Chapter 122
The best strategy for Momiji was to carry out the 「Scorch Wars」 after I escaped, and this operation would be executed in a state of login restriction. If that happened, I would have been completely out of the picture from start to finish. But reality doesn’t always work out that way. It’s because I provoked Unit 46.
Countless human gazes awaited me as I logged in. It was a huge stadium. The floor was made of the familiar white metal, the same as the Ark in Ver2.00. The coffin I was in was placed in the center, surrounded by countless people sitting in seats staring at me. And the moment I raised my body, the venue erupted in screams and the white floor was colored in 16,777,216 colors.
「The Prophet’s revival was at 1:48pm!! 2.6x odds, congrats to the winners!!」
「No way, I thought he’d be the fastest… Why is he so slightly late! Aren’t Japanese people punctual!」
「Alright, I won! It was worth putting in all my assets! Now I’m making 10 million yen a year too!」
「The Prophet has been resurrected just as prophesied!」
Amidst the joy and screams, I’m the only one convinced that this is definitely my bad pun. I mean, the lame pun part. It’s the Prophet’s job to be resurrected, not to make prophecies. And you guys probably know the 「HAO」 system and are saying that, right? You know that resurrection is inevitable, but you still toyed with it.
Slightly exasperated, I put my hand under my clothes from my chest and confirm that there is indeed a hard part, as expected. But unlike last time, I was surprised that quite a large proportion was warm and fleshy. Well, last time they said it was a pseudo 「SOD」 but that was essentially a Machine Beast, so this is probably closer to the original purpose, I thought as I looked around. The people making a fuss around me were a very diverse group of various races. There were Beastkin, Cyborgs, and even some people who looked like 「SODs」 mixed in. Thousands of them. An unthinkable population density in the past.
Even the total population of Ver3.00 is only about half the number of people here right now. But the cheers don’t stop, and as I’m wondering how to respond, the center of the stadium descends with a thud. I notice that my body is floating and remember, oh yeah, this is an artificial planet. I hurriedly grab onto what seems to be a handrail and get pulled down with the coffin.
After passing through the darkness for a while, a thud sounds and an elevator-like room appears in front of me. It’s a desolate rectangular space reminiscent of a former prison cell. There’s not a single person inside, just a familiar terminal sitting there. I figure this means I should get on, so I enter and the door closes, sealing shut with a deflated whoosh.
「Thank you for boarding the artificial planet transfer mini-spaceship P14356. This ship will arrive at the Kōmitsu Solutions headquarters on the artificial planet Osaka in about 20 minutes. Please enjoy a relaxed journey with commentary.」
As the door closes, a voice flows from the terminal and the box begins to accelerate. Pressed by the rapid G-force, the box rushes off somewhere. When the guiding lights visible through the transparent window exceed 100, the acceleration stops and the box is ejected out with a pop. Only then do I understand through the window what has been done to me.
Space. In that place where infinite darkness should have spread, a large star had formed. The hole we came out of is closed and a red X mark is displayed on the door. It was only a small part of a huge structure. And looking in other directions through the window, I see several more of these masses. 1, 2, 3… 8 of them.
「What you see behind the ship is the artificial planet Paris. The largest one on the right is our destination, Osaka. Thanks to the collaboration between the 」Reformist「 and the 」Order「, the construction of these has been progressing smoothly and 8 cities continue to orbit around the Earth.」
They were too inorganic to be called stars. The closest image would be a sea urchin, perhaps. On top of a small sphere, building-like needles extend many times longer than the original. Their metal walls are illuminated by the artificial sun, and two flat somethings are circling around. They are heavily chained, and I recognize one of them.
「The Moon ‘UYK’?」
As I mutter that, an announcement rings out as if affirming my question.
「What you see next to the artificial sun are commonly known as ‘dried fish’, the Moon ‘UYK’ and Halley’s Comet ‘UYK’. Both have been defeated and are scheduled to invert along with the final battle.」
I knew it was that guy! The bastard who shot annoying tentacle bullets from a distance. And it’s kind of funny to see another one captured so casually. That thing has boss-level strength, and it gets defeated without me noticing.
The view outside is spectacular as I gaze at it. Compared to Ver-1.00, the surroundings of the quietly advancing spaceship have become incredibly lively. The light of civilization. Shadows of other spaceships can be seen here and there. In the distance, I can also see what looks like an Apollyon Fusion returning to the artificial planet. There are people. Many people are alive and well in the year 2060. With the same vigor to be able to rejoice like that in the stadium.
The world has truly become a good place, I thought to myself with relief. My fear that it might have become worse like in Ver-2.00 was completely unfounded. The previous me must have done a good job. Just as he said, 「Leave it to me,」 he perfectly played the role of the Prophet. Until death. Thank you, I express my gratitude in my heart.
「Additionally, Nakamoto Tsuyoshi, known as ‘the strongest’, was involved in the defeat of these ‘UYKs’. Having accomplished the subjugation of 24 Strains, he is—」
No, it might not be because of me. What the hell, 24 of them? He’s killed more than half of them, is he a monster?!
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