The Last 299 Days of Humanity

The sky over Wengshan is always that tranquil and comforting azure blue.

As Yu Qing walked down the street, he felt like an insect trapped in a transparent glass jar. He seemed free, but in reality, every move he made was exposed to the unknown and he was being "protected" by a force he couldn't understand.

The feeling of being manipulated by an invisible hand did not bring him a sense of security; instead, it eroded his will like a slow poison.

“Protection…” Yu Qing chewed on the word, a bitter taste rising at the corner of his mouth. He looked up at the sky, as if he could see through the clouds to the god behind them, and a pair of eyes watching him.

"Have I become a useless piece of trash who can't move an inch without you guys?" he muttered to himself. But he also had a vague feeling that if no one was protecting him in secret, he might have been dealt with long ago, given the fragile defenses of Wengshan.

Back at his temporary lodging, he found a half-finished plan for reorganizing the Wengshan defense system spread out on his desk, next to a steaming cup of his favorite Nanshan Wujian tea. The tea was at the perfect temperature, its aroma filling the air.

In the past, he would have been grateful for this silent care. But now, this cup of tea felt like a silent display of arrogance and pity—look, you even need someone else to make you a cup of tea, how can you talk about grand ambitions?
He abruptly swung his arm, sweeping the teacup to the ground. The delicate, thin-walled porcelain cup shattered, splattering warm tea and tea leaves everywhere. He practically roared into the empty room, "Enough! I don't need you like this! Come out! Get out here!"

The only echo in the room was his own, and... an extremely subtle, almost imperceptible sound of energy flow. The next second, the shards and tea stains on the floor began to automatically gather and disappear in a way that defied the laws of physics, and even the water stains were instantly evaporated and purified by some kind of force field.

Soon the floor was spotless, as if nothing had happened. This absolute, unquestionable "cleaning" left Yu Qing feeling more powerless than any verbal rebuttal. He slumped into his chair, running his hands through his hair.

A deep sense of self-doubt gripped his heart like vines. Unable to even guarantee his own safety, needing the clandestine protection of "non-humans" to survive, what right did he have to talk about reviving the original human race?
How could he possibly face his compatriots in Wengshan who were desperately hoping he would bring them back? Old Chen's disappearance, Xiao Shitou's abnormal behavior, the extremism of the Brotherhood, the threat from "Da Dian"... all these pressures seemed to prove his incompetence.

Perhaps Aunt is right? To cling to this fragile body, to cling to that path that seems destined for ruin, is itself a foolish arrogance?

Just as Yu Qing was experiencing intense inner turmoil, hundreds of meters beneath the surface of Qingtian City, in a secret space devoid of any official records, several core members of the "Dadian" Earth Operations Department sat around a luminous table shimmering with countless streams of data. The atmosphere was heavy.

"The seventh elimination operation has failed. The entire 'Dreamweaver' team has suffered brainwave arrest and is now in a vegetative state," a cold voice reported, devoid of any emotion. "The target, Yu Qing, is operating normally and has not shown any signs of being attacked."

“We used the ‘Shadow’ androids, the ‘Dust Mite’ nanogroups, the ‘Pulse Rift’ ray… and even the latest ‘Nightmare’ system. Without exception, all of them were intercepted, countered, and destroyed by an unknown force just before they were about to succeed.”

Another voice, tinged with a barely perceptible sense of frustration, said, “The interception methods are highly efficient, precise, and completely untraceable. Their technological level far surpasses that of Wengshan and even most known forces on Earth.”

The meeting was chaired by a middle-aged man known as "Morning Star," whose eyes were sharp as an eagle's. "Conclusion?" he asked succinctly.

"Based on all the data, the probability reaches 92.7%. The force that intervened and protected Yu Qing originated from Tianqing City. Moreover, it was not an official action by Tianqing City, and its technical characteristics are highly consistent with the 'parallel human' guardian sequence."

