In Ark Simulator, why do I always get a tough start?

Chapter 156 Chen Qi's "Path to Hell"!
In just six years, they have verified the possibility of "magnetic field rotation" and achieved such results.

Upon hearing this news, morale throughout the entire laboratory soared considerably.

The researchers who had previously criticized you for wasting time on physical training instead of conducting experiments no longer dared to question any of your decisions.

What's even more gratifying is that people who were initially terrified by the dangers of your experiments are now volunteering to become test subjects and experience the sensation of being "powered by electric current."

You readily accepted this.

[Mass production of individuals with strong magnetic fields was always part of your plan.]

[And...you also care a lot about Lu's performance.]

Perhaps it was because of the strange coincidence of "Blue Dream" that you began to have a strange expectation of Lu, codenamed "Orca".

After all, in your memory, in that certain crazy comic book, there's only one powerful creature worthy of the codename "Killer Whale."

Although the killer whale in that Hong Kong comic is male and an unparalleled powerhouse with 990,000 magnetic fields, it bears no resemblance to the naive girl in front of you.

But you still decide to give it a try, to see if fate will unfold as you suspect.

However, you'll soon be disappointed.

[The group of researchers, led by Lu, who lacked physical training, felt dizzy and nauseous even after prolonged exposure to a chaotic magnetic field, let alone double gravity.]

With such frail physiques, let alone being propelled by electric current, even running a few laps would nearly kill them.

Lu, on whom you placed so much hope, was the first among the group to fall.

As for electric current propulsion? Laughable, absolutely not.

[At that time, Lu's complexion was so poor that you even considered placing her in a stone coffin for emergency treatment.]

Soon, after a month of testing, it seemed that you were the only one in the vast laboratory who possessed the talent to awaken magnetic field power.

As the sole and isolated case, you still sent your report to Precyth.

[After months of relentlessly leading the entire lab in rigorous daily training, you received a reply.]

But the person who replied to you was not Precys.

[Instead, it was someone codenamed "The Prophet."]

[You know very well that this "prophet" is the doctor who was still in the pre-civilization era and had not yet lost his memory.]

Therefore, you are still very curious about the evaluation of this one of the few people you know well.

However, after you opened the doctor's reply, you received a completely unexpected evaluation.

"Blue Dream, Orca, I'm sorry for replying to your messages so late."

"Regarding the results you mentioned, involving electric current driving and magnetic field rotation, after our discussion, we have reached a consensus."

"We hope that you will stop the experiments related to magnetic field rotation and focus your main efforts on the 'Deep Blue Tree' project."

[In the voice reply, the prophet delivered a response that surprised both you and Lu.]

"You might be surprised by my answer."

[Clearly, the prophet had already foreseen your and Lu's reactions before sending the message; although his tone softened slightly, his attitude remained very firm.]

"But I want to tell you that, apart from Precys and a few others, most people are not satisfied with your results."

"You have indeed proven the possibility of magnetic field rotation, but we still found some significant flaws in your report."

As if afraid you and Lu would disagree, the prophet adopted the rigorous attitude expected of a scholar, speaking with data and facts.

"Without a doubt, a strong person who has reached the level of 'electric propulsion' can unleash superhuman strength."

"However, electromagnetic cannons with power far exceeding 100,000 volts have already appeared three hundred years ago. Such power is not very effective in defending against the lumberjacks' attack."

"Moreover, the six years of training and Lan Meng's unique case make it even harder for us to believe that magnetic field rotation is an ability that most people can master."

"This is more like a transformation project aimed at creating a unique 'god'."

"And that successfully transformed 'god' is you, Lanmeng."

“The ‘Blue Dream Project’ is definitely not a plan for a ‘god’ to rule the earth after all civilizations have been wiped out.”

After presenting the data and facts, the prophet paused slightly, then turned to offer another reminder from the perspective of human nature.

"Therefore, I regret to inform you that the experiment on the rotation of the magnetic field must be stopped."

“We—including myself.”

"None of us want to gamble the continuation of civilization on the humanity of one person."

"Especially when this person may possess power beyond anything in the world, it is difficult for us to estimate how much his mindset will change compared to when he did not have power."

"Of course, I am not questioning your beliefs, Blue Dream, and Orca."

"But... I think a civilization where the strong are respected and the weak are enslaved and forced to eke out a living is not the future we want."

"From my personal perspective, I would rather civilization end here than choose a barbaric and insane civilization to enslave life."

"above."

[The prophet's replies have come to an end. Inside the laboratory, you and Lu exchange glances, then fall into a long silence.]

