221. Until the Abyss (Part 3)
Amid the rubble of the mountain destroyed by Watt•Rivetsteel lay an inconspicuous small camp.
Particles flickered and assembled out of thin air, forming the silhouettes of players wearing colonized gear.
"Damn... is this really a monster from version 1.0?"
Dragon Ground couldn't help venting. His gear had only been grazed by shrapnel, yet it lost 89% of its durability in an instant.
"This is too absurd. Neither a Zeta-tier councilor nor an Epsilon-tier super-robot follows any logic," another startled player chimed in.
Just moments ago, Coulomb•Torque had suddenly appeared before them. Despite speaking in a calm, leisurely tone and freeing two of its subordinates, its absolute attribute suppression meant the players had no time to respond.
That brief eruption felt like a horror movie to them.
Unable to fight back, unable to react, they could only let the enemy charge and kill as it pleased.
As for Watt•Rivetsteel at the rear, the audiovisual shock was even more intense.
A two-hundred-meter-tall super-robot towered there. Even standing still, it was spectacular, let alone attacking at a rate akin to Platinum Star.
Its colossal fists slammed down at lightning speed, each blow comparable to an atomic bomb. It toppled mountains as easily as knocking over toy blocks.
The players' nerves were shaken merely by being near it.
Even inside game pods, their bodies released a flood of hormones, as if truly on the battlefield. Some were so terrified and anxious they began to sweat profusely; a few were utterly numb.
Were they not professional players trained at high intensity, they would've pulled their cables and logged off—gone from the fight altogether.
"Dragon Bro, I've pulled the plug twice already today, and the system's warning me."
A player named Lu Youqi spoke in distress:
"Seems the devs are determined to punish us. They won't rest until they wreck a few of our accounts."
"We've pushed too far ahead. The devs definitely won't tolerate it."
Another player, Wai Fo'ai, sighed:
"I just yanked the plug a bit ago. I've got an hour left now—what do we do?"
"Let's check on Li Aozi's condition."
By this point, Dragon Ground had nearly lost hope, and even the viewers in the livestream had shifted their tone toward comfort and consolation.
One player, perhaps more sensitive, looked at his battered colonized gear and the many gray names in his friend list. Feeling a sudden pang, he lamented:
"This account has been growing since the closed beta. Some characters never died once. We wanted to rank in the world competitions, bring glory to our nation—and now it's over right after the public launch."
That alone crushed the group's morale.
Dragon Ground had nothing to add. They dragged out Li Aozi's body from the respawn camp and used [Truth Eye] on it:
[Target is your rented Omega Energy source. Unable to investigate.]
"Eh?" Dragon Ground was puzzled. "Why isn't it showing 'dangerous target, enormous power gap' this time?"
"Who knows. Li Aozi is a [Domination]-path mentor. They can bioconvert their body and swap bodies at will."
"Is that how it works? No wonder [Biochemist] and [Mutant] are always entangled in love-hate relations."
"I recall Li Aozi has a side job as a [Biochemist]… but what good does that do us now?"
Dragon Ground glanced back.
Lu Youqi, Wai Fo'ai, Kuan Dai.
Counting himself, that left 4 players total.
The losses were disastrous this time.
Some players had used up all three revives, resulting in character deletion.
Others stayed offline to preserve their accounts, uncertain when (or if) they'd return. Members of Dragon Ground's own guild were doing just that—he was the guild leader, so if he died, well, so be it. But his subordinates' skill sets were precious, so they had to be protected.
A few didn't dare keep fighting, convinced they'd lose in the end. They simply logged off to rest.
Nobody could blame them, given everyone's personal concerns.
Li Aozi was in an unknown state.
The colonized gear was heavily damaged.
Their numbers were nearly wiped out.
Meanwhile, the Mechanical councilors outside were unstoppable. An endless mechanical army advanced, sweeping away everything in its path.
So this is [Society]…
Undying, eternal, boasting even more ridiculous powers than players.
No wonder the lore calls them cosmic scourges—monsters that feed on civilizations. They're far beyond us as enemies.
"Guild Leader Dragon, are we still fighting?"
Lu Youqi asked.
He and the other two were from the same club, not even using their personal accounts. Management was debating whether to quit entirely.
Seeing Dragon Ground there alone, Lu Youqi felt bad about leaving him behind, so he asked.
Dragon Ground hesitated briefly.
In truth, he knew there was no fight left in them.
Their enemies were infinite "citizens" of [Society], while they were Alpha-tier players down to one life.
Any sane person would see it was unwinnable.
So, logically, they should retreat—
'It's over for you weak carbon lumps.'
"…We've come this far, might as well stick it out a bit longer."
Dragon Ground didn't know why, but recalling Coulomb•Torque's contemptuous words made him change his mind:
"What if we do win?"
The three exchanged glances.
Lu Youqi raised his hand and brought up his chat list:
"Coach, we'll be right back."
