“…!”
Could the verse that I initially thought was just nonsense actually be related to the scientific world and be interpreted this way? Seoryeong momentarily forgot the complexities in her mind and focused on Yoo Dawit’s explanation.
“The passage that says the mark will be forced on the right hand or forehead, remember?”
‘And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark on their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man1 might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.’ Revelation 13:16-17 “Yes, that’s right.”
She recalled Kiya’s voice and nodded.
“That mark received on the forehead or hand is most likely a biometric chip.”
“…!”
“As far as I know, chip verification is already being used commercially.”
Yoo Dawit rubbed his chin and moved his hand as if asking Ki Taemin for something. Without hesitation, Ki Taemin gave him his phone, and after tapping the screen a few times, Yoo Dawit continued his explanation with a serious expression.
“This is a microchip about the size of a grain of rice that is inserted into the body through a medical procedure or injection. In America, this chip has been approved by the FDA since 2004. It can be used to buy and sell goods, track location, bank transactions, and of course, body information.”
Ki Taemin, who was listening, also seemed interested.
“Initially, it was used for tracking pets and endangered species, but now it’s even used on humans. With just this chip, you can use house keys, credit cards, ID cards, everything. In Sweden, they even use this chip for train tickets?”
After Yoo Dawit handed back the phone, an article about the Swedish state-owned railway company appeared on the screen. Suddenly, he turned to look for water, and Seoryeong quickly gave him a glass of water. After taking a sip, he continued in a hoarse voice.
“Anyway, the world is changing very quickly, and the Bible teaches to be wary of these signs. All of this could be used to control and manipulate humans.”
Hearing that, Seoryeong’s expression turned doubtful. Had Kiya ever talked about this warning? Maybe when she was little, she seemed to suffer because of it, but… not really. Actually… She clearly remembered Kiya’s voice chanting the verses they always memorized while holding hands and being beaten every day. Her voice was fast, monotone, and very serious. That was the voice someone waiting with the “mark of the beast” on their forehead would have, wasn’t it? Wasn’t that the face of a fanatic? Seoryeong felt strange and silent, freezing for a moment.
“By the way, humans still can’t seem to let go of the desire to brainwash people, can they? Back in the Cold War era, America and Russia tried hard to brainwash their prisoners. Although all those projects failed.”
“…….”
“Well, who knows—”
Yoo Dawit shrugged with an observant attitude, then groaned again and pressed his waist.
“If there’s someone very intelligent who can truly understand and control the human brain, maybe it could happen.”
“…….”
Suddenly, the room fell into a deep silence.
“But, these chips implanted in the head have serious side effects. For example, someone could feel extremely angry and depressed, feel suicidal, not be able to sleep at all, or even be able to stay awake for days…”
“……!”
“Furthermore, they could also act inhumanely.”
Seoryeong’s expression grew more serious.
“A famous businessman known for his electric cars is further developing this chip into a ‘brain implant.’ If successful, it could overcome spinal cord injuries and restore lost brain function.”
“This isn’t your older sister’s fantasy, is it? This is really real?”
Ki Taemin, who had been listening anxiously, asked, and Yoo Dawit raised his eyebrows.
“This might be a very sensitive topic for us. This chip is focused on the motor cortex, and it’s said to be effective in strengthening soldiers’ bodies.”
“…Soldiers?”
“It can create ‘super soldiers’.”
“……!”
“And more than that, if everything can be realized, many diseases that humans can’t overcome could also be cured. Like dementia, hearing impairment, blindness, limb paralysis, depression, insomnia, and so on.”
“All of that can be treated by implanting a chip in the head.”
Ki Taemin smirked and downplayed the explanation. Yoo Dawit took another sip of water, then pointed upwards, at the bright ceiling of the room.
“Especially, by providing electrical stimulation to the visual cortex, blind people can see. It is dangerous, which is why the FDA hasn’t given approval yet. However, if this succeeds, it could become a terrifying technology, like turning vision on and off.”
“……!”
“And if psychology can be controlled, those fanatical people would definitely welcome it with open arms, right?”
