Kanata apparently visited the SBC branch to install the Zero-Type Unit.
The SBC Ligrit branch building is very close to Pende Corporation, so I moved on foot.
Even though it’s a branch, it’s a core company of the Mikado Group, and the building is impressive.
It’s supposed to be the weekend and closed, but the gate opened when my face was authenticated, and a woman in a white coat with round glasses came out.
“Welcome, Amakake-san. I’ve heard about you from Mikoto-sama. I am Sawa Sawatari, the Head of Development at SBC’s Ligrit branch. Pleased to meet you.”
“Sergeant Kanata Amakake. Pleased to meet you.”
“Now that greetings are exchanged, let’s head this way immediately. Everything is ready.”
We took a special-looking elevator to the lowest basement level.
I guess the law Marika-san mentioned during the Kidnap Operation, “Most important facilities are always at the top or bottom,” is true.
From the lowest floor, we passed through several more gates and were guided to the innermost laboratory.
In the center of the laboratory was a familiar medical pod, already activated.
“The installation will take at least half a day. I will explain the Zero-Type Unit after the installation. Please enter the pod.”
It makes sense that it takes a long time since they’re installing the latest SBC apps along with the Zero-Type Unit.
“Understood. Are you the only one in this building today, Sawatari-chief?”
“There are security guards, but I’m the only researcher. The best way to keep a secret is…”
“Not to let anyone know. Then, please proceed.”
I changed into the pod suit prepared beside the medical pod and then entered the medical pod filled with a pale purple liquid.
When I first came to this world, I was suddenly inside a pod, which was a shock, but I’m used to entering pods now.
After confirming that I was in the pod, Sawatari-chief prepared several ampoules and began her preparations.
One of those ampoules must be the ancestor of the Bio-Metal Unit created by Murakumo Towa-san, the Zero-Type.
While thinking about such things, I fell asleep inside the pod.
Waking up inside the pod is not a pleasant experience.
After all, my lungs are filled with culture fluid.
It’s physiologically uncomfortable to have liquid in parts of the body where it doesn’t normally belong.
I remember choking and sputtering when I was transferred to the laboratory.
“How do you feel, Amakake-san?”
“I’ve been in here many times, but it’s never a pleasant feeling.”
“I’ll drain the culture fluid immediately.”
As Sawatari-chief operated the computer, the culture fluid drained from the outlet at my feet.
My ears rang with a beep, and text appeared on my retinal display.
…Anti-Poison System activation confirmed.
…Oxy-Absorber System activation confirmed.
…Bio-Sensor System activation confirmed.
…Suspended System activation confirmed.
…Super-Autophagy System activation confirmed.
…Pulse Jammer System activation confirmed.
Wow, a lot of functions are starting up.
So many functions are being displayed.
“So many apps have started up!”
“We installed various apps. Sergeant Amakake has high Nenshin Strength, so it was worth filling you up.”
Worth filling me up… It’s not like they’re having a bake sale.
“I also installed some apps currently under development at our company, so please cooperate with data collection.”
“Understood… Nothing is more expensive than what’s free, right?”
It seems like my fate is to be a toy for older women or a guinea pig for researchers.
“What was installed are products before they were given those uncool Alliance-style names, so their functions are their names. I will explain each function.”
While operating a tablet, Sawatari-chief began explaining the installed apps.
“The Anti-Poison System is an app that neutralizes poison. It’s an excellent tool that can neutralize most currently known biochemical weapons.”
“Whoa! You succeeded in developing such an app! SBC is amazing!”
I was astonished, but Sawatari-chief replied with a hint of regret.
“The Anti-Poison System is one of the basic functions of the Zero-Type. We are also developing it with all our might, but it lacks the versatility of the Zero-Type.”
“…Oh, I see.”
“The caution for the Anti-Poison System is that it consumes a large amount of calories. Even if you are exposed to poison gas, you won’t die, but you should evacuate quickly. Before you become unable to move due to calorie depletion.”
“Understood. What about the Oxy-Absorber System?”
“That is also a basic function of the Zero-Type. It allows you to absorb oxygen directly from water through your skin. In other words, you won’t drown in water. The caution is that oxygen supply may not keep up with strenuous activity like combat.”
So I can stay underwater indefinitely as long as I’m not moving? That’s amazing enough.
“Please pay special attention to the handling of the Bio-Sensor System. It automatically detects life forms within a range of plus or minus five degrees Celsius from the average human body temperature of 36.5 degrees Celsius, but it consumes a lot of Nenshin Power. The search range is proportional to Nenshin Strength, so for Kanata-san, it’s around 20 meters.”
For me, whose Nenshin Strength exceeds 1 million n, it’s only about 20 meters? To effectively use it, wouldn’t you need Nenshin Strength on the level of Lilith’s?