————————————
The cold reached his spine.
Wandering.
A stabbing pain pierced his soul.
Circling.
Repetition until time's end.
Round dance.
「…Why must you go so far?」
As if clear water had washed her face, the fog before her vanished.
Jania sat quietly on a rock by the lakeside, willow branches swaying in the wind.
She turned her head and looked at you:
「You fool… so hopelessly naive… why do this?」
Pointing at you, her brass-colored eyes shone with complex emotion:
「This world is so cold. Only the selfish survive.」
Jania clenched her fist, her gaze drifting:
「But you aren't like that. At first, I thought you selfish, like any other thief, but over time, I realized you hold a unique principle and perseverance.」
She nodded slightly, as if making up her mind, and solemnly declared:
「But this isn't your concern. It's Farlicia's fate. The Haines remnants have been pursued and persecuted by [Society] for ages. Even if their civilization is destroyed, it won't end. It was once the [Secret Society]; now it's the [Mechanical Society]; in the future, some other Society will come. This is destiny, inescapable.」
Jania gazed at you, longing for an answer:
「Will you tell me… even knowing this fate, why still stand up and fight?」
Option A—Tell her the truth.
Option B—Comfort her.
Option C—Deliberately conceal.
[A]
"Jania, when I first came to this world, I treated everything like a game, playing recklessly. But I paid for it."
(You spread your hands, explaining:)
"I lost my companions and those who trusted me, watched them die before my eyes, helpless to save them—I never want to experience that again. That's why I'm entering this fight. I want to use my ability to prevent more tragedies."
(Jania gazed at your sincere face, wavering slightly.)
「I lost my homeland, my civilization, my first master, my second master…」
Jania looked at you, speaking gravely:
「Don't any of you consider my feelings?」
She crossed her arms in dissatisfaction:
「Watching each of you perish, decay, and die while I walk on with the passage of time… so easily gone, have you ever thought about how I feel?」
She turned aside, her gaze conflicted:
「I'm just a sword, no matter how powerful, even if I carry divine power, I still need a hero to wield me.」
Her fingertips dug into her arm, teeth pressed to her lip, struggling not to show weakness.
「Selfish…」
She failed.
「I hate all of you. I hate Sharpfang Peak, half a step from ascension, yet sacrificing himself nobly for civilization and leaving me to Lidevidens.」
—In the distant night sky, stars shimmered, forming the shape of a tall, muscular man. He wore armor like a common blacksmith's apron, broad and stern, gazing with compassion and trust upon the world.
「I hate all of you. I hate that Lidevidens cast me aside, facing Farlicia's destruction alone, leaving me locked in a treasure chest to await the end, alone.」
—Near the lakeshore, that lonely warlord sat astride his horse, silver helm and bright armor radiating heroic flair. A pale-blue cape flowed with peace and tranquility. He turned his back, lifted a fine sword, then threw it into the lake.
「I hate all of you. I hate you, Li Aozi—you idiot. You're just an ordinary Omega Energy user, yet you wave the banner of 'Leozi Reborn,' disguising yourself, burdening yourself with obligations you don't deserve. Whatever threat appears, you charge right in.」
Her eyes reflected your image.
「Hate! Hate! Hate!」
She stood, stomping her foot, shouting:
「Each of you chooses to sacrifice yourselves on a whim. So charismatic, so trustworthy, showering me with care and affection—then you die, die! Dying for others!」
Jania seemed on the verge of tears, but as a sword, she didn't know how humans behave nor truly possess tear ducts. She only balled her fists and flailed wildly, then lowered her head, speaking sadly:
「Dying for others… such a selfish act.」
Option A—Say it's not selfish but just, and ask if she understands and won't stop you.
Option B—Say you have your own reasons, and ask her to support you.
Option C—Point out Jania's inner conflict.
[C]
"Jania, the one you truly hate isn't Sharpfang Peak, isn't Lidevidens, and it isn't me."
(Your words made Jania look askance. You continued:)
"You merely hate yourself for failing to help."
(Jania's gaze went blank, then her cheeks reddened, as if you'd hit a nerve.)
"You hate Sharpfang Peak because he passed you on, hoping your power would endure—but later generations worshipped Sharpfang Peak's legend rather than inheriting his will and weapon."
"You hate Lidevidens because he knew he couldn't defeat the councilors of the [Secret Society], so he saved your power to pass on more seeds of hope."
"You hate me because—"
("Because I don't want to face [Society] again, a battle we can never win!" Jania cried.)
「[Society]… you've seen how terrifying it is. We can't possibly beat [Society].」
「Five thousand years ago, Leozi—acting for the main god—lost to the [Secret Society].」
She raised her hand and pounded her chest, voicing her indignation:
「Twelve hundred years ago, the demigod Sharpfang Peak and the Omega-tier Lidevidens both lost to the [Secret Society].」
Jania looked at you.
