After all, the high-performance brain was humanity's greatest asset in climbing to the top of the food chain. If even that couldn't compare, then there really wasn't much else to boast about...
But Fran had mentioned a premise at the beginning: "Setting aside incomprehensible mythical creatures."
If one were to truly place the species existing in hidden history on the scale for comparison... then humanity's proud brain would likely also struggle to gain an advantage.
"Ahem."
Dourn, who had been silent for a long time, coughed once.
The main reason this Sun-Forgers craftsman hadn't spoken earlier was concern about disrupting Fran's train of thought. After all, she seemed somewhat inexperienced, yet the topic she was presenting was so captivating... he couldn't bear to interrupt.
The Sun-Forgers cult had internal alchemical organ technology, part of [Biological Alchemy]. But the problem was that the produced alchemical organs generally carried significant risks—either affecting spiritual awareness or causing continuous rejection reactions, with a high mortality rate.
"Ms. Flamel, your explanation was most brilliant. Allow me a question... What is the academic result you intend to present?"
His question touched upon the main event of the day. Fran also lightly raised her brows, withdrawing the mirth from her gaze.
"Physiological flaws are innate. And what I offer... is the technology to mend those flaws, true [Biological Alchemy]."
"I will provide a harmless implant organ free from rejection. It can accelerate blood coagulation when the implantee is injured, and rapidly reconstruct skin, reducing the formation of scar tissue."
Wounds naturally form scars during healing—a product of rapid wound sealing. But in the case of massive burns, large amounts of scar tissue can, during contraction, even distort the patient's muscles, nerves, and even blood vessels...
The organ Fran mentioned was the fifth-stage implant organ of the transformation surgery, the Larraman's Organ.
Thanks to the modular deconstruction of the technologies she had mastered, she could extract any single item from the transformation surgery for separate use.
This was also why Haida could get out of bed and complete treatment after only four surgeries back then, without having to complete the entire transformation process formulaically.
"Biological Alchemy..."
Dourn pondered briefly, the interest in his murky eyes growing increasingly intense.
The Sun-Forgers cult had always had some shortcomings in Biological Alchemy, so he was very interested in the technology Fran proposed.
The emissary from the Stellar Abyss Society had shown an extraordinary understanding of the human body in her earlier scattered remarks, making her quite credible. Moreover, this was the White Cup cult's academic symposium; the scholars themselves would discern truth from falsehood.
"Can you demonstrate the specific effect?"
Dourn asked somewhat hopefully.
Fran seemed ready to agree, but a strange glint suddenly appeared in her amber eyes—imperceptible, fleeting.
Then she wearily shook her index finger, clearly intending to end the lecture there.
"I will open-source this technology. Everyone can go back and conduct their own tests."
With that, she placed a thick stack of handwritten paper manuscripts on the lectern, lightly pulled down her overcoat, and quickly left the council chamber podium.
Open-source... Such an idealistic act, like me in my youth.
Dourn's eyes narrowed slightly as he chuckled softly.
Then, he lightly clasped his hands, and applause followed.
Within the White Cup's academic symposium, exchange was merely the form; transaction was its ultimate essence. Therefore, those who freely shared academic results seemed somewhat naive. But this kind of "naivety"... wasn't unpleasant.
Or rather, it was the symposium's original ideal.
Compared to the overcrowded outer hall, the inner hall had few invitees, all being secret cult disciples of rank, their status quite high.
And now, most of them joined the Sun-Forgers craftsman, rhythmically clapping their hands, bestowing their respect and salutations upon this young scholar from the Stellar Abyss Society.
Amidst the rain-like applause from the seated attendees, Fran, holding the hem of her overcoat, hurriedly descended from the podium.
She looked somewhat nervous, like a startled fawn, her steps light and a bit reckless as she ran into the restroom. In terms of disguise, this individual was indeed excessively professional, seemingly never slipping up at any time...
Seeing Fran's current state, Haida couldn't help but narrow her eyes slightly, a flicker of confusion passing through her gray chestnut gaze.
Hmm... Does Dr. Fran also need to use the restroom urgently?
Clearly, no.
Eating, sleeping, metabolism—the vast majority of human physiological needs were unnecessary for this doctor. Haida had already confirmed this during several previous cross-dimensional house calls.
