Chapter Ten

"Hey, Frankenstein… Sorry to drop by unannounced." Shinwoo said politely, waiting by the door. Frankenstein went and opened it, standing back and letting Shinwoo in, where he saw Raizel and Raskreia sitting on couches, facing each other, staring silently at each other. It was always amazing to him that conversations between the two of them seemed to consist of…

"…"

"…"

"So…"

"…"

"…"

And Shinwoo felt safe in guessing that whether someone actually had a conversation with Raizel, they went away wondering what they actually spoke about. The two Nobles looked up at Shinwoo, acknowledging his presence, then going back to staring at each other silently, and occasionally drinking their tea.

"Is that my new flavor of tea I smell?" Shinwoo asked. Raskreia nodded.

"It is well made." She said quietly.

"Thank you, Lord. It was my pleasure."

"You… Had something you wanted to say, Shinwoo?" Frankenstein asked. Shinwoo laughed.

"Yes. I wanted to talk to you, Principal Lee."

"Please, Shinwoo. You can call me Frankenstein, now. You know my true identity, and you're not my student anymore. What did you want to talk about?"

"Could we… Go down into the lab to discuss it?"

"Of course. It's about one of your experiments, isn't it?"

"Yes." Shinwoo said, waiting until they closed the soundproof door of the lab, and sitting down.

"You already know about the second mutation of my Cure Virus. I have already infected an entire forest with it. I left a command in the biomass to reproduce at a rate approximately 100 times the rate at which the original mutation of the virus mutated inside the forest. So, by now, approximately a week after I infected the forest with it, there should be enough to infect a good portion of Asia and some of Europe.

"It will follow the same patterns as the original virus. It will infect people and large areas of vegetation so that it can continue to create more of itself. Only a few cells of the virus need to infect a single person to affect them. Therefore, it should only take approximately a month, maybe two months to infect the entire world. Then, not only will the next generation become superhuman, but so will the current generation. Unfortunately, there is a drawback.

"There is approximately a 50% chance that the virus's so-called side effect will stack with the original mutation's side effect. So, if man's original chance of becoming pregnant or impregnating was 20%, the original reduced it to 10%, and there is a good chance that this one will reduce it to 5%. I think I need say no more about it. A man as intelligent as yourself will naturally understand."

"I believe so. But what is it you are thinking will happen?"

"Well… As with last time, some pregnancies may spontaneously abort. It happens even in normal pregnancies. But this time, it will be caused by me. Arguably, it will be my fault, indirectly, of course. That said, the next generation will be drastically smaller.

"But, this generation will become much longer lived. My estimate is that a person evolved by this virus will be between three and four times longer lived. That could pose a problem. 7.5 billion people living four times longer than a modern human… It may not be a desirable outcome."

"I see your concerns. I'm glad you came to me before you unleashed it on the world like you did with the last virus. While it is true that cutting the world population in four, creating approximately 1.875 billion people instead of 7.5 billion could possibly be a desirable outcome, I don't think it is a good idea to do it.

"I would frankly just reduce the virus to its base biomass, of which there will be plenty, and absorb it. Besides, 1.875 billion might be too small a world population. That would be approximately the size of the world population somewhere between 1850 and 1900. However, 3.75 billion seems a good population size to reset ourselves to. It may be larger, and likely won't be smaller. Let the current population die out in its own time, and work on improving the next generation."

"Thank you, Frankenstein. I'm glad I was able to talk to you. Now, if you'll excuse me, I need to go take care of a certain forest." Shinwoo said, leaving the room, and teleporting to the middle of the forest behind Muzaka's home, where there was a clearing that had a huge tree in the center, much larger than any of the other trees in the forest. Shinwoo had observed that tree on the microcosm and the macrocosm, and found that most of the trees in the forest were connected in some way to the central tree.

He had therefore used that tree to infect the entire forest with the Cure Virus 2.0, intending to either release it or reabsorb it. So he touched the tree, connecting his mind with the entire forest, and commanding the trees to break down the virus into base biomass. Shinwoo then guided the process, and felt as the trees followed his command.

