Chapter 589: Newborn OriginalBody

The blond‑haired boy ran at a breakneck speed.

He was like a fleeting afterimage, dashing through the metal corridor.

Along the way, many researchers in white lab coats, as if accustomed, showed little surprise at the "afterimage" and continued on their own business, some perusing the holographic tablets in their hands.

Very quickly.

The boy arrived at the dormitory at the end of the corridor…

It was called a dormitory, yet the interior was spacious; the first thing that caught the eye was a living room with a holographic floor‑to‑ceiling window, its view simulated as a seaside, beach, and a bright noon.

The blond boy slowed slightly as he entered, then opened a metal gate on the right, ready to proceed, when he heard a rhythmic "ding! ding!" of forging.

Inside the newly entered room stood a complete set of blacksmith gear—furnaces, a heating oven, an anvil platform, and so on—with weapon racks on both sides laden with assorted cold weapons.

The source of the forging sounds, at the center of the smithy, was a boy over two meters tall—nearly three—muscular and dark‑skinned, wielding a massive hammer that repeatedly struck a red‑hot piece on the anvil.

Youthful yet robust, dark skin, a fondness for forging weapons—these traits pointed to the hammer‑wielding boy, who was the Umbrella third‑generation OriginalBody—

Wokan.

Referred to as brother, his handsome appearance was almost a twin of Shengjilesi's blond brother; the other third‑generation OriginalBody was An Na Jin.

To the present day.

Wokan is no longer the three‑year‑old who was just over a meter tall; he is now a thirteen‑year‑old "teenager."

An Na Jin has also grown from the infant stage when he had to be kept in a petri dish and survive on nutrient solution, into a ten‑year‑old boy curious about everything.

And the specific date of "today" is April 14, 2227.

It has been exactly ten years since the Human Empire, led by the Emperor alone together with Artemis, and supported by some Imperial Guard and Grey Knights, toppled the First Empire and claimed half the galaxies of Universe 101 as its territory.

During this period, the Human Empire's domain continued to expand steadily in the Prime Universe and the Multiverse.

Meanwhile, the Other Space, as expected, began to descend into chaos, since the Cursed Legion on Heroic Spirit Island had already launched an offensive against the Color Sin and the great demon realms that worship it.

Other incomprehensible evil gods, of course, would not wade into the mire, keeping their distance from the Color Sin, unwilling to provoke a Cursed Legion whose combat power exceeds that of Astate in the Physical Universe by several, even dozens of times.

There was no way around it; most members of the Cursed Legion were "heroes" who, for various reasons, met a bitter end, yet under the Emperor's Spiritual Energy protection they attained "immortality" within the Other Space, making their strength far surpass ordinary demons.

However, the Cursed Legion alone was insufficient to plunge the Other Space into disorder; the crucial turning point lay in some sadistic great demons who began actively attacking low‑ and mid‑level demons that favored extreme indulgence, enjoyment, and non‑lethal killing.

Although demon‑on‑demon slaughter and devouring is commonplace in the Other Space, it happened precisely at the moment the Cursed Legion launched its assault…

This caused more incomprehensible high‑rank demons to set their sights on the Color Sin and its great demon, hoping to carve out a share.

One could say that at this moment the Other Space's chaos is intensifying, dragging parts of the Physical Universe into the turmoil as well.

However, for the well‑prepared Human Empire, whenever a star sector or cosmic region experiences an Other Space storm, the Imperial fleet and legion headquarters rush there immediately, followed by the Grey Knights and the Regulatory Department.

Of course, these matters are beyond what An Na Jin and Wokan need to consider; they only vaguely sense the Other Space's unrest, with no clue to the specifics.

During these years, they spent most of their time at Luna Base, receiving instruction from their father and Rebecca, Alexia, and others, becoming elites far beyond ordinary humans.

They also accompanied their father, the Red Queen and the White Queen, to New Krypton, even taking part in a rebellion that overthrew the theocratic government, their human‑born bravery recorded in New Krypton's history…

Yet the New Kryptonians did not know that Wokan and An Na Jin were blood descendants of their creator, for who could imagine two children of about ten growing to nearly two meters tall?