“Parallel humans…” Qi Mingxing’s fingers tapped lightly on the smooth tabletop, making a soft clicking sound. “Those ghosts who have abandoned their physical bodies… what do they want to do? For a mere native human, they’re willing to break the tacit understanding that has been maintained with us for hundreds of years?”

"Intelligence indicates that the target, Yu Qing, is related by blood to a high-ranking individual among the 'parallel humans.' It is speculated that this is a private intervention."

"Private in nature?" Qi Mingxing scoffed. "Even so, this is still a blatant provocation against our 'Dadian' authority. Shengtian destroyed the Haiyuan stronghold; if we let this go unchecked, what will other Earth powers think of us? Will they think we are weak and easily bullied?"

“However, Your Excellency Morning Star,” a female member in charge of risk analysis said, “the cost of openly confronting Tianqing City, even if it means a direct conflict with one of its factions, would be enormous.”

Although Azure City has primarily focused its attention on deep space, its potential strength and influence on Earth should not be underestimated. An escalation of conflict could affect resource allocation for our "Ark" project on Jupiter's main body, and even trigger unpredictable chain reactions.

“If we don’t deal with Yu Qing, our deterrent power in Earth affairs will be greatly diminished,” another member in charge of military operations countered. “This will embolden those lurking instigators, making them think they have found a backer to oppose us. In the long run, the losses could be even greater.”

On the light table, a massive data model began to rapidly calculate, simulating the potential gains and losses of different choices. Retaliation might involve open conflict with a technologically advanced adversary, consuming enormous resources, and could even expose more hidden strengths.

Failure to retaliate would be tantamount to admitting defeat, damaging prestige, potentially destabilizing the global power structure, and indirectly affecting "Dadian's" acquisition of Earth's resources and the advancement of its experimental projects.

Qi Mingxing silently watched the constantly fluctuating data, his eyes deep. This was no longer a simple cleanup task, but had become a complex strategic game.

"Suspend all direct attacks on Yuqing." He finally gave the order, his voice cold and hard. "Reassess Tianqing City's intentions and level of involvement. Activate 'Operation Fog' to spread information and guide the narrative of the Haiyuan City incident and subsequent attacks towards a power struggle within Earth's interior."

At the same time, we will strengthen intelligence infiltration and economic blockade against Wengshan and other indigenous human settlements. We need more leverage, and we also need... a more secure solution that won't directly provoke conflict.

Just as "Dadian" temporarily ceased its activities and turned to deeper planning, Tianqing City's aunt, hanging above the Blade Tower, was "watching" Yu Qing pace anxiously, angrily, and even desperately in the room through the eyes of her countless incarnations.

She also "heard" his whispers filled with pain and self-doubt.

She saw him smash the teacup, saw him collapse in despair. She sensed that the fortress of "belief" within him was gradually cracking amidst internal and external troubles. "It seems you're finally beginning to understand the cruelty of reality, my silly nephew." A ripple stirred in her aunt's mind, a complex emotion mixed with heartache and resolute determination.

Do you think that with passion and so-called 'human dignity,' you can carve out a bloody path in this cold world? You're wrong.

"Dadian's temporary retreat is not out of fear of you, but because they are weighing whether the conflict with me is worthwhile. Once they find a way, or deem the cost acceptable, you will be crushed like an ant."

She recalled the stubborn look in Yu Qing's eyes when he insisted on the so-called "foundation of humanity," a look so similar to that of a similarly stubborn figure long gone from her memory. It was this similarity that made her feel both helpless and determined.

"We can't let him continue to be so willful." The aunt made a decision. "Waiting for him to 'figure it out' is too passive, there are too many variables. It's time... to guide him more proactively, to let him see what the only way out is."

Forcibly stripping him of his consciousness might leave trauma, but it's better than having him and his ridiculous dreams utterly destroyed.

She began to mobilize resources. First, she needed to make Yu Qing more deeply understand the powerlessness of the "original state" and the absolute advantage brought by "evolution".

She quietly modified the underlying commands of the ten invisible guards, adding a "situation shaping" module to the "absolute protection" function.

