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Chapter 53
🕑 Added 2023-12-21 08:59:51 +0000 UTCInside various sections of the Hanged Tower, members were in shock, ears filled with the blaring warning sounds.
"The chairman activated the Zero Evacuation Protocol? What on earth happened?"
"Has our Demonfolk Association encountered a crisis of life and death?!"
"Quick! Get back to your posts!"
For a moment, panic reigned as everyone in the Hanged Tower scrambled frantically. And it wasn't just the members inside the Hanged Tower. Almost simultaneously, Demonfolk Association members scattered throughout the Dark World received information about the activation of the "Zero" plan.
Meanwhile, Bloodsaw, who had left the Puppet Courtyard and was rushing through a forest toward Wandering Soul Lane, felt the alarm resonating within him.
"Is this... The Zero Protocol has been activated?!"
Shock registered on his face. As a former elder of the Demonfolk Association, and having been involved in the construction and modification of the Hanged Tower during the association's early days alongside the then-chairman, he was well-acquainted with this emergency signal. This particular alert had been implanted in every member at the time of the tower's inception, ensuring swift dissemination of critical information to every association member when faced with an unprecedented threat.
The ringing of that signal signified the launch of the "Zero" plan.
He was very familiar with the "Zero" protocol, as he had been one of the key figures involved in its creation!
"How is this possible? Who possesses the audacity to attack the main base of the Demonfolk Association?!"
His shock was palpable. Although he had long left the association and was even currently being hunted, he had a clear understanding of the formidable strength of the Demonfolk Association at its zenith.
Setting aside their ultimate weapon, the Hunter God puppet, even the modified Flesh Puppet Type 3 was absolutely capable of handling the vast majority of threats!
"What happened?" asked the approaching Puppet Mistress loudly.
Bloodsaw clenched his teeth, his muscles bulging in tension. "The Demonfolk Association is in trouble. They seem to have encountered some massive threat. It's unimaginable!"
The Puppet Mistress quickly moved to walk side by side with him, raising an eyebrow. "What do you think it is?"
Bloodsaw responded, gritting his teeth, "I don't know, but we need to speed up! On our way to Wandering Soul Lane, we'll pass by the road leading to the Hanged Tower. Maybe we can witness something!"
With that said, he immediately accelerated, dashing out of the forest at a blistering speed.
…
Meanwhile, in the wastelands.
The Titan Skull and Witch God Skull greedily devoured the enormous Hunter God giant, masticating its flesh with an audible crunch.
"Have you located that bastard yet? — I'm still furious —"
The Witch God Skull chewed voraciously on an arm, blood gruesomely dripping from between her teeth. She spoke in a malicious and cruel tone, "He can't escape — He dared to slap my daughter and thinks he can just run? — There's no such luck."
While eating, she turned her head to look at Little in the distance. Her malicious gaze instantly filled with tears, becoming tender.
"My dear daughter — come, let mommy hug you — you've suffered so much —"
Two long tentacles instantly reached out, lifting Little into a tight embrace. With her tearful eyes, she rubbed her cheek against her daughter's face, the very image of a loving mother.
Little, with Lynne riding atop her, asked in surprise, "Mom — why — are you here?"
The Witch God Skull, with her eyes brimming with tears, extended her tongue and affectionately licked Little's face, saying, "Your dad and I were worried — our precious daughter — we feared some scumbag might deceive you — so we secretly followed you."
Sitting on Little's head, Lynne gripped two strands of Little's hair, her expression vacant, his sanity slipping away rapidly. Being close to two incredibly powerful and unfamiliar Origin-level monsters was truly unsettling.
However... it should be fine... right? He was Little's good friend and personal dentist. So, he should be... safe, right?
[Lynne's Sanity -10]
[Lynne's Sanity -10]
Little, looking bewildered, responded, "Uh —"
She then joyously pointed with her tentacles to Lynne atop her head, beaming with a (✪ω✪)) expression, swirling her tentacles about and said: "Father—Mother—Let me introduce you— This is—the marvelous Dr. Lynne whom I super, super, super adore— He's a wonderful person—very adept—at every visit to the doctor—he always makes me feel—so comfortable—"
٩(๑＞◡＜๑)۶
She chimed, revealing her immaculate set of teeth, showcasing her pristine oral cavity.
Buzz—
Instantly, Lynne felt two menacing glares simultaneously settling on him.
[Warning! Warning! Crisis level rising to 99.9%]
[Warning! Warning! Crisis level rising to 99.9%]
Lynne immediately felt every single hair on his body stand on end in sheer (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))) panic.
Something's off! Something's really off! Why did it seem as if Little's parents wanted to finish him off?
