The Monster That Longed to Become Human

After Xiao He saved the Hawaiian Islands from the tsunami, the X-Wu government, to express its gratitude, specially gifted all employees of the Dragon Country's Special Response Department a free trip to the Hawaiian Islands. All expenses for food, drinks, and entertainment on the Hawaiian Islands were covered by the Hawaiian Islands for all employees of the Dragon Country's Special Response Department.

Besides the Hawaiian Islands, the luxury cruise ship that Xiao He rescued also extended an invitation to them, offering all-inclusive treatment on food, drinks, and entertainment. This was a great perk for many employees of the Special Response Department, and it would be nice to take their families there for a trip.

The only thing to worry about is whether we'll be arrested and interrogated about Yinglong once we arrive.

Before he left, the local residents and tourists all tried to persuade Xiao He to stay and attend a banquet to thank him. They were so enthusiastic that they wouldn't let him leave. In the end, Xiao He had to use his Superpower to force his way out.

However, this incident did indeed further enhance Yinglong's fame worldwide, and for a time it seemed that the entire world was talking about Yinglong.

However, Yinglong himself was currently in a place that no one would have expected with Ye Wanqing.

Mars, within the Dragon Country Base.

This place is completely different from when Xiao He last visited.

When Xiao He first came here, he only built a Mars Base, but now there is a botanical garden of more than 40 square meters and 10 meters high.

This botanical garden is connected to the previous site, and the greenhouse is filled with various plants, mostly edible crops such as tomatoes and potatoes.

"Our astronauts have now basically achieved self-sufficiency here, which allows us to conduct research better and for longer," Wu Changchun explained to Xiao He. "Although we're basically self-sufficient thanks to energy provided by Antimatter Generator, even with this incomplete self-sufficiency, we can survive on Mars for tens of millions of years."

"So why did you call me here this time?" Xiao He asked curiously.

"We would like to ask Your Yinglong to help us establish two more bases. With the experience gained from the first base, we now plan to send more people here to begin colonization training on Mars," Wu Changchun explained. "The valuable experience we have gained will be of great help in our future settlement on Mars. Our country is currently building a new type of launch vehicle using Antimatter Generator and Perfect Cube structures. We believe that in another year or two, we can enter the test flight phase."

As he spoke, Wu Changchun sighed with satisfaction, "Perhaps, in my lifetime I will truly be able to see humanity rely on the power of technology to land on Mars and live Mars."

"Actually, it already is, even though it's based on Superpower..." Ye Wanqing muttered softly.

"How about it? Want to try some tomatoes grown here?" Wu Changchun asked with a smile. "They're big and sweet, even better than apples."

"No, it's better not to." Xiao He waved his hand and laughed. Who knows if the tomatoes grown here are some kind of strange genetic mutation? It's better not to eat them randomly.

Wu Changchun himself readily picked a tomato, took a big bite, and continued, "Furthermore, I hope that Your Yinglong can build several Yinglong Robot that can be remotely controlled for our researchers."

"What's wrong? Are you in danger?" Ye Wanqing asked nervously. "Could there be some terrifying creature here?"

"Oh, no, no, no, no, no life has been found on Mars yet," Wu Changchun quickly explained. "These Yinglong Robot are just for easier movement on the surface. After all, it's very difficult to move around in heavy spacesuits. If we had Yinglong Robot, construction and exploration on Mars would be much more efficient."

"Oh, it's no big deal." Xiao He nodded, triggered the Mechanical Modification, and prepared to begin building the robot.

But then Wu Changchun suddenly changed the subject. "Your Yinglong, we have recently made progress in our research on Mutator."

"Really?!" Xiao He asked in surprise, "What did you find on those samples I brought back?"

"Oh, no," Wu Changchun shook his head. "The research significance of the samples is actually not very high, because they have already completed that process of change. Basically, they can be regarded as another new species, with little research value. You can't find out the cause and process of their mutation through those samples. We basically just take those 'samples' and then process them..."

