Chapter 35: Surgery Scheduling

Viktor surveyed Mercer with an incredulous look. "You've had similar check-ups before, haven't you? These stats... are they legit? You didn't plug in some kind of cyberware to interfere with the data collection, did you?"

Mercer sat up, looked at the numbers on the screen, and rubbed his chin in thought. "I've made quite a bit of progress. My reaction and composure have improved a little. Are you sure your program's metrics aren't inaccurate? Maybe they’re reading low?"

"Ha..."

Viktor glanced at the glowing numbers on the instrument, shooting Mercer an exasperated look.

"Reading low? My calibration standards for these metrics are even more conservative than the corporation's! Intelligence: 21, Composure: 20, Reflexes: 17... Hell, the maximum value my machine can even detect is 21! And that's only because I modified the hardware myself; a standard clinic machine would cap out at 20. Incredible. No wonder Arasaka had their eye on you. Your neural activity and neural tolerance are absurdly high... Are the big corporations really so extravagant these days that they use a genius like you as a consumable? No, you're not just a genius; you're a monster. You aren't some sort of bio-engineered mutant, are you?"

Viktor shook his head, unable to stop himself; he felt like his worldview had just been shattered. These weren't numbers a normal human should have! Even if these readings represented potential rather than Mercer's current state, it was still...

At Mercer's age, his Intelligence and Reflexes had basically already realized their full potential! This meant that as long as Mercer equipped the right cyberware and hardware, he could fully unleash that intelligence and reach those terrifying human limits right now.

"I just know how to keep a low profile, otherwise how would I have had a chance to escape? But I’m pretty sure I’m a pure human... Honestly, don't overthink the 'genius' thing, Vic. You won't be able to wrap your head around it; after all, a genius like me is one of a kind. But your machine is pretty impressive. Back at Arasaka, it only ever topped out at 20."

Mercer's words prompted Viktor to press the re-scan button again, but the results remained unchanged.

"...I've never seen a genius break the numerical ceiling. You're not just a genius; I honestly don't believe any human could register these kinds of stats." Old Vic muttered to himself, "I thought I'd never see these limit values in my lifetime... No wonder you were so confident about installing this batch of cyberware. Still... Sigh, whatever, I won't dig into it. What's your plan? How do you intend to proceed with the surgery?"

At this, Mercer began to explain his surgical plan with a hint of excitement.

"Vic, my idea is this: first, the monowire and the heat sink are a must, and the optics and cyberdeck need to be swapped out too. Hmm... since the deck is being replaced, we might as well swap out all the new data cables as well. I'll skip the coolant; I've checked Arasaka's files on things that directly affect internal circulation, and there's a risk of trace toxin buildup that the body can't fully metabolize. We still need to polish the neural link interface. Whatever you do, don't connect it to your own network to check the data; it has specific protocol programs inside. I suspect—no, I’m certain—Arasaka planted a backdoor in that program. Once I've finished installing the rest, let's study it together. Only if we can solve the backdoor will I consider installing it."

"Wait, you mean you want to install the monowire, a new cyberdeck, the connection cables, that top-tier hacker heat sink, and new optics all in one go? Do you not want your brain anymore?" Viktor asked bluntly. "After seeing your stats, I have a bit more confidence that you might survive it. But that doesn't mean you can cram it all in at once. With this much gear, a post-op infection alone could kill you, not to mention that all of this has to interface with your neural pathways. You've seen the data yourself, haven't you? The neural load for each piece of this hardware is more than double what you’re carrying from Arasaka right now!"

Viktor looked at Mercer with a firm expression.

"Confidence isn't enough. Today, I'm only installing the lighter-load parts. The rest will have to wait until the post-op observation period is over. We'll start by replacing your monowire, the cyberdeck, its matching cables, and the optics. Everything else—like the frontal cortex ICE protection, the heat sink, and the synaptic accelerator that acts directly on your nerves—has to be done one by one."

He turned to look at Mercer, speaking very seriously.

"The ones left over are all cyberware that put an immense burden on your neural system. For example, if the stuff we install first adds up to a load of 10 on your brain, each one of these later pieces adds another 10! And you have to understand, carrying a load of 20 versus a load of 30 is a completely different concept! If 10 to 20 just makes you feel exhausted, then 20 to 30 will cause continuous, permanent damage to your neural pathways! Do you understand what I'm saying? If a regular person tried to install your gear, even without turning it on, that massive neural burden would crush their brain. If they did turn it on, every time they powered it up, it would cause irreversible neural damage! Even for you, it’s impossible to run all this at full capacity without any burden... Kid, listen to me. You call me Old Vic, and I’m not going to lead you astray."

Mercer nodded obediently, even if he didn't feel like his situation was that dire—that was the charm of Old Vic.

"Fair enough, I'll listen to you. I'll leave the rest with you and come back to install them later. We can use that time to study the neural link interface. Vic, that thing is the core of the whole set. You could find substitutes for all the other cyberware at other companies, but that neural link is absolutely one of a kind. In terms of raw power, I don't think there’s a stronger hacking deck in the world, aside from a few specialized Militech models."

