Wasteland Echoer.

Chapter 704 "Airborne Worms" (Part 2)
"Hahahaha, hahahaha... As expected, the 'Dark Night Investigation Team' still tracked you down here... You guys are really persistent." Blood Wolf said, ignoring the burning pain on his face, and casually let go of the hands that were trying to continue controlling Wright. Instead, he used one hand to output earth-type magic power, forming a seemingly dilapidated, earth-yellow fence around Wright's body, while his other hand surged outward with dark-type magic power, forming a gradually rounding "moon" in mid-air.

"It seems that the massacre in Atlanca did not completely wipe out your 'Night Survey Corps'. I remember that your leader, Kazama Reiji, died at the hands of the 'Nebusk Guard'. What, do you now want to represent the 'Night Survey Corps' and hinder our 'Dedication Group' from better rebuilding and managing the city of Nebusk?"

As "Blood Wolf" spoke, he took a few steady steps forward. However, Hoshino Shota did not seem to be intimidated by his aura. Instead, he took a few steps forward to meet "Blood Wolf" and raised a strangely shaped "shotgun" tightly in his hand under the illusory "moon".

"'Blood Wolf,' our Dark Night Investigation Team can't stand your accusations. However, I can tell you that after Leader Kazama Zero's death, I did not inherit the leadership position. The remaining members of the organization did not want any further involvement with your Lost Ones organization, so after swearing allegiance to the 'Guardians of the Distant Stars,' they all withdrew from Nebusk." Hoshino Shota's voice was unusually calm, gradually losing its earlier boyishness.

But to Wright, it sounded more resolute and determined: "I did not choose the same path as them. I have a destiny bestowed upon me by God and the gods. Therefore, I chose to stay and face the greatest calamity in this city."

"Why don't you put it more clearly, Hoshino Shota? Who is the scourge? And who is the biggest one?" "Blood Wolf's" eyes, which were gradually turning red, stared intently at Hoshino Shota, emitting a terrifying crimson glow in the dim space.

Viewed from the side, the current "Blood Wolf" does not seem to be an angry leader with wolf blood, but rather more like a provoked beast or a "monster".

In contrast, Hoshino Shota seemed unafraid of the "Blood Wolf's" abnormal state. He walked towards the "Blood Wolf" while reciting obscure and difficult-to-understand poems in Mandarin.

After a short verse praising the Creator was recited, Hoshino Shota had walked up to "Blood Wolf" and met his gaze with its scarlet eyes and "whites".

“The only threat to the city of Nebusk is you, ‘Blood Wolf’.” Hoshino Shota’s voice was unusually calm, even somewhat cold. “Seizing the old imperial technology within the ‘Crimson Zone’ will not necessarily help you win future wars. Vasily and Shaneva’s fates serve as a warning.”

"Even if you obtain the key to activate the 'All-Area Machine,' you cannot turn the entire city into the killing machine you desire. You must understand that even during the height of Ivan XXII's reign, the entire area east of Novayask did not have enough energy to operate the 'All-Area Machine.' At most, it could only slightly alter the city's layout."

"So, you've come to stop me?" Blood Wolf's tone turned particularly sinister, and his two canine teeth grew rapidly, actually poking two deep red holes in his lips.

Blood gushed out, but it didn't cause him any pain. On the contrary, "Blood Wolf" used his blood-soaked, rotting right arm to tightly choke Hoshino Shota's throat.

"'Blood Wolf'... sins must be repaid, no matter how much time has passed... it is the 'Way of Heaven'! You know in your heart what those 'aerial worms' really are! Did you think that obtaining the 'Creator's Mechanical Heart' would erase all sins and make everything alright?" Hoshino Shota's voice seemed unaffected; after a few dry coughs, he continued:

"It's no use. Unless you cleanse yourself of the sins you've committed and gain the forgiveness of the 'Creator,' that 'Mechanical Heart' will only continue to manipulate the darkness within you, turning you into a bloodthirsty beast. 'Blood Wolf,' with your strength... you don't even qualify to become a 'monster.'"

"Seven...cough cough...seven time-long ago, the Creator created the universe. From the initial singularity, an endless explosion began, and the power of the 'Ancient' was deeply buried within the great power of creation. You, 'Blood Wolf,' are neither an 'Ancient God,' nor a servant or believer appointed by the Creator, nor the 'Lord of the Night.' The 'Creator's Mechanical Heart' will devour your heart in an instant, turning you into a true 'beast' driven by instinct."