"Sir, Madam, greetings…"
Lynne's eyes widened, straining himself tremendously to keep from breaking down.
"I'm Little's dentist and caretaker, Lynne. I reside at 55 Wandering Soul Lane, 18 years old, unmarried, own a house, both parents deceased, have a bit of savings… Please... be kind to me…"
"…"
"…"
An eerie silence.
Those four eyes, each larger than a house, stared intently at him, looking as if they might devour him at any moment.
In such circumstances, it took all his willpower not to collapse.
"Is that so?"
The two skulls squinted at him.
[Warning! Crisis level rising to 99.99%]
[Warning! Crisis level rising to 99.99%]
A shiver ran down Lynne's spine, and he began to tremble with fear.
What's going on? Something's not right! After revealing so much about himself, why did the hostility from Little's parents seem to escalate rather than diminish?
"Young man—you're impressive—"
The Titan skull extended a tentacle, squinting, munching on some flesh, and tapped Lynne (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))) on the side, commenting, "You are—quite proficiently—"
[Lynne's Sanity -10]
[Lynne's Sanity -10]
Another forked tongue emerged from the other side, poking the very alarmed (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))) Lynne. A "friendly" tormenting laughter, cold to the ears, resonated beside him.
"Just one letter—and you lured—my precious one here— You really are—quite wicked, deceiving—little girls—are you enjoying riding—my daughter?"
The constant ding of decreasing sanity values echoed relentlessly in Lynne's ears.
[Warning! Warning! Host's current sanity is nearing zero! Please stabilize your mind immediately!]
[Ding! Congratulations on achieving a special feat: Origin Level Malice. You have earned 300 Experience.]
[Origin Level Malice: A special achievement, awarded for enduring a full 60 seconds in the presence of a creature with immense malice towards you at an Origin Level. This proves your bravery. Permanent stats increase: Mental +5, Physique +5, Bravery +5.]
[Ding! Congratulations on achieving a second phase feat: Double Malice. You have earned 500 Experience.]
[Double Malice: A special achievement. What?! You actually withstood 60 seconds in the presence of two origin-level beings harboring massive malice towards you?! Nobody knows how you managed, but this undoubtedly proves your unparalleled ability to attract animosity. Your courage is unmatched! Permanent stats increase: Spirit +10, Physique +10, Happiness +10.]
No!
Lynne stood frozen in sheer (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))) terror.
I'm not happy at all!! Where do you see any happiness in me? Giving me 10 happiness points now, are you trying to make my departure a bit more joyful? Damn system!!
Little (✪ω✪) nodded vigorously and chirpily said, "Hmm—When the doctor rides Little—it's indeed joyous—Little is also happy—"
Buzz—
Lynne felt an instant void, cold sweat pouring from his forehead like a deluge.
[Warning! Sanity nearing zero! Sanity nearing zero!!]
Little... Now isn't the time... to utter such bizarre phrases... Please... alright? For... murderous intent was already rustling his hair, a chilling sensation crawling up his neck. He felt... on the verge of breaking apart...
Seeing Lynne in his highly alarmed (((;꒪ꈊ꒪;))) state, the titan skull cracked open its bloodied maw, revealing terrifying teeth. With a sinister chuckle, it gave Lynne a pat on the shoulder, remarking: "After I've devoured that one—who dared strike my daughter— How about—you and I—have a little—private chat—?"
A private chat?! Why would we need a private chat? Could it be a misunderstanding by Little's father?
God bear witness! Although deep down, Lynne indeed wished he could invite Little over to help him out of this predicament. But he swore, not a single malicious thought crossed his mind. For who, in their right senses, would bear any ill will towards such a lovable and friendly guest as Little?
Yet, witnessing that malevolent smirk on her parents' faces, there seemed to be a colossal misunderstanding.
"Come, daughter, you haven't eaten your fill yet. Given today's chance, eat to your heart's content!"
Little (✪ω✪) replied, "Mm-mm."
...
Meanwhile, over an expansive wasteland, the earth rumbled and began to tremble.
"The Zero Crisis Response Plan— now activated— and is currently in full activation—"
Accompanied by a cacophony of grating mechanical frictions and the pulsing of flesh. The ground slowly cracked open, revealing the construction that led to the subterranean Hanged Tower as it forcefully broke through the surface. Anyone present would be utterly astonished.
The building, several tens of meters high, was gradually emerging. The earth tore apart, changing drastically. Along with the resounding sounds of the earth breaking, enormous mechanical arms, each spanning hundreds of meters, burst forth from the ground.
With a tremendous roar, a colossal structure, an amalgamation of flesh and machinery, slowly emerged and rose to the surface. One could vaguely discern its form; it seemed like an inverted mechanical tower. At this very moment, the tower's surface bristled with bulging and contracting chunks of flesh.