「And now you, who aren't even fully Zeta-tier, what right do you have to challenge the [Mechanical Society]?」
Jania looked at you.
「[Society] has taken two sword wielders from me already. Don't make me lose a third…」
Jania looked at you.
「Leoz… no, Li Aozi, since you're just a fake, let me speak plainly. No matter what you do, the universe teems with talent, but only those who survive have any hope. Please, turn around, teleport, leave this planet at once!」
Option A—Explain you've invested too much in this planet to leave.
Option B—Say you have your reasons; ask her not to interfere.
Option C—Be open with Jania.
"Jania, I have a plan."
("A plan? What plan?" Jania seemed puzzled, her brow furrowing at your arrangement: "Up to now, I haven't seen anything impressive about what you've done. Frankly, I still don't think you stand a chance…")
"Jania, I'm more of an expert on dealing with [Society] than you think."
(You begin explaining:)
"[Mechanical Society] has three major races: Quantum Mechanids, Code-Speakers, and Holy Machinids."
"Among them, the Quantum Mechanids are the highest nobility. They can freely traverse the quantum realm via ubiquitous electron clouds, always maintaining secrecy and long-distance combat capabilities. As far as I know, back before they evolved into [Society], the Quantum Mechanids alone destroyed two neighboring civilizations."
(You clarify their principles and power, demonstrating that since acquiring [Remaining Moon], you have the capacity to fight them.)
"Code-Speakers possess enormous intelligence-gathering skills. They can directly access or hack the planetary consciousness's archives. Even a powerful Code-Speaker can control the planet's will, so I must conceal many aspects of my plan—even from you. Only here, in this fully mental space between us, can I share."
(Jania seems to understand some of it, though she pouts in discontent.)
"Holy Machinids have the mightiest mechanical bodies, able to fuse or transform with any mechanical equipment. For that reason, Holy Machinids can be even tougher than the Quantum Mechanids. Those three councilors could fuse at any moment—and that form is precisely what I want. I purposely spared the other two."
(Jania was surprised: "Didn't you say fusing makes them stronger? Why force them to fuse?")
"Because the backup I called in is somewhat unique. If I had to fight them separately, it'd be tougher. One single target… will be much simpler."
————————
Gurgle gurgle—Crack!
Dragon Ground set aside his biomechanical blood-pressure cannon.
They were out of ammo and supplies.
He glanced at the three players beside him, who all nodded in turn.
In the next instant, the four simultaneously stepped out of their gear. Facing the oncoming mechanical army like a roaring tide, they advanced fearlessly as Alpha-tier mortals.
————————
「Li Aozi, the reinforcements you mentioned…」
"'Fairy of Glimmer Lake'—Sophia Marlin."
————————
A woman dressed in a white gown stood quietly atop a snowy peak. Half of her face was decayed, the other half angelic. Golden hair shimmered gently in the evening breeze.
She casually held an absurdly large scythe, gazing ahead.
"After five thousand years… the Mechanical Holy Father's claws once again reach the descendants of Farlicia."
She lowered her head, murmuring softly:
"[Collector]… this is the sin you committed back then."
"Because of you, the Hidden and the Mechanicals have relentlessly hunted Haines's survivors."
"…But if I could, I'd stand by your side."
She muttered in solitude. Zeta-tier energy emanated from her like a low, surging tide, soon enveloping the entire Austro Mountain Range.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh!
Three Mechanical councilors descended instantly. The colossal Watt•Rivetsteel's eyes grew heavy, questioning:
"Turing•Binary! Didn't you say there were no Zeta-tiers in the western hemisphere?"
"I wasn't wrong! There really weren't any. The bigshots are all in Trivira City, and I've accounted for every name…" Turing•Binary was just as perplexed. "Who is this ghostly woman… and where did she come from?"
"Turing's not wrong."
Coulomb•Torque lowered its gaze, spotting five biomechanical troopers retreating into the shadows.
Those five were newcomers… clearly the ones who drew this monster here.
"She's an Eerie-path Zeta-tier ascendant, long residing in the spirit world. She must have traveled in spirit form. Turing•Binary couldn't detect her, which makes sense."
"Eerie-path… impossible? How would a materialist civilization allow such a heretic?" Watt•Rivetsteel was stunned.
"Why not?" Turing•Binary countered. "Countless worlds; anything can happen."
"Ridiculous. I was an idealist, persecuted into joining [Mechanical Society]!"
"She's no heretic."
Coulomb•Torque lowered its head, gazing intensely at the white-gowned woman:
"…You, are you a C3 Luka-type cosmic human? A Farlician?"
The woman said nothing.
Behind her spread a dark, tumultuous sea. Scores of spirit entities, armored and weaponized, stepped silently into reality.
The mechanical army advanced to meet them. Though two different species, the spirit warriors were disciplined and well-coordinated, fully matching their foe.
"Heroes of Farlicia," the woman raised her scythe, "once more, fight for all who live!"