Rust - Chapter 338



Only Krnovel

RUST -338

There was a lot to prepare for a long-distance expedition.

First, we had to figure out where the target was and come up with a search plan.

“If we were to settle in the West, it would most likely be San Francisco, LA, or Seattle.”

“It would have been a total wasteland if it had been hit by a nuclear attack.”

“If only the port had survived, we would go there. After all, it would be difficult to give up a large city with a large population.”

All I know is that Geese Riser led the fleet west, but I don’t know exactly where he went because the images pulled from the secretary’s brain weren’t there.

“I guess I’ll have to go to the border and look up from the bottom.”

“Even when looking at the information video, there are many uncertainties, so it is difficult to set standards.”

The memory extraction image converter created by the senior researcher and the cannibalistic researcher was basically a visualization of what the eyes saw.

In contrast, the bio-terminal created by Dr. Jack Neese seemed to extract the other person’s memories, visualize them, and convert them into text to maximize the information. This shows that their technology is good.

“It’s such a shame.”

The PD was disappointed. Although the nurse was helping, the main job was to manage the crows and the medical staff, so there was a shortage of hands in the administrative area. That was why the PD was secretly hoping for a secretary to join.

“I thought we could communicate, but it’s too bad.”

If a secretary had joined the team, it would have been a great help in administrative matters.

“Because thinking that you can communicate can be more dangerous.”

Maru also agonized over whether to save or kill the secretary until the end, but one of the reasons he decided to kill her was because of the content in the video.

A cannibalistic desire that cannot be solved with cultured meat…

It meant that humans were absolutely necessary to satisfy the need for appetite, and the only way to satisfy the need for appetite was to take a cure.

The problem is that it hasn’t been long since a cure was developed.

It has not been confirmed whether long-term use of the drug would lead to tolerance, and considering that one researcher who took the treatment lost his appetite and tried to kill himself despite taking the drug, it was right to dispose of it.

The PD nodded silently.

That’s what it is. I thought the other person understood what I was saying, but that wasn’t the case.

When I thought I knew the other person but actually didn’t, it was a recipe for disaster.

The relationship between people is like that, but now it is the relationship between humans and cannibals.

Even if they speak the same language, one side must eat the other. How can the words of a predator in front of its prey have any meaning?

“So you’re saying that cannibals can’t be trusted?”

“That’s what I decided.”

That was the reason I had to dispose of the cannibal. Perhaps even more annoying because he was attractive and articulate.

The PD opened his mouth as if a memory suddenly occurred to him.

“Seeing that cultured human cells can’t control cannibalistic desires made me think, ‘What do you want?’”

“······.”

There have been various hypotheses put forward as to why cultured meat cannot suppress cannibalistic desires, such as a lack of hormones or the absence of blood, but none have been conclusive.

“I wonder if they are trying to sustain themselves by eating the collapsing being.”

Maru also agreed.

There was an experiment like that in the video. An experiment that studied the changes that occurred when cannibals were not fed human flesh for a long time.

Gradually, the human form collapsed and eventually, it completely lost its reason and became something that could hardly be considered human.

They say that cannibalistic desires can be suppressed through medication, but how long can they be suppressed? If cannibalism is essential to sustaining existence, it was clear that there would be a limit at some point.

It’s a problem of tolerance, but I wonder if the problem might be caused by something fundamental. If it is caused by that, the more you suppress it, the bigger the backlash might be…

“Give the HOLY CHRIST a chance.”

“······.”

Was this the story you wanted to tell? Maru hesitated to answer.

“If the reason you are mentally polluted or tempted is because you have no faith or belief, don’t worry. The HOLY believers who are full of faith can fight them.”

“······.”

It wasn’t something to be concerned about, and it was probably a blasphemous thought, but the PD was genuinely concerned. This young savior had a tendency to carry things on his own.

With only Yania Kim and Crow helping out, he was fighting alone at every important juncture.

However, even if one has absolute power, once one has taken on human flesh, it is difficult to escape the limitations of the flesh.

Even saints, prophets, seers, and saviors who left their mark on human history could not escape death.