"Where did you make that progress?" Ye Wanqing asked curiously.

Wu Changchun smiled, "It's very simple. We use statistics and calculations to make scientific inferences, then compare them with existing Mutator to draw conclusions. The statistical subjects are the 267 mutants that have been found in the field worldwide so far."

At this point, Wu Changchun turned to Xiao He: "Your Yinglong, which type of person do you think is most likely to become Mutator?"

"Those vicious prisoners?" Xiao He asked tentatively.

But Wu Changchun shook his head. "In fact, prisoners are arguably the group with the lowest mutation rate. Of the nearly 270 Mutator we counted, only six were prisoners."

"Only six!?" Ye Wanqing seemed surprised. "I thought there would be more prisoners!"

"Surprised?" Wu Changchun laughed. "If you disregard their professions and only look at their personalities, people with a high Mutator are all hidden villains or perverts; but if you disregard their personalities and look at their professions, you'll find that recent graduates, salespeople, corporate executives... it seems like every profession has them, but a closer analysis reveals a common thread: they are all people under high pressure."

"You mean..." Xiao He frowned, "That the reason for their sudden change was 'pressure'?"

"No." Wu Changchun shook his head. "Pressure is just a catalyst. The real reason for their mutation is the repressed, twisted desires within them. They all have some twisted desires—killing, molestation, abuse—but at the same time, they also have normal lives, so they must suppress their inner desires and disguise themselves as others. And this ultimately led to their mutation."

"Oh, I see." Ye Wanqing suddenly realized, "So it means that the suppressed and unfulfilled desires are the reason why Mutator transform, is that right?"

"Based on the data, I think so." Wu Changchun nodded. "So the mutation rate among prisoners is actually very low, because prisoners are guys who act on their desires; in other words, they've unleashed their desires."

As he spoke, Wu Changchun explained, "I believe that mutations in Mutator are like chemical reactions. 'Black Light' is a necessary substance for producing a chemical reaction, and once the reaction conditions are met, these humans will become Mutator. The same goes for White Light; when the conditions are met, people will become Mutant. That's why, even though the events of Black Light and White Light have ended, new Mutator and Mutant are still constantly appearing."

"Knowing this is useless," Xiao He sighed. "There's no way to prevent it, and no way to stop it."

"Yes, so I simply informed Chief Cui of this conclusion. Chief Cui, like you, didn't pay much attention. But..." Wu Changchun replied, "Are you aware of the recent cases of prisoners disappearing from prisons around the world? This is a small detail that everyone has overlooked. Because those who have disappeared are convicted criminals and murderers who were sentenced with overwhelming evidence. Yinglong, do you know what I'm thinking?"

At this point, Wu Changchun lowered his voice and said with a serious expression, "I'm thinking that some people share your view that prisoners have the highest probability of mutation, so they arrested these people. So, what do you think his purpose was in abducting these prisoners?"

"Does anyone want to artificially create Mutator?" Ye Wanqing asked fearfully, covering her mouth.

"But they will fail, won't they?" Xiao He replied, "Because the probability of mutation among prisoners is the lowest."

"But even if the probability is low, there is still a chance, Your Yinglong." Wu Changchun sighed. "What's truly frightening is that someone has already had this idea. Regardless of whether he ultimately succeeds, this thought is extremely dangerous."

"I know who it is..." Xiao He said with a grim face, "I'll inform the United Nations and then investigate the prisons where prisoners have disappeared to see if we can catch certain guys."

Inside an unknown cave in Wyoming State.

"Ha!" Moriarty laughed wildly as he watched the man in front of him gradually swell up. "Finally, I've succeeded!"

The man in front of him was swelling and splitting apart, starting from his head and splitting his entire body in two. The cut surface was full of sharp teeth, as if his whole body was a mouth, which was extremely twisted and terrifying.

