Chapter 174

According to the final analysis, the psychic-sensory Fused Warrior remained silent after the mutation, while the physically enhanced Fused Warrior exhibited manic behavior, unable to distinguish friend from foe. Initially, when they were not effectively suppressed, their madness caused enormous property damage.

The anomaly first occurred forty days after Ai Yue's disappearance. During those forty days, the United Earth Government passed the "Fused Warrior Expansion Plan," which aimed to equip every Fortress City with enough Fused Warrior as guards. This resulted in the number of Fused Warrior soaring to 100,000.

Of the 100,000 Fused Warrior, only two are immune to this mutation. If they cannot be controlled in time, the true Herrscher will not need to intervene, and the entire human civilization will suffer annihilation.

Fortunately, since Fused Warrior are inherently unstable, the contingency plan for Fused Warrior out of control has always been in a state of readiness and has spread all over the world along with the increase in Fused Warrior production. Therefore, apart from property damage, casualties are almost non-existent.

The person most severely injured in the entire aberration was Kalpas. When the aberration occurred, he was doing combat training with Ying. During the combat, Ying suddenly went berserk and almost sliced Kalpas into a cucumber. However, Kalpas's vitality was too tenacious, so that even when Ying was brought under control, Kalpas was still alive.

Incidentally, because she was completely unaware of the anomaly, Kalpas thought that Ying was finally willing to use her full strength, so she was quite happy about it.

Besides Kalpas, another unlucky person was Dr. Mei, because she was right next to Kevin when Kevin became abnormal. In order to prevent himself from losing control and hurting Dr. Mei, Kevin chose to freeze himself completely, almost freezing Dr. Mei as well.

At the end of the information related to the aberration phenomenon, Sōgen thoughtfully included information about the people who were close to Ai Yue.

Pardofelis has been transformed into a cat. Because she has not shown any threat, she is kept at the headquarters of the Moth to Fire and is personally monitored by Dr. Mei. Aponia has transformed into a giant cocoon and is currently in a silent state, just like Eden.

Sakura, Kevin, and Cosmo have all been properly taken care of. Before the aberration, Vill-V had locked herself in the Spiral Workshop, and her current situation is unknown.

Incidentally, Su, being on the moon, did not experience any distortion and became the sole survivor of this disaster. Unfortunately, due to the network being shut down, communication between Earth and the moon has been severed, and they are currently out of contact.

But the distortion was just an appetizer—or rather, a harbinger of the disaster that followed.

Within 12 hours of the end of the distortion phenomenon, another network outage occurred—an unknown electronic virus launched an attack on the entire human network system from various points around the world in an unknown manner, plunging the whole world into chaos.

Although the Prometheus Network intervened immediately and minimized the potential damage, even the combined efforts of Prometheus and Queen failed to defeat the virus. Even the drones under Queen's command rebelled, nearly causing a bloodbath.

However, the document provided by Sōgen did not describe this matter in great detail. It only briefly stated at the end that "Prometheus finally severed the connection between the network and the real world, trapping the virus in the virtual world." It was precisely because of this that the world fell into the predicament of being unable to use the network.

However, what happened next was not explained in detail.

Then, the long-dormant Honkai disaster broke out again around the world, forcing people to urgently evacuate to Fortress City that were not yet fully built. Lacking Fused Warrior and drones as combat forces, they had to mobilize all available manpower, which is why old men like Bobbit were seen patrolling in armor.

What happens next?

Ai Yue flipped to the last page and found that Sōgen's documents did not contain a detailed report on the Honkai disaster. He looked up and asked, "Hasn't the system summary on the Honkai disaster been released yet?"

"You finished reading it so quickly?"

Sōgen, who had just reviewed a report, looked up in surprise. "I'm sorry, but since there's no internet right now, and even communication is a problem, everyone is currently fighting their own battles, so it's probably very difficult to compile something like this."

At this point, Sōgen suddenly remembered something. "By the way, the United Earth Government is currently Moth to Fire. If you want to know detailed information about the whole world, that's the only place that can give you the answers."

"Why are we having a meeting at this hour?"

Ai Yue frowned, then realized he had said something foolish. "No, it's precisely because of times like this that we need to hold a meeting."

