Heroes Return

"But isn't this wrong, editor-in-chief? Isn't this turning black into white?"

"Who said we're going to distort the truth? We're just recording exactly what the ordinary people in the Church of Gods said!" Thomas said, his face already showing excitement. "I've already thought of the title! It'll be 'The Truth About the Church of Gods Under Government Crackdown!!!' Remember to add three exclamation marks!"

"I understand, Editor-in-Chief." Hearing this, the young reporter couldn't help but wipe a cold sweat from his brow. Having worked with this editor-in-chief for a long time, he had become somewhat accustomed to it, but he never expected that this editor-in-chief would actually plan to publish such a report this time.

"Alright, let's go." Thomas said, and walked outside. For him, today was going to be a very important day.

……

Similarly, today is also a very important day for another woman. Gear is sitting in the laboratory looking at her latest core research.

"Sister, are you sure installing this program into the machine won't cause any problems?" Tifa looked at the girl in the laboratory with some worry. Rather than a girl, it would be more accurate to describe her as a killing machine used for war.

“Do you know? A great war is about to begin. It may be the most difficult war that humanity has ever faced.” Gear suddenly said to Tifa with seriousness, “That’s why we are here this time, and that’s why we have this Goddess of Slaughter Plan.”

"Sister, what kind of enemy are we facing?" Tifa asked in confusion. "They've brought together all the world's top scientists for this research."

As Tifa spoke, his gaze also fell upon a slightly larger Rubik's Cube floating on the distant platform. If Lin Jie were here, he would have discovered that this Rubik's Cube was actually a Stardust Armor set. Unlike the replicas Lin Jie had given Thirteen in the past, this was a genuine Stardust Armor set.

"In your opinion, what kind of civilization qualifies as an advanced civilization in the universe?" Gear suddenly asked Tifa.

"A civilization that has developed its technology to the extreme can use the fundamental laws of the universe as weapons, right? At least I think only such a civilization can be called a cutting-edge civilization in the universe."

"That's right, we're about to face a civilization like that."

"What? Is it an alien civilization?"

"They were Earth's native civilization, and they once reached such heights," the gear said. "We call them gods!"

"What!" Tifa covered her mouth upon hearing Gear's words.

"Did you know? Science and magic have always been considered two separate things, but the more technology advances, the more blurred the lines between them become. And this time, we'll be facing something that represents the pinnacle of magical metaphysics." Gear said solemnly, "But this time, we must fight with all our might, risking the honor of scientists!!"

Chapter Six

"I understand!" Upon hearing this, Tifa couldn't help but show a helpless expression: "But sister, are you sure you want to install that program into her body?"

Tifa hesitated as she looked at the sleeping girl on the testing table.

“A long time ago, people discussed that when artificial intelligence programs reach their peak, they might bring about the extinction of humanity. Actually, we just need to set up various obedient commands for her, sister. I think a machine that resolutely executes commands is more practical.” In the end, Tifa still expressed her opinion: “Although it’s a bit cruel to say this, she is ultimately not human, just a machine.”

"Hmph! Humans have always been filled with fear and awe towards the unknown, but haven't we stopped exploring?" Gear chuckled and patted Tifa's head. "Don't forget, our lifelong goal is the pursuit of truth. Just because of a possible proposal, should we completely give up the opportunity for progress? The path of civilization's advancement will inevitably face layers of dangers and troubles. If we give up because of these dangers, then humanity will ultimately only face the depletion of energy, the exhaustion of technology, and complete extinction."

“But this isn’t really related to what we’re supposed to be doing this time! Even if we’re talking about development or something, shouldn’t it be done at this critical juncture?” Tifa said helplessly to Gear. “Besides, sister, everyone in the entire research institute opposes your plan, right? Is this really the right thing to do? It’s not just the research institute; it seems like everyone involved in the project is against it!”