He then absorbed the biomass, feeling huge stores of biomass, exceeding any amount he may have had in the past. It was overwhelming in a sense. But in another way, it was just indicative of his increase in power. He then remotely split the biomass between himself and his clones, all of which could probably use it.

He could use them to create the other type of nanomachine that he wanted to make. He wanted to create pollution filtering machines. Machines like that had been created before, but never on this scale. These machines analyzed the contents of the water that they were in, and sucked in pollution, similar to a vacuum, and then poured out fresh water. In a way, it was like a pool filter, except that it could filter approximately 1 million liters of water in one hour.

Its filter had to be replaced approximately every 100 million liters, depending on how heavy the pollution was. For instance, dimethyl mercury or lead would require more space than most common pesticides. It was generally safest to replace it every three to four days. However, it was far more common in places like China for there to be chemical pollution in water than elsewhere in the world. In fact, even nuclear waste could be filtered out of the water.

Shinwoo was planning a trip to China in the near future, where he was due to talk to some government officials on selling one of his pollution absorption towers, and he would mention the water pollution absorption units as well, knowing the pollution problem in China. In fact, his trip would be in a few days. He was due to travel to the capital city of China, Beijing, and talk to the president, Xi Jinping. He was due to travel there within the week. He was debating whether to take Seira or not.

He wanted to. He was told that he was more than welcome to bring a partner if he had one. Seira would be quite welcome on the trip. The idea of going to such a polluted country was disagreeable to him at best. But, it was a good way to spread word of his inventions. Especially one that could filter a billion cubic meters of pollution in an hour. It would be good to make it in an agreeable design, perhaps a statue of the current president. Flattery tended to work on people with that kind of ego.

"Seira… I have that trip to China in three days. I'm meeting with some high ranking officials in Beijing to discuss prices for some of my pollution filtering devices. I'd really welcome having a friend there with me. They don't want you in the negotiations… They… Made that quite clear. But they're putting me in a really nice hotel, and, well… It just wouldn't be the same without you."

"I will come. How long will we be away?" Seira asked. Shinwoo thought.

"No more than five days. Can you cancel on your students on such short notice?"

"Yes. I can send a group email. They won't be happy, but I am sure they will accept it." Seira said quietly. Shinwoo nodded, and hurried to his laboratory, where he took out what he had done on the water pollution filter. It needed to be able to move around in the water, essentially swim, and go underwater to collect pollution on the floor of whatever body of water it was in.

Soon, he finished, and he sighed with relief, taking it to the kitchen, where he teleported to the patent office, where he got on line, as he had done with multiple of his inventions before. Soon, he got to the front of the line, and began filling out the paperwork, handed it in, along with pictures of the water filter before leaving. He would likely get an answer within a day or two, just enough time for him to go to China.

"Thank you for coming with me, all the way here… You really don't mind being this far from home?"

"I do not mind. I have wanted to travel for a while, regardless. Perhaps we could travel what the humans call Europe as well?"

"Sure… Europe, the Americas, Asia, wherever you want to go. I think we'll need to wait until after the Lord's and Noblesse's wedding. It should be coming soon, right?"

"I am not sure. This city smells awful. Is that the air pollution you mentioned?"

"Probably. There's not much we can do about it right now. If we're lucky, the Chinese government will buy a bunch of my air pollution filters. We can set them up in parks, and mold them into shapes that are pleasing to them."

"That would be good. Now, is this where we are meeting them?"

"This is where I am meeting them. We have been to the hotel. I do apologize, but the Chinese, they said I could bring someone with me, but that they couldn't attend the meetings. Something about national financial security, though I fail to see how bringing you to a meeting about buying air pollution filters could jeopardize them. Regardless, I don't wish to anger them."

"I understand. I will explore Beijing."

"Oh, Seira… Take this with you…" Shinwoo said, touching her hand. Suddenly, a long piece of biomass appeared in it. It had two pin-like stingers on the end.

"It's what humans call a taser. It will electrocute someone if they attack you. Watch. You touch it to them, and press into them, preferably their neck. That will shock them, and incapacitate them so you can leave without doing serious harm.

