Cyberpunk: Starting in 2071

Chapter 35 Surgical Arrangements
Victor looked at Mercer with an incredulous expression: "You've had similar tests done before, haven't you? Is your data accurate? Did you have some kind of prosthetic implant that interfered with the data collection?"

Mercer sat up, looked at the data on his screen, and pondered for a moment while rubbing his chin: "You've improved quite a bit. Your reaction time and composure have both improved a little. Is it possible that your program's values ​​are inaccurate and you've underestimated them?"

"Ah"

Victor glanced at Mercer with an annoyed look at the bright numbers displayed on the instrument:
"The reading is too low? My numerical testing standards are even more conservative than the company's standards!"

Intelligence: 21, Composure: 20, Reaction: 17
Damn it, the highest value my machine can detect is 21!
I was able to detect so many points only after modifying the machine myself. With a regular inspection machine, it could only detect a maximum of 20 points.

Unbelievable! No wonder Arasaka chose you; your brain activity and nerve tolerance are ridiculously high.
People in big companies are so extravagant these days, treating geniuses like you like consumables?
"No, you're not just a genius, you're a monster! You're not some kind of mutant who's been genetically modified, are you?"

Viktor shook his head repeatedly, feeling as if his worldview had been severely shaken.

These are truly not numbers a normal human should have! Even if the measurements represent potential, it doesn't mean Mercer is actually that high right now, but even so...
In terms of intelligence and reaction, Mercer had already basically realized his full potential at his age!

This means that Mercer only needs to equip himself with the prosthetic body and equipment now.
He has truly unleashed his full intelligence, reaching this terrifying human limit!
"It's all thanks to my good hiding skills, otherwise how would I have had a chance to escape? But I should be a pure human."
Oh dear, Lao Wei, don't overthink the fact that I'm a genius. You won't understand it anyway, since a genius like me is unparalleled in the world.

"Your machine is pretty impressive. Back in Arasaka, it could only find a maximum of 20 points."

Mercer's words prompted Victor to press the retest button again, but the machine's readings remained unchanged.

"I've never seen a genius break through the numerical limit. You're not a genius. I don't believe any human can measure your value."

Old Wei muttered to himself, "I thought my machine would never reach its limit. No wonder you were so confident about installing these prosthetic bodies, but..."
Oh well, never mind, I won't delve into it.
What are your plans? How do you intend to have the surgery?

Upon hearing this, Mercer excitedly began to explain his surgical plan:
"Old Wei, my idea is that, first of all, the monomolecular wire and heat dissipation system definitely need to be installed, and the prosthetic eye and brain-computer interface also need to be replaced."

Hmm. Since the brain-computer interface has been replaced, let's just replace the data cables as well.

You don't need to add coolant. I checked Arasaka's information on this stuff that directly affects the internal circulation, and there may be trace amounts of toxins deposited that cannot be completely metabolized.

We still need to work on the network receiver.

You absolutely must not connect this directly to your own network to view the data; it involves special protocols and procedures.

I suspect—no, I think Arasaka definitely planted a backdoor in this program. After I install the others, we'll investigate it together. If we can remove the backdoor, then we can consider installing it again.

"Hmm, you mean you want to install a monomolecular cable, a new brain-computer interface, brain-computer interface cables, this top-of-the-line hacker cooling system, a new prosthetic eye... and you don't want your brain anymore?"

Viktor said bluntly, "After seeing your data, I'm actually a little more confident that you can install these."

But that doesn't mean you can put it all in at once.

With so many things involved, postoperative inflammation could be fatal, not to mention that all of these things are connected to your brain's nerves.

Haven't you looked at the data yourself?
The neural load on each prosthetic body is more than double that of these Arasaka-made devices you're currently wearing!

Victor looked at Mercer and said resolutely:

"Even if you're confident, it won't work. I can only fit you with some of the lighter ones today; the rest will have to wait until the post-operative observation period is over."

First, replace your monomolecular wire, brain-computer interface and its matching connecting wires, and prosthetic eye.

Other components, such as ICE protection for the frontal cortex, heat dissipation prostheses, and synaptic accelerators that act directly on nerves, all need to be addressed one by one.

He turned to look at Mercer and said very seriously:

"The ones behind are prosthetics that put a huge burden on your brain nerves."

For example, if the combined burden on your brain from the prosthetics installed in the front is 10, then each of the prosthetics installed in the back will also put a burden of 10 on you!

Moreover, you need to understand that the brain bearing a load of 20 points is completely different from bearing a load of 30 points!
If working from 10 to 20 o'clock only makes you feel tired, then working from 20 to 30 o'clock will continuously damage your brain nerves!

Do you understand what I mean?
If an ordinary person were to have these prosthetics installed, even just the installation itself without activating them, the enormous neural burden would overwhelm their brain.

If activated, it will cause irreversible nerve damage every time it is turned on!

Even you couldn't run these things perfectly smoothly without any issues.
"Child, listen to me. Call me Old Wei, and I will never harm you."

Upon hearing this, Mercer, even though he felt that he was not in a big problem, still nodded obediently—that was the charm of Old Vieira.

"Then I'll do as you say. I'll leave the rest with you. Come to An in a while, and we can use that time to study the network receiver."

Old Wei, that thing is the core of this whole prosthetic body.

It can be said that other prosthetic bodies can be replaced by other companies, but the network access module is absolutely unique in the world.