So... Fran leaving the nearly completed lecture to enter the restroom likely had some other reason.
Given this doctor's perfectionist personality, normally she would have chosen to fully present the academic results before ending the lecture.
Thinking this, Haida inconspicuously left her seat and also walked into the restroom.
Due to low usage and the use of self-cleaning rituals, the White Cup council chamber's restroom was very tidy and more ornately decorated. There were no unpleasant odors in the air, mostly the scent of circulating air and camphorwood powder.
Haida reached out and pushed open the door, seeing Fran leaning against the washbasin, one hand supporting herself on the mirror, breathing lightly as if unwell.
Was it a hidden ailment left from previous cross-dimensional house calls, or something else?
She thought briefly, then placed the power sword Nirvana against the restroom door to prevent anyone from entering suddenly.
Most invitees who could reach the inner hall were secret cult disciples of some rank, whose physiological needs were largely suppressed. Therefore, this place was rarely used, and blocking it for a short time wouldn't attract notice.
After doing this, Haida stepped forward to support Fran, who was hunched over, appearing somewhat indisposed.
"Fr... Ms. Flamel, are you feeling unwell anywhere?"
"Nothing serious."
Fran lowered her gaze, took off her silver-rimmed glasses, now flecked with droplets of water, and trembling slightly, placed them in her academic robe pocket.
She lightly touched her cheek. Her already pale complexion now showed a sickly flush, and a shimmering strand of saliva glistened at the corner of her lips. The overall condition closely resembled flu-like fever symptoms.
Haida instinctively wanted to feel her forehead to check for fever, but considering this doctor's clearly abnormal constitution... she ultimately didn't do so.
"It's the curse from that Flayer."
"Although the contact was brief, a tiny amount of the virus invaded the Chimera Spine, affecting me somewhat. This C'tan product actually has an incubation period..."
The Flayer curse spreads in viral form but in most cases only affects inorganic matter.
Such as mechanical instruments, integrated circuits, operating systems... Its very birth was to target the Necrons.
Originally, Fran wasn't within the scope of infection targets, given the mismatch. But she had previously interfaced with the Chimera Spine Sphinx, and that gave the curse an entry point for infection.
However, due to the talent Strange Doctor and her own extremely high mental resilience, the curse's mental disturbance couldn't affect her reason at all... But besides that, she genuinely felt a deep craving for flesh.
To don warm skin, to drink hot blood, to swallow pulsating organs...
A cold, boundless sense of void crept up the spinal cord, deep into her limbs and bones.
It was the venomous death-curse of the Flayer C'tan Llandu'gor before its demise, also the deep longing of the Necrons, turned to machinery, for their former warm flesh. In the empty, silent slumber of millions of years, this longing, suffering in silence, grew increasingly distorted and fervent...
Even a dust-mote of influence was like a clinging, festering sore, difficult to cleanse.
Haida, still in her supportive posture, stiffened slightly. She felt Fran extend an arm and encircle her neck.
The doctor's face slowly drew near, her breath like threads lightly brushing past her ear. Her body was soft and slender, but beneath the warmth close to her skin, Haida inexplicably sensed a trace of profound loneliness.
So distant, so cold...
Even spiritual empathy catching only a hint of it made her heart surge with an abyssal, suffocating feeling.
"My dear Sister Haida, you've come at just the right time... I need a little help now."
Fran's voice came slowly.
With that, she gently licked her lips, a faint, elusive smile on them.
Haida's gaze focused slightly. Chaotic thoughts quietly sprouted, only to be quickly suppressed the next moment.
"...What can I do?"
"Let me take a bite."
Before Haida could respond, she felt the soft touch of lips and tongue on her neck... and a slight, sharp pain.
Fran lightly set her silver teeth, biting the skin on Haida's neck.
Her amber eyes shimmered with rapturous light, like a perpetually hungry specter feasting on delicacies.
The muscle enhancement from the transformation surgery gave the nun's skin extraordinary resilience, so Fran's pointed teeth didn't pierce the epidermis, leaving only slightly reddened tooth marks. If it were an ordinary person... their throat might truly be bitten through, their blood sipped.
If what stood before Haida were an Evil Spawn or something like a ghoul, she would have already drawn her firearm and emptied the magazine the instant it acted.
