I am a female swordsman.

Iris's sincere words made the man in the suit shudder, as if he were laughing or angry.

“Miss Iris, you are not alone, you can feel it, can’t you? We all belong to the same mother, we are brothers and sisters, even though we were born in very different orders, that is an undeniable fact!”

"You're a weirdo!"

It was only at this moment that Iris cried out in horror. She had always kept a secret in her heart: while listening to the greatest voice among the chaotic sounds, she received some information that conflicted with human concepts and also learned some secrets about the birth of monsters.

As the last Ancient Species in this world, Iris was constantly wavering in her heart.

Humans replaced the ancient species, but now monsters are trying to replace humans.

As an ancient species, what choice should she make?

“Yes, I am a monster. But compared to us monsters, what the rebellious human son did to his brothers and sisters is the most heinous crime! Miss Iris, you can feel the pain of your brothers and sisters, and the hatred and disgust your mother feels for her rebellious son! So, please, help us deal with Shinra…!” The man in the suit bowed deeply to Iris, and his sincere attitude made Iris bite her lip.

Shinra...

Upon hearing the unforgettable word "Shinra," Iris's previously wavering attitude subtly changed.

………………

Can Shinra's actions be considered just? From a human perspective, their spirit of fighting against nature and never yielding, even against planets, can be considered a great spirit in human history!

From the perspective of the freaks, Shinra is an outright group of madmen, and this group also seems to possess the power to fulfill their crazy desires.

In Iris's view, Shinra would bring misfortune to mankind.

The River of Life is being continuously drained, and the natural environment is deteriorating. Perhaps before monsters can replace humanity, humanity will be destroyed by Shinra's actions. As the man in the suit reveals certain Shinra information, Iris also learns about Mako energy and the origins of the Shinra warriors.

The first person she thought of was her lover, Zack.

Shinra warriors are born from the immersion in Mako liquid. Monsters, on the other hand, are born from the energy bestowed by the River of Life. Mako itself is extracted from the River of Life, so in a sense, Shinra warriors and monsters are not so different; they are actually one and the same.

"I hope that Miss Iris can tell your lover the truth about Mako."

"No! I don't want Zack involved..." Upon hearing that it concerned Zack, Iris couldn't help but feel anxious and wanted to refuse.

“Miss Iris, this isn’t about getting involved, it’s about saving her.” The man in the suit gestured for her not to be nervous. “Mr. Zack is a Shinra warrior, controlled by Shinra. Only by telling him the truth can Mr. Zack realize what Shinra is deliberately hiding. Only by uncovering those deeply buried secrets can this terrifying organization, Shinra, crumble from within!”

"...What exactly is the truth?"

The mere fact that the truth could cause the behemoth Shinra to crumble from within made Iris, despite her disbelief, feel a strange, inexplicable anticipation for the truth the man in the suit spoke of.

The man in the suit slowly revealed the truth: the experiments involving the Shinra warriors.

………………

Let's return to the present, to Snowfield Village.

"Iris, Iris! I'm back!!!" With astonishing stamina, Zack ran all the way from the village entrance to the church and successfully smashed open the church door. Then, he tumbled and rolled inside the doorway! His body made intimate contact with the ground, and his sunny and energetic face was bruised and swollen!

"Ouch! O ...

Zack, who finally stopped in front of his lover, pitifully covered his face, showing none of the resilience and toughness expected of a Shinra warrior; he was more like a boy who hadn't grown up.

"Zack, you're being clumsy again." Iris looked tenderly at her playful lover. He was so energetic and sunny that he could infect everyone around him.

"Hehe, anyway, Iris is here!"

Zack sat down on the spot without caring about his image, looking up at Iris with a grin, just like when they first met. The carefree boy showed a childlike, innocent smile to the sorrowful girl.

Chapter Sixty-One: Getting to the Bottom of Everything

Should we tell Zack?

That hesitation vanished the moment she saw Zack's innocent smile. She didn't want to see a pain on Zack's face that wasn't his. If they continued to stay in a place like Shinra, sooner or later, Zack would also discover the cruel truth.

so! !

Having made up her mind, Iris's healing smile gained a touch of determination.

"Zack, get up first." In the sacred and vibrant church, Iris, her face radiating holiness, reached out her hand to her lover.

"Okay!"

The big boy, laughing like a child, quickly got up from the ground and sat obediently on the church pew as usual. The air was filled with the scent of plants, allowing Zack to feel a happiness he could never experience outside, even with his eyes closed.

How fortunate he is in life.

Having colleagues from Shinra and lovers who love each other is the greatest fortune in this terrible era. For others, even begging on their knees wouldn't bring them peace and happiness.

"Zacks, leave Shinra."

Holding her lover's hand, Iris looked at Zack with deep affection.

"Huh? Is this a new joke? Hahaha, Iris, your jokes aren't funny at all!" Hearing Iris's request, Zack was taken aback at first, then slapped his thigh and burst into laughter. In his opinion, it was a terrible joke, but he could only laugh along to please his lover.

But this is no joke!

Iris stared intently at Zack, her deep brown eyes gleaming with a captivating light, possessing an undeniable magic in the darkness. Zack's smile froze; he realized Iris wasn't joking; she genuinely wanted him to leave Shinra.

Why?

Zack frowned, utterly perplexed. Iris had never expressed resistance or dislike towards his work at Shinra, so why was she suddenly asking to resign? And at such a crucial time, just before he was about to be recommended for First Class.

“If you knew the answer, you wouldn’t have resigned so easily, Zack. Believe me, Shinra isn’t as wonderful as you think. Get out of there as soon as possible, go anywhere…” Recalling the information the man in the suit had shown her about the deterioration of Shinra warriors, Iris felt a chill run down her spine.

