985. Shirou, Who Bears Everything / 986. Shirou Stands on His Own ...
With a deafening roar, a seven-colored rainbow burst through the black energy sphere, and then the light obscured all the darkness. At that moment, a giant rainbow bridge appeared in the sky above Mars, stretching from the point of the explosion all the way to the ends of the earth.
"That's awesome!... Awooo~!" Haotian let out a strange cry, jumped high into the air, and then fell to the ground.
"Is it over?" Shana looked at the sky and smiled.
Seeing that things were going badly, the Haiyan chose to fly into the sky.
"Did they escape up there?" Shirou then took to the air and gave chase.
Haiyan's ears twitched slightly. Wherever there was wind, nothing could escape her notice. She decisively abandoned the idea of spending time breaching the sturdy wall and flew straight upwards, trying to escape.
"Hmph! This is still the sky. When it comes to speed and wind control, I still have the advantage!" With a wave of her hand, Haiyan created two tornadoes that swept towards Shirou, enveloping him within them.
The difference was that in that instant, the situation reversed completely. The two tornadoes dispersed automatically as they rushed towards Shirou, the sky changed color, and the lightning stopped. The elemental energy of nature abandoned the Haiyan Giant and poured into Shirou.
As a god, the Haiyan Giant lost to Shirou's divinity and the will of Mars, and in one fell swoop lent all its energy to Shirou.
The Haiyan Giant's expression changed repeatedly; he could no longer care about anything else and was only focused on fleeing with all his might.
He still harbored a sliver of hope: to escape using his speed. Although he was no match for Shirou, ending the battle wouldn't be so easy for Shirou either. With the other two Beast God potentially waking up at any moment, Shirou couldn't keep chasing him indefinitely to force him to back down.
The dark clouds in the sky were gathering more and more, covering the entire sky and plunging the surrounding hundred miles into complete darkness. Every now and then, a bolt of lightning would flash from the clouds, followed by a loud bang, which was particularly frightening.
The children on the ground looked up at the lightning in the sky, hoping to use the flashes of light to find Shirou's whereabouts.
"Don't come any closer!" Haiyan unleashed a surge of high-voltage electricity, attempting to stop Shirou's advance.
Unexpectedly, the lightning naturally bypassed the lightning and cleared a path for Shirou.
"Gods may be powerful, but no matter how strong their power, they are useless if their hearts are weak!"
In the next instant, Shirou was already on Haiyan Omega's back, and with a slash, he aimed for his neck.
Chapter 985 Shirou, Bearing Everything
Coughing up blood, Haiyan stared at Shirou with wide eyes and asked in confusion.
"I'm right, you are a sublime being. That's why you became a god, yet you can still stand on the same side as humans. Is that why you were able to trigger miracles that even the planet couldn't have foreseen?"
Shirou shook his head and said, "No, I am not a saint, and if I could, I would not want to take up this divine power again. I just want to live on with everyone."
Perhaps I care more about the happiness of those around me than others, but that doesn't mean my character is superior to theirs; it's simply because I approve of this way of life.
Those of higher moral character should naturally show more tolerance and forgiveness towards those of lower status. However! It seems that such behavior still needs to have its limits. I will not forgive your offenses against humanity. Some things cannot be clarified simply by talking.
If someone is a villain who harms others, then the only thing to do is to give them a good beating, as a champion of justice!
But sometimes, when faced with a common enemy of humanity, even if it means transforming into the greatest 'evil,' I will still crush you."Shirou pointed to the sky and declared loudly to the Haiyan.
Ice, rocks, vines, flames—all the attacks erupted at Haiyan, the explosions sweeping across the entire battlefield. Each burst of energy surpassed the original attacks of the three Beast God. The cliff where they had been standing was now completely obliterated, and the battlefield was blasted into an inland sea.
Shirou didn't kill Haiyan, but instead carried him back to the original battlefield. At this time, there were still two Beast God, one red and one white, underground. After being defeated by Gil and Xiao Mei, they were still unconscious on the ground, half of their bodies buried in the dust kicked up by the explosion.
A purple light flashed in Shirou's eyes as he punched Haiyan Omega in the face, knocking him between the two Divine Beasts. Raising his fist, he declared, "See? This is humanity! This is our power!"
"Why didn't you kill me?" the weakened Haiyan asked, staring at Shirou.
Shirou looked at Haiyan and said, "Want to die? I won't let you off so easily. Next, I need you to help me manage those new species, and then together we'll create a new world where all living things can survive."
"You too," Shirou said, glancing at the other two Beast God who were sprawled on the ground pretending to be dead.