The New Kryptonians who fought in that battle at most regarded Wokan and An Na Jin as youthful heroes, never considering them as the creator's blood descendants.

For the two newborn OriginalBodies, traveling to New Krypton was more like a "field trip," and also the farthest journey they had taken.

To date, they have never left the Solar System, let alone the Prime Universe.

However, not long ago, while An Na Jin was admiring the starry view in Luna Base's central hall, the White Queen's holographic projection appeared beside him, relaying the father's orders that he and Wokan should prepare first, to be dispatched later to the Zero Three Universe.

Although the White Queen did not specify the purpose or what to do in the Zero Three Universe, An Na Jin was already thrilled.

Because they could finally leave the Solar System!

So he sprinted back to the dormitory like a flash, hurriedly conveying the news to his brother Wokan.

…

After hearing An Na Jin's description, Wokan did not rush to reply, but he halted his forging, set the massive hammer aside the anvil, then picked up the iron tongs, clamped the red‑hot piece, and dropped it into a nearby metal water tank.

A sharp "sizzle!!!" rang out.

A spray of water instantly rose.

The water tank boiled incessantly.

After a brief pause, Wokan used the tongs to retrieve the now sheet‑like, cooled metal from the tank, placed it back on the anvil, and half‑crouched to examine it closely.

"Brother!" Seeing Wokan unhurried and still focused on forging, An Na Jin hurried to stand opposite him, "We can finally leave the Solar System!"

"So what?" Wokan looked up at his somewhat restless, impatient younger brother, then returned to inspecting the half‑forged metal.

"So?" An Na Jin was taken aback.

Yeah…

An Na Jin then realized his father hadn't sent the orders yet, so they knew nothing; there was indeed no need to rush.

Sensing his brother's mood calming, Wokan finally gave a faint smile, stopped trying to psych him out, grabbed the orange‑red towel—technically a bath towel but to him a cloth—wiped the sweat from his forehead, turned toward the living room, and reminded An Na Jin, who followed him:

"Brother, I've told you for years that you're strong and full of potential, but you handle things too rashly.

Now you're still young, the repercussions are unclear, but if when you grow up and become a legion OriginalBody you still can't change this flaw, you'll suffer a big loss sooner or later, understand?"

"Ah… ah… got it," An Na Jin replied with a perfunctory nod.

Having grown up together, An Na Jin naturally understood Wokan's goodwill and that it was his brother's concern, yet he always felt his brother was overly nagging.

Next.

Since the White Queen had not clarified the purpose of the Zero Three Universe trip, the two first went to their respective rooms and briefly packed their personal belongings.

Wokan only took a few changes of clothes; most of what he packed were handy weapons he had forged, stuffed into the custom equipment crate Luna Base had prepared for them.

An Na Jin, in contrast to his brother, took many bright, fine garments, but only a single "lightsaber" his father had given him as a weapon.

When the two brothers finished packing and carried the crate to the living room, a holographic communication alert appeared.

Seeing this, the already impatient An Na Jin immediately tapped the "Agree" button on the holographic screen.

Immediately, the living room emitted countless brilliant blue light specks that swirled, coalesced, and finally formed a holographic projection with tangible texture.

Regarding the person who initiated the holographic communication, it was Sui Bian, wearing the "Eternal Unchanging" black attire and red cape, with his hands behind his back.

"Father."

Facing Sui Bian, Wokan and An Na Jin immediately shed their playful attitudes and both stood at attention.

"Hmm."

Sui Bian also gave a slight nod in response, glanced at his two sons, saw the equipment boxes already set up behind them, and couldn't help but shake his head and smile:

"You just want to go out traveling, go out and play?"

"Not bad… actually, Luna Base is pretty good, especially with Dr. Chambos's guidance." An Na Jin seemed not as eager for the outside world as before, but obviously he was saying one thing while meaning another.

Wokan remained silent.

Seeing this.

"It's my fault these years for having to deal with interspatial matters, leaving less time to be with you two." Sui Bian said somewhat apologetically, "And now you two are no longer young, so I'm preparing to let you two go alone to the Flying General Star Region of the Zero-Three Universe."