"Don't worry. It isn't deadly. There's also this. Point it away from your face and hold it at arm's length, and spray the person in the face. It's essentially pepper spray. It's painful when applied to the eyes, but will not blind them unless you go overboard. A shot of about three seconds should be plenty."

"Thank you, Shinwoo. I will see you later at the hotel." Seira said, kissing him, and turning away. Shinwoo walked into the government building, and headed to the concierge desk, asking to speak with the minister of finances.

"Who may I ask is requesting him?" The concierge asked.

"Doctor Mathis Park. I have an appointment with him." Shinwoo said, having changed into his scientist alias just moments ago in the bathroom. The concierge nodded, and phoned the minister, who came down moments later, smiling politely at Shinwoo, and bowing.

"I understand that you are from Korea. Do you speak Chinese, Doctor?"

"Yes, Minister. It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Excellent. Let us go to a private office." He said, leading Shinwoo to a well-furnished room, where he sat down across from the minister, and took out his briefcase, removing some papers from it and handing them to the Minister, who took the papers, and looked them over. They detailed the pollution filters, both the water filter and the air filter. The minister read them carefully, and nodded at times.

"I see… We are very interested in both of these inventions. They have been patented, I trust?"

"Yes, Minister. The water filter was patented just two days ago. I finished the work and hurried to get it set up."

"Very good. I respect your caution. One cannot be too careful with one's belongings. How much are you asking for these items?"

"Well, it largely depends on how many you wish to buy. The price for one air filter is 22,039,100 Won, or 133,531 Yuan, if you prefer. The water filter is 11,020,750 Won or 66,763.5 Chinese Yuan per unit."

"Why the drastic difference in price?" The minister asked, seeming suspicious.

"The main reason is that the air pollution filter can be as small as a fountain, or as large as the Egyptian obelisks, if you prefer, whereas the water filter, while it can move and swim, cannot change shape or size." Shinwoo responded. The minister seemed highly skeptical at this claim, so Shinwoo removed a small bauble from the briefcase, which he showed to the minister, indicating that it was the air pollution filter. The minister nodded.

Shinwoo then slowly molded it into a statue of the president of China in a handsome, gleaming black finish. He then molded it into a fountain with a statuesque panda standing on its hind legs on top. The minister was even more impressed by this. Shinwoo then molded it into a simple mailbox.

"This is highly impressive, Doctor Park. And you only wish 133,531 Yuan for it?" The minister asked, seeming surprised.

"Yes. I have my reasons. The money is nice, but improving the world for the next generation is better."

"I see… Your words and actions do you credit, Doctor. If I ordered 100 of each, how much would it cost?" The minister asked. Shinwoo thought, doing the math in his head for a moment.

"2.2 billion Won, or 13,323,770.3 Yuan, sir."

"You continue to impress me with your generosity. We will take 100 of each. How would you prefer to be paid? In Won or Yuan?"

"Either will work for me. I'm not picky. It will convert into my national currency, either way."

"Indeed. Then if you will give me the account number, we will wire you 2.2 billion Won within 3-5 business days."

"Excellent. Then, if I may, I will take my leave."

"Actually, I heard from a source that you have been creating numerous devices that can be used by the military. Is that true?"

"Yes. However, they are not for sale. I have not fully tested them, and there is a good chance that they will cost more lives than they save."

"I understand, Doctor Park. It has been a pleasure doing business. I hope that this is not the last time we do business."

"I hope the same, Minister. The two hundred filters will be given to you as soon as I receive the money transfer. I will remain in the country so that I can shape them in a manner that pleases you. Thank you for your time, Minister."

"Have a pleasant day. I hope you enjoy your time in Beijing. I suggest that you buy a face mask. It is expected that the pollution level will be very high in the near future."

"Thank you for your concern, Minister." Shinwoo said, bowing politely, and leaving, heading to the lobby, then outside so that he could explore Beijing. He would be alerted via email when the money was transferred in full.

Until then, he could spend time in a foreign country, picking up the culture. It would be a nice 3-5 days. Shinwoo first went to a cash machine, and took out some money, heading to a pharmacy and getting a box of face masks for Seira and himself.