LIGHTNOVELWORLD Chapter 116: Don't Worry
The synthetic skin covering it looked flawless, softer and smoother than even the healthiest human skin. If not for the knowledge that it was synthetic, no one would suspect it wasn't real. However, one detail stood out: the facial features of the body were entirely different from Lillian's original face. "Subcutaneous bulletproof tissue implanted?" Zack asked as he inspected the synthetic skin.
"Confirmed," Ego replied.
"Good. Begin installation." Though the bionic skin appeared fragile, it housed advanced defensive features. In the event of an attack, its sensors would harden specific areas of the skin instantly, providing enough protection to deflect rifle bullets. The system was powered by the Cold Fusion Reactor embedded in Lillian's heard—a power source strong enough to sustain her new body indefinitely. "At least palladium poisoning won't be an issue," Zack muttered, watching as the final layers of bionic skin were seamlessly attached.
A short while later. A lifelike woman sat up on the transformation table, her eyes snapping open as if waking from a long nightmare. Energy from the Cold Fusion Reactor coursed through her artificial body, activating every synthetic organ in perfect harmony. "Ugh..." Lillian groaned softly, her hand instinctively touching her head as she adjusted to her new senses.
Zack tossed a pile of clothes onto her lap. "Get dressed," he said without emotion.
"I..." Lillian stared at her hands in disbelief, flexing her fingers as if to confirm they were real. Her gaze moved down to her body, inspecting every inch. "Are you sure I'm a robot?" she asked, her voice filled with shock.
The reflection staring back at her looked nothing like the half-machine monstrosity she had expected. Instead, her skin was smoother and softer than ever, her body seemingly rejuvenated to its prime. Her appearance now resembled a younger version of herself, as though she had aged backward twenty years. "The sense of touch is still there... the smell too..." she murmured, her disbelief growing. "Disinfectant... I can smell it."
"Of course," Zack said bluntly, leaning against the console. "It's synthetic, not magic. You're still half-robot. You just don't look like real human."
Lillian remained silent for a moment, staring at her reflection. After a long pause, she looked up at Zack. "Thank you," she said softly.
Zack didn't reply, his focus already shifting to the console, preparing for the next task. Lillian stood up from the transformation table and stretched, adjusting to her new body. Her movements were hesitant at first, but within moments, she seemed comfortable in her new form. Then, her reflection in a nearby polished metal surface caught her attention. "Wait," she said, stepping closer to her reflection and touching her face. "My face... it's different."
"Lillian is dead. Buried," Zack said bluntly. "From now on, you're someone else. You can pick a new name if you want."
"I know that," she replied, nodding. A change of identity was something she had anticipated—and even hoped for. But that wasn't her real concern. "That's not what I mean," she said, narrowing her eyes. "Where did this face come from? It doesn't feel like me... and it's a bit too young."
Zack pointed at a holographic display across the room. "I designed it," he said simply. The screen showed a face-creation system reminiscent of character customization in online games. Lillian approached the display, tilting her head as she examined the digital model of her new appearance. "Well," she said after a long pause, "I have to admit... your taste isn't bad." She reached out instinctively to touch the hologram, only for her hand to pass through it.
"Stop admiring yourself," Zack snapped, his tone impatient. "Get over here and see if your powers still work."
"Yes, sir!" Lillian replied automatically, her voice carrying an odd mix of authority and submission. She froze for a moment, her face puzzled, but her body moved instinctively toward the testing platform.
"I told you before," Zack reminded her, watching her reaction closely. "After the transformation, you'll obey my orders unconditionally. How does that feel? Regret it yet?"
Lillian looked back at him, her expression calm and resolute. "No, I don't regret it," she said firmly. Her tone left no room for doubt. Then, without warning, she knelt on one knee, lowering her head slightly. "From now on, I'll protect Sophia from the shadows, no matter what. I'll do whatever you ask of me," she said with conviction. "From this moment forward, I'll be your Shadow."
The testing began. Shadow, as she now called herself, stepped onto the platform. Her right hand transformed seamlessly into a blade, and a faint, pale white light—resembling moonlight—formed along its edge. She turned sharply and swung the blade at an alloy steel pipe with a diameter of five centimeters.
Screeech!
The pipe was sliced cleanly in two, the cut surface smooth and precise. After several rounds of testing, Zack observed that Shadow's powers remained intact. It seemed mutant abilities originated in the brain, not the body. She could generate energy resembling moonlight, which could either coat her weapons or form into constructs like light blades. This energy was unimaginably sharp, capable of cutting through alloy steel with ease.
Even ultralium alloys, known for their resilience, weren't entirely immune. While it couldn't sever them completely, it left deep, damaging cuts—enough to compromise their integrity. "Good thing I didn't let you get too close in the fight," Zack remarked dryly, watching the test results.
In their previous encounter, Lillian hadn't had the chance to attack. Zack had landed a devastating punch before she could even raise her blade. Though her powers were formidable, her physical strength was far below his.
Even without armor, Zack's body had a strength index 12.5 times that of an ordinary human—and that number was climbing. His physical capabilities alone made him more powerful than the fearless warriors under his command. But Zack preferred efficiency over theatrics. If a missile could do the job, there was no need to risk hand-to-hand combat. His personal strength was a trump card he rarely needed to play.
"Aside from the basic life-support systems, your new body has plenty of built-in features," Zack told Shadow as she completed her tests. "You'll stay in the lab for now and explore your new abilities. Once you've adapted, I'll design a suit for you. Until then, don't go anywhere."
"Understood," Shadow replied, her tone steady. She could feel the immense power surging through her new body with every move she made. The Cold Fusion Reactor embedded in her chest supplied limitless energy, filling her with a sense of strength she had never experienced before.
As Zack turned to leave, he suddenly paused and glanced back. "One more thing," he said. "From now on, keep your distance from Sophia. Minimize your contact with her as much as possible."
Shadow nodded without hesitation. "Understood," she replied automatically. Then, after a moment, she added in a softer voice, "Don't worry. Sophia has finally accepted my death. I won't disrupt her peace." Her first response was an instinctive obedience to Zack's command. Her second was a heartfelt promise, born of a mother's love.