Shinra is actually a crazy organization; if it's not crazy enough, it's impossible for it to compete with a mad planet.

"No way! There's no reason for this! Iris, you need to explain yourself clearly, or I won't resign!" Zack, his temper flaring, couldn't help but raise his voice. He had a dream! He wanted to become a great hero!

Not the kind of professional hero, but a great hero who walks upright in this world and shines brighter than anyone else!

"As expected, there's nothing I can do with you."

With a wry smile, Iris's expression held a hint of melancholy. As lovers, they understood each other; she knew Zack wasn't the kind of man who could be swayed by words. She had to demonstrate with facts to have any chance of success; otherwise, the inherently stubborn Zack would never be swayed.

"Let me tell you..."

Let me tell you the truth about the Shinra Warriors.

Shinra warriors use Mako energy as their source, undergoing dual evolution in both body and spirit with virtually no side effects. This sounds like a dream come true, but miracles and magic are never free. What lies behind the seemingly perfect profession of Shinra warrior?

Human deterioration!

Shinra warriors whose Mako energy isn't replenished in time, or whose Mako energy goes out of control, will irreversibly transform into grotesque and terrifying monsters within the Mako pod, inspiring fear and trembling just like the monsters that are born from them! And the fate of such Shinra warriors is self-evident… a cold experimental table? A garbage incinerator? Or a specimen library?

"You must be joking, there's no way such a thing could happen."

Covering his mouth, Zack's eyes widened. A cold sweat broke out on his back. He suddenly remembered the few reservists who had suddenly disappeared during basic training. Among those who vanished was a soldier with whom Zack had a good relationship.

This matter remained buried deep in Zack's heart; it was a knot in his heart.

Zack had also tried to find his friend, but was warned by Instructor Angel that there were certain things he absolutely could not know before he had sufficient authority, otherwise it would have adverse consequences.

If those companions really were corrupted...

"No, I have to go ask Angel!"

Zack stood up and instinctively tried to walk away, but Iris grabbed him after only a couple of steps. She knew that Zack was in a state of utter confusion, which was why he was acting so foolishly.

"Idiot, if you just ask them directly, doesn't that mean you already know Shinra's secret? In that case, you... might get killed by them!"

Zack's face turned deathly pale.

He knew the company's modus operandi. Once someone was deemed an enemy, they would be utterly crushed within the limits of what they could bear! It was clear how terrifyingly those monsters, criminals, and illegal organizations within Shinra's controlled areas were hunted down after being identified as enemies!

"No, this can't be true. There must be some misunderstanding! Everyone, including Angel, wouldn't be that kind of person!"

Zack instinctively felt something was wrong, but Iris saw his denial as evasion.

“Zacks, investigate quietly. If everything I know is true, you must be careful…! Because there are some things in Shinra that terrify me! Whatever you do, do not disturb them!” Iris’s face turned very pale when she mentioned the things that existed in Shinra.

Those frantic whispers, the malice emanating from the dark depths of the stars, the chaotic and disordered subterranean world—these things gathered together as if submitting, clustering beneath the throne. And upon the throne, what sat there—even with her special abilities, Iris dared not presume to overstep her bounds and spy upon it!

"...Sorry, I'm a little irritable right now."

Zack's expression shifted repeatedly, eventually regaining his usual energetic and sunny demeanor, but with a hint of melancholy. He wasn't someone who could hide his secrets, and it might not be long before someone noticed something was amiss.

“Iris, I believe the Shinra people wouldn’t be like that… I will find out everything.”

Chapter Sixty-Two Infiltration

"Your name is Claude?"

"Yes, it is."

"Don't be nervous, it's just a routine check. ... Your synchronization rate is very high, and maintaining a good schedule will prevent any problems." The female researcher in charge of the check smiled easily at Claude, who was quite reserved as he had only recently joined the company. These fresh faces are a precious resource; they'll turn into seasoned veterans if given enough time.

Claude forced a smile, but he still couldn't help feeling nervous.

On the other side, Zack, who was also undergoing a routine check-up, saw his junior's nervousness and gave him his usual energetic and sunny smile.

Don't worry!

"senior……"

The gloomy young Cloud looked at Zack in the sunlight, and as if touched by something, he involuntarily lowered his head. "What a dazzling sun," Cloud thought, turning his head away. Someone like him felt a stinging sensation from the sun just looking at Zack, a urge to escape.

The female researcher on one side glanced at Cloud, who was looking down, and then at Zack, automatically conjuring up a lot of forbidden love in her mind.

Hehehe, who will be the top and who will be the bottom between these two?

Just as some indescribable images were swirling in her mind, she subconsciously glanced at the mobile work platform, and then her expression changed slightly. She seemed somewhat surprised, yet also a little nervous, her expression unconsciously taking on a serious and earnest air; she skillfully concealed her emotions.

However, this scene was discovered by Zack, who possesses considerable strength.

Could it be...?

Zack seemed to have thought of something. Looking at the silent Cloud, his mind drifted back to what Iris had told him a few days ago about the degradation. Could it be such a coincidence? Zack's heart was filled with complex emotions, while Cloud remained oblivious, his head bowed in a daze.

………………

After the inspection, Claude headed towards the company bus as usual. Everything seemed normal, but as he passed through a crowded area, an unexpected voice called out to him.

"Claude, wait!"

"Hmm...?" Cloud was quite surprised to see Zack when he turned his head. "Zack-senpai? Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Don't speak, come with me."

Zack grabbed Cloud and cautiously glanced around. Seeing that few people were paying attention to him and Cloud, Zack pulled him away in another direction.

what's the situation? !