“They’ll thank me in the future! You have no idea what I’m doing. That program is the most perfect system program I’ve ever created. It’s flexible, able to learn and grow, and even has its own kind of fun. You know, what I’m creating now could very well be the first life ever created by humankind! This already belongs to the realm of God, you know? You want me to stop at a time like this? How is that possible?” As Ci Lun spoke, her bloodshot eyes were fixed on the screen. Almost as soon as she finished speaking, the new system was manually activated. All she had to do now was wait for time to pass.

"Fine, you've already done everything while you were talking." Seeing all this, Tifa sighed helplessly: "As expected, sister, you've gone mad."

"When you reach my level, you'll go crazy too." Gear just smiled. "Speaking of which, since she already possesses a core system capable of independent learning, a name like THE ONE is clearly unsuitable for her! Help me think of a good name for her?"

"Speaking of which, she's like your daughter," Tifa sighed helplessly.

“That’s right, she is my daughter! From now on, we will have another member in our family!” Gear said excitedly to Tifa.

“Yes, we’re family, right? I’m your little sister, right? Big sister.” Tifa’s expression fell silent upon hearing Gear’s words.

"Of course, you're my adorable little sister!"

"Would that make these mechanical soldiers put down their guns?" Tifa said helplessly to Gear. "Now that you've done what you needed to do, you don't need to point these particle guns at my head anymore, right?"

Just as Tifa said, almost all of the conversations between the two of them took place under one condition: with a mechanical soldier pointing a gun at her head. And it wasn't just him; it was all the world's leading scholars, the busy scientists, here. They all had a gun pointed at their heads.

Because her proposal was unanimously rejected, the scientifically beautiful woman took control of all the defense robots and forcibly took everyone present hostage, including her own younger sister, Tifa.

“Not now! We have to wait until she wakes up.” Gear smiled and said to Tifa, “If I let you go now, what if you manage to catch me again? I don’t want all my efforts to be in vain.”

"You're insane!! Gear! What you're doing is anything but heroic!" A researcher nearby angrily shouted at Gear. But his mouth was immediately forcibly shut by a mechanical soldier…

"But sister, what are you going to do with the people outside?" Tifa sighed helplessly after glancing at the monitor.

Right outside the research base, a person dressed in a white robe stood quietly, his gaze calmly fixed on the base's gate.

"Who are you? Do you know this is a military restricted area?" Taking the microphone, Gear spoke to the white-robed man in as sickly a voice as possible: "If you continue to advance, we will open fire on you according to the law."

"..." Upon hearing the other party's words, the man calmly replied, "Mortal, the research you are conducting is a taboo that mortals should never touch. I advise you to stop. Destroying your monster, that forbidden object, will only bring disaster to this world."

"You want me to kill my own daughter? Are you kidding me?!" Hearing this, Ci Lun's expression turned icy: "Who exactly are you?"

"I am the spokesperson of truth! A member of the Council of Truth, you may call me Master Star." The white-robed man said calmly, "We possess the truths of humanity accumulated over thousands of years. The reason I am here is solely because of that monster. As mortals, you have touched upon taboos that mortals are not qualified to touch. Now I will give you fifteen minutes to destroy that monster. Otherwise, I will take action myself."

"Just you? Alone? The Council of Truth? Since you claim to represent the truth, I'd much rather hear some universal truths or something, rather than baseless orders."

"I'm sorry, mortals are not qualified to grasp the truth. Believe me, this is for your own good! Knowing the truth of this world may not necessarily be a good thing for mortals," Master Xingchen said calmly.

"What utter nonsense! Every intelligent being in this world has the right to pursue truth and explore the world! All you mechanical idiots, attack! I've had my eye on this pretentious guy for ages!" Hearing this, this gear's face showed anger. If there were a few phrases that gears hate most in their lives, then "You don't deserve to know these things" and "I'm not letting you know for your own good" would definitely be in the top three!

Now this person who claims to have grasped the truth runs up to her and says that she is not worthy to know the truth, which naturally makes Gear very angry.

It's worth noting that her motto in life was: "I would rather die on the path of seeking the truth than live in ignorance."