"Specific planetary coordinates—I'll have Bai Hou upload them to your email later. As long as you arrive before the 24th, that's fine; during this time, take a good look at the Empire's territory."

"Go alone to the Flying General Star Region of the Zero-Three Universe?"

"This..."

Wokan and An Na Jin couldn't react in time.

But soon, An Na Jin showed a confused expression and said: "Father... you mean that as long as we reach the designated point in ten days, we can go wherever we want before then?"

"Yes, literally." Sui Bian didn't deny it, then added:

"But don't forget, before the 24th you can relax as much as you like, but after the 24th you must join the Man-Eating Shark Battalion that arrived earlier, and rush to aid Leon Kennedy and Laura Crouff's tomb-raiding task force."

By then, you'll actually be participating in military operations, no longer engaging in petty rebellions or attempting to overthrow a theocratic dictatorship.

By the way, one last reminder: although you are my offspring, that doesn't mean you have privileges far exceeding those of ordinary Imperial citizens, understand?

Saying this, Sui Bian deliberately let his gaze fall upon An Na Jin.

"A father knows his son best."

An Na Jin is indeed smart, but sometimes he tends toward a showy attitude; although he and Wokan have been patiently guiding him, Sui Bian believes it's sometimes better to speak plainly.

"Yes, Father." The two Original Bodies replied in unison.

"Hmm, you two can set off anytime, but I suggest you go to Raccoon City Starport—after all, it's the Empire's first and currently largest ground starport.

"Alright, I won't say more; as for being extra careful, you two know that yourselves... finally... have fun."

After speaking, Sui Bian ended the holographic communication first, causing the living room of the two Original Bodies to return to its original state.

They relaxed a moment.

"Brother, are we really 'free' now?" An Na Jin still couldn't quite believe it.

"It depends on how you define freedom." Wokan gave a non-sequitur answer, then turned and walked toward the outside of the bedroom: "Come on, let's go to Raccoon City first."

"Okay." An Na Jin had no objection.

Afterwards.

The two left the bedroom they had shared for nearly ten years, walking through metal corridors filled with many researchers, as well as Imperial soldiers and the Glory Iron Fist responsible for patrols.

The luggage- and weapon-filled equipment boxes, according to preset procedure, deployed their suspension devices, automatically following the two and adjusting speed or dodging based on road conditions.

Of course, this technology isn't limited to Imperial elites; on the contrary, it's very widespread throughout Imperial society, ranking among the cheapest products.

Not long after.

The two arrived at the central hall of Luna Base.

Compared to two hundred years ago, there hasn't been much change overall; there are still artificial lakes, man-made grasslands and forests, and even among the trees one can faintly see birds, indicating that their pleasant chirping is not audio playback.

The most obvious change is the holographic floor-to-ceiling windows installed at the perimeter, which are far more realistic than two hundred years ago, giving viewers a genuine sense of standing on the far side of the moon.

Moreover, the original metal gas valves have been replaced by particle gas valves (like light curtains), making the space more open.

The two continued walking.

They boarded the Astate-exclusive maglev train, heading to the station where the teleport elevator is located.

Upon arriving there, the two Original Bodies had just stepped off the maglev train when they encountered several veterans equipped with lancer-type terminators, their helmets adorned with olive branches, and red capes draped behind them.

These battalion veterans didn't skip the routine inspection just because Wokan and An Na Jin were Original Bodies; instead, they still used armor scanners to ensure the two and their equipment boxes were completely normal before granting passage.

Because this station allows personnel to travel directly between Raccoon City and Luna Base, it must be held to a higher security standard.

In the center of the station, resembling a small waiting lounge, there are several huge glass-tube-shaped "Matrix" units.

Wokan and An Na Jin entered one of them with their equipment boxes, and then saw the surroundings begin to scatter with azure-blue light points reminiscent of a holographic device.

But the next moment, the azure-blue light intensified, seeming to fill their entire field of vision.

Whoosh!!

Accompanied by a silent jolt, the light instantly vanished.

And the scenery outside the glass tube switched from the previous station to the upper-floor lobby of the Umbrella Building.

(End of chapter)