In terms of sheer power, I think that apart from a certain special model developed by the military, there's no hacker network access module in the world stronger than that thing.

Mercer said, looking intently at Victor:

"Old Wei, that thing is very dangerous. If you're not confident in your abilities, then don't touch it."

Let me give you a heads-up: the protocol program inside is related to the infamous 'Soul Killer'.

Many people may have forgotten about the Soul Killer by now, but I have to tell you the truth—it's second only to the 'rabies' virus that destroyed the Old Web.

Arasaka is now touting his "Protect Your Soul" project, which he claims is a variant based on the Soul Killer software.

Viktor felt a headache coming on. "Aren't you trusting me too much?"

Don't tell me about this. It's best not to ask me to handle it.

But looking into Mercer's trusting eyes, he couldn't bring himself to say anything bad to the child, and could only sigh:

"I understand. I'll look into it for you later. We'll put the installation order last." "Yeah, I won't dare use this thing until I figure it out—but I have an idea. If all else fails, I have an outside help I can ask for."

Mercer's choice of foreign aid was Ottkeningan.

No one in the world knows more about soul killers than Ott Canningan. If she were to take action, wouldn't a mere network access device be a piece of cake?

Moreover, Mercer might even be able to get a copy of the Soul Killer's source code from her, and begin to study the Soul Killer program in depth himself.

If Ultraman is unwilling, Mercer has a way.

When Mercer escaped Arasaka, he took a total of seven Relic chips with him. He had already used the program given to him by Ultraman to erase the killer program from five of them, and used them only as hardware.

However, Mercer kept the programs on the remaining two, wanting to wait until his skills improved further and he had a suitable working environment before studying them.

"Okay, now I'll start by fitting you with a prosthetic body."

Old Wei operated the instrument, checking the data packet that Mercer had sent him.

Inside were cybernetic blueprints and data that Mercer had stolen directly from the cybernetic research center's server using the privileges granted to his deceased aunt.

Mercer had already organized the things he brought from Arasaka in his notebook along the way.

The data package we've compiled is specifically designed to help doctors perform surgery on him.

"Mercer, now you have to make a choice."

Old Wei spoke, his tone not very optimistic:
"Because your body is too small, and these prosthetics are all adult sizes, it means that after you get them installed, your body will be very uncomfortable."

Even though I can make some adaptation adjustments, some lines are still quite thick.

So now we have two choices.

One option is to directly cut off a portion of the prosthetic body to make it better fit your body, thus reducing the rejection reaction to a normal level.

Alternatively, you can try your best to adapt and then install it directly. The rejection process will be long and difficult, but the advantage is that even if you grow a body, the prosthetic body can last for a period of time.

To be honest, I strongly advise against children like yours getting prosthetic bodies.

Because your body will develop, and a prosthetic body will interfere with this developmental process.

Furthermore, the growth of muscles, bones, and nerves during development may cause the prosthetic device to malfunction.

"I need to be safe and have my body develop."
I'm not too worried. In this world, looks and physique are insignificant; only the human brain and will endure.

Mercer was quite open-minded about this:

"As long as my brain is still functioning normally, my body is just a vessel for my soul. In this world, there is nothing that prosthetic technology cannot solve."

Bones, internal circulation, blood.
Even the complex nervous system is no longer a miracle of natural human development, but a data circuit that can be artificially manipulated and shaped.

"Old Wei, I have so much to do, and without this prosthetic body, I can't achieve anything."

He smiled and pointed to his head:

"Or rather, this body is actually the root cause of the limitations on my brain's performance."

Compared to a fragile flesh and blood body, mechanical ascension may be the most suitable path for someone like me.

So, for the second option, I can't find anything better to exchange it for in the short term.

If the Whirlpool Gang heard you say that, they would definitely call you a good brother immediately.

Old Wei disagreed, and he sighed, "Fine, you decide for yourself. Just don't push yourself if you feel unwell."

"Hmm, bring it on. If I feel something's off, I'll immediately take off my clothes—I don't want to become a cyber psychopath."

That being said, Mercer felt...
Even if he were turned into a pure robot like Adam Hammer, with only a few ounces of flesh left in his brain, he wouldn't have any problems.

To the world, he, this outcast who harbored the dream of changing everything, was probably already a complete madman.

"Then go watch some TV and relax. There's beer in the fridge."
Never mind, go to the entrance, there's a vending machine over there, buy some drinks, I have some ice here.

I need about half an hour to adjust, then we'll begin the surgery.

Victor glanced at Mercer: "Although people don't care about this nowadays, it's best for someone your age to stay away from alcohol."

"Okay, but Lao Wei, you're pretty awesome too. I just sent you this information and you've already got it done in half an hour. No wonder you're the man I've got my eye on."

Mercer gave him a thumbs up and then got up to buy a Coke, while Old Vieira was somewhat amused and exasperated.
"Then thank you for your compliment."

Being addressed as a brother by a fourteen-year-old, yet somehow the conversation felt perfectly normal.
This feels really awkward.

Mercer smiled and was about to leave when the automatic door clicked open as soon as he reached the door.

"Old Wei, I brought my brothers to support your business, why are you bringing a child?"

A burly man filled the doorway, and he lowered his head to meet Mercer's gaze.

Mercer looked up and blinked.

Wow, what a lucky day!
"Jack?"

The tall, muscular man standing before them was none other than Jack Wells, the good buddy from the game who tragically died in the prologue!
(End of this chapter)