The red dragon and white whale beside him trembled, opened their eyes, and seeing the scene before them, and looking at the faint white light emanating from Shirou, they both prostrated themselves on the ground and lowered their heads. They had lost; even the three Beast God together were no match for humans.
Then Shirou opened the spatial portal through the gate and returned to the entrance of the orphanage. Next, Shirou threw the defeated and unconscious red dragon into the orphanage's courtyard.
"Ahhh..."
"Waaaaah!!!" The white whale followed in the footsteps of the red dragon, its eyes rolling back as it collapsed to the ground.
The little girl grinned wildly. Wearing black fighting gloves, she swung them fiercely.
A newly awakened little girl, with the air of a delinquent, swung her steel fists and smashed them against the bottomed beluga whale. The long, single horn, unable to withstand the weight, was broken off by her.
"Little sister is awesome!" the chubby boy exclaimed obsequiously, his eyes wide.
"Shut up, he's a year younger than you," Haotian retorted.
"The successful come first, the successful come first," the chubby boy said with a mischievous smile.
The three Beast God lowered their heads. Even five- or six-year-old children could do this; what could they possibly use to fight against humans? Desperate, they lay on the ground, letting the mischievous children treat their bodies like toys, sliding around like on a slide, or grabbing and tearing at their scales and wings.
"Alright, alright, everyone. I'm taking these three back with me. After I've thoroughly studied their abilities and those of the new species, I'll release them to integrate with the new species on Mars and teach them how to coexist peacefully with humans. Xiao Mei, I'm counting on you all!" Shirou turned around and said to the others with a smile.
"Okay, I understand. Shirou, you go and get on with your business." Xiao Mei replied, then clapped her hands and gave her younger siblings a loving smile, saying, "Alright, it's snack time, everyone go back inside."
"Hey? But we still want to play."
"Hehehe." Xiao Mei just smiled sweetly.
Shana and the others simultaneously took a step back, a completely instinctive reaction, sensing that the smile was dangerous. They all obediently went back inside.
"Hmph, hurry up and figure them out thoroughly, then when they're no longer useful, I'll just recycle them. I happen to want some weapons made from wild beasts to fill the treasure vault." Gil's eyes gleamed with the ferocity of a wild animal spotting its prey, especially as she looked at the scales of the red dragon, the horn of the white whale, and the wings of the Haiyan.
The three Beast God trembled again, realizing that the golden-haired child seemed to have become even stronger, surpassing them.
Gil, head held high, proudly returned to the house. He was not about to accept defeat to Shirou. Besides, Shirou was too soft-hearted and unsuitable to be a leader; he was determined to become the king of humanity on Mars.
"Well then, everyone, I'll be right back." Shirou smiled warmly at his family, then adopted a haughty and authoritative demeanor. With a wave of his hand, he lifted the three Beast God from afar, stepped through the white spatial gate, and flew towards the chosen human research institute.
"Sister Mei, I'm tired from fighting monsters today, I want to eat chocolate."
"No, by the way, is your cavity from last time completely healed? You need to brush your teeth twice a day, morning and night. Open your mouth so I can see."
The chubby boy covered his mouth, turned his head away, and dared not look at Xiao Mei, but stubbornly argued, "It's okay, I'm a hero who saved the world, what's a little cavity..."
"Really? Since you're the hero who saved the world, there's no need for you to eat candy!" Xiao Mei said with a mischievous grin.
"I... I... I can eat just a little bit," the chubby boy said, trying to salvage the situation.
"No!" Xiao Mei waved her hand.
"Ugh... ugh..." The chubby boy looked utterly dejected.
"Hahaha." The children around him laughed when they saw him like that.
Even heroes who have saved the world are still human children.
In the days that followed, Shirou found trustworthy researchers, established a new research institution, and recruited like-minded members to subtly influence people's thinking. Through radio, television programs, and other media, he told people that they could coexist with new species and win a better future.
Chapter 986 Shirou: An Independent Person
As for the new species, the first step is for the three Beast God to incorporate the new species of beasts from the sea, land, and air, and to establish new laws for survival. Both humans and other beasts must abide by these laws and will be forced to hunt for purposes other than survival.
Next, we will improve artificial meat and crops so that humans can provide food for some large carnivores and herbivores, reducing unnecessary conflicts. Although this will take time, it will also take time to domesticate new species and raise their intelligence to the point where they can live peacefully with other creatures instead of hunting based on wild instincts.
This process may take a very long time to achieve, but at least it gives people something to look forward to in the future.
Domesticated animals, like dogs, cattle, sheep, horses, and camels of the past, can become helpful assistants to humans. For example, there are dog-like creatures with a keen sense of smell and loyalty to their leaders, as well as Old Ma that can carry people hundreds of kilometers a day and camels that are the ships of the desert. With their help, the efficiency of exploring the outside world of Mars can be increased several times.