"Zero Plan fully initiated... Maximum defense mechanism activated... Experimental Colossus 012 activated... Engaging emergency combat mode—"
In the deeper recesses below the ground, in a sealed chamber.
The president of the Demonfolk Association, the Heart Eater, watched with a cold smirk as the Hanged Tower rose from beneath the earth on the monitor.
Countless data points flashed continuously on the screen, displaying the various metrics of the massive colossus.
"President! The Zero Plan has been flawlessly initiated! All systems and data are running smoothly!"
Heart Eater's expression remained icy as he chuckled sardonically, "Excellent! Very excellent!"
This was the ultimate defense mechanism the Demonfolk Association had designed since its establishment.
Once the Zero Plan was set in motion, the entire Hanged Tower would transform into the Colossus, evolving into an unparalleled weapon of war.
Over the centuries, through continuous modifications and upgrades by the brightest minds of successive Demonfolk Associations, the current Hanged Tower bore little resemblance to its original form.
More crucially, with the gradual excavation of the Colossus's main components, a comprehensive upgrade of the Hanged Tower had been personally overseen by him a decade ago!
It was fair to say that the present-day Hanged Tower was their most successful endeavor towards understanding the Colossus. Its potential for destruction and defense could only be described as cataclysmic!
"My Lord President, what exactly has transpired? Why the urgent activation of the experimental Colossus?" The association's top brass, gathered in the core area, inquired with gravity.
Heart Eater replied gravely, "We have caught the attention of three Origin-level beings. If we don't activate the Zero Plan immediately, once they arrive, we'll stand no chance!"
Upon hearing this, the faces of all present paled.
"What?!"
"Origin-level beings?! Three of them?! How is that possible?"
"My Lord! You must be jesting! Which fool dared to provoke such entities? Is he out of his mind?! We shouldn't be dragged into his suicidal folly!"
Heart Eater solemnly stated, "I am the one who provoked them. What of it?"
All around, voices were instantly silenced.
Lifting his head, with a glint in his eye, Heart Eater coldly declared, "The Hanged Tower contains all the research data our association has accumulated over the years. We cannot abandon it lightly! Proceed immediately and prioritize the transfer of all information related to the Colossus Plan, followed by other top-tier biological weapon data!"
His gaze fixated on the screen displaying the towering Hanged Tower, he squinted and said, "But I have utmost faith in my greatest creation. What if all three Origin-level beings come at once? Even if we cannot defeat them, we can surely buy ourselves several hours!"
...
In the desolate wilderness, the home of the Demonfolk Association.
From the mountains shrouded in a rolling black mist, the figures of Bloodsaw and Puppet Mistress leapt forth, revealing the wasteland before them.
Almost instantly, Bloodsaw's gaze locked onto the immense tower at the end of the wasteland, a structure soaring into the heavens, its exterior cloaked in flesh and blood. His face darkened instantly.
"As I suspected! The Zero Plan has been activated! What on earth is Heart Eater thinking? How dare he unleash this monstrosity?"
Puppet Mistress stared at the colossal tower, her voice barely more than a whisper, "It's so...massive."
A pillar piercing the sky. Its surface was covered in grotesque flesh and deep ravines, and countless massive mechanical arms surged around it.
Such a terrifying Colossus, reminiscent of a doomsday titan, seemed impossible to believe as a man-made entity. Given its gargantuan size, even Origin-level beings would surely meet a formidable opponent.
"What is that?" Puppet Mistress asked in astonishment.
Bloodsaw, narrowing his eyes and flexing his explosive muscles, replied, "This is the pinnacle of the Demonfolk Association's research. It's the first-generation war machine built in the likeness of the Colossus. It embodies the cutting-edge technology of successive Demonfolk Associations. It is the grandest creation we've been able to produce to date. Its foundation lies in the technology of a civilization that fell into our Dark World."
At his words, Puppet Mistress felt a jolt course through her. She had some knowledge of the Demonfolk Association's research. In the Dark World, the Demonfolk Association was renowned for its expertise in mechanical and fleshly modifications. Their achievements in these domains were unparalleled.
"Flesh is weak; machinery ascends!"
That was the founding motto of the Demonfolk Association. However, as the Association grew, they delved into both fleshly modifications and mechanical ascension simultaneously. This dual focus propelled them to unmatched heights in both fields within the Dark World.
Puppet Mistress queried, "A technological civilization?"
Bloodsaw elaborated, "Yes, but it's more apt to describe it as the lost legacy of that civilization. It was our acquisition of this legacy that led to the inception of the 'Colossus Project'."
Comments
Wyatt Hilbert
Thanks for the chapter
