Tonight, Alice joins the hunt.

“Third,” the puppet strings transformed into a massive vortex, its center a chaotic mess, “not abandoning either, but fusing them together. Like creating an annihilation reactor. Positive and negative forces counteract each other, triggering the most intense physical reaction. This is the purest destructive power, less survivable than the other two, and lacking in sustained combat ability. And considering you might not have the mental capacity to control the annihilation reaction, you'll need special processing devices during combat until you strengthen your brain to a sufficient level, or unlock the next stage of your genetic lock. However, with so many limitations, this path also offers the most powerful short-term burst of power.”

So, which one do you choose?

Author's Note:

..........................................

The power system hasn't collapsed; at least until now, it's still within the scope of my outline.

The final three questions were essentially a vote, although it seems fine for the gorilla to continue its mission of creating the world. However, we're also considering a different strategy; perhaps that wouldn't be a bad idea.

Chapter 35 - I Want Them All.jpg

Zheng Zha made a wise choice, a greedy choice. A choice hidden in Alice's words, yet unspoken, but undeniably real.

Alice gave him three options, but did not say that he could only choose one of them.

So……

"I choose to take a three-pronged approach."

"You really are a greedy person. Don't you know that you can't bite off more than you can chew?" Alice smiled, but there was no hint of sarcasm in her smile.

"I must tell you beforehand that the power system I possess may not be stronger than the enhancements provided by the Supreme God. The future is also not necessarily bright. I can indeed purify the two powers within you while simultaneously constructing a plan to fuse them into one. But the outcome may not be as satisfactory as desired."

She used three "maybe"s, and her expression became very serious. Her gaze, like a burning flame, was fixed on Zheng Zha's eyes, trying to see through his true thoughts.

—Is it wishful thinking? Or is the mind already made up?

“I’ve made up my mind.” Zheng Zha’s eyes met Alice’s without the slightest hesitation. “Actually, I should thank you, Margot Lloyd. I realized during the last horror movie that my two enhancements were conflicting, and if it wasn’t resolved, something terrible would happen sooner or later.”

"But this is the Reincarnation Space! Which of the reward points and side quests doesn't require risking your life to earn? To decisively give up half of my power... even knowing that it will play a significant role in the future, I really can't make that decision. Because I really don't know if I will die in the next horror movie because of this temporary weakening of my power."

“So…” He looked earnestly at Alice. “Please lend me a hand, Margot Lloyd! I cannot relinquish this greed. I must become stronger, stronger, the strongest! Strong enough to protect my comrades forever!”

Alice gently closed her eyes, then opened them.

"The technique of demonizing vampires is the result of my friend's observation and summary of two high-ranking vampires over a long period of time. The Celestial Martial Arts is the conclusion I reached after summarizing and organizing the enhancement data provided to me by martial artists, Qi cultivators, and immortals I know. As for fusion, it is a scheme I deduced based on the principle of the magic furnace - that is, the annihilation of matter and antimatter."

"These three are all unfinished research projects of mine. If I only implement one of them, my success rate is over 90%. But if I do all three at the same time, the success rate is at most 50%. It's either success or failure; there's no option of half-success, and if you fail, there's no chance to survive... You will definitely die, and the entire Zhongzhou team will be wiped out due to the loss of its main combat force. Are you sure you really want to do this?"

“A man’s word is his bond,” Zheng Zha chuckled, then mimicked Zhang Jie by pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. “I have a pretty good idea of ​​why things turned out this way. Zhang Jie has his reasons, and I don’t blame him. Those newcomers were caught in the middle, and I don’t blame them either. But no matter what, I’m still the captain of the Zhongzhou team. As captain, I have to take responsibility.”

"...Xiao Honglu has already analyzed it for you?"

Zheng Zha slightly turned his head, avoiding Alice's gaze. "No."

He immediately followed up with, "Margot Royd, just tell me the truth: what are our chances of winning? I mean, if we go straight into battle with our current configuration."

“About 10%,” Alice replied. “It could change depending on the situation. If that woman doesn’t go to Cairo, and the Supreme God doesn’t restrict our movement, our chances of survival will be less than four decimal places in about a week.”

"Adding this won't work either?" Zheng Zha tapped the floating fortress with his toes. The central square, engraved with numerous patterns, faintly emitted a mottled seven-colored light.

"Not counting Hamnata, our chances of survival are now less than four decimal places."