Even the most unbreakable alliances can crumble in the face of a major crisis. In this world, which has become increasingly isolated due to the loss of the internet, the United Earth Government can still sit down and hold meetings is already a kind of progress.

I just don't know how many countries will actually participate.

"Is Doctor Ai Yue going to attend?"

Sōgen asked, while holding up a letter in his hand, "No matter what you think, I suggest you go."

"What's wrong?"

Noticing the envelope in the other person's hand, Ai Yue couldn't help but ask, "Wait, you can only communicate by letter now?"

"Yes, even so, the cost is outrageously high,"

Sōgen shook his head. "You might not believe it, but this letter was delivered personally by Miss Elysia. Since airplanes and ships are no longer functioning properly, we can only cross the ocean by relying on superhuman strength."

"You can imagine how uncomfortable it would be to wake up back in feudal society."

Ai Yue nodded in agreement. He had only been experiencing this kind of life for less than half a day, and he already felt uncomfortable all over, as if Honkai Beast were crawling all over his body. Sōgen and the others must have felt even worse. "So whose letter was it, and what did it say?"

"Dr. Mobius's letter,"

Seeing that Ai Yue didn't seem inclined to take the letter, Sōgen put his hand down again. "The letter was very simple. Besides asking if I had found any trace of you, it told me that the joint meeting might discuss the handling of the Fused Warrior and asked me to protect the Fused Warrior temporarily placed on the Mu Continent no matter what."

"How to handle the problem?"

Ai Yue frowned. "What are they planning to do?"

"First of all, you need to understand that we still haven't found a way to restore the Fused Warrior,"

Sōgen explained, "Therefore, all Fused Warrior are currently placed using methods such as drugs or cryogenics. However, even without considering the cost, we must acknowledge the potential risks associated with this approach."

"I understand. They think the Fused Warrior are already a burden, so they want to dispose of them harmlessly, right?"

Ai Yue sighed, "While I can understand this idea, isn't it a bit too hasty? I thought these people had already started to change."

From a purely rational perspective, it's indeed difficult for Ai Yue to criticize the United Earth Government's attitude—a full 100,000 unstable factors not only require a comprehensive equipment system for their placement but also a large number of combat forces to guard them. Such costs are indeed too high, and it's understandable that some people would want to give up.

However, it has only been less than a month since the distortion occurred, so we can definitely try harder. What if things take a turn for the better?

"I think they're already very slow."

Faced with Ai Yue's sigh, Sōgen expressed a different opinion, "Doctor Ai Yue, you need to understand one thing—they made this decision on the premise that you have already disappeared."

"If you were still here, I believe that even if this timeframe were extended tenfold, they would not bring up this matter on their own initiative as long as you do not give in."

Ai Yue looked at Sōgen in surprise, then pointed to himself. "You mean, they did this because I wasn't there?"

That's it.

Sōgen sighed, "Doctor Ai Yue, by now you should be more aware of your own importance, right? Although the phrase 'Would the earth stop turning without you?' might be used sarcastically for others, I think it's a complete statement when applied to you—without you, human civilization wouldn't have survived until now."

"Even if you praise me, it can't change the fact that these people are irrational."

Ai Yue shrugged. "But I have to admit, you're right—I really shouldn't have disappeared for so long."

"Some things are beyond our control and there is really nothing we can do about it. Although your choice at the time was a bit impulsive, that's why everyone trusts you so much."

Sōgen shook his head. "So, what do you plan to do now?"

How many days until the meeting ends?

Ai Yue asked.

Sōgen glanced at the time. "Today should be the second day. The entire meeting is expected to last four days, which means there are still three days left."

"Okay, then let's go in three days."

Ai Yue nodded, then walked out of the office. "Before that, prepare a laboratory for me."

Sōgen subconsciously stood up. "What are you planning to do?"

Ai Yue waved his hand. "We need to bring something convincing to get them to change their minds, right?"

Chapter Fifty-Five: What is a Surprise?

In the enormous conference hall, people from all over the world, representing different countries and organizations, gathered together. Although they were men and women of different skin colors, they all exuded a solemn and dignified expression. The negative emotions in the hearts of countless people gathered together, turning into an invisible shadow that shrouded the entire conference hall.

