Memoirs of the Returnee

On a summer day Leading up to the Ortus Symposium.

I was chatting in the lab with Vito.

“l've heard rumors that you've been quite extravagant lately.”

Vito said with a grin. I feigned surprise and pursed my lips.

“Ah… well…”

I had received the sales performance of the artificial intelligence from Vito. An Artifact created by overwriting human souls. The revenue from that abomination, even more horrific than mere slaves, and the incentives given to Killian were already more than one could spend in a lifetime.

“Having suddenly cinto so much money, I ended up buying everything I wanted…”

As Killian, I bought several sports cars, luxury goods, and made it Look Like I was indulging in Luxury.

Whether it was Vito or Derek, they would be suspicious if I didn't spend the money.

After all, money is just scraps of paper to those who can't use it. And you can't buy people with scraps of paper. If you can't buy them, you can't control them, which is always suspicious.

“Ha ha. I understand. Km not blaming you. It just makeshappy to see. You should earn a lot of money, Dr. Ki Ilian.”

Vito chuckled and ruffled my hair.

“Yes. Ha ha. It's good to have a lot. I want to earn more.”

However, most of the Luxuries were sold off and donated anonymously. I poured all of Killian's incentives into orphanages, schools, hospitals, and other needy places.

Thats how I squandered the initial incentive of 50 million Ren.

“You will earn more. Dr. Killian is exceptionally capable.”

Thanks to this, Vito almost treated Killian as his right-hand man.

After all, he was everything Vito liked in a person.

Capable, revered him, was without greed but indulgent in luxury, and loyal when given crumbs.

“…Dr. Vito. Kve beca bit curious about something.”

I cautiously broached the subject.

I felt I had gained enough favor to get an answer.

“What is it?”

“When you overwrite a soul and put it in a container, it Lasts a Long time, right?”

“Thats right.”

“But if you don't overwrite it—”

“lt won't stay in any object. The object would break. Even if you create a perfect fake body, it's the same. A fake can't contain a real soul.”

Vito answered nonchalantly.

“…Then, Dr. Vito. What if you put a real soul into a real body?”

“Hmm, are you talking about soul transplantation?”

“Yes. Like, removing the soul from its original body and putting another soul into the soulless body.”

“lts possible, but you can't fool the world. The lifespan wouldn't exceed five years.”

“Ah.”

Then Vito chuckled.

“Dr. Killian, you think quite like I did in the past.”

“Ah… really? I'm honored, though.”

“Well, there's no honor in it. To continue, quite a few scholars have thought of various ways to deceive the 'eyes of the world'.”

Vito tapped his fingers on the table as he continued speaking.

“First, the first method. It involves placing a soul into a body that already has a soul.”

“…lnto a body that already has a soul?”

“Yes. You transplant without removing the existing soul. Its like having two souls Living in one body.”

At that moment, a chill ran down my spine.

“But in such cases, erosion occurs. Simply put, one of the souls goes mad. The stronger soul survives, and the stronger one goes mad, leading to quite a messy situation.”

Two souls in one body.

'Knightmare.'

I asked with feigned curiosity.

“What happens when such problems occur?”

“Well, we try to control it first. If it can be utilized, we make it usable. But if that doesn't work, we dispose of it.”

Just Like he said, they had used Knightmare like a mercenary.

“Anyway, moving on.”

Vito held up two fingers.

“The second method to deceive the eyes of the world.”

He paused and smiled broadly.

“What do you think it is? Guess, and I'll tell you. Think of it as a lesson.”

“…”

I pretended to ponder and then responded.

“Perhaps. Using blood relatives?”

“Oh~ Correct! You truly are Dr. Ki Ilian.”

Clap, clap, clap—

Vito applauded. His face genuinely pleased.

“Yes. You use the body of a blood relative. You remove the soul of a child or grandchild and insert your own soul into that body. This way, you can deceive the eyes of the world, but…”

Vito shrugged as if he found it distasteful.

“Most people seem reluctant to use that method. Maybe it's a bit much to use one's own child. I don't understand it, though.”

“Well… thafs right.”

I casually agreed, thinking this was the end of the discussion.

“Lastly, the third method.”

But then Vito held up three fingers. I turned to look at him.

“Since Dr. Killian guessed the problem correctly, I'll just tell you.”

Vito still had a smile full of mirth.

“lts not about using an artificial body, but an artificial fertilized egg.”

“…A fertilized egg?”

I asked, somewhat dumbfounded.

“Yes. You find a suitable surrogate to carry the egg, and then the child grows. The child becomes a being that has a soul, yet doesnV”

“Has yet doesn't have…?”

It was a momentarily confusing statement.

Vito continued to explain.

“lts fine when the child is young, but as they grow, the soul dies before the body.”

“…So, you wait for that moment to transplant the soul?”

“Yes, exactly. Its essentially a technology for cultivating humans.”

Vito sipped his coffee and stood up. I stared blankly at him.

This bastard, he's even more of a vile than I thought.

“Let's end the chatter now and get to work, shall we? Dr. Killian, you need to earn a lot of money.”

Vito extended his formula to me. I quickly nodded in agreement.

“Yes, I will review it immediately and report back…”

At the stime, I stopped the voice recording.

Where was the recorder, you ask?

Inside my fNotepadJ .

The newly acquired mansion of Dr. Killian.

“…Tve more or less settled my personal affairs.”

I told GrawL Grawl responded telepathically.

'Yes,too. So, this month will be our last day at work?*

“That seems likely.”

I replied while picking up a designer bag.

A large bag branded with AIROL Inside were all the materials prepared by Killian. Not only the recordings of conversations between Killian and Vito but also a letter to Riley.