"I see, I've got the trick!" Moriarty said with a laugh. "It's my method! You stinking men, don't even think about taking credit for this from me!"

But then, the expression on his face changed instantly, as if he had become a different person, or more accurately... he had become someone else.

"Yes, yes, yes. You're the best, Amanda." Claude Moriarty grabbed his hat from the side and sighed, then looked at the Mutator behind him and smiled, "Now that everything is ready, let's get started. To get even more powerful helpers, we need someone to act as bait..."

At this point, his smile turned sinister, "I know someone who would be perfect as bait..."

With that, Claude waved to the people behind him. "Bring that shameful traitor up here. I have plans."

After completing the mission on Mars, Xiao He brought Ye Wanqing back to Earth.

This seemingly insignificant detail, which no one else had noticed, worried Xiao He. Although Wu Changchun's idea was outrageous, Claude Moriarty was exactly the kind of person who would do such a crazy thing. So Xiao He decided to take action based on this "small detail." The good news was that he had now joined the United Nations Special Peacekeeping Force, thus gaining more authority.

The next day, Xiao He had already made arrangements with various countries to install his special "trackers" in the prisons. These trackers, manufactured using Mechanical Modification, would enter the bodies of all prisoners as nanoscale robots.

Therefore, if any more prisoners are taken away, Xiao He can track them down using the nanobots inside their bodies.

If he could find Claude and the Mutator's hideout, he might be able to wipe them out in one fell swoop.

"Ouch!" As soon as he got home, Xiao He collapsed onto the sofa and shouted, "Where's my wife?"

"Coming, coming!" Ye Wanqing said with a smile, then jumped onto his back and laughed, "You've worked hard, are you hungry?"

"No, to be honest, those various kinds of prisons make me feel quite nauseous..." Xiao He sighed and said, "Especially in some poor countries, the conditions in those prisons are simply..."

"Have any prisoners given you trouble?" Ye Wanqing asked with a curious smile.

"They wouldn't dare even if they had the guts," Xiao He said irritably. "Or rather, they're afraid of me a little too much, making me seem like some kind of plague god... I was clearly going to protect them, okay?"

Xiao He was initially furious, but feeling the warm, soft touch on his back, his anger dissipated.

"You're just going to stay still like this? Let me feel the baptism of justice," Xiao He replied with a smile, then lay down on the sofa and closed his eyes.

"But there's meat stewing in the pot," Ye Wanqing muttered. "I'm planning to make fried pork chops for you today. I've been simmering the meat on low heat for several hours until it's very tender. Then I'll coat it with breadcrumbs and fry it lightly. That way, the outside will be crispy, but the inside will be incredibly soft..."

"Stop talking, hurry up and do it, I'm starving." Xiao He reached behind his back and patted Ye Wanqing's bottom.

Ye Wanqing smiled smugly, got up, and skipped and hopped into the kitchen to cook.

Soon, Ye Wanqing brought out all the food. The promised fried pork chops, cucumber and onion salad, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and a bowl of mung bean soup. A strong sense of happiness welled up in Xiao He's heart: having such a wife is truly blissful...

"Try it, my 'Chinese-style fried pork chop'," Ye Wanqing said confidently with a smile. "To be precise, it's not really a fried pork chop, it should be called fried stewed meat..."

Xiao He took a bite of the fried pork chop. The outside was crispy and chewy, but the pork inside melted in his mouth, creating distinct layers of flavor. With the perfectly seasoned sauce and side dishes, he could easily eat three bowls of rice.

"Little Pufferfish, let me tell you, with your cooking skills, I'd want to stay with you for life," Xiao He said with a smile, pinching Ye Wanqing's little nose. Ye Wanqing gave a smug snort and changed the TV channel.

But then the sound from the next channel suddenly became incredibly loud, a shout of "The filthy Mutator must be punished!" startled Xiao He. He turned his head irritably to look at the guy on TV and found that it was Raphael.

