Dr. Ryan's expression was complicated.
He habitually poured a glass of liquor, and when he brought it to his lips, he realized, then handed it to John instead.
"Have a drink... You almost scared me. Just a second ago, your data was all normal, then suddenly you're dying. If you really collapse on the operating table, I might end up with a psychological scar."
"It's not related to the Prosthetic Body, just an old problem."
John drank the liquor.
Liquor in the Cyber Era mostly has an industrial flavor, as a modified body can endure greater stimulation and more extreme stimulants.
Dr. Ryan hadn't modified his digestive system.
His stock of liquor is all original without additives, like the sparkling clear Vodka in front of him.
Mild and refreshing, not sweet, not bitter, not astringent.
"Haven't had proper liquor in ages."
"Of course, you have to trust my taste." The doctor saw John's expression had eased and actively consoled him. "I suggest you wait until you're in better condition for modifications."
"Let's do it now, doctor, I know my body."
"Hehe, right before every cyber psycho loses control, they all say the same thing to their Prosthetic Body doctors. Unfailingly, they end up crazy, go on a rampage, get on the wanted list, make headlines, and finally get minced by the special ops team."
Ryan attempted to comfort John.
"Don't worry, I won't break my promise, even if tomorrow you're going to die; I'll honor it and fit you with the most suitable Prosthetic Body. I just wish you could live a bit longer."
John was silent for a moment, then smiled, looking up at him.
"Thank you, doctor. In Eden City, there's no notion of dragging out a lingering existence; every day, you must go all out."
"Sigh, madmen never listen to advice."
Ryan Randall sat down expressionlessly.
John watched him silently selecting on the tablet, seeming to fall into some kind of memory, linked with the career profile described in the file, but ultimately didn't ask anything.
He couldn't explain his own database, could only stare blankly at the screen, unable to resist asking:
"Doctor, are you really competent?"
"A retired piece of trash, barely scraping by, but fitting you with a few Prosthetic Bodies is effortless; don't worry about me messing you up."
"In Eden City, every respected Prosthetic Body doctor, every famed clinic, has outfitted at least one or two people who took the city by storm. Do you have any notable work?"
"Legends live only in the bottle, not even leaving a grave mound. The soaring blaze and bombs will take away the corpses; if unlucky, dying at the hands of special ops, large-caliber firearms will blow them to pieces. Corpse collections will strip the top-tier prosthetics off their bodies through various channels..."
The doctor removed his micro-range goggles, weariness showing in his eyes. "In the end, even if there's some trace of fame left, what's the use?"
John felt very puzzled: "What are they fighting for?"
"Ideals, goals — all bullshit. If anyone talks to you about those two words, shove a gun barrel down their throat... Speaking of which, John, why do you get Prosthetic Bodies?"
"To earn money by completing missions. Hard times without a job or benefits are tough, and now people say I might have been set up. Once I stand firm, I'll go and find out what really happened to me."
"That's how the path goes."
Ryan Randall said lightly. "Come on, put your hand on the armrest of the treatment chair, the anesthetic needle will lightly prick you, don't scream, I don't have candy to soothe you."
John complied.
Ryan connected to the system, sat opposite, and used a semicircular black machine to cover John's arm; dozens of precise mechanical arms extended inside, operating on his hand.
It felt like a manicure session for a lady.
The doctor cut the industrial skin, exposing the original company prosthetic, the buzz of welding and electricity kept sounding. After a short time of modification, the skin on John's palm was replaced with a black implant.
John initiated a scan, seeing more accurate information.
[Prosthetic: Kingston-Radium Point Grip I3]
[Location: Palm]
[Function: Connect the user's optical implant and weapon system, providing real-time data tracking and kinetic weapon coordination.]
"Hah, job's done."
Dr. Ryan removed the mechanical arms and rubbed his eyes. "Let me briefly explain the usage of the new prosthetic, pull out the gun — the one with the scope in the holster, don't grab the wrong one."
John pulled out the Jungle Saw Short-Nosed Alligator Rifle.
He noticed that his black palm had contact points that could sense the weapon system on the grip.
[△55/165]
The ammunition status popped up at the corner of John's eyes.
The bullets in the gun chamber could be detected, and even the magazines on his body had Bluetooth information, with actions like ejecting, chambering, and safeties visible.
Dr. Ryan provided a detailed introduction.
"Your upgraded arm can detect weapon operation data, displaying it on your cornea."
"Besides the usual magazine system, there's a thumbnail map of the weapon in the lower right, showing the operation status of each modification. If the magazine, barrel, or scope overheats and fails, it can be detected..."
Firearms in the Cyber World are generally divided into two types.
The first type is kinetic weapons, which are traditional gunpowder weapons.
They are stable and reliable, with high damage meaning high recoil, requiring a certain Level of Prosthetic Body.
Companies like Jungle Saw and Kemmel specialize in making kinetic weapons, dominating the market. Some companies focus on mid-low-end customer groups, while others aim at enterprises and the elite, each having different series and characteristics.
The other type is tech weapons, primarily electromagnetic rounds.
They are technologically advanced and accurate, belonging to smart firearms.
Common functions include charge penetration, electromagnetic strikes, switching to non-lethal modes, even able to carry intelligent AI.
Disadvantages are also evident.
Weak firewalls may allow hackers to remotely seize them.
Eden Weitz uses tech rifles, including high-tech enterprises like Plato Company, which have produced similar weapons.
Ryan Randall glanced over and accurately reported the weapon model John used, inquiring about his modification ideas, and expressed surprise upon learning it was from a second-hand merchant.
"The modification is quite decent, the accessory logic isn't bad either. Your spending on factory accessories wasn't wasted."
"It was wasted before; only now, with the palm and eye modification, can the weapon's power truly be unleashed."
The doctor pointed at the weapon's electronic scope.
"The palm prosthetic can connect to the weapon system, synchronizing scan information to the cornea. With more practice and adapting over time, you can truly achieve point-and-shoot."
He disinfected his own arm and, long absent, picked up a glass of liquor.
"If you return to the old district warehouse, as long as you don't want to die, tonight's few henchmen will be nothing to worry about."
"This powerful?"
"Why would anyone spend money on Prosthetic Body mods if it's not amazing? The Prosthetics I've fitted you with are discontinued top-quality goods."
"So why were they discontinued if they're good?"
"Good stuff is monopolized. It's not that they're ceased, just not circulating in the common civilian market."
The doctor had finished what he needed to do.
Before John left, he pointed specifically at the red marked data on the display.
"Don't waste the Prosthetics I've provided. As long as you can make it through to this clinic alive in the future, I'll do my best to save you..."
"I'll give you an upgrade discount of twenty percent."