I am a female swordsman.

It's highly likely that Genesis will gradually lose consciousness under the relentless onslaught of immense energy, ultimately becoming like some of the completely selfless, bewildered beings in the River of Life, like infants. Shinra's research department reports that the human soul is not yet adapted to a life form like the Holy Spirit.

How to do?

Genesis's face was extremely grim. His pride wouldn't allow him to ask for help, but the current Mako Tide riot was definitely not a problem that he could solve alone!

Today is undoubtedly Genesis' lucky day.

Just as he was caught in a dilemma, the clear sword cries that filled everyone's minds gradually became clearer. The increasingly intense inverted sword intent foreshadowed what was about to happen. With Genesis as the base, the sword intent spread out like a tsunami, penetrating every inch of the Mako energy tide!

At that moment, even the air seemed to be imbued with that excessively sharp edge!

"Cough cough!!!"

In his Holy Spirit state, Genesis was the first to be hit, coughing up large amounts of blood mixed with Mako fluid as the sudden surge of sword intent within his body slashed through his Holy Spirit energy body. As blood splattered, the previously turbulent Mako storm seemed to be calmed down by an invisible hand.

Truly powerful strength.

It can unleash a devastating, overwhelming force, creating a force capable of destroying everything. Yet, it can also work silently, like a gentle spring rain nourishing the earth. The Shinra Chairman's power is like the sky, awe-inspiring yet unfathomable, like gazing into an abyss…

Under the multi-layered damage, Genesis's energy vanished without a trace.

Finally, coughing up blood, he plummeted from the sky, the sharp, excruciating pain in his body making Genesis want to grimace. But in front of Sephiroth, he remained remarkably composed, as if nothing had happened, except for the faint bulging veins on the hand gripping the poetry collection, indicating that he was not as relaxed as he appeared.

Sephiroth's gaze shifted, sweeping over Genesis.

The tension between the two seemed to have not yet dissipated, and even the many Shinra special forces soldiers who came to break up the fight were intimidated by their fierce and confrontational aura and dared not step forward.

Respect, admiration, and reverence!

Genesis's strength is beyond doubt, and Sephiroth, who remained calm and prepared to counterattack with his sword despite such terrifying power, is no ordinary person either.

Respect the strength of the strong, and respect the wisdom of the wise.

This is equivalent to respecting one's own efforts, while those who show disrespect to those who are great are truly twisted like maggots. In the Shinra world, effort, struggle, and contribution are recognized by others, and even ordinary people can earn the respect of those with superpowers, which is incomparable to the increasingly distorted values ​​of the outside world.

At the end when the sword intent gradually subsided.

The ethereal and chilling voice resounded directly in the minds of Sephiroth and Genesis.

“Sephiroth, continue the mission. Genesis, come see me.”

The handsome, brown-haired boy, who had been maintaining a tough demeanor, twitched at the corner of his mouth upon hearing this, almost losing his composure. After a moment, Genesis gave Sephiroth a deep look. Feeling ashamed, he refrained from further harassment or seeking revenge. He would personally avenge the forcibly interrupted battle one day.

Sephiroth, whose personality was inherently aloof, wouldn't even bother to speak to Genesis. His flowing, smooth silver hair swayed slightly as he still didn't give the other man a second glance, drawing his black scabbard and gracefully sheathing it. There was plenty of time; there was no need to rush.

………………

When Genesis found the Underworld following the instructions of the levitating message, it was in a bright and spacious laboratory.

Like most Shinra laboratories, this lab was filled with researchers in white lab coats, some walking around and some standing. However, unlike ordinary labs, Genesis noticed a small Mako reactor inside. The pipes connecting the Mako and the experimental chamber had an unusually intense energy color, and the pipes crisscrossing between the walls and ceiling looked like knotted pythons.

This naturally made him feel somewhat nauseous.

Biological experiments, the research laboratories of Shinra's seven basic science departments, always seem to hold some incredible things.

Among a group of doctors in white coats, Genesis arrived at the underworld. Wearing frameless glasses, she appeared exceptionally cold and inorganic, like a robot methodically recording data from an experiment.

As Genesis looked at Huang Quan, she also glanced at him indifferently.