Mercer looked at Viktor seriously. "Vic, that thing is dangerous. If you don't feel confident about it, don't touch it. I'll be straight with you: the protocol program inside is related to the infamous 'Soulkiller.' A lot of people might have forgotten about Soulkiller by now, but I have to tell you the truth—the danger level of this thing is second only to the 'Rabies' virus Bartmoss used to destroy the Old Net. The 'Save Your Soul' project that Arasaka is currently hyping and selling is just a variant developed based on Soulkiller."

Viktor felt a headache coming on. *Do you trust me too much? Don't tell me this stuff... it would be better if you didn't ask me to mess with it at all.* But looking at Mercer's trusting eyes, he couldn't say anything harsh to the kid. He could only sigh.

"I understand. I'll look into it later, and we'll save the installation for last."

"Right. I wouldn't dare use it until we've figured it out—though I have an idea. If all else fails, I have an outside contact I can reach out to."

The contact Mercer had in mind was Alt Cunningham. There was no one in this world who understood Soulkiller better than Alt. If he could get her involved, a mere neural link interface would be child's play, right? Furthermore, Mercer might even be able to find a way to get the source code of Soulkiller from her and start his own in-depth research into the program. If Alt refused, Mercer had other ways. When he escaped Arasaka, he had taken seven Relic chips with him; five had already been wiped of their killer programs using the software Alt gave him, leaving them as mere hardware. But he had kept the programs on the other two, intending to study them once his technical skills improved and he had a proper workspace.

"Alright... well, let's start with the cyberware compatibility check." Old Vic manipulated the instruments, cross-referencing the data packets Mercer had sent him. Inside were the cyberware blueprints and data Mercer had stolen directly from the R&D center's servers using the clearance of that deceased 'good aunt.' Mercer had already organized everything he brought from Arasaka on his laptop along the way. The data packet he had prepared now was specifically integrated to make it easier for the doctor to perform the surgery.

"Mercer, you have a choice to make now." Old Vic said, his tone less than optimistic.

"Because your body is so small and these pieces are adult-sized, it means that after the installation, your body will be very uncomfortable. Even if I make some adjustments, some of the cables will still be quite bulky. So, we have two options."

"One is to trim some of it down to make the cyberware fit your body better, which will reduce the rejection rate to normal levels. Otherwise, we try our best to adapt it and install it as is. The rejection process will be long and painful, but the upside is that even as you grow, the cyberware will hold up for a while. Honestly, I really don't recommend a kid like you installing this stuff. Your body is still developing, and cyberware will interfere with that process. Plus, as your muscles, bones, and nerves grow, it might cause the cyberware to malfunction."

"I have to install it. As for the growing... I'm not too worried. In this world, looks and body type are insignificant; only the human brain and will carry through to the end." Mercer was remarkably open-minded about it.

"As long as my brain is functioning normally, the body is just a vessel for my soul. In this world, there is nothing that cyberware technology can't solve. Bones, internal circulation, blood... even the complex nervous system is no longer a miracle of natural human growth, but data circuits that can be shaped through artificial intervention. Vic, I have a lot to do. Without cyberware, I can't do anything."

He pointed to his head with a smile.

"Or rather, this body is actually the root cause limiting my brain's potential. Compared to a fragile flesh-and-blood body, mechanical ascension might be the most suitable path for someone like me. So, let's go with the second option. I won't be able to find better gear in the short term."

"If the Maelstrom gang heard you say that, they’d call you a brother-in-arms immediately." Viktor didn't agree. He sighed, "Fine, it's your decision... but if you feel something is wrong with your body, don't try to tough it out."

"Uh-huh, bring it on. If I feel something's off, I'll downsize immediately—I don't want to become a cyberpsycho."

Despite saying that, Mercer felt... even if he were turned into someone like Adam Smasher, a pure cyborg with only a couple of ounces of meat left in his brain, he wouldn't have any issues. To this world, perhaps he—an outlier carrying the dream of changing everything—was already a complete madman.

"Then go watch some TV and rest. There's beer in the fridge... Actually, never mind. Go to the door; there's a vending machine outside. Buy a drink. I have ice here. I need about half an hour to calibrate, then we'll start the surgery."

Viktor looked at Mercer. "Even though people don't care about this nowadays, it's better for someone your age to stay away from alcohol."

"Got it. But Vic, you're pretty badass. Getting this data just now and being able to set it up in half an hour? You really are the man I bet on." Mercer gave him a thumbs-up and got up to buy a cola. Viktor couldn't help but laugh and shake his head.

"Well... I suppose I thank you for the compliment."

Being called 'brother' by a fourteen-year-old, yet somehow not feeling anything strange about the conversation... It was a truly awkward sensation.

Mercer was just about to head out when the automatic door slid open with a *clack*.

"Vic! I brought a buddy to help out with your business... Damn, why is there a kid here?"

A burly, muscular man filled the doorway. He looked down, meeting eyes with Mercer. Mercer looked up and blinked.

*Whoa... today is my lucky day...*

"Jackie?"

The tall, burly man appearing before him was none other than the good friend who unfortunately met his end in the prologue of the game—Jackie Welles!