"What else is there to say?" Zheng Zha smiled wryly. "Come on, I'm ready. What's next? An injection or surgery?"

“No need for that.” Alice clapped her hands gently.

The next moment, a blurry female silhouette appeared in the sky above the plaza. She spread her emerald green wings, and azure feathers of light drifted down. Meanwhile, sacred patterns appeared on the plaza's surface. A serene atmosphere filled the vast space.

"Isis is the guardian of the dead and the chief of life and health."

Zheng Zha felt a surge of power well up within him, instantly sweeping away the fatigue from modifying the floating fortress and the minor injuries. His mind cleared, his blood began to boil, and a voice suddenly rang in his heart, urging him to fight.

He suddenly reached out, and a burst of crimson flame erupted. The second stage of his genetic lock also quietly unlocked, causing his muscles to swell violently, instantly making him a head taller!

"This is a life domain released through the divine name of Isis. Here, even fatal injuries such as severed limbs or damaged heart and lungs can be healed in a very short time. I have also set up a transmission channel between the simulated magic furnace of Hamunaptra and the energy in your body. In other words, you will not get tired, you are not afraid of injury, your energy can be regarded as relatively infinite, and your genetic lock can always be kept open."

Alice explained slowly and deliberately, as multicolored light began to appear around her. Dozens of puppet strings also began to swirl, cutting through the air around her like planetary rings.

“I’ve realized that language and formulas can’t make you understand how to use this new power before we get to Cairo. For a student like you, the best way is to experience it firsthand, feel it, become familiar with it, and then make it your own in battle.”

"Huh?" Zheng Zha blinked, looking completely bewildered.

"Try to live on." A dangerous, razor-sharp smile played on the girl's lips. "The message of power will be directly transmitted to your brain. And I will fight you with all my might. After all, we don't have much time left."

"Wait! Margot Royd! I need to do some mental preparation—"

The next moment, the entire square was enveloped in endless light and explosions.

—Endless.

..................................................................

Cairo, in the desert 200 kilometers to the south.

High Priest Imhotep followed the woman in white from the Indiana team, his head bowed and his expression humble. The curse on him had been completely removed, and a power several times stronger than in his prime surged within him. But beside the woman in white, he dared not even breathe deeply. For it would be disrespectful, it would be blasphemy.

She is a goddess, a ruler, and the gateway to the afterlife in mythology. As a servant of the goddess, he naturally had to remain humble.

God stopped in his tracks.

“Imhotep.” The sacred voice echoed in the high priest’s ears. “Take out the Book of the Sun and recite the incantation that will bury you.”

This was God's will, and Imhotep carried it out without hesitation. The sky darkened the next moment, and the chariots of Hades roared as they emerged from the clouds, their scythe-wielding attendants of death shouting that they would carry the unclean to their deaths!

God's gaze fell upon the chariot of the underworld.

Even the invisible ghost horse let out a terrified scream, and Death's servant, in fear, dropped his scythe and tried to flee back to the underworld by pulling on the reins. However, his limbs stiffened, and a faint, multicolored light gradually emanated from his empty pupils. The ghost horse also quieted down, kneeling obediently on the sand, awaiting its true master.

God mounted his chariot and pointed his finger due north.

Cairo.

The chariot of the underworld began to move, rushing into the sea of ​​clouds.

Behind the carriage, tens of thousands of black-clad tomb guardians followed silently, each with a glimmer of mixed colors in their eyes.

Section 36. Doors should not be kicked carelessly.

Confused and puzzled.

Zhao Yingkong walked along the empty corridor, her heart filled with confusion and bewilderment.

You possess immense power, yet it's locked deep within your heart. That must be another personality of yours… no, perhaps it's more than just multiple personality disorder.

You are not just yourself.

Alice's voice still echoed in Zhao Yingkong's ears. She had taught Zhao Yingkong a method, a method of changing herself through self-suggestion, thereby triggering a hidden power within her. And with Zhao Yingkong's comprehension, learning it was something she could do in just a few minutes.

So, should we use it?

Do you want to use it now?

The real battle is imminent, but we must take control of our own power.

But...

She looked out of the corridor, where the gray-white clouds crashed against the protective shield held together by the floating monuments, shattering into pieces like ocean waves. The entire Hamunaptra resembled a giant narwhal, freely roaming in the sea of ​​clouds.

Freedom... what a wonderful word.