“Why did you install such a mediocre app?”
“It’s a basic function of the Zero-Type, so it can’t be helped. I don’t understand Dr. Murakumo’s intentions in developing such a function. Perhaps even geniuses make simple mistakes. Therefore, we recommend keeping the system turned off.”
Yeah, I can feel my Nenshin Power gradually decreasing even as we speak. I’ll turn it off.
“The Suspended System is a function that significantly extends the time until death by entering a state of suspended animation when critically injured. The Cold Sleep was developed based on this function.”
“That’s not a function I want to rely on much. It could be useful for pretending to be dead, though?”
“The Super-Autophagy function further enhances the self-digestion function inherent in humans. The Pulse Jammer System is a function that can disrupt the control of brainwave-guided weapons, and it is a particularly effective countermeasure against personnel missiles. These are the basic functions of the Zero-Type.”
All of these are basic functions of the Zero-Type? It’s packed with so much!
“It’s amazing, this Zero-Type.”
“Yes. Of course, its Architech abilities, such as physical strength enhancement, sensory enhancement, super-regeneration, and restoration functions, surpass even the 5th-generation models.”
“I understand why Towa Murakumo-san is called the greatest mind in humanity.”
“Dr. Murakumo and Dr. Mido may be rivals that researchers can never surpass. Furthermore, the Zero-Type is equipped with a Divine Armament (Shinsou) Mode.”
“Kamui, spelled Shin’i. What kind of mode is it?”
“Think of it as a turbo system that enhances Architech abilities. It is the function of the Zero-Type that requires the most caution in handling.”
“Does it also consume a lot of energy?”
“Yes, in exchange, it pushes all abilities to their absolute limit. This includes physical strength and Nenshin Power. Its sustained duration is extremely short, and it is expected that both body and mind will be in a terrible state after use. It should only be used except in truly desperate situations.”
…It’s equipped with frightening functions.
“Next are the apps developed by SBC. The FCS and translation apps have been updated to the latest models. A new app is the Damage Scan function. When activated, it can determine which part of the body is injured and to what extent.”
“It’s like a doctor’s function! It seems useful.”
“It would be useful for understanding damage when you have to continue fighting while injured. Also, we’ve installed a Temperature Control system to maintain body temperature in cold and tropical regions. Please note that cooling your body in tropical regions consumes a considerable amount of calories.”
It’s convenient, but I should consider it as a last resort. And I should always carry emergency food.
I should also carry bottled corn syrup in my PET bottle, the last resort that Vodka taught me.
Clearing her throat, Sawatari-chief resumed her explanation with a slight puff of her chest.
“And we have also installed our SBC-developed Heat Convert app.”
“Heat Convert? What kind of function is it?”
“I will punch you with all my might, so please turn on the function and take it! Here I go!”
What, she’s going to punch me!
Her amateur punch, after twirling her arm around, hit my cheek, but there was almost no impact.
Instead, my cheek felt a little warm. So, she converted the impact into heat!
Sawatari-chief, who delivered the punch, seemed to be the one in pain, blowing on her delicate fist.
“It seems you understood. I think it’s particularly useful when fighting against martial artists. Or when you’re about to be hit by a car.”
“But if you get hit by a car-level impact, it seems like a tremendous amount of heat would be generated.”
“That’s where the Temperature Control comes in.”
“Ah, right! Heat Convert and Temperature Control combined! You can lower the elevated body temperature!”
Sawatari-chief nodded with satisfaction at my answer.
“However, not all the impact can be converted into heat. It would be considered good if even half of it is converted. Please don’t forget that any app is only as good as its user.”
“We were taught in the unit that sometimes using functions recklessly leads to digging your own grave. But Heat Convert is an innovative function, isn’t it? You developed it, Sawatari-chief?”
“Yes, it’s my pride and joy. I’ve been instructed to send any future useful apps or updates to the Rose Garden. So I look forward to working with you.”
“Likewise.”
At that moment, my stomach growled loudly. It was incredibly embarrassing.
Sawatari-chief chuckled and said,
“The Garum restaurant near this building serves delicious food. You can enjoy their sausages and authentic beer.”
“Haha, please excuse me. I had a light meal before coming here… but it’s already 9 PM!”
…Of course. I had so many apps installed.
“I’d love to join you, but I need to finish today’s report.”
“But you need to eat too, Sawatari-chief?”
Sawatari-chief smiled and pointed to the pile of documents on her desk.
What was in front of her was a block-type portable ration.
“This is a prototype of our company’s military ration. This is part of my work too.”
Just like Momochi-san, there are workaholics everywhere.
Perhaps I should go hunting for old books today.