“Nonsense, Hoshino Shota, don’t think I don’t know what your ‘Dark Night Investigation Team’ is thinking.” “Blood Wolf” increased the force in his hand, but strangely, his hand felt like he was squeezing a ball of cotton. He could neither completely break the seemingly fragile cervical vertebra, nor could he clearly feel the muscles and bones curling up under the pressure.

In contrast, Hoshino Shota seemed unaffected by "Blood Wolf's" forceful grip on his neck, showing no discomfort whatsoever, as if "Blood Wolf's" muscular, veiny right arm were merely an insignificant scarf. Seeing Hoshino Shota's unwavering gaze, sharp beyond his years, fixed on "Blood Wolf," showing no weakness or pleading, a flicker of fear actually stirred within "Blood Wolf."

Driven by this thought, "Blood Wolf" subconsciously released his right arm, turned and raised his left arm, pointing the black pistol at Hoshino Shota's head.

“You and I both know that the ‘Creator’s Mechanical Heart’ possesses conceptual power. Under certain conditions, it can rewrite rules unrelated to gods, and it can also create or correct realities and history unrelated to the ‘Seven First-Order Gods.’” The Blood Wolf’s voice lost its previous distortion and severity, becoming gentler instead:

"I have been planning for this moment for 30 years, starting with the 'Hades Box' and moving on to Vasily's 'Universal Energy Evolution Platform' project. From Shaneva's ambition to Atlanca's self-destruction, every step has been like a carefully designed spring, steadily leading to where we are now."

“You know, Shota Hoshino. As long as I can touch that ‘mechanical heart,’ I will do everything in my power to create a rule for myself before my consciousness collapses: ‘My consciousness will never collapse, and no one can control my mind.’ Next, I will rewrite all the history related to the ‘Ivanov virus’ and nip the ‘New Construction Project’ in the bud. In this way, the ‘Heartless Virus’ will never have existed, and all the disasters that humanity has experienced will just be a nightmare that can be woken up at any time.”

"Easier said than done, 'Blood Wolf.' You must understand, to activate the 'Creator's Mechanical Heart,' you must personally rip out your own heart and fill the void with that 'mechanical heart.' In the 'Creator's Principle,' 'all intelligent beings, once their hearts are freed from the shackles of their bodies, will become bloodthirsty beasts or servants of the gods.'" Hoshino Shota concluded with a tone of exasperation.

"You will immediately lose your consciousness and thoughts, becoming a walking corpse controlled by the gods. That 'Creator's Mechanical Heart' will also fall into a deep sleep, eventually passing through the 'Hand of God' and returning to the Creator's side. 'Blood Wolf,' you must understand that the 'New Construction Project' and the 'Heartless Virus' are not simply disasters born out of fear or arrogance. Even without Ivan XXII, there would have been an emperor of the Khitans who would have executed the same plan. After all, in the eyes of the Creator, this cycle of humankind has ended prematurely."

"What do you mean, Hoshino Shota? Do you know what you're saying?" "Blood Wolf" angrily stretched out his right arm, his muscles slightly tensing, and flicked out a bone blade stained with blood and emitting a strong fishy smell, aiming straight for Hoshino Shota's heart.

when!
Swoosh, swoosh.

when!
Hoshino Shota swung the long metal object in his hand, first blocking the "Blood Wolf's" fatal blow aimed at his throat, then turning to the side and ducking, rolling on the ground to dodge the "Blood Wolf's" furious slashes.

Then, he suddenly pushed off the ground, using the wall covered in sticky oil to spring into the air. After tumbling several times in mid-air, he appeared behind "Blood Wolf" and once again blocked "Blood Wolf's" slash with the metal in his hand.

The movements were so fluid and graceful that, in Wright's eyes, it was like watching a meticulously crafted martial arts movie on a large color TV at home in his past life.

Seeing that he couldn't gain any advantage in close combat, "Blood Wolf" simply sheathed his bone blade. In the less than a second that Hoshino Shota was adjusting his position, he actually managed to draw his gun, load it, and pull the trigger in quick succession.

The movements were fluid and seamless, just like watching an extremely exciting gunfight movie.

This time, however, it was no longer a draw. In the blink of an eye, a "silver" bullet pierced straight through Hoshino Shota's abdomen, leaving a dark hole from which blood of pale blue and deep red was flowing.