How to Live as an Immortal Chapter 119

Chapter 119

It’s Confidential

***

“What a truly ingenious idea.”

Raphaela, the owner of the orphanage Garden, moved her pupils as she examined the records engraved within them. They were lists of the children she had taken in while operating the Garden. So had been discarded, and so had died during surgery, but the rest had survived and grown into proper warriors.

At an age not even past their teens.

Most orphans possessed a desire to rise in life. One so intense that ordinary people could never understand it.

So in exchange for a modest price, she granted the children their wishes.

The modest price referred to here was serving under her for a fixed period of ti.

Yes, only until they turned exactly eleven.

The reason she actively employed children was to avoid the reach of the law. Juvenile offenders would receive nothing more than probation even if they were caught red-handed at the scene. If they confessed to any cri, they were even eligible for reduced sentences.

Above all, the greatest advantage was that replacents could always be secured. Abandoned children continued to increase even at this very mont, didn’t they?

Of course, being young didn’t an they were stupid. They lacked wisdom, not knowledge.

Who would volunteer for the position of a disposable pawn once its purpose had run out?

However, Raphaela was confident. Making people who “had such inclinations” commit “such acts” was her specialty. That was why the children stayed by her side instead of leaving.

As usual, Raphaela had been about to distribute assassination requests to the children when the door suddenly burst open, making her frown.

“This is bad, really bad!”

“Hans, I told you to knock every ti.”

“Sorry, Mom. But I think you should co out, I really think you should.”

Hans looked like a fully grown adult on the outside, but inside he was no different from a troubleso three-year-old.

“Sigh, if this turns out to be another pointless prank, you’re going to be punished.”

After pushing aside the giant of a man whose head nearly touched the ceiling, Raphaela stepped outside and spotted soone standing there. There was indeed a reason Hans had made such a fuss.

“You are……?”

***

“……There’s nobody here.”

After surveying the inside of the Garden from end to end, Ga-on tilted his head. He had been so tense that it almost felt embarrassing now.

Of course, the place they had vacated wasn’t clean. The entire area was in complete disarray, to the point where the word crash suited it perfectly. Perhaps the abandoned factory setting only amplified that impression further.

“It seems they found out Pat and Matt were taken down and fled imdiately.”

Jin Geon instantly summoned nearby patrol drones and ordered a search. However, judging by his crumpled expression, the information coming in was less than satisfactory.

Then, just as the two reached the deepest part of the orphanage, a threatening presence suddenly erged.

“Again?”

What surrounded them were Peter Pans. Jin Geon remotely checked their citizen IDs and let out a low groan.

“They’re getting younger and younger. Are they trying to provoke sympathy now?”

“How low-class.”

Children were reckless and blindly devoted, which made them prone to falling into complacency. And with the institutional safeguard known as juvenile law protecting them, it was the perfect arrangent.

Once lost, innocence never returned. They had learned profit and loss before ethics. It was only natural that they would eventually reach a point where ignorance could no longer serve as an excuse.

Even if they entered society, they would rely produce more victims.

So ending their lives here was the minimum rcy that could be offered.

“I’ll take the front.”

“Then I’ll handle the rear.”

Their roles were divided the mont the battle began. As if they had fought together for years, they covered each other’s blind spots while eliminating the Peter Pans pouring in from every direction. It was a wheel-like offensive that made their nurical inferiority impossible to feel.

Even amidst the rapidly escalating situation, Ga-on did not forget to cast glances behind him.

Know yourself and know your enemy, and you will never be defeated in a hundred battles. Understanding Jin Geon’s capabilities was sothing that absolutely had to co first, since they would inevitably face each other soday.

However, contrary to Ga-on’s expectations, Jin Geon killed the Peter Pans using nothing but his sidearm, Dude. Once when pulling the trigger, and once when releasing it.

After that, his movents continued in a way that seed to despise waste itself. It matched the testimony given by the low-level mafia mber, Whitney.

‘Does he rely on his eyes?’

It was similar to instinct, yet not an ability visibly expressed outwardly. In other words, it was difficult to asure quantitatively. Considering the nature of the Ergency Disaster Response Unit, which operated beneath the surface, hiding such things had likely beco second nature to him.

Unfortunately, that observation did not last long.

Before Jin Geon could reveal the bottom of his capabilities, every last Peter Pan had already ascended.

“It seems we work rather well together, Ga-on.”

Just as the scorching heat was beginning to turn into a chilling cold, Jin Geon suddenly voiced his thoughts. It was such an unexpected complint that Ga-on unconsciously answered a beat late.

“Thanks, even if it’s just lip service.”

“It is not. I may tell lies, but I do not offer empty complints.”

“Is that supposed to be sothing to brag about?”

Ga-on muttered under his breath and shook his head.

“Up until now, I’ve been deployed on operations with many different people. But when placed in extre situations like this, there are always those who suddenly awaken to humanitarianism at the decisive mont.”

Extre situations. Ga-on was not soone who failed to understand what that ant.

“You an fighting with kids who haven’t even fully grown yet.”

He had already left behind any regrets regarding that three hundred years ago.

He had learned through the Third World War that the world was not nearly as beautiful as people imagined, and that society was nothing more than a house of cards.

Above all, humans grew while enduring their own contradictions—

“We’re both terrible adults.”

“That may be true.”

Jin Geon gave a bitter smile before changing the topic a beat later.

“However, sothing feels strange. The ability Baek Gi described Raphaela possessing was not this powerful. We may need to consider the possibility that she’s a Stage 2 infected.”

“Stage 2?”