"Huh!? Holy crap, this guy actually dares to be on TV?" Xiao He said irritably, then lowered his head and took a bite of rice. "Just you wait, I'll come and kill you after I finish eating!"

Of course, Xiao He didn't pay much attention to the news at first, after all, it was just about catching a Mutator and wanting to publicly execute him. However, the questions asked by the reporter soon made Xiao He feel that something was wrong.

"But I heard this Mutator has always been doing good deeds?" the reporter pressed.

"That's just a demon in human skin; it doesn't change the fact that he's still a demon at heart!" Raphael declared righteously.

After watching for a while, Xiao He finally understood that this Mutator Eric Cavendish, and he was a very special Mutator. He was originally a man who was born deformed and extremely ugly, but he had a kind heart.

Because of his ugly appearance, he was abandoned at a very young age and grew up in an orphanage. In his teens, he was assigned to guard the local cemetery as his job.

Because his appearance frightens people, he always secretly does good deeds, believing that since he is ugly, he must have a beautiful soul to maintain balance in his mind and body.

Although it was just small things like cleaning the streets and feeding stray cats, he persisted for over a decade. Until...

On the day the Black Light erupted, Eric's repressed desires were released and twisted his body. His ugly body began to normalize, and he became a handsome man. However, he was still essentially a Mutator, with no Superpower other than his strong physique and strong self-healing ability.

Despite being Mutator, Eric continues to do good deeds, and during the last attack, Eric also helped Y Country repel several Mutator.

But it was precisely because of this that Eric was pushed to this execution ground. His Mutator kin exposed his identity, thus leading the humans he had been protecting to put him on this execution ground.

"The bell ringer of Notre-Dame de Paris?" Xiao He frowned and sighed.

"What a paradox..." Ye Wanqing said with a pang of pity, "He was clearly a kind person, yet he looked like a monster. After gaining human form due to the influence of the Black Light, he became a true monster..."

Hearing Ye Wanqing's words, Xiao He suddenly felt that this man must be very lonely.

No one could understand him; no one was like him. He was Mutator with a human appearance, yet he was not accepted by either side. How could he endure such pain and remain true to himself?

But then, Xiao He suddenly realized that he was actually only a hair's breadth away from Eric. His ability was born out of a desire for revenge against "Lin Tianning," a power born for revenge. However, with the right guidance and the right people, he became a hero of this world.

However, Eric, a true hero, is now being sent to the execution ground by the very people he was protecting.

This is simply... ironic.

Xiao He suddenly stood up. "No... I can't let this happen."

After saying that, Xiao He hurriedly rushed into the house to change his clothes and then put on a mask. But Ye Wanqing was standing at the door watching him. Xiao He looked at Ye Wanqing and asked, "Are you going to stop me?"

"How could that be? I think you did the right thing," Ye Wanqing said with a slight smile. "I just wanted to remind you that if you're going to do something, do it well, so as not to give anyone any leverage. After all, you represent the United Nations and Dragon Country."

"No problem." Xiao He smiled and gave Ye Wanqing a thumbs up. "Don't pack up the vegetables yet, I'm not full."

"Okay, I'll heat it up for you when we get back," Ye Wanqing said with a smile. "I'll help you complete the task."

Xiao He blew a kiss to Ye Wanqing, then put his mask back on. His figure gradually blurred, and the next moment he appeared at the execution site in London, Y Country.

Because it was a live television broadcast, there was a few minutes' margin of error; by this time, Eric had already been placed on the cross.

What Xiao He didn't quite understand was what was going on with Raphael...

"Why is he able to appear on television now?" Xiao He asked, puzzled.

"Didn't you know? During the attack on Y Country, he and the followers of the Three Sacred Church went out together and eliminated many Mutator," Ye Wanqing explained. "In addition, their original doctrines were mainly based on Christianity and Catholicism, so the Three Sacred Church later rose to prominence in the O Continent and became a nationally recognized legitimate sect."