Even the One who seems to be death itself incarnated may ascend. So what remains, and what must those who remain do?

It was a training ground and a temple. I had to be the sword and shield that stood by him when he was there. I had to protect this place with my sword and shield. This place. Ark Town.

This was not just PD’s thought, but the thoughts of the HOLY followers.

Maru, who had been silent for a moment, blurted out a word and turned around.

“Tell them to start with basic physical training.”

“thank you.”

As if they had been waiting, the HOLY followers gathered over 50 people in an instant and started training, and made it mandatory for anyone over the age of 15 to participate in basic combat training.

“I’m confident in firearms training and exosuit training.”

Trust me, it’s true.

Kim Yang had no intention of missing this opportunity. Wasn’t this a chance to solidify his great position next to him? If they rolled around together and trained together, it would last a long time.

When she thought of that damn Director Yoo, she definitely did. That old lady was still etched in her memory. Kim Yang vowed not to be like Director Yoo.

“Hey- you- fucking fucking retards are dancing with guns?”

“Put your gun down. Put your gun down and go!”

“Did you put shit in your ear? Can’t you hear it?”

“Get on. Get down. Turn over. Sit down. Stand up. Jump.”

“You might as well answer blankly.”

As I was training excitedly, people’s eyes lit up.

Huh? This isn’t it.

But Kim Yang’s mouth was honest.

“Open your eyes! I’ll rip out the ink.”

ah-

For some reason, Ms. Kim remembered what happened to Director Yoo in the past.

So it was all because of that old lady. Yeah.

While Kim Yang was trying to change the Paladin into a Berserker by accident, Maru reorganized Ark Town’s defense system. It was essential to strengthen the base before a long-distance expedition.

There was time to fix the defense system, because even if the Geese Riser fleet were to transit the Panama Canal, it would take at least ten days to reach the western region.

“If the Panama Canal had burst, we would have to go around South America, so it would take longer. So how is the training?”

“Now, let’s imitate the pose a bit.”

Kim Yang was flustered. It would have been really great if he could even imitate it in just a week.

“Stop being a jerk. This isn’t Korea or China. You know this is America, right?”

“It’s okay. Don’t worry.”

If you roll it, it’ll work, whether it’s the US or not. You wouldn’t roll the US military, right? They roll it too. And honestly, rolling it and putting it in your body is the fastest way.

“Okay. Do whatever you want. It’s all good, but just make sure the kids don’t shoot.”

“Just pull it out until you can’t even move a finger.”

Where is the gun accident? It’s something that happens because you’re carelessly handling it. If you roll around until shit is leaking out, you won’t have the presence of mind to think like that. I’ve experienced it myself.

It was Kim Yang who was confident because she didn’t know that the trainees were holding hands and shouting HOLY every night.

“What about the crows?”

“Ah! Everyone is healthy.”

The crows vary greatly in size, so much so that at first glance they might be mistaken for different species.

“You said you didn’t need anything?”

“Yes. Everyone is satisfied. They say they are ready to go out whenever you call.”

The nurse shook her fist with a determined look on her face.

Maru suddenly remembered a name he had seen in a famous movie. Was it ‘Clench your fist and shake it.’? He had clenched his fist, but he didn’t know why it was shaking, but now he thought he knew.

Maru coughed heavily at the sight of Kim Yang staring intently.

‘Did you stand up instead of shaking?’

Anyway, the crows were ready, and what was left were the artificial intelligences.

“What happened to the AI ​​Tria problem?”

“It is impossible to tamper with Tria’s code.”

Hood, Xenia Rodden was an expert in the field to the point of creating the artificial intelligence Samantha. Even Hood gave up on taking care of Tria.

“I don’t understand how it works, so I think it’s dangerous to touch it.”

“Separating them? Is it difficult?”

“We can’t say for sure what problems will arise if it is physically removed. The best case scenario is that around 33% of the computing power will be lost, and the worst case scenario is that the supercomputer unit itself will have to be scrapped as a result of the removal.”

“Is there no way?”

Artificial intelligence was needed to effectively manage the defense system. Tria was an artificial intelligence optimized for research support. Instead of the silent Hood, Diana responded.