The Supreme God only brings the desperate to the cycle of reincarnation. But can I, in reality, truly be considered desperate? There should still be hatred in my heart, but is that hatred... truly mine?

Zhao Yingkong realized this long ago. Her memories were wrong, her strength was wrong, her learning ability was wrong, and her growth potential was wrong. In fact, after arriving in the Main God Space, her skills had only declined, not improved. Her genetic lock was also stuck at the first stage without any change—how could someone like her become the sharpest blade in the Eastern assassin family?

I don't understand.

Confused, lost.

She leaned against the edge of the corridor, watching the enormous shadow cast by the floating Hamunaptra across the desert move northward, seemingly slowly but actually rapidly. She watched as the cold wind between the clouds was torn apart by the protective barrier, producing a sharp sound.

She saw travelers leading camels kneeling before Hamunaptra on the ground, and saw small desert animals scattering in terror, trying to escape this huge and dangerous 'predator'. She saw dark clouds appearing in the far distance, with lightning flashing and thunder swirling within them.

In just one or two days, the once weak Central Continent team had grown to this extent. Under this overwhelming power, which was like a natural disaster, their once-proud assassination skills were no more than mosquito bites. However, even with such immense power, in the mouth of the witch named Alice, they were still considered the weaker party.

Alice.

Alice Margot Royd.

Zhao Yingkong didn't dislike Alice, but she certainly didn't like her either. The pain from their two defeats was not something that could be easily dismissed, although it didn't stop the two from fighting side by side on the battlefield.

"But can I really join that kind of battlefield now?" The young assassin looked at her fair and slender hands, a bitter smile appearing on her face.

You have to make a decision, but it doesn't necessarily have to be now.

There's still at least one night before we arrive in Cairo. I still have time to think and consider things.

She let out a soft breath and removed her hands from the edge of the corridor. Her steps shifted, heading towards the room that was meant for her to rest.

Zhan Lan has not yet woken up. Zhang Jie and Zheng Zha are nowhere to be found. The three new recruits are also staying quietly in their respective rooms. Ling Dian is familiarizing himself with the modified gun and special ammunition provided by Alice. Xiao Honglu is engrossed in reading various ancient Egyptian documents and books.

So... what did Saito Hajime go to do?

The assassin girl stopped as she passed the room of the young man from Northeast China. She hesitated for a moment, wanting to knock on the door but unable to reach out her hand.

What should I say? What should I do?

I was bored, so I came here to see if there were any other people as confused as me?

She couldn't help but shake her head with a wry smile, and reached out to push down the wooden door in front of her.

However, the next moment, a foul-smelling wind rushed towards them!

What's this!?

She instinctively swung the Fang of Netherfire, but felt a tremendous impact upon impact. She retreated, and the gust of wind followed, the strange hook claws swinging faster than her hands!

Zhao Yingkong's eyes immediately went blank. After unlocking her genetic lock, she narrowly avoided the claw attack. She slid to the side, took a breath, and slashed, flames erupting from the Netherfire Fang.

She felt as if she had struck something strange. It was like cowhide, but tougher than cowhide. It was like rubber, but smoother than rubber. Even the sharp fangs of hellfire could not penetrate the creature's defenses, yet the flashing flames allowed her to see the attacker's form clearly.

It was a strange creature, entirely brownish-yellow in color, with a head resembling a horse's, but with wings on its back. It possessed sharp claws and a powerful tail. Its constantly shifting eyes represented intelligence, while the sharp teeth in its mouth indicated its wide-ranging diet.

Zhao Yingkong had never seen such a creature before. She had no memory of it, nor of it in any books she had read. It seemed impossible for anything to grow on Earth; its body appeared streamlined, but every line was filled with disharmony, grotesqueness, and distortion, making it unbearable.

She felt the amulet hanging around her neck heating up. It was an amulet Alice had created to protect against mental pollution, and the heat meant she was currently under attack!

Just then, a series of strange whispers suddenly came from the room. They sounded like Hebrew, yet also like some unique dialect from deep within inland China. And with these whispers, the monster slowly retreated, disappearing into the shadows without a trace.

Zhao Yingkong finally let out a long breath. The sweat from unlocking the genetic lock instantly soaked her back.

“This is a Heavenly Demon.” A hoarse, deep, yet somewhat familiar voice came from inside the room. A tall, thin figure then came into Zhao Yingkong’s view. “You should have knocked, and I remember I specifically locked the door.”