But now... she could only suppress her instinct to defend and counterattack, quietly waiting for the other to finish this overly intimate act.
The distance between them was so close that Haida could feel the beating of the heart within the person before her.
This made her feel a moment of trance... So Dr. Fran's body is also driven by the heart in her chest?
A faint blush inexplicably appeared on her cheeks, but it quickly vanished under the Secrets-Hunter's excellent expression control.
After a moment, Haida felt the teeth embedded in her neck gradually loosen, and the labored, myrrh-scented breathing also calmed.
"Haa..."
Fran let out a satisfied, soft sigh, then slowly released the slightly stiff nun.
"Thank you for your cooperation and trust, Haida. The effect of this self-treatment is even better than expected."
"..."
Although she very much wanted to say something in response, Haida's thoughts felt sluggish, so after a moment of silence, she began to formulate words anew.
"Please tell me the details, Dr. Fran."
Hearing this, Fran pursed her lips slightly, as if still savoring the sweet-metallic taste of blood lingering between her lips and teeth.
"Since there's a craving for flesh, a 'full meal' is needed... I was using self-hypnosis to alleviate the Flayer curse's influence. Your presence is akin to a catalyst; not strictly necessary, but it makes the self-hypnosis proceed very smoothly."
Guiding the spirit also requires some external assistance.
Such as a quiet environment, gentle incense, intimate whispers... Beyond that, having a "medium" directly related to the hypnosis content is naturally best. And since she needed to deceive herself into feeling full, naturally she needed an object to be devoured alive, stripped to the bone, consumed completely.
Before Haida arrived, Fran had already been practicing self-hypnosis in front of the mirror, just needing a little more time.
And during this period, an excellent and familiar real-world medium presented itself. Delicious, fragrant, enticing... How could she not make the most of it?
"Alleviate..."
Haida sharply caught the key point in Fran's words.
"So it will recur?"
"Indeed it will."
Fran nodded, then blinked lightly, as if finding this somewhat troublesome.
"The essence of the Flayer curse is an electronic virus carrying curse-word rules, so there's no specific antidote. But it is, after all, a mental influence and can be violently purged through some special methods."
"I need to return to the clinic to prepare a treatment plan. I'll leave the rest of the symposium to you... Oh, remember to collect the payment from the White Cup cult on my behalf. 800 standard silver coins, or one spirit-infused material."
As she spoke, she pushed open one of the restroom stalls; the pale-gray Mist Within the Door already overflowed within.
"Oh, wait, one more thing..."
Fran looked at Haida behind her, her gaze lingering on the nun's neck for a moment, carrying a hint of guilt.
She placed her hands behind her back, fumbled slightly, and produced an exquisitely cut silk scarf.
The scarf was entirely ebon, embroidered with a horizontal prismatic holy emblem resembling an eye or a mouth, quite matching the form-fitting nun's habit Haida usually wore. It was casually woven from leftover fabric from the Stellar Abyss Society academic robe, originally intended as a winter employee benefit for Haida.
But now, it seemed this scarf had another purpose.
Before Haida could speak, Fran had already draped the silk scarf around Haida's neck, tying a neat, pretty cross knot.
"Thank you...?"
Feeling the residual warmth on the scarf, Haida's gaze lowered slightly, her expression somewhat complicated.
The scarf couldn't have been woven on the spot, meaning it was a gift Dr. Fran had prepared earlier.
However, its current purpose was to conceal the still-reddened bite marks on her neck... No matter how one thought about it, it felt a bit strange.
Her thoughts were now a tangled mess, needing time to fully sort out.
Besides that, there was one more point that Haida couldn't help but dwell on.
When holding Dr. Fran, that profound, age-old sense of loneliness emanating from her... Did it stem from the so-called C'tan curse, or from the doctor herself?
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T/N: Hey readers~! New Translator here! Before I say anything, I'd first like to thank the original author for creating this wonderful story. Without them, I wouldn't have the chance to share this adventure with you. I hope my translation does justice to their work, and that together, we can enjoy this story.
With that said, I'm happy to let you know I'll be uploading daily chapters. And for those who wish to support my work and gain early access, I've set up a Patreon where advanced chapters will be available.
[email protected]/PeakTL