Under Lu's watchful gaze, after hearing the prophet's reply, you silently stood up and returned alone to the magnetic field reactor to continue your training.

[And Lu, feeling somewhat lost and helpless for the first time in his life, followed closely in your footsteps, wanting to comfort you, but not knowing what to say.]

And you, too, fell into deep thought because of the prophet's words.

You understand, the prophet's words, though harsh, are not entirely wrong.

Because you understand better than anyone the consequences of abusing magnetic field power.

Whether it's the Hong Kong comic book you remember or the realities of human nature, both tell you that the manifestation of magnetic field power will inevitably lead to the powerful wreaking havoc on life.

Let alone the strong, even a judge with law enforcement power can become numb and indifferent to life after numerous trials.

[And what about a powerful individual who wields unparalleled strength?]

Who can guarantee that such powerful individuals bring more benefits or harm to civilization?

Who would dare gamble their fate on the assumption that this powerful figure is an eternal "philosopher-king"?

From this perspective, the prophet was right.

But... should we simply give up all hope, preferring to watch this civilization crumble rather than put up a fight, allowing countless lives to be destroyed by lumberjacks?

Others may not know, but you understand that in the future, the only remaining being from the previous civilization who can truly be called "human" is the Doctor.

Even Precyth couldn't escape the consequence of his body and soul merging with the Originium.

Are we really going to let this all repeat itself? And make no changes whatsoever?

"—It's alright, Inori."

However, inside the testing room, as you poured out all your troubles to the super-enhanced dummy before you, speaking only through martial arts and fists, you heard Lu's voice.

[The frail Lu had somehow followed you into the testing room.]

[In the testing room, where gravity was five times stronger and the magnetic field was chaotic, Lu's face turned slightly pale as soon as he stepped inside.]

But this time, she didn't back down at all. Instead, she mustered all her strength and told you her thoughts.

"You've proven the feasibility of magnetic field rotation, and even if you're the only one with this experience, isn't that enough?"

"What the seniors care about is only the speed at which the magnetic field rotation increases. If you can find a way to mass-produce magnetic field powerhouses, wouldn't that refute them?"

"As for the abuse of power..."

At this point, Lu also tried his best to force a smile at you.

"Qi, I believe in you more than anyone else. You will never abuse this power."

"You will use this power to save the world and save civilization."

"Although... this is just wishful thinking on my part, I believe I haven't misjudged anyone!"

[It should be said that Lu's words are completely unfounded, and even differ greatly from the Lu you remember, who possessed wisdom comparable to yours.]

From childhood to adulthood, over a decade of companionship and six years of close collaboration have forged a bond between you and Lu that transcends any emotion that can be described in words.

This feeling transcends gender and romantic love; it's simply a habit, a trust that withstands the test of time even without words.

This kind of feeling happens frequently on this land.

The best example is Precys and the Prophet, who will be left alone on Rhodes Island in the future, relying on each other for survival. Lu's words are not sufficient as a reference.

However, her words still affected your thoughts, leaving you momentarily distracted.

Looking at the road so close at hand, you suddenly made your decision.

"—Lu, thank you for comforting me, but I'm not that upset."

"On the contrary, I now have a complete understanding of the path I need to take in the future."

Gazing into Lu's expectant and trusting eyes, and sensing her "love" for you, you became less confused.

On the contrary, you've already figured out what you truly want to protect.

"The reason why people don't believe me is not just because I haven't shown them the power of the rotating magnetic field."

"Moreover, it is because they are unwilling to place the survival of civilization on the shoulders of one person."

"Someone who can destroy them at any time."

As you spoke, a smile crept across your lips, and you swung your fist at the dummy in front of you even faster and with greater force!

This specially reinforced dummy was custom-made for you. It's a military-grade dummy capable of withstanding a full-force attack from a railgun and can withstand the full power of your "electric current propulsion" without damage.

But this time, the dummy that you used to beat so hard without moving an inch is now shaking and swaying from side to side with your punches.

[But you didn't care about the feelings of this lifeless dummy, who only knew how to endure.]

[While responding to Lu beside you, you simultaneously unleashed a torrent of electricity from your body, launching a relentless assault on the dummy in front of you!]

"But I want to prove them wrong."

"It's not that their assessment of the future, where the strong run rampant, is wrong, but that they misjudged me!"

"I will show them with my actions that I can demonstrate the power of a rotating magnetic field!"

