface content, and virtual reality.
And an independent government department, the official agency that oversees, registers, studies, and controls all Espers within the city, the [ Importance Authority] (IMA).
In the eyes of the IMA, if someone modifies their body with cybernetic implants, they are no longer a complete human being and are denying their identity as a human being.
Thus, a hierarchy of discrimination was born: any human who has undergone cybernetic modifications will be hunted down by the IMA.
However, for human rights reasons, the IMA does not kill the cybernetically modified humans directly, but instead exiles them to the Pit Bottom District to live among all kinds of garbage and scrap metal.
But Esper is different.
For the same reason, in the IMA's view, modifications to the body, such as genes and cells, are all considered to be developing the potential of the human body. Therefore, compared to cyborgs who are treated like rats in the street, genetically modified people, Esper, and the like are the ones that the IMA strongly supports.
Therefore, in this place, most of the technology is developed for [military] [ ability ] and [genetics].
They are currently in the Pit Bottom District, which was originally a dumping ground for garbage from the Cloud District and Honeycomb District. However, after years of living and being modified by the cyborgs exiled here, the place has gradually transformed from a "garbage dump" into a "slum".
'This world really has a cyberpunk vibe...no wonder the rewards I just drew from the system were all technology-related items.'
After listening to Luo Lin's story, Cipher felt that his understanding of the world had become much richer.
"By the way, Cipher … your ears and Tail …"
"What's wrong?"
Luo Lin's voice reached Cipher's ears, pulling her back to reality, so she subconsciously replied.
"Have you undergone genetic modification? I've never seen anyone like you in real life before..."
At this point, Luo Lin paused, seemingly organizing his thoughts, before slowly uttering three words.
"Beast-eared girl."
"I don't know how to explain it. I only know that my ears and Tail are part of my body, and I can control them."
I've only just arrived in this world, how could I have undergone genetic modification... Ugh, if only there were catgirls in this world, then I wouldn't seem so strange.
Cipher felt somewhat helpless, but outwardly he smiled and explained his feline characteristics to Luo Lin, and even controlled his Tail to gently tap the back of Luo Lin's hand.
Feeling the soft, furry texture on the back of her hand, Luo Lin inexplicably felt her face burning. Then she remembered the question she had just asked...
Why would I ask someone with amnesia such a question?! It was incredibly stupid!
"I'm sorry, I forgot you have amnesia!"
After quickly apologizing to Cipher, Luo Lin hurried ahead, as if that would shake off the foolish self from just seconds before.
"Actually, I didn't care about this..."
But Luo Lin pretended not to hear and continued walking at the front of the line.
Not long after, she stopped and turned to the crowd.
"We've arrived."
Upon hearing Luo Lin's words, Cipher looked up and saw a dilapidated signboard with four large characters written on it in barely legible handwriting: " Mercenary Association ".
" The Mercenary Association is where we people in the Pit Bottom District make money. We can find all kinds of commissions, job postings and other information here."
As Luo Lin introduced the place, he opened the door to the Mercenary Association.
However, the moment the door opened, Cipher felt all sorts of cheap alcohol odors rushing into her nose and trying to assault her brain.
The strong smell made Cipher cover his nose and take a step back.
Lin Wei, who had been following Cipher, was stunned for a moment when she saw this scene, but quickly realized that Cipher probably didn't like the taste of alcohol.
She didn't actually like it either, but she had come so many times that she had gotten used to the smell.
Thinking of this, Lin Wei lowered his head and began rummaging through his bag.
Soon, she took out something that looked like a face mask.
" Cipher, here you go. Although it can't completely block out the smell, it should make you feel a little better."
After saying that, Lin Wei handed her the things he was holding.
"Thank you, Xiao Wei!"
Upon seeing the mask, Cipher, whose nose was throbbing from the fumes, felt as if he had seen a savior. After thanking him, he immediately accepted the mask.
"You're welcome. Just remember to return this to me when you leave."
Lin Wei seemed a little uncomfortable with Cipher's thanks. After handing her the mask, she lowered her head and quickly followed Luo Lin inside.
Seeing that the two of them had gone inside, Cipher originally planned to put on a mask and follow them in.
But Cipher froze when she was about to put the mask on her ears.
I... seem to be a stereo system... which means... I don't actually have human ears, so how am I supposed to wear it?!
After staring at the mask with some difficulty for a while, I finally had to use one hand to cover my nose with the mask like a towel, which was barely considered a way to use it.
As for tying this mask to your head... Cipher could tell from the two inelastic strings on either side of the mask that it simply couldn't be tied up.
Upon entering the Mercenary Association, she saw Luo Lin and Lin Wei standing in front of her, waiting for her.
Before she could even speak, Luo Lin walked towards her with a slightly embarrassed expression.
"Sorry, Cipher, I forgot to tell you that the Mercenary Association's main revenue comes from alcohol, so the smell here isn't very pleasant."
Cipher shook her head, indicating that she didn't mind. However, after looking around, she found that apart from a bunch of drunks and other mercenary squads coming and going in a hurry, she didn't see Xiong Lei.
So she asked Luo Lin and the others with some confusion:
Where is Xiong Lei?
"Big Bear went to turn in his mission."
Hearing this answer, Cipher was even more puzzled.
"But aren't you the captain? Why is Xiong Lei being sent to complete the mission?"
To Cipher's surprise, after she asked the question, Luo Lin lowered her head and looked noticeably dejected.
Cipher paused, caught off guard by the sudden surge of emotion, wondering if he had accidentally asked the wrong question.
"Because there's an unspoken rule here... When settling accounts and accepting missions, the strongest person in the team has to do it. Otherwise, the association will test your abilities, and only if you're deemed capable will they let you accept the mission."
"I'm not as strong as Big Bear, and I don't look as intimidating as him... so to avoid unnecessary trouble, we always let Big Bear do the tasks after we choose or complete them..."
"This...this is too absurd...I've never seen anything like this before..."
Cipher was speechless. Even though she had read many novels in her previous life, she had never seen such a rule.
"Wait, don't say it out loud..."
Upon hearing Cipher's words, Lin Wei had a bad feeling and immediately tried to stop Cipher from continuing.
But they were too late. A mercenary who was drinking immediately began to mock them after hearing Cipher's words.
"Hahahaha, this is hilarious! You actually call this absurd? This is called 'might makes right'!"
"As expected of the people brought by'Spark,' they're all women. You know, in The Pit, might makes right! Only the strong can set the rules!"
As he spoke, the mercenary picked up the cheap alcohol on the table and took a sip.
"You say these rules are absurd? Then go challenge the person who made them! If you win, you can do whatever you want with the rules, right?"
"But... you useless squad are still just a bunch of women at the end of the day. You think you can beat the people who follow the rules? You're dreaming! Even the only man in your team is a coward like a woman. He'd rather listen to you women than leave the team and join our Wolf Fang Squad. Pshaw, you might as well have him cut off his thing! He's utterly useless!"
"You women should just lie obediently in bed, spread your legs, and wait for us to fuck you!"