"Ever since subdermal armor came around, the personal armor industry took a huge hit. Companies in that business either went bankrupt or switched industries."
Riku lay on the operating table as Old Vik pulled out various epidermal cyberware components, explaining what each one did. He had to make sure the client knew exactly what was being installed.
"Grounding Plating: It's got a smart relay system that conducts electrical charges, making you immune to electric shocks.
Fireproof Coating: Protects your flesh and organs from fire damage.
Thermal Converter: Comes with a temperature regulation system to adjust the temperature of your body and cyberware.
Dermal Weave: A complement to subdermal armor, it strengthens the bonds between skin cells, making your armor even harder to penetrate.
Optical Camouflage: Makes you invisible in the visible light spectrum."
Old Vik listed them one by one, his expression hesitant. He'd already tried to talk Riku out of this once, and he was debating whether to try again.
"Normally, I'd recommend installing just one or two of these epidermal mods—three at most. But six at once? That's a first."
In the end, before starting the procedure, Old Vik spoke up. He felt responsible for every client and every surgery.
"Vik, didn't you say they're all compatible?"
Riku countered. He'd carefully chosen these mods—price, type, compatibility—all planned out in advance.
"You're right, they are compatible. I've already designed the setup for you."
Old Vik pulled out a sheet with a sketch he'd prepared. At 110,000 eddies, this was no small job, and Vik had planned it meticulously.
Whether it was a big or small job, Old Vik's service attitude was always top-notch.
"Dermal Weave and subdermal armor go on the outer layer. Together, they form your visible skin, protecting you from bullets and blades.
Grounding Plating and Fireproof Coating sit between the armor and your muscles, shielding your flesh and organs from electricity and fire.
The Thermal Converter and Optical Camouflage are on the inner layer. The converter works directly to regulate temperature, while the camouflage seeps outward to cloak your skin for optical stealth."
Old Vik pointed at the diagram, explaining each layer clearly so Riku could visualize his new skin structure.
Overall, Riku was pretty satisfied with the setup. It covered all the bases. He'd have loved to add more, but his wallet said otherwise.
"Normally, after installing subdermal armor, I'd suggest upgrading to synthetic muscles and reinforced bones.
Not to make extra eddies, but because the armor's weight is no joke. Most people's bodies can't handle it without support.
With synthetic muscles and reinforced bones, the strain is much easier to manage, so you don't wreck your body.
But you? You don't need them. Your muscles and bones are more than strong enough to handle this armor."
Old Vik paused, tempted to ask how old Riku was. After this checkup, he'd noticed Riku's physical stats had noticeably improved since last time—an abnormal phenomenon.
But realizing it might touch on Riku's secrets, Old Vik dropped it. He wasn't one to pry into a client's past.
"Let's do it, Vik. I'm good with this."
Seeing Old Vik hold back, Riku smoothly picked up the conversation. He understood Vik's concern and didn't push further.
They both knew where to draw the line, keeping things unsaid. It saved Vik from imagined trouble and Riku from spinning more stories to explain himself. Win-win, right?
"If you're sure, let's get started."
Old Vik nodded. Advising was his duty; whether the client listened was their call.
Riku gave a thumbs-up and flashed a grin before closing his eyes, ready for Vik to begin.
Old Vik let out a small sigh, injected a stabilizer into his arm—this was a big job, and he needed steady hands—and picked up his scalpel. Adjusting the operating table, he made the first cut.
Riku lay there, feeling the sharp pain radiate through his body. Old Vik's skills were top-tier, but that didn't dull the agony much.
Still, Riku had never passed out from pain. The excruciating sensation only made his mind sharper, clearer.
Sometimes, he wondered if his high pain tolerance was his greatest natural talent.
Or maybe, just maybe, an extreme adaptability to pain was a baseline perk of being an oni?
Riku wasn't sure. He'd have to ask another oni someday. His knowledge of their kind was still pretty limited.
The surgery moved quickly. Old Vik was clearly in his element—this kind of work was a breeze for him.
Riku opened his eyes to glance at Vik, thinking, This guy's the real deal. No wonder Zetatech forced him into a contract.
Even V, the legend, could only handle three epidermal mods, but Old Vik had just installed a full-on "More Cyberware Mod" for Riku—six components at once!
When he'd asked Vik about compatibility and whether they could all be installed, he'd been nervous. Vik's response? "Possible, but not recommended."
That was all Riku needed to hear. If it was possible, he was doing it. Sure, budget constraints meant the quality wasn't top-tier, but the functionality was solid.
Side effects? What side effects? He was an oni—those were nothing compared to the transformation he'd already gone through. A walk in the park.
"Done. Go check yourself in the mirror."
While Riku was lost in thought on the table, Old Vik had already finished, seamlessly installing all six epidermal mods.
Riku sat up, his bare feet touching the floor. Honestly, in that moment, he was genuinely impressed by TrueSkin Tech's technology.
Their artificial skin felt identical to natural skin.
If he couldn't feel the armor beneath, or the activatable Thermal Converter and Optical Camouflage, he'd almost believe he hadn't swapped his skin at all.
Riku raised his arm, inspecting it, then ran his hand over his body, checking carefully.
No mirror needed—he could tell his appearance was nearly identical to before.
"Your fingers have the one-tap armor deactivation function, as requested. I also replicated your tattoos one-to-one."
Old Vik explained while cleaning his scalpel and table. Riku noticed the eerie patterns still etched on his skin.
Not that the tattoos mattered much—he'd forgotten to mention they could be skipped. But the one-tap deactivation? That was his special request. Gotta eat, after all.
(Chapter End)