[I recommend that you talk to Tria directly.]

“I?”

[Yes. Tria is quite shy, so I think it would be better to have her alone in the supercomputer lab.]

“Okay.”

If only we could eliminate the anxiety factor.

The sight of three stone monuments occupying each corner. Each one was glowing red, blue, and green. The supercomputer room, which I had recently visited, was cooler than I had expected.

Knock knock-

Maru, who had pulled up a chair and sat down, spoke while looking at the red light.

“You said you wanted to have a private conversation with me.”

[···Yes.]

A red light blinking weakly.

“Okay, I like talking, but you know I hate seeing you go. Do you know what I mean?”

[yes.]

“say it.”

[Please save Dr. Jack Nees.]

“Why me? I know that the doctor said he would leave on his own, and why should I save someone who said he would leave anyway and take you with him?

Tria calculated desperately. Threatening? That wouldn’t work. Even if cutting the supercomputer would reduce its performance, he was still going to cut it down.

Profit? There was nothing to offer. The research results were already known to the researchers, and the AI, whose role was mainly to support various research, had nothing to offer.

If there is one, there is only one.

He was himself.

[···I will serve you as my master.]

“Wasn’t the owner a doctor?”

[No, I was a partner with the doctor.]

The relationship between professor and assistant. Maybe a little further. Dr. Jack Neese did not treat himself as a mere program.

“As you can see from the video, the Doctor has already become a bio-terminal, and yet he asks you to save him?”

[Yes, the doctor is still alive.]

Wow, artificial intelligence-based judgment is amazing.

“I refuse.”

[Yes? Why?]

Maru, who had been picking his ear with his little finger, blew out the earwax stuck to his fingertips.

“The balance is off from the start. If you save me, I’ll take you as my master. If you can’t save me, then I’m a loser and I don’t have anything to offer. Would you do that?”

Are you going out to play now? You look like you’re going to get splashed with blood. Fight while protecting Dr. Jack Neese’s brain from getting hurt? Are you crazy?

[······What should I do?]

“The impossible is impossible. If you want to ask me for something, you have to present it first. Even so, all I can promise right now is that I will try my best. That’s all. The choice is yours.”

So, prepaid. I can’t guarantee the results. But if you want, try it.

[······.]

The supercomputer room fell silent.

======

======

New York, Department of Homeland Security Headquarters

Director Den Brown frowned as he read the material sent from Vladivostok.

“Cannibals should be killed without exception?”

“That’s crazy.”

“Yes. All you have to do is take the medicine, but you want me to kill you?”

The last tantrum the secretary showed. It was clear that the one who took the cure risked his life to stop Vladimir Kalin. If that wasn’t domination, then what was it? The documents described the situation at the time.

It depends on the dominance, but even if you take the cure, it is difficult to say that the dominance of the commanding entity is not affected.

So, even if the cannibalistic desire was suppressed by taking the cure, whether or not it was affected by dominance must be considered separately.

“They say that even those who took the cure are controlled by the commanding entity.”

“There has never been a case like that before.”

“You can’t just throw away important power in one special case.”

Thanks to Vladimir Kalin, we were able to wipe out almost all the cannibals in New York. The large groups were completely wiped out, and the small groups fled to the outskirts.

Cannibals who have lost their power are being incorporated into special forces on the condition that they eat the cure and are being deployed in military fields such as hunting mutant monsters and mutant species.

The cannibals who took the cure showed athletic ability that was incomparable to that of ordinary soldiers. They were active in the harsh environment with their overwhelming physical ability.

“Even if the information sent by Vladimir Kalin is true, the situation does not change. Realistically, if we exclude cannibalistic soldiers, we would have to mobilize several times more manpower and supplies.”

“Yes, we must use it, even if it means strengthening surveillance and attaching a self-destruct device.”

Dan Brown checked the documents in his hand. There was a description of going to root out cannibals, including Geese Raiser.

“Let’s think about it a little more.”

By the way, since I got the information, I should give it to you. That way, it will last a long time.

What would be good?