"Actually, there's no need for us to start off so aggressively. We're not enemies." The young cyborg who went by the alias Samos hugged his knees, curled up warily in the corner, and gave Yu Lian a cautious, good-natured, utterly nonthreatening smile.
He was an unremarkable young man with mild, harmless features, the sort of herbivore type you could find anywhere. He'd spent his whole life diligently working as a minor civil servant, so lacking in aggressiveness that he'd only managed to secure a department-level position just before retirement.
And yet, there was still a peculiar glimmer stirring faintly in his eyes.
His face was covered in grime, of course, the result of having just been rubbed against the floor.
He'd certainly considered fighting back for a moment, but after realizing he stood no chance, he'd simply given up.
Fortunately, Yu Lian was a good man with sound values. He just couldn't bring himself to be ruthless toward an enemy who could barely fight back.
Yu Lian watched him, his spiritual power locking down every trace of energy flowing through the other man. He could sense the machinery and streams of data pulsing inside him, but he could also clearly feel warm, living flesh.
And, of course, a steady heartbeat.
This guy was still alive.
The consciousness inside that body replied, "I did not erase the host. I have always been fair to all my hosts. When Thomas Dantes chose to embrace the Immortal Chip, he entered into a contract with me. His consciousness can coexist with my core program. I can use his body as a temporary interface."
Interface. Now that was a familiar word.
"At present, he is merely dormant, having yielded control to me. An honest conversation with you requires good faith. Besides, higher-dimensional permissions and information