"Isn't that troublesome?" Xiao He frowned. "I was originally thinking of just killing him."

"Yes, we definitely can't do that now," Ye Wanqing replied. "Besides, there are media outlets broadcasting live! How can we kill someone in front of so many people?! We need to find a legitimate excuse to take the person away and be done with it!"

"Yes, my dear wife," Xiao He replied, then activated Time Stop.

The world turned black and white. Xiao He immediately went to Eric's side, preparing to use the Dimensional Walker to take him away. But at that moment, a strong wind blew behind him, and a lightsaber pierced through his chest.

Xiao He felt as if his internal organs were burning, and he quickly threw a punch, shattering the light sword that had pierced his chest.

"Villain..." Although Raphael was unable to move due to the Time Stop state, the shadow of the archangel behind him was still moving. This situation was too bizarre, as if Raphael himself had no power, and the real power came from the shadow of the archangel behind him.

The Time Stop effect disappeared, and Xiao He appeared before everyone, immediately attracting the attention of everyone present. The cameras naturally focused on Xiao He, and reporters swarmed around him.

"What brings you here?" "Are you here to break into prison?" "Are you also uneasy about this execution?" "Do you think this Mutator is guilty or innocent?" the reporters asked one after another.

Xiao He was momentarily stunned. He tried to figure out how to explain himself, but...

"Ah! No, he can't lie at all, what should I do!?" Xiao He gritted his teeth and thought to himself.

"Old Xiao, tell him you're going to take him back to prison," Ye Wanqing reminded him through the earpiece. "According to the regulations of the United Nations Special Peacekeeping Force, members of the Special Peacekeeping Force are qualified to arrest criminals who are not normal and bring them back to the Dragon Country's Mutant Prison!"

Xiao He immediately replied, "I represent the United Nations Special Peacekeeping Force and am here to apprehend this Mutant. This is the modern era, a time that values the law. To use religion as a pretext for vigilante justice is an attempt to negate so many years of human civilization."

"He is Mutator, not human," Raphael replied with a slight smile, appearing quite calm in public.

"How do you know? Do you have any proof?" Xiao He retorted irritably.

"His blood is green," Raphael said sternly.

"..." Xiao He was silent for a moment, then Ye Wanqing reminded him through the earpiece, "Mutator are also under our jurisdiction!"

"So what if Mutator? Mutator are also under the jurisdiction of our Special Peacekeeping Force," Xiao He replied. "Since Y Country is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, surely it must abide by the rules set by the United Nations, right?"

"You..." Raphael's brows trembled, as if he was about to explode.

"Hmph, I don't believe you dare to fight me in front of so many people..." Xiao He thought to himself.

However, he clearly underestimated Raphael's madness. The next moment, the six-winged angel behind Raphael swung his sword at Xiao He. Xiao He raised his left hand to block the sword, and with a "clang!", sparks flew.

"Hey, can I take that as you defying the peacekeeping force's decision?" Xiao He cracked his neck, asking with a hint of threat. Ye Wanqing quickly said into the earpiece, "I'll go apply for action with Sister Man right now..."

"Me? Disobey?" Raphael looked down at Xiao He coldly, his condescending attitude making Xiao He a little angry.

"I did not disobey anyone; I only obeyed God's command. The one who disobeyed God... is you!" Raphael said, as the archangel behind him waved his six wings, and six beams of light shot towards Xiao He from six directions.

Xiao He raised his hand and erected a Perfect Cube, shielding him and Eric behind it.

The six beams of light were deflected by the Perfect Cube and flew towards the crowd. Xiao He was immediately alarmed, knowing that something was wrong. However, when the beams hit the civilians, they did not cause any damage, as if they were just beams of light.

"My punishment will only be for sinners like you!" Raphael sneered. "Come, accept God's judgment!"

"In that case, I'll have to fight back," Xiao He said, turning to the reporters and onlookers. "As you all saw, he disobeyed orders first, and he struck first. I was just following orders. I advise you to stay away."