Closing one eye and covering the light with her palm, Seoryeong’s heart suddenly began to beat very fast. She felt a strange fear and her knees began to tremble. She immediately gripped her cold hands tightly, remembering the strange Kiya and the ‘Sonya’ he was looking for. Could the reason why Korean children were sold to Russia be related to this? If the Veri-chip was officially approved in 2004, then Seoryeong would have been around nine years old at that time. She naturally calculated her age and felt strange, then shook her head. But was America the only one obsessed with this chip? Just then, Yoo Dawit groaned again, moving his waist.
“If all of this is true, God will surely be furious.”
Seoryeong gripped the hem of her clothes, lowering her shoulders with tension.
“Patient... This shouldn’t be like this... It shouldn’t...”
As my body moved, that slightly confused voice entered my ears. A woman’s voice? However, the feeling of my body lying limp under gravity was so comfortable that I didn’t want to lift my cheek pressed against the soft pillow. How long had it been since I slept so soundly? A fragrant scent wafted from the thin microfiber blanket, and every touch on my skin felt as soft as down, tickling my skin.
“Patient... But this...―!”
“It’s okay.”
This… a nurse’s voice? I furrowed my brow and slowly lifted my heavy eyelids, and I saw a ceiling that was no longer unfamiliar. Where is this? Seoryeong didn’t clearly remember how she fell asleep. With her mind still half-conscious, she slowly tried to recall her steps, while the gentle voice continued.
“By the way, I saw on the chart that today is the patient’s birthday... Happy birthday.”
“......”
“Then, I’ll remove the IV drip.”
Seoryeong turned towards the voice and saw a fairly familiar back and unfamiliar patient clothes blocking her view.
“――.”
So, right now… I’m sleeping in the bed, while Lee Wooshin, who’s supposed to be the patient, is out? Seoryeong bit her tongue in embarrassment. So, that’s why the nurse looked flustered. Only then did a faint memory of yesterday come back. In a daze, after leaving the nurses’ station, Seoryeong felt sleepy and unconsciously opened a patient’s room door. Although her intention was to go to her own room, she woke up in a quiet room with Lee Wooshin sleeping soundly without a sound. Her stiff body had finally decided to sleep in the visitor’s bed. But why… Seoryeong covered her flushed face with the pillow and slowly moved. Although she wanted to get up immediately, she chose to keep her eyes closed, not wanting it to be known that she was awake. However, the slightly flustered voice of the nurse could still be heard around her.
“Um... If there’s anything you’d like to eat... even though it’s actually not allowed, how about some cold black tea? Since it’s spring, the air outside feels warm. I can help you with a wheelchair...”
“Please lower your voice.”
“He... here too?”
“Yes.”
That low, emotionless voice stopped the nurse. Seoryeong felt the gaze, although she wasn’t sure, and she held her breath. Her face felt ticklish, like she was about to sneeze.
“Afraid of waking up.”
That voice, even without a subject, made her face feel hot. The nurse sighed, whether it was a complaint or relief, and refocused on removing the IV drip. The sound of tape being peeled off and a deflated bag sounded awkward in the quiet hospital room. Before the nurse left, she confirmed that the patient should stay lying down, but Lee Wooshin didn’t answer. As soon as the door closed completely, a man’s palm touched Seoryeong’s cheek.
“――!”
As soon as the nurse left, Seoryeong was startled and immediately opened her eyes. The sudden sunlight shining on her face made her frown, but then she saw the light coming through the curtains and the dust floating slowly. The view outside the window was very green. Under the cloudless blue sky, young leaves growing like seeds seemed to be carried by the cool breeze. He actually wanted to say many things. However, after looking out the window for a while, Lee Wooshin turned his chin and looked at her swollen eyes, then smiled slightly.
“You look ugly.”
His eyes were now very clear, different from the previous night when they were trapped in the shadows of the past. As soon as she realized that Lee Wooshin was now looking directly at her, Seoryeong felt her body instantly relax. Ah... So the nurse’s words were true... Unknowingly, spring had arrived.