Cybernetic Clinic, Sister Lin Xin

Lin Qi returned to the Cyber World before the broadcast finished.

[2089/03/01 00:55]

Coming and going, no time had passed in the Cyber World. Only the Crimson Crystal dissolving under Lin Qi's tongue proved the Doomsday World's reality.

"After experiencing the Spiritual Energy Particle density of the Doomsday World, meditating in the Cyber World really feels off."

It was rest time. Lin Qi could only lie in bed, replacing sleep with meditation.

To convincingly disguise himself as a Wizard, Lin Qi had to perfect every detail of his daily life.

The Cyber World's means of monitoring individuals weren't limited to the obvious cameras.

Network algorithms were also a core component.

[2089/03/01 08:10]

Lin Qi stood before the sink, his gaze sharper than usual.

"I've digested four Crimson Crystals. Barring accidents, after two rest days I'll finish absorbing all twelve, pushing my physique to the level of a first-tier Martial Artist."

"Layering a Martial Artist over the Wizard persona—that's the most common Extraordinary Profession. As an L-level researcher, I can easily access Martial Artist career data, but I need more camouflage. Like deliberately leaving traces on the institute's internal network, or making the clinic's purchase orders show extra enhancement agents."

Lin Qi cleaned the stubble from his face, brow slightly furrowed.

Traveling to the Doomsday World through the [Gate] froze time in the Cyber World—a good thing that wouldn't easily expose the [Gate]'s existence.

But the problem was that Lin Qi personally experienced twice the time.

A few or even dozens of round trips were fine, but if the span stretched to over ten years, the change in age would become very noticeable.

This was very disadvantageous for Lin Qi's disguise. Even if it didn't expose the [Gate], it could implicate his Wizard identity.

"Short-term, no issues. Long-term, I need more camouflage—like faking more cybernetic implants."

"As long as I appear to have over 90% cyberization, looking like my total flesh couldn't fill a dumpling wrapper, age changes won't draw attention."

The cybernetic-freak persona needed constant reinforcement. At the same time, Lin Qi had to quickly acquire more cybernetic design knowledge.

Only by advancing to an A-level researcher could he gain access to more books.

In the Cyber World, even knowledge was tightly controlled by the megacorps.

With his thoughts sorted, Lin Qi left the bathroom, instructed his assistant Xiao Ai to turn off all the lights, then headed to the apartment's rooftop and boarded his Flying Vehicle.

Today was March 1st. Per Lin Qi's habit, he was supposed to go home.

"Going home" meant heading to the Number One Cybernetic Clinic for a phased upgrade of his Exoskeleton disguised as cybernetics, and incidentally seeing his father Doctor Lin and sister Lin Xin.

One hand on the Flying Vehicle's steering wheel, he opened the glove compartment with his right and fished out a chip.

He reached behind his neck, ejected the Advanced Combat Chip from his external Brain's chip slot, and inserted the new one.

[Loading... Advanced Language Chip]

Every time he went back, a fight with Lin Xin was inevitable.

That not-so-lovable sister was probably in her rebellious phase this year.

Flying Vehicles were somewhat rare in Red Fruit City's fringe. Most people in the city didn't have the license to operate one.

Sleek electric four-wheelers decked out with flashy neon lights were the mainstream transport.

A few nostalgic types with spare cash would buy internal combustion vehicles from Liu Heavy Industries, requiring regular payments of the atmospheric governance tax to Red Fruit City's treasury.

Lin Qi parked his Flying Vehicle on the street in front of the clinic, drawing plenty of stares.

"A company employee? Why come to Red Fruit City's fringe?"

"You don't know that? And you dare get implants at Number One? Boss Lin's son is an L-level researcher at the company—Number One's supply is direct from the corp."

"This clinic has corporate backing? Then aren't we all exposed?"

"Don't worry. Boss Lin hasn't forgotten his roots. This is still an underground cyber clinic."

Two gang members had just walked out of Number One Cybernetic Clinic. Seeing Lin Qi arrive, they exchanged a few hushed words.

When Lin Qi stepped out of the Flying Vehicle, the two gang members scurried off like sewer rats caught in the light.

Lin Qi was long used to it. His old man had never run a legitimate business. If a day passed without a few gang members visiting Number One, Lin Qi would suspect his father had finally succumbed to Cyberpsychosis and kicked the bucket.

Inside the clinic, the lights were bright. No fewer than twenty business licenses hung on the walls, declaring this one of the most legitimate cyber clinics in all of Red Fruit City.

If not for the obviously secondhand, battle-scarred "A-A-0045" model arm cybernetic lying on the table beneath those licenses, their credibility would be much higher.

A-level and above cybernetics were restricted. Number One Cybernetic Clinic didn't have the purchasing authority.

Looking at the black coating on that cybernetic, Lin Qi had reason to suspect that A-level arm had been stripped off an HGPD or Red Fruit Riot Control Task Force member by some gang.

That was standard-issue paint for standard-issue models.

"What's my dear brother staring at? That arm the Inferno Gang ripped off an Intercontinental Stabilization Trauma Response Company squad member?"

"You that eager to turn into a cyber-freak?"

The girl's voice was light and pleasant, like silver pearls colliding with jade butterflies—a pity the words themselves held not a shred of respect for her brother.

Lin Qi didn't indulge her either. "The emergency rescue teams for low-tier members are all useless. Of course, for you, my dear sister, I've purchased a Platinum Membership from the Intercontinental Stabilization Trauma Response Company. That's a hundred and fifty thousand Credit Points a year."

"If you run into danger, at least three mobile squad members with full A-level Cybernetic Body implants will arrive within fifteen minutes."

"If you're unlucky enough to lose consciousness, your esteemed brother has also bought you the premium service for emergency cybernetic implantation. In just six hours, you can get the same model of cybernetic body that your esteemed brother uses."

"You should feel honored—these cybernetics were personally designed by your esteemed brother."

Lin Qi looked at Lin Xin, who stood on the stairs.

Lin Xin wore a black trench coat, paired with ripped jeans that had been trendy decades ago, and a Grade A Kinetic Pistol holstered at her waist.

Unlike Lin Qi, Lin Xin had no trace of cybernetic implants anywhere on her body, and she held a considerable disgust for the practice of cybernetic implantation.

She seemed nothing like a child raised by a cybernetic doctor.