Cows can help transport goods and plow fields on treacherous mountain paths. Sheep wool can bring warmth to people during the cold season.
While machines can be powerful, they cannot completely replace animals, just as artificial intelligence, despite demonstrating advantages over humans, cannot completely replace them.
There are always special circumstances and special places where machinery fails to function, such as areas with chaotic magnetic fields or where signals cannot propagate. In such cases, special organisms are needed to complete the task.
Although this is rare, it is often fatal when it occurs.
The natural advantage of biodiversity lies in the fact that when faced with an unknown new virus, what may be devastating for one species can be found in the body of another animal or plant with corresponding antibodies. Each additional species can represent a new opportunity to treat and save lives for humanity.
Shirou also began to modify the Mars environment, since he couldn't exterminate all life except humans, just as the gods couldn't exterminate humanity. In fact, humans couldn't deal with pests like cockroaches, rats, and locusts either.
Life is fragile, yet incredibly resilient. A creature that gives up on change will be eliminated by nature, but a thriving species in nature cannot be destroyed by any force—something that has been impossible for tens of thousands of years.
"Chief, are we being too lenient with Mars life right now? Is that enough? I mean... those Beast God..." In the research institute Shirou founded, a high-ranking official in a white lab coat asked.
"What I want to convey to them is simply the reality that cooperation is far better than a fight to the death," Shirou said. "Perhaps one day, humanity will be eliminated, and among these creatures, beings more suited to managing Mars will evolve and replace humanity. Then they will do to humanity what humanity did to them. The sins of the past must always be paid for, right?"
"Could this really be true?" The people in white coats inside the research institute all stopped and looked at Shirou with horrified expressions.
However, there were a few calm individuals, and thanks to them, the research institute's operations remained relatively stable.
"Who can say for sure, can't they?" Shirou shrugged.
"Hey! Hey!!" the people inside the research institute exclaimed in surprise. 'Leader, aren't you on the side of humanity? The organization I joined definitely made a mistake somewhere.'
Seeing the positive results, Shirou smiled easily and continued, "So what we're doing now is working with other species from the very beginning. This is a situation that never happened on Earth; it's an unprecedented test for all of humanity. Everyone here is an indispensable talent, a great contributor whose name will be etched on the monument of merit. Therefore, besides completing your work, if you wish to conduct any independent research that can help the future of Mars, I will provide you with research funding as much as possible."
The institute staff's eyes lit up and their spirits lifted. The appearance of their leader gave them, who were originally relegated to assigned jobs, dedicated to the survival of humanity, and whose natural instinct to observe the universe was suppressed, a new source of enjoyment.
Of course, whether the new species will rebel is impossible as long as Shirou exists. Suppressing racist mad scientists is also part of the plan.
Then Shirou teleported through the portal to the headquarters of the Noahism. For this emerging religion that had already taken root in Noah City, Shirou chose to preserve it, continue to promote morality, help the poor, and further establish friendly and mutually beneficial relations with the new species.
Although the relationship between the new species and humans is currently somewhat like that between cannibals living in a closed primeval forest and modern humans, fortunately, one-third of the new species will not have an appetite for humans, and the Noahism can start from this aspect.
Yes, Xiao Mei became the Saintess here. After all, the young Medea, the Servant spirit residing in her body, was indeed a descendant of the gods. Her long, light blue hair and pure temperament perfectly matched this identity.
She was in charge of leading the Noahism. With a kind nature and ruthless methods, she decisively subdued the leadership of the Noahism and then led the many believers to spread the teachings on Mars.
Meanwhile, Gil seems to be preparing to enter politics and become the leader of Mars. Now, as the mastermind behind the scenes, he has begun to support several puppets as mouthpieces. If he gets serious, the number of people on Mars who can stand against him can be counted on one hand.
Although I'm a little worried that he might go too far, I'll try to dissuade him when the time comes. After all, it's a special time, and humanity must be united in thought.
Shirou and his family at the orphanage are all focused on working for Mars, and he has abandoned his wish for the white god from the past. If he cannot bring happiness to the humans living on Mars with him, then the happiness of the entire universe and the world is nothing but empty talk.
After acquiring enough Mars energy, Shirou deliberately severed his connection with the white god. This made him the first among all his clones to revert to being a unique individual once again.
He no longer passively accepted his fate, but actively chose it, determined to continue protecting Mars and his family in the orphanage.
Meanwhile, deep within the universe, the slumbering white deity, who was destined to remain asleep for tens or hundreds of millions of years until its energy was at its peak and it became a speck of dust in the universe, opened its eyes at this moment.
