PNB Chapter 350 [Empire] Ultimatum
Chapter 350 [Empire] Ultimatum
"Nightingale, if there is a way to have a longer life, would you choose it?" I asked suddenly.
"Are you talking about turning my body into a mechanical cyborg? I might as well be dead then." He sneered, "Can that little bit of residual data really be me?" He seemed to be disgusted, even disgusted, with this unnatural continuation of life.
Nightingale's words left me stunned. I'd only heard of the term "cyborg," but never truly understood it. It seemed some people, through extreme surgery and technology, transformed their bodies into near-total mechanizations, prolonging their lives. Nightingale clearly scoffed at this choice.
Nightingale's persistence reflects his attitude towards life itself, a commitment to his true nature. He is unwilling to give up his "humanity" in any way, even to prolong his life. Even if he lives longer, he is unwilling to lose that sense of "realness."
I paused, thoughts about "immortality" flashing through my mind. Actually, I'm not talking about the issue of mechanically modified humans. Those immortals, no matter which part of their mechanical core, will also fade with age, and one day they will become a 100% pure machine, a pure machine. Whether you drink poison or not, you don't know, but it doesn't quench your thirst.
I turned to look at Nightingale and said, "That's not what I meant. Actually, I want to ask—if there is another way to extend your life without losing yourself, would you choose it?"
Nightingale frowned slightly, as if he didn't fully understand the meaning of my words, but he didn't respond in a hurry. He was silent for a moment, then said lightly: "If I can maintain myself, I would like to live longer. But, does that kind of thing really exist?" His eyes were filled with a hint of doubt and confusion.
I lowered my head, feeling a complicated mix of emotions. That "method," or rather, that contract, while still allowing me to preserve my own identity, also placed me under some degree of control. Life and death bound together, sharing each other's lives, would also end at the same time. However, I wasn't sure if I should tell him this, because I knew that such a choice wouldn't be easy for him to make calmly, even for him.
Moreover, this was an era when the "ancient art of contracting" had been lost. Historical records contained only fragmentary accounts, and such an act was probably no less serious than converting to a cult or gambling, or even risking one's life.
The night air was slightly cool, and the neon lights of the city's edge streamed into the room through the curtains, casting a mottled shadow. Nightingale and I shared a bed in this simple room, reluctantly, but the harshness of life forced us to accept this temporary situation. The room was cramped, the bed was not spacious, so we had to squeeze together as much as possible. This situation was no longer new to me.
Although Nightingale was a bit aloof, he was generally a person who paid attention to hygiene. Even in this temporary place, he would use some simple cleaning products before going to bed to keep himself clean.
Compared to someone like me who tends to be a bit casual, he seems a bit more elegant. Perhaps he's a bit conceited about his image, or perhaps he's just used to maintaining a calm demeanor, so no matter how the outside world changes, he can always face it with confidence.
Despite the limited space, there wasn't much collision. Nightingale lay quietly on his side, seemingly asleep; I could hear his gentle breathing. I myself struggled to sleep, my mind replaying the details of the day's mission and the monsters I'd unleashed. It seemed as if they were still lingering, chasing after my unhealed wounds.
The nightingale, though silent, offers a kind of silent support. In this world, some people hide their emotions and vulnerability, while others express their insecurity and loneliness vividly. I may be the latter, and the nightingale is perhaps the kind of person who stands firm alone in the darkness.
I turned over gently to avoid disturbing him, but I couldn't help but ask: "Nightingale, do you really not care about the consequences of these tasks? Don't you think that some things, once done, can never be undone?" The voice was low and almost swallowed by the silence of the night.
Nightingale did not answer immediately. After a long while, he spoke softly: "Who said I don't care? It's just that if you don't do some things, you will never have another chance. If you look back, it means you are already dead." His voice was a little tired, but still firm.
I didn't say anything else, just quietly closed my eyes. Under the silent night sky, two people, each holding different thoughts and struggles, on this homeless night.
The next day, sunlight streamed into the room through the gaps in the curtains. I rubbed my eyes and prepared to get up. Nightingale had already risen and was quietly sitting at her desk, sorting through her assignment documents. A hint of early morning coolness hung in the air, but I felt a tinge of unease, as if something was creeping up on me.
Sure enough, the morning notification from my laptop broke the silence. The "ultimatum" from the school arrived as promised. My finger paused on the screen, my eyes fixed on the message. The threat between the lines left me momentarily bewildered.
"The school has expressed its intolerance for Yang Ruyuan's truancy. Having already issued multiple warnings, we are granting him a final three-day grace period. If he still does not return to school within three days, the school will notify his guardian, Mr. Shan Qi, to come to the school for a reprimand and education in accordance with relevant regulations."
I could almost imagine the furious faces of the teachers at school, and the words "unbearable" made my heart beat faster. I took a deep breath and turned off my computer. My mind was in a mess. I was always a good student, but I couldn't sort out my thoughts.
Nightingale watched quietly beside me, seemingly sensing my irritation. "School again?" he asked calmly, his eyes expressionless.
I nodded, a wry smile on my face. "The school issued an 'ultimatum' and I haven't been to class for a while. I guess all the teachers are pissed off by now."
"What a hassle." Nightingale raised an eyebrow, seemingly unconcerned, still looking through the details of the mission. "However, if you want to go, three days should be enough."
I nodded silently. Indeed, three days—not too long, not too short—was enough time for me to make a decision. But the question was, could I really stay after returning to class?
Those boring classes at school really hold no appeal for me. The food is bland, and the points... aren't as good as those earned from missions. Speaking of which, as a mercenary, I can already support myself.
Moreover, my current life is completely different from my past life. Every mission is full of the excitement of lingering on the edge of life and death, with constant growth and adventure.
But regardless, Shan Qi's reputation still made me hesitate. If he were actually notified by the school, things would become quite exciting. I might be able to continue hanging around here, but I'd eventually have to face him. Come to think of it, it's been ages since I last saw him. Actually, I had no idea what kind of person Shan Qi was. I only had vague memories of our time together.
I took a deep breath and tried to calm down: "Nightingale, what do you think, should I go to school?" I asked in a low voice.
Nightingale put down the documents in his hand and looked at me. After a moment, he smiled faintly. "Don't you know what's going on? It's up to you to decide whether to go or not." His tone was without hesitation, as if this matter was completely insignificant.
I was silent for a moment, and suddenly felt a tightness in my chest.