This was the first global joint meeting convened by the United Earth Government since the Fused Warrior Aberration Event, and it took nearly a month just to gather all the representatives.

After losing the internet, people not only find it difficult to establish effective communication networks, but even travel becomes a major problem. Without the assistance of navigation and positioning systems, ships and airplanes become almost completely useless, leaving only land transportation as the remaining mode of transport.

In addition, each country needs to compile statistics on the damage and current situation of this crisis, so this meeting, which should have been held immediately, has been delayed until now.

Today is the last day of the joint meeting. After completing the exchange of intelligence among the countries, the summary of the current situation, and the allocation of aid, only one meeting topic remains.

But this issue is far more important than any of the previous topics, so much so that everyone tacitly chose to avoid it for the time being, and it has been dragged on until today.

But there is no longer any room for escape; no matter what, people need to face this issue head-on.

The representative from Shenzhou sighed slightly and looked at the documents in his hand.

The above contains only one simple sentence. "Regarding the follow-up treatment of the Fused Warrior."

The word "disposal" felt so cold and jarring here that he had to take off his glasses and close his eyes slightly to alleviate the pain.

After a moment, the Shenzhou representative put his glasses back on, looked at his colleagues with different expressions but none of them willing to speak, cleared his throat, and brought the microphone to his mouth. "Since no one is willing to take the initiative, then I will be the bad guy."

As soon as he said this, everyone's eyes were drawn to him, but after a moment, they all turned around and looked at the other side of the conference room.

There sat a woman— Dr. Mei, who had come here representing the "Moth to Fire".

Without Kevin's company, Dr. Mei's already thin figure became even more lonely. Although not much emotion could be seen on her face, anyone who knew her well would be able to see the vulnerability and pain hidden deep in her eyes.

"Dr. Mei, what conclusions have you reached regarding the mutation phenomenon of the Fused Warrior?"

The representative from Shenzhou asked calmly, though his voice trembled slightly, "Has there been any progress in the treatment efforts?"

"Regarding the distortion, we have now found the cause."

Dr. Mei's face was etched with exhaustion, but she still had to muster her energy to explain the current situation, "What we can confirm at present is that the mutation of the Fused Warrior was affected by the Herrscher authority. A special Honkai Energy fluctuation stimulated the Honkai Beast genes in their bodies, thus causing the mutation."

"Herrscher authority, this was already confirmed information beforehand, right?"

A representative from another country couldn't help but ask, "The most crucial issue now is how to repair this distortion and how to prevent the Fused Warrior from being affected by it again, isn't it? Has there been any progress in this area?"

Even before the network was attacked, the possibility that "the Fused Warrior's mutation was induced by the Herrscher" had already been accepted by many people. Now that Dr. Mei has confirmed this news, it is just turning what everyone has been expecting into reality, without helping the current situation in the slightest.

As humanity's most important fighting force against the Honkai, the importance of the Fused Warrior is self-evident. Even if Dr. Mei's statement proves that the Fused Warrior themselves are not the problem, as long as the aberration phenomenon cannot be resolved, the Fused Warrior will no longer be able to play their due role as warriors.

Even if Dr. Mei finds a way to restore the aberrations, without a solution to prevent aberrations, the Fused Warrior will not be able to return to the battlefield.

After all, no one can trust a group of people who might turn against the Herrscher at any time, even if that's not what the Fused Warrior intended.

Even more terrifying is that, since the transmission route of Herrscher authority to Fused Warrior is still unknown, humanity is unable to take effective preventative measures. The potential risks this could lead to are chilling just to think about.

"This..."

Dr. Mei hesitated for a moment, but under everyone's watchful eyes, she forced herself to speak, "We've found the key to the problem. Give us a little more time, and we'll definitely get a satisfactory result..."

"Please don't dodge the question, Dr. Mei."

The North America representative said in a serious tone, "If it exists, it exists; if it doesn't, it doesn't. What does it mean to say it will only exist after a period of time?"

Although the others did not speak, their silence at that moment signified their agreement with the North America representative's viewpoint.

