Originium, the most fundamental energy source of this world.
The entire industrial system of Terra is built upon Originium.
Originium is rich in immense energy; even a small piece of the most ordinary raw Ore can power a radio for a year.
Originium is ubiquitous, and the Originium industrial revolution allowed the people of Terra to develop rapidly.
Heavy industry, weapon manufacturing, cutting-edge technology, and even the energy that propels the colossal, mountain-like mobile cities beneath the citizens' feet, all originate from the Originium veins stored within the earth.
Of course, there is always a trade-off.
If the people of Terra can unleash Originium Arts, then the nature of Terra can also unleash Originium Arts.
Storms, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, torrential rains, tsunamis, and even meteor showers—countless disasters exceeding the Rank of 'natural disaster' occur constantly across Terra.
When the Originium energy in an area gathers to a certain extent, nature will, through a series of coincidences, generate the most primitive and terrifying Originium Arts—this is a Catastrophe.
Wherever a Catastrophe passes, large areas of exposed Originium veins will regenerate, restarting the Originium cycle once more.
And humanity, sadly, will become a part of this cycle.
In the laboratory, Kal'tsit's arm, clad in a protective suit, gently caressed her shoulder.
Even through the thick protective suit, she could feel the jagged crystals underneath.
Click, click-click, click-click-click.
Beside the petri dish in front, containing a mixture of black and dark-red liquids, a Geiger counter clicked, its rhythm accelerating.
Finally, the liquid turned golden again.
"Cellular tissue is rapidly necrosing, liquid Originium is reactivating; it hasn't lost its original power, but has temporarily lain dormant, almost as if resisting it... We lack professional equipment here, so everything is just a guess."
Taking a deep breath, Kal'tsit shut down the equipment and fell into a brief contemplation—she was immersed in the joy and fear of facing the unknown.
That Hunter's blood had the effect of suppressing Originium energy.
As for the reason, Kal'tsit couldn't find it; the Hunter's blood had nothing special about it apart from more active red blood cells.
However, this was limited to the internal environment; once outside the body, the blood's suppressive effect would rapidly diminish.
Ultimately, Kal'tsit reached a provisional conclusion.
This individual had similarities to Abyssal Hunters, yet was not entirely the same; both possessed a certain immunity to Originium radiation.
The reason was unknown.
If she were in a Columbia laboratory right now, she might be able to discover something further.
But unfortunately, Kal'tsit currently had a more important mission.
Destroying samples, deleting data, sterilizing facilities—Kal'tsit needed to ensure that this matter would not leak through her channels.
After completing all this, Kal'tsit let out a sigh of relief and walked out of the laboratory.
"Mr. Goki, your physical examination is complete—Mon3tr?!"
However, as soon as she opened the door, Kal'tsit, who hadn't even had time to remove her helmet, couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.
"Wow, what do you call yourself? I've never seen an animal like you before. Goki said there are many animals on land. Are you a Feline beast or a doggy?"
In the institute's hall, a white-haired Nona in a red dress stood at the doorway, her eyes shining as she stroked a huge, jet-black creature made of crystals.
Its body was larger than an ordinary person's, with sharp, pointed limbs and pincers, and a thick, powerful tail.
On Terra, large arthropods were not unheard of.
But anyone with even a little common sense, upon seeing such a bizarre and Vicious Beast, would surely scream in fright.
However... it was clear that Skadi was one of those people who lacked common sense.
"Gaa!!!"
The huge crystalline Vicious Beast was embraced by Skadi's slender arms, who curiously stroked its rugged black shell.
Although Skadi initially instinctively regarded this giant beast as an enemy, after Goki's explanation, she knew that this giant beast was Doctor Kal'tsit's companion.
So, it must be a pet then!
Abyssal Hunters, after all, were under militarized management; large pets like sperm whales couldn't be kept. Many people would keep smaller pets like sunfish, sharks, or swordfish—Skadi also wanted one, but she was always too busy and had no time.
Therefore, she quite liked this big guy.
"She's not a pet—Abyssal Hunter, Mon3tr, come back."
Seeing Mon3tr, who was being hugged by Skadi, neither having received an attack command nor being able to break free from her immense strength, looking at her with its emerald-green eyes as if for help, Kal'tsit sighed.
With a casual gesture, Mon3tr, relieved, immediately folded, shrunk, and swiftly burrowed behind Kal'tsit at a speed difficult for the naked eye to catch.
"Hmm..."
Skadi visibly became disappointed; she quite liked this little pet.
On the ground not far away, Goki, having put back on his mended Hunter uniform, was squatting beside a corpse, examining the wound above it.
His shot was indeed accurate; the mercury bullet precisely hit the opponent's head, penetrating the skull, killing the assailant instantly.
As for the identity of the opponent... he was an ordinary Liberi, the only difference from a civilian being that his face wasn't as gaunt—he had a rough idea of the opponent's identity but needed a professional to confirm it.
"The two of them get along very well—Doctor Kal'tsit, how is my physical condition?"
Seeing Kal'tsit emerge, Goki immediately rose with a smile, picked something up from the corpse, and walked towards this... block of iron?
