RNP Chapter 41 The Flaws of Half-Humans
Chapter 41 The Flaws of Half-Humans
The boy found in the ruins was Arima Kishou.
In the catastrophic containment breach that was later defined in the GOC's internal files as "The Night of Gluttony," he was the only known survivor in Laboratory 24 who retained his human sanity.
But this doesn't mean he's lucky. On the contrary, it might be the beginning of another, much longer curse.
When GOC's medical team conducted a comprehensive physical examination on him, they were shocked to discover that the boy's body structure was a complete paradox.
The records show that Kishou Arima was also a subject who was implanted with a high concentration of Rc cells in the "God-Making Project".
But unlike the other failures who turned into monsters due to rejection or became beasts due to hunger, his body "digested" the Rc cells in an extremely bizarre way.
He did not grow a kagune, nor could he summon kagune for attack or defense like others.
In terms of appearance and physiological structure, he still retains most of the characteristics of a human.
He can still eat normal human food; his taste buds have not changed, and he does not have that morbid craving for human flesh.
However, the Rc cells completely transformed his motor nervous system.
His dynamic vision, muscle power, nerve reflex speed, and bone density have all reached an unbelievable level.
Even in his childhood, his physical abilities surpassed those of rigorously trained adult special forces soldiers.
This kind of existence was later given a special scientific name in the GOC top-secret classification: "half-human".
He is a liminal space between humans and monsters, a "hybrid" who has not fully awakened but possesses monstrous powers.
But the price of this power is devastating.
When God opens a door, He often welds all the windows shut.
Because Rc cells do not exist as "organs" in his body, but are continuously burned as "high-energy fuel," Arima Kishou's metabolic rate is several times that of an ordinary person.
Telomerase abrasion, premature cell aging, glaucoma...
These words, usually only found in the vocabulary of the elderly, are destined to accompany him throughout his short life.
"His life was like a candle lit at both ends, burning brighter than anyone else's, but also faster than anyone else's."
The then-GOC Chief Medical Officer wrote helplessly in the report.
Even with the use of GOC's medical resources, this genetic defect could not be reversed.
All they could do was regularly inject him with expensive anti-aging drugs and use special Rc inhibitors to balance his energy consumption.
Therefore, Arima Kishou remained in the GOC.
He has no past and no future.
He became the organization's sharpest blade, using the power gained at the cost of his life to carry out cleanup missions in this world time and time again, until Pei Qi's arrival.
After that extremely terrible "night of gluttony," the GOC revealed its cold-blooded side.
Although the GOC's mission is to "protect humanity," this does not mean they will tolerate internal corruption within humanity.
"To abandon humanity in pursuit of power is the greatest anomaly."
With a single command, a purge targeting the behind-the-scenes supporters of Research Institute No. 24 began.
All the radical officials, mad scientists, and financial tycoons involved in the project died within a month due to "accidents" or "sudden illnesses."
Related experiments were strictly prohibited, and the ruins of Institute No. 24 were filled with thousands of tons of concrete, completely sealing it off.
All research data, genetic maps, and secrets about Rc cells were either marked with the highest level of secrecy and sealed deep underground at the GOC headquarters, never to see the light of day again, or destroyed due to their extreme danger.
If Pei Qi hadn't possessed that cheat-like information display module, capable of directly reading the underlying logic of data fragments...
It is likely that this bloody incident from decades ago will truly dissipate like dust in the long river of history.
"call……"
Pei Qi snapped out of his reverie and refocused his gaze. He reached out and took the paper report that Arima Kishou handed him.
The report was formatted in an extremely standard manner, with paper edges so neat it looked as if it had been measured with a ruler, and the handwriting was neat and powerful, exuding a suffocating bureaucratic and professional aura.
GOC-JP Tactical Operations Archive
Number: OP-Parasyte-Cleanse-001
Date: October 14, 20XX
Executive Officer: Special Operations Advisor - Kishou Arima
Target entity assessment:
Code name: Parasite
Physiological characteristics: The head can undergo extreme deformation, and the hardened muscles have a hardness approaching that of industrial steel.
Weakness analysis: The parasite withers rapidly after the heart is destroyed; there is a 0.3-second delay at the neural connections…
Battle Summary: ...
---
Pei Qi pretended to flip through the documents while inwardly ranting and raving.
To be honest, the moment Arima Kishou knocked and entered, his mental display had already scanned the contents of the report, including the punctuation marks.
Even during the battle just now, Pei Qi had a special observation channel with a "God's-eye view" to watch how Arima Kishou beat those parasites like slicing vegetables, leaving them questioning their existence.
