Ether's Children (Part 2)

'... The same answer as before.'

Gretvor pondered for a moment, then said, "Where exactly do you come from? You say I'm like you, are you also a revolutionary?"

"Revolution? That's an irreconcilable conflict within a backward and inferior civilization. The society I belong to would never see such a tragic and inefficient thing."

"Looks like you're not from the Heavenly Ring People anymore." Gretvor shrugged.

"This is meaningless, Black Whale. We are all children of the same mother, that noble, kind, and beautiful mother, who will step into the Star Abyss with a hidden radiance. It is only a matter of time. And the meaning of your existence, my existence, and that of all citizens is to clear all obstacles for the arrival of our mother."

The arrogant White Shark spoke incomprehensible words, which only made Gretvor's headache worse.

"In that case, then tell me," Gretvor said, carefully choosing his words. "At least tell me the mother's name."

"You are not worthy to know your mother's name, because you only have the qualifications, but you have not yet truly become one of us."

"I don't understand, what exactly is your purpose? If you want me to fight you, then at least get me out of here. I will fight you seriously. But you also said that we are the offspring of the same mother—I don't know if this represents a family, a group of interests, or a country. In any case, if you need something from me, then at least tell me, as compatriots, what kind of race do we belong to?"

Gretvor pressed his advantage, quickly asking further questions.

However, White Shark deliberately avoided mentioning that term. He remained silent for a while, seemingly seeing through Gretvor's thoughts, then chuckled and said disdainfully, "Ether."

"What?"

"Can't you feel it yet? The difference between you and those mortals around you." White Shark tugged at the bronze collar around his neck and sneered, "You and those humans are not even the same species. They are a group of hairless apes that evolved from monkeys, while you are a superhuman race nourished by ether and nurtured by the universe. From the moment you were born, you were destined to be one of us."

"You mean, I'm not human?" Gretvor said with displeasure. "What race I am is none of your business."

"Black Whale, you don't understand, you simply don't understand."

The White Shark gritted its teeth and suddenly reappeared behind him, its sharp, blade-like fingers resting on his shoulder. "Consume ether, listen to the call, and you will naturally understand everything."

"Then just tell me right here, and I'll understand now."

"So you don't understand, you don't understand at all." White Shark continued to mock, "This planet was destined to die long ago, but you are completely unaware of it. The existence buried deep in the star's core has obscured the sun and the clouds, and has also blinded your understanding. I can't say too much, Black Whale, but I cherish the time I spend communicating with you. After all, apart from you, there are very few people on this planet who are suitable to be Social Citizen."

"You're bringing up that damn Social Citizen thing again—I'm a citizen of Sky Ring, I was, I am, and I will be."

Gretvor hated this kind of cryptic, ambiguous existence, but he had a vague feeling that White Shark wasn't doing this out of a morbid sense of pleasure or torment.

This arrogant "White Knight" seems to have ulterior motives; he may be mad, but he is definitely not stupid.

"Society is Living Civilization."

The White Shark, arms crossed, looked down at him and said:

"Citizens are the cells of society, juries are the stem cells of society, members of parliament are the organ cells of society, and the speaker is the brain cell of society. You and I are the same—at least, we will be the same in the future, becoming the most important stem cells."

"...never mind."

Gretvor gave up thinking and communicating.

Although he managed to extract a lot of information today, the White Shark's inability to speak human language made it impossible for him to decipher its words.

However, at least this can relieve some boredom.

"White Shark, how did you find me?"

He leaned against the wall and asked leisurely.

White Shark coldly replied, "You should ask your 'thief' girlfriend—she has a woman's body but a man's soul. How strange."

"You mean Mirror?" Gretvor looked at White Shark in surprise. "Mirror has never seen himself as a woman since he was a child. His parents died a long time ago, and in order to survive, he had to hide his gender. Over time, this has led to him becoming like this."

As he spoke, he suddenly sighed, "I didn't expect Jing to reach the Gamma Rank before me. Now I'm going to be a burden—I wonder how they are doing now. I hope everyone is safe and sound."

"The abilities and potential of a thief are far inferior to yours."

The White Shark said coldly:

"This planet is really pitiful; there are only four C3-Luca type Cosmic Human Race."

"C3 Luca-type Cosmic Human Race? Four of them?" Gretvor asked curiously, having never heard of such a thing before.

"You, the Black Knight, that asexual Thief named Mirror, the Bellringer, and me—there are only four of us in total."

Suddenly, White Shark paused, then said abruptly, "No, perhaps there will be one more."

"You're so fickle. You were just mocking me, and now you're saying there are five of you? At least prepare a draft before you lie."

"I did not lie to you, Black Whale. Like you, White Knight, we professionals disdain to lie."

The White Shark seemed to turn its head, its gaze seemingly transcending the cage and looking towards the western sky:

"The Bellringer seems to have encountered a very interesting child; she will become a new citizen."

The great White Shark stared blankly at the Outland, muttering to itself:

"I can feel the Blood of Ether boiling; her potential is immense... perhaps even that of a genius among jury-level professionals."

Gretvor bowed slightly, sensing something amiss.

The White Shark seems to be communicating with someone.

"[The Bellringer], tell me, what is she? This powerful resonance of Blood of Ether is so strong that even I, a powerhouse at the limit of my strength, feel my heart surging."

Gretvor was puzzled, and then he heard White Shark say, "She's not on the jury? Are you kidding me? How could this sudden impulse not be on the jury?"

"What do you mean by 'society isn't just about juries'? This powerful etheric resonance, what else could it be but a jury?"

"Are you sure?"

White Shark took two steps back and questioned in a serious tone:

"Are you sure that girl is one of the thirteen councilors, the 'tailor'?"

"Tell me her name, and I will come to your aid soon."

"... Yawen·Hesksin? I'll remember that."