Yu Qing then discovered that the feeling of being "cared for" was intensifying, even to the point of becoming distorted. When he tried to do physical training, as soon as he lifted the heavy dumbbells, an invisible force supported him, making him feel as light as a feather, and he couldn't achieve any training effect at all.

He wanted to read some complex tactics manuals, and just as he felt a little tired and confused, a cool energy flowed into his temples, instantly making him energetic and his thinking so clear that he didn't seem like himself, as if the knowledge had been directly "poured" into his brain.

Instead of bringing him pleasure, this made him feel horrified—had he been deprived of even the right to think independently and to feel tired?
He also began to frequently "encounter" scenes of primitive humans being weak and helpless. Once, he saw Xiaoya in the corridor, unable to adapt to the suddenly hot and humid weather, curled up on the ground in pain, convulsing uncontrollably.

At this moment, several humanoid beauties passed by her, but they only glanced at her indifferently and gently patted her head. She immediately stood up as if nothing had happened.

On several other occasions, several holographic images suddenly appeared in front of him, forcing him to experience the perspective of a "parallel human" for three minutes—the shock of simultaneously perceiving multiple spaces, processing massive amounts of information, and having a consciousness that was almost eternally present left him unable to recover for a long time.

In comparison, he felt like a primitive man trapped in a time prison.

These experiences, like dull knives, repeatedly cut at his belief in the superiority of "primitive humans".

He began to suffer from insomnia at night, gazing at the eternally unchanging "perfect" starry sky outside the window, his heart filled with struggle: if "evolution" can really bring such powerful strength and the possibility of near eternity, then what is the meaning of adhering to "purity"?
Is it for that fleeting "human experience" that could be taken away at any time, or is it just a pathetic stubbornness that refuses to admit its own backwardness?

The aunt calmly observed Yu Qing's wavering. She knew the time was right. She decided to take the next step—no longer just to demonstrate, but to attempt an initial "connection."

One night, Yu Qing fell into a deep sleep amidst extreme mental exhaustion. He had an exceptionally vivid dream. In the dream, he was no longer a physical being, but a free consciousness, floating in an endless sea of ​​stars.

At this moment, he could instantly travel to any place he wanted to go, simultaneously hear the whispers of countless worlds, and sense the most subtle pulse of the universe. There was no fatigue, no fear, no physical constraints, only endless exploration and existence.

In his dream, he saw his aunt. She was no longer the concrete figure sitting suspended in the tea room, but a warm, vast light, extending an inviting hand to him...

"No!" Yu Qing jolted awake from his dream, drenched in cold sweat. His heart pounded wildly, a complex mix of indescribable despair and overwhelming temptation tearing him apart. He knew perfectly well that the dream was not a natural occurrence.

He rushed to the communicator, trying to contact his aunt, wanting to confront her, wanting to shout. But all he heard was a busy signal. He then considered calling Yao Dan, wanting to pour out his fear to her. But he held back: wouldn't that be admitting his wavering…?

But he truly felt alone. Surrounded by such "well-intentioned" yet cold and ruthless "protection," his gratitude had long been worn away by this omnipresent sense of control, leaving only deep anxiety and a fear of being swallowed up.

He looked at his reflection in the mirror—a panicked look in his eyes, dark circles under his eyes—and gave a bitter smile. Restore the glory of primitive humanity? Right now, it seemed he couldn't even hold onto his own consciousness and future.

His aunt no longer sought his opinion; she was using what she thought was the best way to gradually pull him toward that "bright future"—a future he had once dismissed as belonging to "parallel humans."

He also sadly realized that his struggles seemed so pale and powerless in the face of absolute power and "care." There seemed to be only two paths ahead: either be destroyed in resistance, or... give up and merge into that seemingly eternal sea of ​​stars.

The night was deep, and the streets of Wengshan, though deserted, were still brightly lit. If it weren't for the few humanoid beauties passing by, the silence would have been terrifying!

Yu Qing's inner struggle, however, was more brutal and desperate than any real battle. (End of Chapter)