"The rotation of the magnetic field is by no means the end! Above that, there is an even greater power, measured in units of ten thousand horsepower!"

"And if they feel that even 10,000 horses aren't enough!"

[Feeling the stimulation from the increased electrical currents within your body, your mind not only doesn't feel fatigued from physical exertion, but instead becomes even more excited.]

You gritted your teeth slightly, the corners of your mouth turned up, and you roared through gritted teeth:

"Then let's have 100,000! 200,000! 500,000!"

"When I can reach the limit of magnetic field rotation! A million horsepower! Then they will understand!"

"What is true power that can destroy the world!"

[With your roar, your already bleeding fists show no sign of stopping!]

Looking at the dummy before you, riddled with punch marks and nearly broken, you began to gather all your strength!

Finally, let these forces, along with your roar, be unleashed in a frenzy!

"They will understand then!"

"A powerful individual with the strength of a million horses can govern a country, a world—or even a civilization!"

"I went to hell alone to bring heaven to the world!"

"This is my path!"

"This is my 'Path of Hell'!!"

"boom!"

Finally, with a roar that shook the entire laboratory, you unleashed the strongest punch ever!

That punch completely exceeded the limits of "electric propulsion"!

At that moment, even the magnetic field you had set to "extremely chaotic" completely merged into your body and became your power the instant you threw your punch!

[When the earthquake office shook violently, alarms sounded throughout the laboratory. All the researchers, believing it to be a natural disaster, immediately hid inside the stone coffin.]

Only Lu, who witnessed everything, understood what had just happened.

The tremors gradually subsided, and the entire magnetic field reactor began to report errors due to the recent violent change in the magnetic field.

[But right in front of you, after you unleashed that strongest punch, the dummy's figure had already vanished.]

Not far away, the family members, their remains utterly destroyed beyond recognition, were embedded deep within the steel wall, rendered completely unusable.

"...the magnetic field is rotating."

After a long pause, in an incredulous tone, Lu Weiwei uttered the name that existed only in her mind.

But soon, realizing that this was not an illusion, Lu cast a look of immense surprise and delight at you, who were still in a daze!

"Qi, that punch you just threw—was it powered by the rotation of a magnetic field?!"

"How...how did you do that?! You were just using electric current before, weren't you?"

"...I don't know how I did it."

You look down, staring silently at your fist, trying to feel the power you'd just unleashed once more.

This time, the electric current flowing through your body is more powerful than ever before, a difference between a river and the ocean compared to previous surges of electricity!

But why is that?

[You've been stuck at the "Electric Current Propulsion" level for almost a year now, and your recent training hasn't even increased your electric current by much.]

Why did you suddenly break through your bottleneck?

However, the answer to all of this lies when you look at Lu beside you, who is ecstatic and shows absolutely no fear of your power.

You seem to have found the answer.

"...Perhaps it is the power of 'love'."

Your unintentional whisper startled Lu Weiwei, who was beside you.

But you know very well that this is by no means some cheesy love confession, but rather a heartfelt statement, a "truth" born of the power of magnetism.

"Any emotion can be transformed into part of the magnetic field power. Hatred, loathing, resentment... these can all make your magnetic field power achieve amazing breakthroughs in a short period of time."

"But only the power of 'love' is the true essence of magnetic field power."

"Only 'love' can make the magnetic field power rotate to its true peak."

As you spoke, your gaze shifted to your side, to Lu, whose cheeks were now slightly flushed, yet who remained standing beside you, looking directly into your eyes.

You can't imagine that one day in the future, you will never see Lu again.

You can't even imagine a future where you're the only human left on this land, walking alone on this desolate deserted planet.

Even if you truly become the only "god" on this land by then, what meaning will it have?

Therefore, you must ensure the continuation of human civilization.

[Just so that the people you love can also witness that day in the future.]

"Perhaps it's all because I 'love' you, Lu."

"...At this point, why say such mushy things?"

Although Lu wasn't quite used to this kind of occasion, he still smiled and nodded, responding to you in the most natural tone.

“We’ve been together since birth, and it’s been over twenty years now.”

"You are in my life almost every day."

"How could I not 'love' you now, Qi?"

Inside the small testing room, you and Lu placed your hands together, feeling the warmth emanating from each other.

Yes, as long as there is this touch of warmth, even if you are trapped in hell, you will have no regrets.

If you burn everything for the one you love, that is your "path to hell."

So... even if I ultimately fall into a place of self-destruction, misunderstood by all, what does it matter if I bear the weight of everything?

If I don't go to hell, who will?

(End of this chapter)