Those gazes were like sharp scalpels, slicing Genesis into pieces from different angles for observation. Only after a while did Huang Quan's indifferent gaze show some emotion, regaining a little vitality.

'Be quiet and wait.'

Without speaking, he clearly conveyed his meaning through his eyes.

Huang Quan is very busy, especially at this time. She is conducting an important experiment with Dr. Genus, a biologist known for his wickedness. This experiment is so important that everything else has to take a backseat. This invited biology PhD, after receiving data from Shinra, has encountered a new dilemma in his research!

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Enemy

All the problems in this world will eventually come back to square one.

From the microscopic level to the electronic cloud, and from the macroscopic level to the cosmic background.

Consciousness, matter.

Like an ouroboros.

"Who am I?" This question came from the mouth of experiment subject D445 at a certain strange research institute of Shinra Laboratory. After asking this question and receiving no answer, the experiment subject died inexplicably. Before this, this experiment subject had behaved perfectly normally, but in the end, even the cause of death could not be found.

"So, the final hurdle still couldn't be overcome?"

Flipping through his work tablet, the Shinra Chairman's tone was almost imperceptible, his rationality bordering on coldness.

"It's too difficult. If we insist on solving the problem of consciousness, the life forms created in this way will greatly deplete our energy. Let alone mass production, it's impossible to even create a single one. That's a difference of orders of magnitude, and our current computing power simply can't meet the demand."

A deep sigh crossed Dr. Genos's aged face.

The fact that even a genius scientist like him could frankly say that a problem is currently unsolvable shows just how difficult some of Shinra's internal projects are.

“Dr. Genus, the problem of consciousness remains unresolved, and we remain in a state of superficial understanding, which is inconsistent with the spirit of Shinra since its founding.”

Huang Quan knew this request would be difficult.

She wasn't an outsider; she understood the sheer difficulty of it all. Humanity had reached into God's domain, attempting to seize divine authority—an insurmountable obstacle. Even with her own wisdom, Huang Quan could never achieve it in a lifetime. Her choice was to gather the wisdom of the world to help her reach her goal.

Having understood the meaning of "Shinra Council Chairman," Genus couldn't help but sigh.

"A human life is composed of proteins, fats, amino acids, water, nucleic acids, sugars, and other substances arranged together. More precisely, it consists of 65% oxygen, 18% carbon, 10% hydrogen, 3% nitrogen, 1.5% calcium, 1% phosphorus, 0.35% potassium, 0.25% sulfur, 0.15% chlorine, 0.05% magnesium, 0.0004% iron, and 0.00004% iodine, along with trace amounts of fluorine, silicon, manganese, zinc, copper, aluminum, and arsenic. These readily available substances form life, and also consciousness..."

“Consciousness can be classified according to the different carriers: the subconscious derived from bodily tissues, and the primary consciousness carried by the brain. Even the most complex computer we humans have created is far less complex than the human brain. Your Excellency, cloning a person is not difficult, I…” His tone was filled with boundless longing. On his journey to the summit, Genus had witnessed all kinds of beautiful scenery, and he was more eager than ever to complete this project.

"I want to explore this ultimate question, and I hope to use myself as a model for the progress of the next project."

Huang Quan didn't reply, but instead stared at Genus with a very complicated look.

He's already very old.

So old his eyesight has failed him, he can't even analyze data without instruments. Perhaps one day, as he falls asleep, Genus might just never wake up again. Genus isn't afraid of death; he simply doesn't want to leave this world after witnessing its wonders.

Use yourself as a clone model.

This is an extremely demanding test of a person's mental fortitude. If Genus were to suddenly go insane while watching his various clones go mad during an experiment, Huang Quan wouldn't be surprised.

Genus pleaded earnestly with Huang Quan, and finally, the ever-present, icy, and aloof demeanor of the Shinra Council Chairman softened slightly. She knew that if she refused Genus's request, it would be tantamount to turning away this biologist with extremely weak moral principles.

Shinra welcomes all warriors who dare to challenge fate!

As long as the bottom line isn't crossed, everything is within the scope of discussion.

“I hope you don’t forget who I am…” Huang Quan took off her work gloves, the subtext of which was to remind Genus not to forget his original goal.

………………

Genesis had been waiting for the summons from the Shinra Chancellor.