Dungeon Chapter
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Chapter 987 Gods and Dungeons and Shirou
This is Orrila, a city where elves, fairies, humans, and demi-humans coexist. Adventurers, as the servants of the gods, and ordinary people gather together to conquer dungeons and build immortal achievements.
Shirou has been here for two months. It seems that the white god at the source has encountered an unknown problem and went berserk as soon as he Projection into this world. Shirou was supposed to be a god's avatar in a magical dungeon, is now an ordinary person who has completely lost his powers.
The power of creation that was originally intended to be injected into the divine avatar flowed into this world instead. Due to the rampage, the injected energy was dozens of times greater than usual, causing the entire world to descend into chaos. It seems to have merged with several incomplete parallel worlds in the surrounding area.
Fortunately, although Shirou has lost his powers, his consciousness is clearer than ever before. He will return to his original self as an ordinary person to save the world from the hidden crisis.
Shirou doesn't know exactly where the anomaly occurred, but he has learned that it's related to the end of the world.
In this world, besides humans, there are also subhuman races such as Little Folk, Goblin Race, and Beastkin, as well as some special races.
For example, the immortal Goddess from the heavens, who seem to have grown tired of life in the heavens, have descended to the mortal realm. They blend into the crowd like tourists, enjoying the local customs, culture, and cuisine.
The gods also bestowed upon the inhabitants of the mortal realm a 'Blessing,' a system created by the collective wisdom of many deities to allow humanity to grow most efficiently. It continuously stimulates the potential within adventurers, enabling both children and the elderly to fight against lower-level monsters in dungeons if they receive the Blessing.
Furthermore, the blessing will record the adventurer's changes at all times. As long as you train well in the dungeon, your proficiency in the ability will continue to improve and then be presented in numerical form.
It's practically like a game's experience system, allowing all adventurers to experience the thrill of leveling up by defeating monsters, possessing an addictive quality that compels adventurers to become addicted to monster-hunting.
However, the dungeon is a treacherous place that devours people without spitting out their bones. If you underestimate it, you will be instantly swallowed up by a trap or a monster that suddenly appears.
Furthermore, although adventurers can gain ability points through various training methods, they need to challenge high-level monsters on their own to level up.
In other words, it's impossible for a slime that has been fighting for three hundred years to unknowingly become the strongest in the world. Of course, this doesn't apply if the slime that defeats the transformation-capable Rimuru is an exception.
After accumulating enough experience points, Level 1 players need to challenge monsters one level higher than themselves to achieve the feat of challenging monsters of higher levels before they can advance to the next level.
Because of this restriction, half of the adventurers in this city are actually stuck at level one.
However, there are even worse cases, such as Shirou. It seems that he is currently unable to form a contract with the gods, which means that he cannot even receive their favors and can only fight without any energy amplitude.
While the thought of those goddesses made it all worthwhile—not being able to become their familiar wasn't entirely a bad thing—the investigation into the apocalyptic crisis had become urgent. After some preparation, Shirou entered the dungeon. As the saying goes, if your level isn't high enough, make up for it with better equipment.
Shirou, draped in a black cloak that covered his head, carrying a backpack and various weapons he had crafted himself, ventured into the first ten levels of the dungeon. Although he had lost his Servant abilities and his body was now that of an ordinary person, he had to start all over again. However, thanks to the advantage of his weapons, he was still able to fight against low-level monsters.
If the problem can be solved from a distance, then use a bow directly. He carried various types of arrows; if he was afraid of fire, he would use fire arrows, and if he was not resistant to poison, he would use poisoned arrows.
For tough skin that arrows can't penetrate, use a hammer and axe to break it; if necessary, you can also use explosives. As long as you use your weapons properly and consider elemental advantages, you can fight most monsters.
Although he couldn't see the numerical values, Shirou could still feel the effects of the final training; his body was gradually returning to the strength he had in his previous life. According to the epic tales of heroes circulating in this world, it was written that the heroes of that time fought against the monsters of the dungeon without any favors bestowed upon them, and even defeated the terrifying dragon.
If someone has done it before, then as long as he practices hard, he can definitely do it too.
Shirou slid aside, dodging the beast that pounced from the shadows, drew his short sword, and sliced open the beast's belly.
When the beast landed, it realized something was wrong; its intestines had spilled out of its ruptured belly. After struggling for a few moments, it collapsed to the ground, unable to move.
Just as Shirou finished dealing with the skeletons on the fifth floor, a boy's wail echoed from inside the dungeon.
Bell, a new adventurer who had just arrived in Orario from the countryside, had been lingering on the second floor for the past few days, but he was earning too little, so he thought it was time to head down to a lower floor.