The neural network that was connected to them was originally a connection path that connects the Sages to the dragon's mobile body. Indeed, this neural network was an intelligent sensory tether that a.n.a.lyzed all matters and phenomena in the world. A huge dragon with limited movement possessed the greatest secret lab to collect, a.n.a.lyze, and encompa.s.s all knowledge and information in the human world.

The information collected by the human-like Sages, who were active in the world in her stead, relayed data to her main body through this neural network. The Sage's knowledge was synthesized and shared with the dragon's brain, the most capable computer existing in nature.

The problem was that these two test subjects had used the neural network pathway to get to her Kernel more than once, so they knew the way. The larger issue was the fact that even her sensory organs were 'now' connected to them through this neural network. They would have access to any and everything in her body. This situation arose because their level of a.n.a.lysis went too deep. It must have been that interesting…

If her nervous system was deliberately disturbed, those who were already awake could perform a physical attack on any part of her system using her own neural network, causing an unexpected level of damage in her body. This was not what Siluone wanted. If they knew of everything, what was to stop them from…

Siluone, who contemplated for a long time, sighed. She now understood the overall situation and her precarious position.

'You both were fis.h.i.+ng.'

Cleverly, they had thrown their bodies as bait.

In the complex and subtle process of the Sages emulating San and Biyeon's bodies and transferring the data to her mainframe body, San and Biyeon's will had secretly penetrated into her core.

The systematic and expansive series of experimental processes that were carried out in steps 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 provided a great learning opportunity and platform. In addition, they already figured out how to affect her nervous system and most probably her other bodily functions.

From step 3, the test subjects clearly responded actively to the experiment. In step 4, they 'intentionally' showed something. At this stage, the innocent and curious Sages got caught up. Siluone, too, was immersed in new discoveries and interesting phenomena.

The a.n.a.lysis record exactly matched her conjecture. She went too deep and narrowed her focus too much…

Siluone frowned. She thought she took care of the subtle changes and possible risks as she went from one stage to another. She thought of the tremendous data and conversations exchanged between herself and the Sages. She had also discussed the difference between the experimental results and her theory throughout the experimental process. Through their discussion, they resolved a key issue of the Sages' stagnating abilities. They just needed to be upgraded onto a new platform that conformed to and supported the development of enhanced skills.

Had the test subjects been 'conscious' during this entire time? If so, how much did they understand and what did they garner from her discussion with the Sage's and their theoretical conjectures?

'These guys systematically grasped the Sages, dragons, our abilities, and learned everything using my knowledge and systems? And they've been in an Accelerated state for the past fifteen days…'

Things became crystal clear for Siluone. Part of herself was taken over. If she moved against them, they would move against her at the same time. If her judgment was correct, perhaps one of their two brains could be destroyed. In the worst case, everyone's brain would be destroyed. Of course, it'd be possible to reincarnate them. Except for a little ha.s.sle of having to call all the Sages out of the human world for backup…

The problem is that in the meantime, she'd be completely defenseless. If one of those monstrous humans survived, she would never be safe.

Furthermore, Sages that weren't commanded by her main body would fall into a state of confusion. This was not a 'hypothesis' but a 'fact'. They'd no longer have a mainframe to connect to.

Siluone swallowed her bitter saliva. She, an almighty being, felt regret. Since she had already sent out the Sages, who had acted as middlemen for San and Biyeon to piggyback onto her system, she had unknowingly granted them direct access.

She shouldn't have disconnected Sil and Sul. Even if the Sage's found out about the 'termination' clause between the dragon and 'Creator'… she should have taken that risk…

'It's dangerous… too dangerous… I have to get rid of them now…'

However, Siluone was hesitant to act. For the first time after turning into a magic dragon, she decided to trust her instincts rather than her own a.n.a.lysis.        

The newly arising instinct from her body was very reluctant to get rid of these two people. It was a ridiculous judgment when thinking logically, but there was a certain possibility that there was a hidden 'something' that surpa.s.sed what she knew and what she found through her experiments and a.n.a.lysis. These two were definitely different. They had evolved to an amazing degree, and surprisingly, they were able to subdue the effects of nectar. Siluone had to know how and why.

- Phew- To find myself negotiating with humans…

[Shall we start with our security issue first?]

Siluone thought that Biyeon's voice sounded much louder than before.

***

“That was reckless,” San grumbled.

“I had no choice,” Biyeon said as if to placate San.

“The price is so… steep…”

“It definitely wasn't cheap.”

Biyeon was walking while looking straight ahead.

“I think we're the ones who live with everything in our bodies. Nectar, multiple measuring devices, all sorts of tracking devices… this time around… we even have a 'bio-bomb'… What'll come next? To have to live like lab mice or risk internal combustion… what the h.e.l.l… I feel dirty.”

“There must be a solution. This has always been our new normal, right?”

“Has it been that way?”

San laughed. His laughter gave off a sense of dread and bleakness rather than cheer.

The morning sun rose above the ridge and entered their gaze. It seems that a red curtain was cast on the shadow of a mountain covered in darkness, and all the living beings on the surface were revealed to the world. The land began to s.h.i.+ne brightly, reflecting the sunlight.

“What about your left eye?”