Dr. Mei closed her eyes, remained silent for a moment, and finally squeezed out a sentence through gritted teeth. "There is no way to restore it for the time being."

She actually had many reasons to give, such as the lack of sufficient sample information to conduct systematic analysis and summarization, or the fact that the entire Moth to Fire base was severely damaged during the network virus incident, so there are hardly any usable scientific research devices available now... But none of these are meaningful.

She might be able to convince others with excuses, but she couldn't convince herself—this time, the Herrscher's power was far more bizarre than any of the previous Herrscher. Even if the Moth to Fire had all the necessary facilities, perfect samples, and a working network, a month was simply not enough time to produce a result.

"Does this mean that the distortion problem remains unresolved?"

Hearing Dr. Mei's words, the North America representative couldn't help but sigh. "Well, regarding the 'disposal of the Fused Warrior,' I presume everyone has already made preparations. In that case..."

"Etc."

Dr. Mei suddenly looked up. "The Moth to Fire requests that this topic be postponed. Please give us another month. We are sure we can find a solution!"

If the United Earth Government decides to abandon the Fused Warrior, not only will the entire Fusion Warrior Project fail, but the 100,000 Fused Warrior who are still alive will also face being "disposed of." Dr. Mei must stop this at all costs.

"I can give you this opportunity, Dr. Mei, but who will cover the costs of containing the Fused Warrior during this period? Does the Moth to Fire have the capability to handle this?"

The North America representative shook his head. "Or perhaps you can find someone willing to solve this problem?"

Dr. Mei was speechless for a moment.

After news of Ai Yue's disappearance spread, the world seemed to change in an instant. People lost faith in the future, and even the United Earth Government began to experience internal conflicts. Everything seemed to have returned to the way it was before—to the time when Ai Yue had never appeared.

This even made Dr. Mei feel a little desperate—because she suddenly realized that humanity did not become united in the face of disaster, but only because Ai Yue's appearance gave them hope.

When Ai Yue disappeared, hope was extinguished, just as after the Tower of Babel collapsed, the people on earth fell into endless strife.

If that's really the case, then is there any value in saving humanity? If a civilization only continues because of the existence of a savior, then what is the meaning of that civilization's existence?

"If Doctor Ai Yue had said those words, I would have agreed without hesitation, even for five or ten months. We would cover all the costs ourselves."

Seeing that Dr. Mei did not speak, the North America representative continued, "I think the other representatives share the same attitude on this issue."

"Because Doctor Ai Yue does indeed possess such value, he deserves our complete trust, but after setting aside Doctor Ai Yue, does the Moth to Fire truly possess such value?"

The North America representative, looking at Dr. Mei with a somewhat complicated expression, said without hesitation, "Frankly speaking, without Doctor Ai Yue, how much would the Moth to Fire have had to pay to defeat the Honkai?"

Dr. Mei opened her mouth, but didn't know what to say.

Because the North America representative was right—starting with the Eighth Herrscher, Ai Yue had become a key figure in the fight against the Herrscher. Every decision he made was perfect, and he was always able to defeat each Herrscher at an unbelievable cost. Since he joined the Moth to Fire, the damage suffered by the entire human civilization due to the Honkai was less than one percent of the First Herrscher caused.

Such achievements are enough to be called miracles. Conversely, without Ai Yue's existence, human civilization might not have been able to continue to this day.

Just then, a sound of someone tapping a microphone drew everyone's attention. Dr. Mei subconsciously looked up and saw the representative from Shenzhou bringing the microphone to his mouth. "Representative from North America, first of all, I agree with your point of view. Doctor Ai Yue is indeed crucial to human civilization, but I think you have misunderstood something."

"Fighting the Honkai is never something that one organization or one country can do alone. When you criticize the Moth to Fire, please don't forget that you and your country are in the same position."

The North America representative was speechless and unable to refute the statement for a moment.

"Before we begin discussions on the resettlement of the Fused Warrior, I want to declare our position on behalf of my country."

The Shenzhou representative ignored the other party and looked down at the documents in his hand. "Until the aberration phenomenon cannot be resolved, Shenzhou will, while ensuring that the Fused Warrior are under control, maintain their safety to the greatest extent possible."