A group of scientists stood in a circle, their sterile white garments covering them from head to toe. The room was filled with advanced biotechnology machines, devices that represented a seamless integration of metal components and living organisms. Their smooth surfaces reflected the sterile lighting, occasionally revealing subtle pulsations from their integrated living systems. All were connected by a web of vein-like cables extending toward the center of the room, where they converged on the body of a subject lying unconscious on a bed.
The subject's body looked utterly horrific, displaying extreme signs of aging. His skin was dry, every inch of it covered in deep wrinkles. Not a single hair remained on him. A topography of scars marked his entire body—some fresh wounds, others old and sealed shut; some clean and surgical, others ragged and torn. If it weren't for the breathing apparatus rising and falling with each breath, one might have mistaken him for a cadaver.
A man, clearly the leader among the researchers, stood with his gaze fixed intently on the screen in his hand. The display showed the research subject's biodata, as well as his current physical status:
_________________
Subject Name: Jack Montgomery
Age: 220 years
Treatment: cell modification
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"Hmm, all systems appear stable," the lead scientist murmured, eyes still fixed on the data. He turned to face his team. "Proceed with detaching the cables connected to the subject's body. Once completed, initiate the transfer to the portable system."
A researcher carefully disconnected several cables from the subject's body."The telomere modification device and the Klotho gene modification device have been successfully disconnected," she reported.
"The stem cell therapy modification device has been successfully disconnected," said another researcher, after pulling out the cables deeply embedded in the subject's tissue.
"The anti-disease gene modification device has been successfully disconnected."
"The DNA repair gene modification device and the mitochondrial gene modification device have been successfully disconnected."
"The skin cell modification device has been successfully disconnected."
"The metabolism and nutrition control device has been successfully disconnected."
"All organ cell control devices have been successfully disconnected."
The researchers took turns reporting after each cable was disconnected from the subject's body.
Once all the cables had been disconnected, the researchers proceeded to connect the cables from the machine on the wheelchair to the subject's body.
Then, one of the researchers reported,
"Sir, the disconnection of all life-extension cell modification devices has been completed, and the subject is now fully integrated with the portable system. I will now proceed with the updated report on the subject's physical condition, outlining the changes since yesterday's evaluation."
The lead researcher nodded as the latest data appeared on his screen.
"There has been a 5 to 10 percent decline in the subject's overall condition across multiple parameters. In terms of physical health, the subject has experienced an increase in skin brittleness, muscle atrophy, bone density deterioration, and cellular degeneration—all worsening by approximately 5 percent compared to the previous day."
She continued, "Regarding organ status, 90 percent of the subject's vital organs, which have been replaced with synthetic and bio-engineered tissue, have shown a further 10 percent reduction in functionality. Additionally, the estimated life expectancy has now been revised from 2–3 years to a reduced range of 1–2 years, without further intervention or improvements to the current system."
After hearing the report on the subject's status, the other researchers appeared worried and began whispering to one another.
Among them, one stood apart, his expression heavier with sorrow than the rest, he even shed a tear.
"His life expectancy dropped by a whole year in just one day. Isn't that concerning, sir?" asked one of the younger researchers, wiping away his tears.
The lead scientist's expression remained calm, though the weight of the situation was clear.
"Oh, Helix… his body was already in an extremely degraded state, so even a minor decline causes drastic changes," the lead scientist responded. "And all of these machines are also operating at their limits, they've been pushed far beyond their designed capacity."
Helix's voice was tinged with despair.
"So, there's truly nothing left we can do. Now, his only hope rests on that contract."
The lead scientist, catching the words, replied, "You're right, Helix. At this point, the only thing that can save him is forming that contract. If he isn't chosen today, it's all over, he won't make it to next year. But if by some miracle he's chosen by the God, just sealing that contract could extend his life by months, maybe even years..."
He placed a hand on Helix's shoulder.
"So go and wake him up, then take him to the preparation room immediately. Today is the day we find out, will all his suffering finally pay off, or was it all in vain…"
"Yes, sir," Helix replied, his voice weighed down with emotion. Then he approached the subject.
"I'm going to disconnect the Nociception Blocker and Consciousness Modulator from the subject," said Helix. With great care, he gently pulled off a device attached to the subject's head.
Helix then delivered an updated status report on the subject after disengaging the pain suppression and consciousness control systems.
"The subject's pain levels have spiked, increasing from 40% to an 87% permanent pain threshold, with intense discomfort caused by ongoing organ stress and the effects of the modifications."
The lead scientist's brow furrowed. "Hmm, there's really nothing more we can do now... Let's just hope that when Mr. Montgomery wakes up, he'll be able to withstand the pain and won't go into shock. Let's proceed with the next procedure."
After that, Helix attempted to wake the subject, who was still unconscious.
"Mr. Jack Montgomery... are you awake?"
Mr. Montgomery!!
Mr. Montgomery!!
Mr…..
...…
"Jack…!!
Jack,
wake up, Jack…!!!"A woman shouted.
"Huh, Mom?" Jack mumbled, his vision blurry. He instinctively rubbed both of his eyes with his small hands.
"You're awake, Jack... We need to leave now. That creature might already be close," Jack's mother said, her face pale with fear.
Jack looked around, realizing it was just the two of them.
"But Mom, where is everyone? Where's Dad?"
Jack's mother froze at his question, her face momentarily blank with shock. Tears began to well up in her eyes, and when she finally spoke, her voice was trembling. "Jack… we're the only ones left. Everyone else... your father, all of them… they've all ...been taken.... by that..... creature!!!!!!."