As they looked at the giant composed of the bones of hundreds of millions of humans, Meng Chao and Lü Siya gritted their teeth, their hands and feet turning ice-cold.
The ghostly flames winding around the Skeleton Giant spread toward them along vine-like tendrils that resembled nerves.
"Of course. The most perfect Chosen Ones I painstakingly selected were still the two of you."
It spoke flatly. "The other Chosen Ones were either too old. After decades of life-and-death battles, compounded by my stimulation of their cells into frenzied division and growth, both their bodies and souls had already suffered irreparable damage.
"They were at the flickering end of their lives, and it was time for them to be discarded.
"But among the so-called Golden Generation, who possessed greater talent and potential than you two? Who had more brilliant accomplishments, influence that shook the entire city, intricately tangled connections, and astronomical resources?
"So, although it would be effortless, I truly did not wish to snuff out the flames of your souls as though extinguishing two candles in a storm.
"Now, only two paths lie before you.
"Either stubbornly persist and put up a desperate resistance, only to die meaninglessly in the end.
"Perhaps I can preserve a wisp of your remaining souls, allowing you to watch helplessly as Dragon City—Monster Civilization 2.0, led by other Chosen Ones, charges toward an unpredictable future like a blazing war chariot. Victory or defeat, glory or destruction—you will be unable to change any of it.
"Or merge with me and become the leaders of these Chosen Ones. Though you will lose some things, you will at least retain a measure of hope to change the future, and an opportunity to shape Dragon City—Monster Civilization 2.0 into the form you desire.
"This is not a difficult