Looking at Kal'tsit in her protective suit, Goki couldn't help but think of a certain rich Nona Operator's skin.
"...You are very special, Hunter. I can't recall who you are, nor do I remember knowing an existence like you—but you certainly left a deep impression on me."
Pulling down the zipper and removing the heavy protective suit helmet, Kal'tsit shook her hair, which was a little damp from the stuffiness of the suit, her expression as calm as before.
"Your body is much stronger than I imagined, Hunter—you are not at risk of contracting oripathy, the liquid Originium has no effect on you, and there is no infiltration of Seaborn power in your blood; you could say you are very healthy."
According to the results of her examination, Kal'tsit truthfully stated.
"Is that so? It's normal, I suppose."
Goki's gaze fell on Kal'tsit's fair neck, a drop of sweat sliding towards her chest, then he silently looked away—quite ample, he wondered if she padded it.
He wasn't surprised by this result.
Although there was no factual proof, it seemed that true humans, apart from these 'humans' with animalistic features on Terra, did not contract oripathy.
However... Goki wasn't sure if he could even be considered human anymore.
His blood vessels were already like a Yharnam bus; everyone's blood wanted to try a ride. Whether it was Seaborn blood or liquid Originium, it wasn't a big deal for the Old Hunter.
Even if he got oripathy, it wasn't a big deal; he had died more than once already, so getting sick was absolutely trivial.
"Really? Not corrupted? That's a rare good thing then—even Abyssal Hunters can fall into madness under Seaborn corruption. You really are strange..."
Without Mon3tr to pet, Skadi, somewhat disappointed, walked up to Goki and reached out, beginning to rub his head with its short black hair.
The Nona Hunter seemed to want to see if something extraordinary was hidden beneath her friend's skin.
"Even Abyssal Hunters don't have your recovery speed, Goki—if those scientists in Aegir knew, they would definitely hang you up and slice you, but don't worry, I'll protect you then."
Just now, Goki's rapid recovery speed had greatly surprised Skadi, who was seeing it for the first time.
Skadi didn't know what Originium was; even though Goki explained it to her several times, Skadi only understood it vaguely.
But she knew that her friend was indeed a very special person.
"Hehe, the human body, isn't it amazing?"
Enjoying the beautiful Nona's touch, Goki had no intention of hiding the peculiarities of his body—he couldn't hide it anyway, so he might as well show it openly.
No matter how smart Kal'tsit was, she wouldn't guess he was from Yharnam—let her guess slowly!
"It is amazing, yes, but you'd best not be so calm, Mr. Hunter—just as Nona Skadi said, you'd best not let your blood flow freely on this land."
With serious emerald eyes, Kal'tsit looked at Goki. Although she didn't know the Hunter's background, she still hoped he would live well.
Not all researchers had a conscience; encountering crazy scientists from Columbia—those people from Rhine Lab or Loken Tank—would be very happy to dissect Goki.
As for why he knew her... Kal'tsit could only temporarily assume that she might have known his ancestors.
This Hunter had many secrets, but to Kal'tsit, he was just one of countless special individuals; there were simply too many 'anomalies' on Terra.
Goki's carefree personality reminded her of an Old Hunter friend from Yan Country; she and her siblings also showed no external or internal changes due to Originium energy.
Compared to the safety of all Terra, Kal'tsit decided to temporarily postpone her research on Goki—there were more important things to do right now.
"Thank you for the reminder, Doctor Kal'tsit—just call me Goki; I'm just an ordinary Hunter."
Shrugging, Goki smiled at Kal'tsit.
"Thank you for the examination you gave me, and I'll trouble you with Skadi's blood test later—Iberia is accustomed to bartering. If there's anything I can help with, I'm always at your service."
"Wait, Goki."
Suddenly, Skadi's serious voice came from beside Goki—she snatched the small pendant from Goki's hand, which he had just retrieved from the corpse.
On the pale golden waist tag, an unsettling eye was carved, along with some distorted text and symbols, like swaying tentacles.
"I recognize this symbol..."
Turning to look at the guy on the ground who had just tried to attack her but was successfully counter-killed, and the seaweed-colored robe on his body, Skadi's face turned particularly grim.
"Abyssal Church... these lunatics, it really is them—those fools who worship the Seaborn as gods."
Seeing the familiar symbol and recalling the Abyssal Church cultists she had seen during past hunts, Skadi's expression was filled with disgust.
"Is that so... Two Hunters, I think I do have something to ask of you."
Looking at the dead Abyssal Church cultist, Kal'tsit narrowed her eyes, hesitated for a moment, and slowly said.
"If it were just me alone, under the Inquisitor's nose, I might not meddle."
Looking at the two Hunters in front of her, each with their own peculiarities, Kal'tsit made a decision.
"The influence of the Abyssal Church has indeed infiltrated here, and much deeper than we imagined."
Extending a slender Feline paw, Kal'tsit gently clasped Goki's hand.
"Bartering, that's the custom of Iberia—I'd like to hire you two to go and observe the Saltwind City Church for me."
This wouldn't be the trio's first employment relationship, Kal'tsit instinctively felt.
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