“It's getting better little by little. The stem cells seemed to have been properly differentiated. Since I see distinct gradations of light, it seems that my eye's rod cells have been restored.”

“What about your other injury?” he asked quietly.

“It's improved a lot. I told you that there is no problem for me to get pregnant, so, well… thank you,” Biyeon said calmly. 

San's gaze was directed towards the distant ridge.

“Now that we've had a 'physical examination', is the only thing left to be 'enlisted'?”

“She said we'd be in the backlines, so it should be relatively comfortable.”

“This experiment worked out for us. We were able to obtain some results. It's nice that we'll have a little more freedom.”

“It's because we now have bargaining power. They realized that our bodies are valuable.”

“Now… who should we visit first, the 'traditional martial art clans' or the 'non-traditional martial arts guilds'?”

“The non-traditional guilds would be best. Don't we have to stop by the Dark Guilds anyways? We have to see Sedum too…”

“Will the Count's children still believe and work with us?”

“I want to believe so… so much time has pa.s.sed, so I wouldn't be surprised if they no longer trust us.”

Biyeon smiled. She carried her backpack on her back, stretched out one hand, and folded her arms around San. San laughed. The two left Sirid Square in this manner.

Their expressions were overly bright. It seemed like they were putting on an intentional act for each other. Behind them, Sil and Sul stood, gazing at their backs with expressionless faces. Dam was not present.

“How do you feel?” Sul asked.

“I can't even guess. What is certain is that from now on, we're not the unilaterally dominant side anymore. Everything can change depending on their choice,” Sil answered while scratching her head.

“Possibly… I feel like we're going through what happened in the experimental Pian.”

“What do you mean?”

“What we know may be meaningless. They got captured on purpose. You know since you've seen the results of the experiment, right? Their combat power wasn't lower than ours. Those two could have subdued us at any time… what else are they going to develop?”

“But we've put safety devices on them, right?”

“It was like that back then in the experimental Pian, too. Did that stop them?”

“Yeah… I feel nervous as well.”

Sil looked at Sul. Her eyes seemed drained of life.

“I don't doubt Mother's intentions… but I can't understand her instructions. Why are we telling them that we'll stop other Sages from experimenting on them? Why are we protecting them from our own people? As we a.n.a.lyzed them, we broke through our own limitations. Our increase in combat power would be an advantage for our people…” Sil said.

“Well, it wouldn't be wise to doubt our Mother, right?” Sul replied.

“Nevertheless…”

“It's worthless to continue on this topic. Let's head off ourselves. Were the germ cells placed into the culture?”

“It's already entered the stage of differentiation.”

“To create the strongest human through union… for the time being, you'll be out of commission because you'll have to carry a baby, right? Probably even raise it for a while, too.”

“Mother said that rapid cultivation was not allowed, so this time it'll be for the full term of ten months…”

Episode 2. Book 5: Investment – Chapter 1

“They left the graveyard.” Hanjun jumped in from the outside and informed Hanyoung.

“What the h.e.l.l did they do there for 15 days? So, how did they look?”

Hanyoung walked out. 

“They look like simple backpackers who are traveling.”

All the Han-Sung Clan warriors started to move. Including those who joined later, there were more than ten clansmen in total. It was very rare that so many Han-Sung Clan Warriors, often referred to as 'Hundred Person Armies', would gather together.

The Sirid Square gate was not opened on the seventh day, as they were initially told, but after fourteen days. The Han-Sung Clan members' patience had almost reached its end.

***

“Han-Sung Clan people?”

San tilted his head as he looked afar.

“It seems to be.”

Biyeon slowed down. Although the gate was not blocked, the appearance of the eleven clansmen lined up in a row, side to side with horses, gave off quite the imposing and majestic air.

In the middle were Hanyoung, the 'Philosopher's Sword,' and the second-level Awakened Warriors, brothers Han Soun and Han Sohun.

“You all seemed to have been waiting for a long time? Did you all find something out?” San shouted out.

“Well, I don't think they'd be openly going around telling people how the mighty Han-Sung Clan was swindled by the lowly Dark Guilds, don't you think?” Biyeon commented loudly.

“These people… you all don't seem very friendly? Why are you doing this? Are you going around forcing people to do your bidding, whether it be human or snake? I was feeling dirty anyways. Maybe I should relieve my stress?” San added on.

San's eyes shone. Biyeon pulled his arm into her body and folded her arms around his body.

“What is it?” San whispered as he turned his head with a hardened face. Biyeon stared into his wide-open eyes.

“It's because I'm scared… will you get angry at me for telling you how I feel?”

“No? I'm scared as well. I'm scared of you the most,” said San with the color draining away from his face.

“Wow, you're really scary.”

“Be relieved. I haven't gone crazy yet…”

San wiped his mouth and smiled. It was an eerie, non-human-like smile. Biyeon's hand, which held his arm, fell to her side. San quickened his footsteps. Biyeon deliberately raised her drooping mouth and followed closely behind. As much as possible, she was going to put on a smiling face…

Biyeon just laughed. She hoped he wouldn't feel sorry for her anymore. Regardless, he was still as dependable as a rock. 'He will survive in this world.' Now, and in the future, she would retain this hope.