He knew he had stirred up a considerable amount of trouble this time, causing energy fluctuations at Shinra headquarters that exceeded security regulations and severely impacting several operating Mako Reactors. The damage caused by this level of impact was enough to enrage the higher-ups.

Even if you say he's Shinra's No. 1, the strongest warrior, he'd probably still have to suffer a lot.

He appeared tough on the surface, but was inwardly filled with anxiety.

"This is the result of your childish actions." Huang Quan, who had just walked over, didn't mince words and stiffly slapped a floating information screen onto Genesis's face. This was a very impolite act; within Shinra, the sudden display of information embedded in a chip at such close range could cause psychological discomfort.

This shows that Huang Quan was truly angry, otherwise he wouldn't have acted so violently.

"..."

Looking at the various direct and indirect losses displayed on the floating screen, along with that long string of zeros, Genesis was first stunned. Then, he silently calculated in his mind how long it would take to pay off this sum with his salary. Finally, Genesis's face turned ashen.

If he were to actually pay it back, he'd probably have to work for Shinra for the rest of his life.

“Your Excellency Speaker, I…”

"please say."

What else could he say? Should he ask the Speaker not to calculate the money, or say that he would work to repay it? It seemed that nothing he said would be right at this point. Genesis, who was still relatively inexperienced in dealing with people, finally seemed to resign himself to his fate and lowered his head to indicate that he would let himself be disposed of.

"Regarding your approach... assigning tasks to make amends, are you willing to do that?"

Genesis nodded eagerly, of course he was willing.

Standing in front of the speaker, he felt as if his entire body was being pressed against by sharp steel needles. It was as if if he were careless or if the speaker was in a bad mood, these needles that stung his skin would pierce through his body in the next moment.

"Recently, some voices have emerged on the fringes of the company's controlled territory, opposing the smooth progress of the company's plans. You are responsible for leading the team in this area to investigate who exactly is opposing the company. Here's a lead..."

"Should I go there myself?"

“That’s right. If the intelligence is correct, you should be in considerable trouble.” Genesis is Shinra’s No. 1, so targeting him wouldn’t be difficult. At least in Huang Quan’s opinion, Genesis still has many weaknesses, and if those guys really intend to target Shinra, anything is possible.

"I understand."

Having been an outstanding soldier with experience in various missions, Genesis understood what to do without Huang Quan needing much explanation. Sending him, the No. 1, on a mission couldn't possibly be a simple reconnaissance mission.

There are quite a few people in this world who harbor ill intentions towards the Shinra.

Chapter Twenty-Four: City A

With the excitement surrounding the upcoming establishment of the Hero Association, many cities have become much more lively.

Those unaware of the situation might think the country is celebrating some major holiday.

Walking down the street, I saw smiles on people's faces that I hadn't seen before. They were smiles of hope for the future, expressions of fervent anticipation for something to arrive quickly. In this world rife with strange people, where even daily life is uncertain and personal safety is not guaranteed, such expressions are truly precious!

Am I happy...?

A black-haired, old-fashioned girl with a ponytail was walking down the street in A, biting on a cotton candy she had just bought, and observing everything she saw with unusually gentle eyes.

People yearn for heroes, hoping that a hero will step forward to solve problems they cannot solve when they themselves are powerless. This subconscious act of seeking help from the more powerful is not wrong; when there are no other options, the importance of the only choice is amplified.

City A will be selected as the headquarters of the Hero Association.

The news immediately caused a huge stir. First, the number of people in City A increased significantly, reaching a point of oversaturation. Then, housing prices soared, and various service industries sprang up like mushrooms after rain; everything seemed to be thriving.

Isn't this also the influence of heroes?

City A is now very safe; no ordinary weirdo would dare to come here and cause trouble.

In Huang Quan's perception, numerous life forms with strong auras were distributed throughout the city. The basic structure of these life forms was entirely human, and the vast majority of them were releasing order and goodwill. Huang Quan could easily capture and interpret their unconscious emotional expressions.

Even without the assistance of Shinra's system computer cluster, Huang Quan could easily monitor everyone.

No one can escape her surveillance!

But why is Huang Quan appearing in City A today? This all started more than a week ago when the government sent an invitation to the [Speaker of the Shinra Council] through a special channel.