Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome, this wasn't something Su Mo made up, but rather a real condition in the game "Dawn."
As one of the three giant enterprises in "Dawn," the Hegemony Company exclusively deals with "Blood Code."
The Blood Code Compiler would implant compiled exotic gene fragments into the human body, integrating them with the native genes, and activating various extraordinary powers, turning people into powerful "Blood Code Carriers."
Theoretically, Blood Codes are only for use by internal members of the Hegemony Company.
But in reality, the black markets in major cities of Dawn often have Blood Code Injectors in circulation.
The sources of these Blood Code Injectors vary.
Some are stolen from the company by theft syndicates.
Some are secretly sold by corrupt company executives.
Company executives often turn a blind eye to these Blood Code Injectors on the market, sometimes even deliberately leaking some out for circulation in society, using them as free human experiments, and collecting various data.
And these Blood Code Injectors are often in high demand among various mercenaries and assassins.
Blood Code is the pinnacle of technology from the Hegemony Company; outsiders cannot replicate it. So unless encountering a crooked seller peddling red water as Blood Code, a bought Blood Code Injector is sure to be effective.
However, Blood Code acquired from the black market has an issue: because the channel is illegal, there's no "after-sales service."
"Blood Code Compilation" is different from "Augmented Implantation."
The "Augmentation" of the Iron Blood Alliance is about external body component modification; such implantation technology is already quite mature.
Whereas "Blood Code" involves compilation at the genetic level within the body, its complexity compared to augmented implantation increases exponentially.
Even the most brilliant scientists at the Hegemony Company wouldn't dare say they completely understand the expression of every human gene.
Therefore, Blood Code Compilation involves certain risks; a Blood Code Carrier might be fine, or might have issues.
Unlucky individuals who encounter problems might not feel anything initially, but excessive use of Blood Code Ability could gradually cause unpredictable damage to the native gene chain, causing a gradual bodily breakdown.
This is "Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome."
To cure this disorder, a drug known as "Gene Compilation Protein" must be used to repair the native gene chain.
However, this drug is strictly controlled by the Hegemony Company.
Unlike Blood Code, which can always be bought with enough money, "Gene Compilation Protein" is priceless and unavailable in the market.
To obtain this drug, one must either have their abilities recognized by the company executives, sign on to join elite squadrons, and serve the company lifelong.
In that case, the company would provide assurance for the Blood Code Carrier. If they unfortunately contract Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome, the company would help cure it.
The second method is to maintain good relations with influential figures in society and ask them to acquire the drug from the company.
If one unfortunately contracts Blood Code Dissociation Syndrome and cannot obtain Gene Compilation Protein for treatment due to various reasons, the body is bound to collapse.
Su Mo just said Nuobai has this disorder and has reached its late stage, with only a short time left to live, and he's not deceiving her.
In the original storyline, Nuobai truly suffered from this disorder and was indeed close to death; she also knew about it herself.
At this moment, Nuobai's emotions remained unshaken as she quietly typed on her phone:
[How long do I have left to live? Can you tell?]
"Less than five months." Su Mo gave her the true answer.
Nuobai nodded, showing no change in expression.
Su Mo sorted out his thoughts and, based on his knowledge of the game's storyline, began to weave his words: "Nuobai, you kidnapped me, someone must have promised you 'Gene Compilation Protein,' right?"
Nuobai's gaze turned wary, staring coldly at Su Mo.
Su Mo gave a short laugh: "Don't look at me like that. A mercenary with less than five months to live, who doesn't take the time to enjoy the rest of their life but risks it to take on assignments... besides being offered irresistible rewards, I can't think of another reason."
"Let me guess, since you're a mercenary, a certain 'middleman' must have made you a promise. I say, do you just trust them? Aren't you afraid they're bluffing?"
Nuobai typed:
[Middlemen live on their reputation]
Su Mo deliberately let out a cold laugh: "Living on reputation... if everyone were so reputable, would your information have landed in my hands? Would I have recognized you in the lab that day?"
These words froze Nuobai, making her fall into doubt internally.
After a moment of silence, she typed again:
[Who is the middleman who sold me out? Tell me the name]
Su Mo said indifferently, "I told you, that's impossible, unless you let me go."
Nuobai typed back:
[You know that's impossible]
[I must complete the mission]
[Only by completing enough missions will that person give me Gene Compilation Protein]
Su Mo sighed slightly, asking with deep implication, "Then let me ask you, if that person truly deceives you, what will you do?"
Nuobai's gaze was very calm.
[If I'm deceived, so what?]
[I'm about to die, do I have a choice?]
[I can only trust, there's no other way]
Here it comes! Su Mo's heartbeat accelerated.
This was the sentence he was waiting for—no other way.
If negotiations go smoothly, he might skip the most risky fourth step and directly break through!
"Nuobai..." Su Mo crouched in front of Nuobai, looked into her eyes, and spoke softly, "What if I told you, you have a second option..."
"If I could provide you with Gene Compilation Protein, would you be willing to cooperate with me?"
Surprise flashed in Nuobai's eyes, but it quickly turned into skepticism, and she typed swiftly:
[You have such a drug?]
Su Mo: "Of course, I don't have it on me now, but I know where to find it. That place has what I want, and also what you want."
Nuobai's gaze turned fervent.
[Where is the place you're talking about?]
Su Mo shook his head: "I can't tell you directly, otherwise you could hand me over to your employer, then go there yourself and gain both sides; wouldn't I be the biggest fool?"
"I only agree if you give up the kidnapping right now, and then we both go there together."
Nuobai scrutinized Su Mo's eyes continuously.
Gradually, the urgency in her gaze faded and returned to coldness.
Evidently, compared to the middleman's reputation and the sunk costs from fighting so long, the words of a kidnapping target were really not credible.
She took Su Mo's words as a trick to escape and ignored him.
[Get in the car]
She pushed Su Mo aside and walked towards a nearby motorcycle.
The night in the wilderness was exceptionally cold, with the moon faintly casting a pale halo, and the surrounding silence felt somewhat oppressive.
The oncoming cold wind seeped in through the collar, chilling Su Mo to the bone, as if a chill was also bubbling in his heart.
He watched Nuobai's back, tightened his coat, and couldn't help but let out a sigh.
The negotiation failed.
It seems there are no shortcuts.
The riskiest fourth step still has to be taken...