However, the reporters obediently stepped back, but the followers of the Three Sacred Overseers did not back down; instead, they stepped forward.

"Sigh, that's why crazy guys are the most troublesome..." Xiao He shook his head and sighed, then raised his hand and snapped his fingers. The Trigger he selected at this moment was "Claude Moriarty".

After the snap of his fingers, only three people remained on the scene: Xiao He, Eric, and Raphael.

"Old Xiao, I found his real name and changed it," Ye Wanqing reminded him.

"Really? But why didn't I feel anything?" Xiao He asked, puzzled. "I didn't feel anything triggering?"

"How could that be? That's his real name." Ye Wanqing was also a little confused.

"Forget it, we should be able to defeat him like this," Xiao He replied, then stared at Raphael in front of him. "You madman, in the end it all comes down to who has the bigger fist, right?"

"Absurd... Before the messengers of God, there is only judgment!" Raphael scoffed, then raised his hands to the heavens and proclaimed, "I told you before, and I tell you again, those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!"

Having said that, Raphael raised his hand towards Xiao He, and the archangel pointed his sword at Xiao He: "Sin Judgment!"

"Lust!" Raphael roared, and a beam of light descended from the sky, piercing through the Perfect Cube and striking Xiao He.

Xiao He felt an intense heat emanating from his body, as if it were setting his internal organs ablaze. Xiao He opened his mouth, and dazzling light emanated from his seven orifices.

"Receive baptism, cleanse yourself of your sins, and then go to the Kingdom of God!" Raphael continued to roar, "Gluttony!"

Another beam of light enveloped Xiao He, but this time Xiao He realized that the beam of light did not fall from the sky, but rose from his body. He was the source of this light, and he was the object of judgment.

"So annoying!" Xiao He waved his hand, then threw a punch straight ahead.

The next moment, Raphael suddenly appeared in front of him, as if to cooperate with him. However, the archangel behind Raphael raised three pairs of wings to protect him, blocking Xiao He's punch.

With a "bang!", golden light spread out, and Raphael retreated rapidly, his white wings flying everywhere.

"Come here!" Xiao He threw another punch, and Raphael, who hadn't even stopped retreating, was back in front of Xiao He, getting punched in the face. The blow was quite heavy, and Raphael's head was completely smashed into a bloody mist.

But the pure white wings quickly enveloped his injured brain, reviving him.

"What's going on with this guy's Superpower?!" Xiao He frowned and thought to himself: That archangel, there's definitely something wrong with him!

He already had some ideas when Ye Wanqing changed her name but he didn't trigger any Superpower.

Why didn't Raphael's ability trigger the ability to counter the opponent after it was modified? Because the Archangel isn't Raphael's ability, but rather some other person's ability that was manifested in Raphael.

Therefore, changing Raphael's name is useless, because Xiao He could defeat Raphael in the first place. If anything, the only thing that could be changed is the name of the archangel behind Raphael, or... the power of the person who created the archangel.

"It seems I've thought of something..." Xiao He frowned and pondered.

Meanwhile, Claude Moriarty was about to begin his next plan.

"Everything is exactly what I wanted." Claude clapped his hands and laughed, watching the interrupted execution on television. "I knew Mr. Yinglong wouldn't stand idly by. After all... Mr. Cavendish is a hero. It would be best if that annoying priest could be killed. Although I hate to admit it, that priest's abilities are somewhat of a counter to mine."

After a pause, Claude said impatiently, "Fine, I know, let's get started."

With that, Claude adjusted his hat and chuckled, "Come on, time's tight, next stop..."

The surrounding scenery flashed, and the next second, Claude appeared in the plaza of "Lin Tiannan" prison.

At this moment, the prisoners who were playing and chatting on the playground scattered in surprise, staring at Claude Moriarty in astonishment.

"Hi everyone." Claude gave an elegant bow. "I'm sorry for the delay, I've come to pick you all up."