"But do we even need to look at that? I can recite it with my eyes closed: Arima A went up, Arima went on a rampage, Arima finished the fight."
But as an unfathomable "parachuted-in manager," Pei Qi is well aware of the importance of "prestige."
He can't act like an omniscient, omnipotent cheater, because that would make his subordinates feel fear and alienation.
He must act like a shrewd and effective leader who knows how to reward and punish.
"Acting is so tiring..." Pei Qi sighed inwardly, but his expression became increasingly serious and profound.
"But in just one close encounter, they were able to accurately analyze the parasite's neural delay weakness and even give suggestions on changing equipment..." Pei Qi thought to himself, secretly amazed.
"Is this the ultimate 'humanoid self-propelled cheat'? With such terrifying tactical skills, even without cheating, he could thrive in this world."
Arima Kishou's talent of "learning at a glance" is practically made to crush ordinary people.
"What a terrifying 'King of Rolls'."
Pei Qi closed the report and gently tapped the document on the table, making a crisp sound.
"It's written in great detail, and the analysis is very thorough."
Pei Qi raised his head, his gaze meeting Arima Kishou's calm, unwavering eyes through the lenses of his non-prescription glasses.
"Arima, how do you personally feel after fighting these creatures? I mean, intuition beyond the tactical level."
Arima Kishou pushed up his glasses, a thoughtful expression appearing on his usually expressionless face.
"They are hollow."
"Empty?"
"Yes, Supervisor," Arima Kishou's voice was steady. "These parasites... they're like pre-programmed machines."
"Their killings are without anger, their escapes without fear; all their actions are based solely on the optimal solution for 'survival'."
Arima paused for a moment, then gave a highly personal assessment:
"They are perfect biological weapons, but as life forms, they are boring."
"A very accurate assessment." Pei Qi nodded approvingly.
"The lack of emotional bonds does make them fearless in battle, but it also deprives them of the possibility of 'breaking out'."
At this point, Pei Qi's tone shifted, and his gaze sharpened:
"By the way, how's the other person I asked you to look into?"
Before he finished speaking, Arima Kishou's hand had already reached into the inside pocket of his trench coat.
Almost without pausing, he took out a sealed manila envelope.
"Supervisor, the investigation is complete, and all relevant information is here."
Pei Qi: "..."
He gasped inwardly.
"Is this guy Doraemon? How come he carries everything with him? Did he predict I'd ask this?"
This feeling of having one's predictions "predicted" by subordinates made Pei Qi feel relieved, but also inevitably created a bit of pressure.
It seems that in this world, if I want to be a good nominal supervisor, I'll have to bring out more advanced technology from Minecraft, otherwise I'll eventually be unable to control this white dragon.
Pei Qi took the file, remaining outwardly calm and composed, as if everything was under his control.
Pulling out the documents, the first page prominently displays a slightly immature student ID photo.
The boy in the photo is wearing black-rimmed glasses and has a somewhat timid look in his eyes.
His hair was messy, and he looked like the kind of honest guy you'd see anywhere in school who'd get extorted for lunch money by delinquents.
Name: Shinichi Izumi
Age: 17 years old
School attended: Xigao
Home address: ......
In the notes section of the data, Arima Kisuke wrote a line of observation in his signature fountain pen handwriting:
"During the observation period, the target exhibited an unusual reaction speed. It caught a blackboard eraser flying at a speed of about 15 m/s with its bare hands and demonstrated hearing beyond that of ordinary people."
"Its right hand showed a distinctly different low-temperature response in infrared thermal imaging compared to its own body, and exhibited irregular wriggling during emotional fluctuations. Suspected... parasite? Further contact is recommended."
"As expected of the White Reaper, his keen observation skills are frightening."
Pei Qi looked at the note and a smile crept onto his face. Arima Kishou didn't even know the plot, but he had almost seen through Izumi Shinichi's every move just by staking out the place for a few days.
Although a hint of confusion flashed subtly in Arima's eyes, he couldn't understand why the person in charge of such a behemoth as GOC would pay attention to an ordinary high school student.
But being a perfect soldier, he didn't ask a single question.
Pei Qi spread out Izumi Shinichi's photo on the table and placed his finger on the boy's right hand.
"Arima, prepare the carriage."
Pei Qi stood up and straightened the collar of his expensive suit.
"Our next stop is here..."
"Since we're going to play with the TaC mod, wouldn't it be a shame not to make a 'biomass assault rifle'..." Pei Qi silently added in his mind.