As the gear-like voice faded, almost simultaneously all the energy guns and mechs within the base unleashed their attacks on Master Star. However, Master Star remained calm and simply sighed in the face of such an onslaught.

"What a crazy woman." As Master Xingchen spoke, all the offensive weapons in front of him were pulled together by a strange force and eventually formed a huge iron ball.

In just a few seconds, all the bases' external defense systems were completely destroyed.

"I'll give you fifteen minutes. After fifteen minutes, I will personally take action." Master Xingchen's calm words carried an undeniable air of authority.

"...Another troublesome SS-rank or higher!" Seeing this, Gear broke out in a cold sweat: "What is your target? Is it only my daughter?"

"Yes."

"If you destroy him, will you continue to hurt others?"

"I have no interest in unnecessary bloodshed; to me, it's just a defilement," Master Xingchen said calmly. But he immediately shook his head again: "So, I really don't like this kind of errand-running work."

As Master Xingchen spoke, his figure transformed into specks of starlight and vanished from the spot.

In the distant sky, a stealth fighter jet was flying at an extremely high speed. However, starlight flickered on the stealth fighter. Master Star's figure appeared directly on the aircraft.

"After confirming my objective, you decisively abandoned the lab and ran away? It seems you even prepared some rather troublesome machinery waiting for me inside. Those things should at least hold me off for ten seconds," Master Xingchen said calmly. "Then, once I enter the lab, I'll find that you've already run some distance with your target. That way, I won't have time to do anything unnecessary to the people in the lab. I'll have to come and catch up with you immediately, won't I?"

"But you've got one thing wrong. I never intended to kill anyone, and what I said earlier wasn't just empty talk. Of course, the high-speed chase scene you're imagining is impossible."

As Master Xingchen spoke, the spaceship began to twist strangely, and a huge explosion suddenly erupted in the sky.

On the ground, the gears lay there with difficulty, and beneath them was what appeared to be a specially designed health pod.

"Is it worth it to protect this thing?" Master Xingchen's figure reappeared beside Gear: "Without the protection of those powerful mechs, you are just a powerless mortal. Are you really planning to die for this monster? You should know that she is not your real daughter."

“But she is the most perfect,” Gear said simply, and as she spoke, she spat out a mouthful of blood onto the hatch. A horrific wound pierced half of Gear’s body.

“I’ve got it. Since my name is Cilun, from now on your name will be Rose!” Cilun had barely finished speaking when Master Xingchen yanked her body off the health-preserving pod and tossed her aside. Looking at the sleeping girl inside, Master Xingchen simply raised his hand calmly: “Goodbye, monster.”

However, just as she raised her hand, the girl in the warehouse suddenly opened her eyes.

'Data processed, body activated.'

Chapter VII

As the girl's eyes snapped open, almost instantly, a massive X-force field covered an area several miles around.

"X-field? Too bad it's useless. For mortals, this kind of world-interfering neural thinking calculation field wave is very effective, but in the end it's just something mortals invented to deal with mortals." As he said this with a smile, Master Xingchen's hand still clenched tightly.

In the blink of an eye, the health-preserving chamber and the girl were instantly crumpled into a ball. But at that very moment, a terrifying energy surge broke through the health-preserving chamber and shot straight towards Master Xingchen.

However, this energy attack only passed through a few small points of light. The energy impact was ultimately projected directly into the sky, and Master Xingchen's figure reappeared in the same spot.

"Ah! So the monster was finally released? This is indeed a problem!" Master Xingchen said helplessly, and then a mysterious magic circle appeared on the back of his hand. Just as the magic circle lit up, a girl's figure approached Master Xingchen from opposite sides.

Without uttering a single word, the girl glanced at the fallen gear beside her before flying back towards Master Xingchen. Behind her, a pair of energy-formed wings suddenly unfurled—equipment usually reserved for mecha, yet today it was being used on a robot the size of a young girl.

But is this really a robot? Master Star is not sure.

After all, he could clearly sense the girl's heartbeat and the anger emanating from her. He could even vaguely sense the flow of blood within her body.