Heroes pretending to be villains usually die like this.

With the conviction that their death could somehow benefit society, and with the hope that their Legacy could be continued by someone else.

Riley, who would receive this 'package； would undoubtedly expose all the corruption and malfeasance to the world.

Til miss this」

At Grawl's words, I smiled faintly.

“lndeed.”

Drring——

Just then, a call cthrough on my Libra phone.

—It's Jeff.

It was Jeff, the ace of the Bell Moore team.

—I've found the key figure related to Theia Esil, as you mentioned before.

“…”

I nodded. I had Located a key figure related to Theia Esil's former mentor.

From here on, things would proceed swiftly. I could involve Theia EsiL as much as I wanted, but I had to wait a bit longer. Until Theia inflicted enough damage on Derek.

“Let's stand by for now.”

—I will monitor from a close distance.

“Yes.”

I ended the call. Sitting in a rocking chair worth 3 million Ren, I Looked out the window at the sky and quietly closed my eyes.

—Yes. If you find a suitable surrogate to carry the embryo, the child will grow up. The child becomes a being that has a soul, yet doesn't.

Vito's voice resounded in my ears.

Perhaps a hint of sorts.

—It's fine when the child is young, but as they grow, the soul dies before the body…

I felt sleepy.

I slowly drifted off to sleep.

In a dark forest, Riley, dressed in a mask and a cap, leaned against the trunk of a tree. She Looked up at the Milky Way filling the night sky, waiting for someone.

Before Long, a woman approached her from the opposite side.

Beneath a cap, black hair shimmered—Theia EsiL

Riley nodded slightly and handed over sphotographs.

“Take a look.”

“…”

Theia quietly examined the photos. They were documents on artificial intelligence obtained from Killian.

“Shit.”

A curse-Like sound escaped Theia's lips. She seemed furious at the entire operation involving Libra and Derek.

“Where did you get this information?”

Theia asked Riley. Riley responded briefly.

“Key researcher.”

“l'm asking who that is.”

Theia's brow furrowed sharply. Riley fiddled with her mask.

“Do you really need to know that much?”

“These bastards are overwriting human souls. Of course, I need to know.”

“…”

Riley and Theia had a deep connection. First, they were from the shometown, expelled by Libra, both having lost their parents.

Riley called Theia 'sister' and followed her, while Theia, as the Leader of several children, had protected their neighborhood alleys.

“I know. But if the source is Leaked, we might not be able to get more information.”

But now, things had changed.

Riley had joined [Vancheon], and Theia was trying to bring down Libra from within the system.

Theia lowered her voice.

“We can't give them any more time. You know what they1 re doing.”

“…”

Of course, Riley was also disgusted by their acts. Libra was trying to corrupt even the essence of being human.

However.

—You've been monitoring me, haven't you, Ms. Riley? I've known about it for a while. There's no other reason someone like you would be so kind to me.

Killian's voice, his expression seemingly sorrowful, cto mind.

“Lia.”

Theia called her by her old name. Riley cautiously lifted her head.

“Yes. Ifs Dr. Ki Ilian.”

Dr. Killian.

“Dr. Killian. Vito's key right-hand man.”

“Right-hand man.”

“Yes. Dr. Killian is very precise, Like a computer. Even the famous Vito can't get things done quickly without Dr. Ki Ilian.”

“Characteristics?”

“He's been making a Lot of money lately, so he spends a lot. He likes luxury…”

He doesn't understand women well, is foolish, has disgusting ideologies, hates the homeless, is caught up in a sense of chosen superiority, admires the nasty, grasshaired Vito, and also…

“…and he's pure.”

“Pure?”

Theia frowned.

Riley shook her head as if joking.

“Anyway. I'll blow this open at the symposium.”

As she tucked the photos into her coat, Theia spoke. A bitter smile spread across Riley's lips.

“Lia, you need to get out of Libra starting today. Once the scoop breaks, your existence will be exposed.”

That was likely. She was the only one who had even slightly infiltrated the lab.

But…

Riley hesitated before responding.

“…NO. I'll stay a bit Longer.”

“What?”

“Dr. Killian. He trusts me.”

She replayed the words Killian had said to her Last time.

—You don't need to be too sorry. From now on, don't doubt me.

Thus, Dr. Killian trusted her. Even in suspicious circumstances, he trusted her enough…

He Loved her.

“So?”

“l'll try harder. I'll stay closer.”

Riley continued as if sighing.

“There's a lot more to milk from him. Just these documents aren't enough, right? ril bring you something decisive, a smoking gun…”

Theia stared at her intently, chewing her teeth as if to warn her.

“You could die if you get caught. No, you will definitely die.”

Riley raised her eyebrows.

“…I know. But, too many people have already died, right?”

Too many had died unjustly, becoming material for artificial intelligence, or mysteriously perishing while opposing Derek, not just in their hometown.

All the more reason, to bring down Derek, a definitive smoking gun was necessary.

“You know. I want to kill Derek as much as you do.”

At Riley's words, Theia remained expressionless. She pressed down the brim of her cap.

“I want to cause him as much pain as possible.”

“…”

Derek was committing atrocious sins. Killian was an accomplice in these wrongdoings. He was no different from human trash like Vito.

Therefore, Riley would extract all the information from Killian, betray him right before his eyes, and disappear from his sight.

That would be the punishment she would deliver to Killian.

“…I4I do things my way this time.”

With that, Riley smiled nonchalantly, and Theia nodded slightly. Riley watched her back as she turned to Leave.

Suddenly, she Lifted her eyes to the sky.

Above the dark river of the night, the stars were spread out in abundance.

Beautiful… a beautiful Milky Way.