Another unfamiliar term appeared, prompting Ga-on’s question. Jin Geon scratched his chin.

“Co to think of it, you wouldn’t know.”

Where should he begin explaining? After briefly organizing his thoughts, Jin Geon raised his index finger.

“Anyone can beco infected, and yet not everyone can. So manifest naturally after fulfilling certain conditions, while others inherit it through bloodlines.”

“I see.”

Although Ga-on outwardly adopted the stance of listening attentively, his mind was rapidly turning. A concept he had only vaguely speculated about until now was beginning to take shape.

“In any case, those whose abilities first manifest are designated as Stage 1 infected. They’re usually still struggling just to understand their own powers. Aside from exceptional cases, they aren’t particularly threatening.”

Ga-on thought of Sakuya. Her ability had many shortcomings. Usage limits, activation conditions, and nurous other flaws. But that—

‘Was only the starting point.’

For so reason, the thought of her potential sent a shiver through him.

“Next, Stage 2 infected are individuals capable of freely using their abilities in everyday life. From that point onward, corresponding preparations beco necessary.”

“Like this situation.”

Co to think of it, Ga-on himself had reached a point where he could control his own ability after a certain stage. He had entered the realm of consciously suppressing regeneration, or artificially accelerating it.

This was probably what Jin Geon referred to as Stage 2.

Then—

“What about Stage 3?”

“Stage 3 infected are those who refine their innate abilities to the extre, transforming themselves into human weapons. Depending on the nature of their power, suppressing them may require the support of a battalion or even an entire legion.”

Ga-on recalled Lucas, the boy he had encountered in the alleyway. The freezing cold the kid had unleashed at full power had resembled an ice age. In terms of sheer utility, it was no different from a tactical nuclear weapon.

If immortality continued to evolve, could it eventually display such characteristics as well?

No, considering the conceptual nature of his ability, perhaps that would be difficult.

“Stage 4 refers to the extrely small number that stand at the pinnacle even among Stage 3 infected. You could call them the absolute peak among users of a given ability.”

“So if soone could manipulate wind, they’d be the best in that field? Atmosphere, air, that sort of thing.”

“Exactly correct.”

The definition of ta-humans beca properly established in Ga-on’s mind. This was the culmination of the information the Ergency Disaster Response Unit had accumulated while continuously pursuing ta-humans.

“But how exactly do their ranks increase? Is there so special condition?”

“As far as I know, it happens by using their abilities in diverse ways.”

He had expected so intricate hidden secret, yet the answer turned out to be a remarkably simple theory of perseverance. Well, if one wanted to beco stronger, all they had to do was pour in the corresponding effort. What other reason would there be?

However, it was not particularly welco news for Ga-on. If abilities grew stronger the more they were used, then that ant he himself only beca stronger by dying. It was an area beyond what personal effort alone could overco.

“Co to think of it……”

He finally understood, more or less, why Veda had discovered the singularity. mories surfaced of the several tis he had died while carrying out requests. She had probably detected the process of evolution—the growth of his ability—as a genetic mutation.

“I can understand why the Ergency Disaster Response Unit is so wary.”

The era was advancing rapidly. As the line between magic and science blurred, there had recently even been cases of abilities being concealed through technology.

Like Gideon and Kenji.

Both were powerful individuals that no ordinary person could casually confront.

If people like them deliberately cultivated their abilities, what kind of social chaos would await at the end of that road?

It was no wonder the municipal governnt was so obsessed with exterminating ta-humans.

“But still. Why don’t they try persuading or isolating them instead? As research material, there probably isn’t a more attractive subject.”

“Ah, that matter.”

Just like before, Jin Geon seed to pause as if about to explain sothing, yet what ca from his mouth was—

“That’s classified.”

A strangely brief answer.

“But if you learn the truth, Ga-on, you too will desperately sympathize with my opinion.”

“So it’s not just kicking away the ladder after climbing it?”

“Surely you don’t believe old humanity fears and suppresses the birth of new humanity? That’s quite the amusing conspiracy theory.”

“It’s not? Because from my perspective, that’s exactly what it looks like.”

As though he had heard such remarks many tis before, Jin Geon shrugged.

“You seem to mistake the Ergency Disaster Response Unit for ghosts or monsters, but we are humans who feel joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure as well. Naturally, aningless kill orders would eventually reveal their limits.”

Rather than lecturing soone else, his tone sounded more like he was driving himself onward. It was the mont when Jin Geon’s true thoughts regarding ta-humans and the municipal governnt’s policies surfaced more directly.

“And yet, it has continued for hundreds of years without issue. I believe you should understand what that signifies.”

“That there’s justification for it?”

“Even if we did not establish such a system, they are destined to destroy themselves soday regardless. It’s like an unchanging law. Which is why we kill them. Unconditionally. I hope you’ll keep that in mind from now on as well, Ga-on.”

His narrowed eyes concealed his pupils, but the conviction dwelling within them was unmistakable. A certainty that no logic could shatter.

“You make it sound like the municipal governnt is absolute justice.”

“At least in this matter. Even those who ca close to the truth accepted it. Every single one of them. I doubt you’ll be any different, Ga-on.”

As they continued speaking, the distance between the two had unknowingly beco close enough for their breaths to touch.

“Ah.”

It was then that Jin Geon let out a small exclamation and pressed a hand to his head.

“My apologies. I got carried away without realizing it. In any case, I simply hope you understand just how strong my sense of duty is.”

And with that, Jin Geon casually took the lead once more.

Following behind him, Ga-on sank into deep contemplation. It felt as though he had taken one step forward, only to end up two steps farther away.