Robots? People looking for people? Or some other biochemical and technological synthesis? But for Master Xingchen, none of that mattered anymore. Because this thing shouldn't even exist in the world, and the breakthrough in certain aspects of gear research had indeed exceeded the Truth Council's tolerance.

At least in the eyes of the Truth Council members, the act of exploring anything more powerful and immeasurable is nothing but suicidal. And with the advancement of human technology, humanity will sooner or later bring about its own annihilation through this knowledge and exploration.

The Council of Truth was established to protect humanity from prematurely destroying itself before its destined demise.

And this thing before him was one of the things he wanted to eliminate. After all, if left unchecked, a completely new race capable of annihilating humanity might emerge in the future. Moreover, this boar might very well be a creation of humanity itself.

Of course, if the gears heard their thoughts, they would definitely scoff at them.

At least in the eyes of the gears and most human scientists, if we were to throw away the key to progress because of the enormous possibility of destruction and unknown disasters, humanity might as well just perish.

However, things turned out far beyond Master Xingchen's expectations.

Because in Master Xingchen's eyes, the girl before him suddenly possessed a Rubik's Cube-like object. Master Xingchen recognized this object; after all, the Council of Truth had been monitoring humanity for many years. It was a mysterious force from outer space.

The Council of Truth once believed that an alien invasion would serve as a wake-up call, causing humanity to cease its exploration of the outside world. However, it now seems highly unlikely that this will happen.

'Dock complete, new master identified. Adjusting Stardust Armament form, user declared as mechanical. Establishing system connection, system link established. All functions loaded and ready for use.'

As a series of sounds echoed in her mind, the Rubik's Cube in the girl's hand disappeared, replaced by an object resembling a watch extending from her wrist.

Upon seeing this, Master Xingchen snapped his fingers at the girl.

Almost instantly, a massive meteorite fell from the sky, hurtling directly towards the girl. At the moment of impact, its terrifying gravity began to pull everything around it in. The girl was naturally caught in its pull.

Without further ado, a second snap of the fingers was struck. In the blink of an eye, the ground beneath the girl's feet rose up, carrying her upwards toward the meteorite.

These two movements, one up and one down, gave the girl almost no chance to catch her breath.

At that very moment, the girl's mind began calculating. She had 1.3 seconds to escape and dodge the attack. Her speed was sufficient, but in that instant, she looked down at the rising ground. There, on the rising ground, lay a young woman, barely alive.

"Mom...Mom..." The girl uttered the words with difficulty and awkwardness. Almost simultaneously, the girl appeared beside the young woman on the ground. At this point, it was impossible to escape with her. Moreover, even if they did escape, the young woman's ordinary human body could not withstand such high-speed movement.

Almost instantly, the girl acted. Her body directly blocked the gear's body.

"Mom...Mom..." The hoarse voice spoke again, almost simultaneously. At that moment, the meteorite collided with the rocks on the ground.

"Even an SS-level expert would find it impossible to survive this attack." Master Xingchen was unconcerned about the spectacular scene before him, after all, such power was merely a matter of two snaps of his fingers.

"Alright, I can finally go back and rest." Master Xingchen said, and then disappeared from the spot once again. Where he disappeared, a huge meteorite crater appeared extremely eerie. Countless meteorites with few burning flames and a large amount of mud and boulders had completely transformed this once beautiful wilderness area into a hellish scene.

Not long after Master Star disappeared, the World Government's army and the heroes of the Hero Association arrived one after another. The first SS-class hero to arrive was none other than Sky King.

"Damn it! Are we too late?" Kong Wang said angrily, his gaze fixed on the scene before him. Almost simultaneously, terrifying black currents began to sweep around them. In a short time, the burning flames vanished completely. It was at this moment that everyone was shocked to discover that one of the massive meteorites had actually moved.

This was a massive meteorite, larger than a skyscraper in diameter, yet it moved right before everyone's eyes. Then, a beam of energy, like a sword of energy, sliced ​​through the meteorite.