23 Victor's Traces
"Older Brother, I think you need to know something," Kim said with a sense of urgency as he stepped into Jim's office.
Jim, who had been fully immersed in studying charts of data, immediately set aside the folder and adjusted his posture, giving Kim his full attention. He knew that when his younger brother approached him like this, it was about something important.
"What is it? Have you caught test subject Hunt?" Jim inquired, his tone a mixture of anticipation and impatience.
Kim's expression darkened, and he chose his words carefully, aware of the potential impact they could have on Jim.
"We haven't found test subject Hunt yet. But we did discover something else," Kim started cautiously. "The mercenaries you hired, the ones we sent to find him—they're all dead. And, Jim, the way they were killed was... gruesome."
Silence engulfed the room as Jim processed the unsettling information. He clicked his tongue in frustration, his mind racing to understand the implications of this development. He sighed deeply, his hand reaching up to rub his temple, a clear sign of the immense stress he had been under.
"These past few days have been a nightmare," Jim confessed, his voice laced with exhaustion. "Uncooperative test subjects, endless challenges with the Supreme Council, and now this... him, capable of taking down A-rank awakens and a B-rank party, at most."
Kim could only watch his brother's emotions spill out, understanding the immense pressure and responsibilities that Jim carried. It was an intense exchange that lasted a few minutes, allowing Jim to vent his frustrations and concerns openly.
Finally, as the weight of his emotions subsided, Jim's weary eyes turned to Kim, showing a glimmer of vulnerability.
"Can I ask you a favor?" he exhaled heavily. "Please find him, Kim, even if he's hiding in the darkest corners of the Rotting Land. He's the missing piece of our puzzle. If we can find him, we'll finally get the answers we've been seeking all this time. Please, locate him, even if he's already dead. I need his body to gain access to his part of the [System]."
Kim looked at his brother, his heart filled with sympathy for the difficult situation Jim was facing. He knew all too well the frustration that came with hitting research boundaries, unable to make the desired progress.
"Kim, you know that reinforcements take time. They're coming from the middle of the kingdom, and we're stuck out here at the outskirts. It's only natural that their response would be slow. But I can't wait for them to arrive. I need answers, and I need them now," Jim pleaded, desperation evident in his voice.
With a forced smile, Kim moved closer to his brother, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry, brother. I'll instruct my team to give their all in locating that test subject," he promised, hoping to provide some comfort during such trying times.
***
"Sir, I believe we've found the best look-alike for the kid. The body composition and skin complexion are remarkably similar. If we use acid to destroy it, no one will doubt that this is the kid you're looking for," Kim's subordinate reported as soon as he arrived at the outskirts of the Rotting Land, following the path Victor had taken during his escape.
"Excellent. Take it at least five kilometers away from here and place it somewhere no one would dare approach. You have my permission to use the heavy drones," Kim commanded.
"Understood, sir."
As the operation commenced, a sly smirk formed on Kim's lips as he watched it unfold on the holographic monitor of his smartwatch. His team was executing the plan with meticulous precision. The body they were carrying would serve as a convincing facade, completing the second-to-last phase of Kim's scheme to deceive his brother. The use of heavy drones provided an extra layer of safety, a precautionary measure against confronting someone as formidable as Victor.
"It will undoubtedly take time to find someone with such monstrous capabilities. Even if he leaves traces, I won't risk my team fighting him. He could easily wipe them out, just like what happened to the mercenary group searching for him," Kim mused.
As he made his way back to the tent they had set up near the Rotting Land, Kim pondered his future plans. Unlocking the secrets hidden within the ruins was his primary goal, and he knew he needed more people and researchers to achieve it. Capturing Victor was never his true intention; it would only divert resources from his vital research. Besides, given the traces Victor had left behind during his escape, it seemed unlikely that Jim would find him alive.
Inside the tent, Kim prepared to print the fabricated pictures, skillfully designed to showcase Victor's fake death. This elaborate plan would undoubtedly lessen the burden he carried and grant him the freedom to delve deeper into his research.
"I need to stay one step ahead of my brother and ensure my team's success," Kim contemplated. "With Victor's supposed demise, the path to our research's advancement will become clearer."
As the final picture printed, Kim couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement. Soon, everything would fall into place, and he would be closer to unlocking the world's hidden mysteries within the ruins. The coming days held great promise, but also great risks. Nevertheless, Kim was determined to face them head-on, using his wit and strategic prowess to navigate the uncertain path ahead.
After three days, Kim hurriedly entered Jim's office, his face etched with worry and concern. Jim noticed the urgency in his brother's expression and braced himself for the report he was about to hear.
"Older Brother... I think you must stop risking more lives to retrieve that kid from the Rotting Land," Kim said solemnly.
"The Rotting Land? You think he's still there? So, where is he?" Jim inquired, eager for any sign of progress.
With a bitter expression, Kim shook his head, causing a pang of apprehension to fill Jim's heart. It took him a moment to process what Kim was implying.
"What do you mean? Is he... dead?"
For a few minutes, Jim stood frozen, unable to believe what he had just heard. All his meticulous planning and efforts over the past eight years, were they all in vain? The realization was difficult to fathom and even harder to accept.
Struggling to come to terms with the devastating news, Jim finally managed to speak, "Show me the pictures of his body, the one you found."
Kim handed over the pictures, showing Victor's supposed lifeless form, and Jim began to process the heart-wrenching reality of what had occurred.
Kim further explained, "We used drones to survey the area, and we came across a body that closely matched the description you provided. Although not identical, we are confident that this is the test subject you sought. I'm sorry to tell you, but retrieving the body is virtually impossible. It is surrounded by monsters above level 100. It seems after killing those mercenaries, he went back to the Rotting Land to hide from any other searchers. But tragically, those monsters ended up taking his life."