Great, we're doomed now!

[The giant...was defeated...]

We need to create more and stronger warriors!

Before that man returns—

The god Kirieloid will surely descend!

Chapter 384: The Kirieloid People with a Photogenic Aura (Two-in-One 8K)

The sun shines exceptionally warmly today, and the air is filled with a peaceful atmosphere, bringing tranquility to the heart.

"Good work."

"No, it's what I should do. Have a nice holiday... Goodbye, Ms. Yuki."

As the black luxury car drove away, Asuna Yuuki, carrying simple luggage, stood in front of her own mansion and couldn't help but pause in surprise.

However, in just over ten days since he returned, the Yuki family mansion has been expanded considerably. The original courtyard has been extended outwards by more than half, the carved iron gates are even more imposing, and the exterior walls have been repainted, exuding a grand and solemn feel.

This made her a little uncomfortable, because the Yuki family was not the kind of family that liked to show off; they had always been relatively low-key.

Since joining the Kuze Group, the family business has indeed been doing better and better, but it should not change its long-standing traditions because of this.

Her parents and brother shouldn't be the type to get carried away with success...

After pressing the doorbell, the security guard saw on the camera that it was the young lady returning. The door unlocked automatically, and Asuna pushed open the door and walked into the courtyard. The scenery inside was indeed quite different.

The greenery along the gravel path was neatly trimmed, and a faint floral fragrance filled the air. From the lawn to the flower beds, many of the plants must have been recently transplanted.

As she arrived at the front door, the housekeeper, who was in charge of managing the household affairs, came out of the house and immediately smiled when she saw her: "Miss is back? Quickly hand over your luggage to me."

"Long time no see." Asuna nodded in greeting and followed her into the house. "Is anyone else home?"

"The master and young master went out to discuss business early this morning and said they wouldn't be back until tonight," the nanny said while pouring tea. "Only the madam is home. If you're looking for her, you can go to the study."

Asuna took the teacup and sipped it. It was indeed a familiar taste, and the temperature was just right for her. This gave her a feeling of nostalgia, and the previous sense of unease dissipated considerably.

Working at Jiushijia was like living at school in high school; I only went home once every ten days or so. But it was definitely more reassuring to be here... Now that I have some free time, I shouldn't think about work these few days and should just rest.

"How is Mom doing lately? Is she still healthy?"

"Of course, and Madam misses the eldest young lady very much. Although she hasn't said it directly, everyone feels that she must have someone she cares about."

"After all, my mother is very strict with me, and she wouldn't allow me to show my weak side."

Then I, as the daughter, will take the initiative to greet you.

Asuna put down her teacup. She did miss her mother a little. After all, she was just a child and had never been away from her parents for such a long time before.

The girl with long flaxen hair went straight to her mother's study, knocked on the door but received no answer. She gently pushed the door open, and the study was empty except for sunlight streaming through the French windows onto the documents on the desk. Everything was neatly arranged, as if no one had just been working there.

"Isn't he/she here?"

Asuna looked around, then aimlessly walked to the window, subconsciously looking out, wondering if her mother was taking a walk in the courtyard.

A quick glance revealed her mother, Kyoko Yuuki, carrying a dark cloth bag, hurrying across the courtyard with a focused expression as she entered the storage room in the corner.

"what?"

Asuna felt a sense of doubt. The storage room was usually filled with gardening tools and was rarely opened; it was dark and damp inside. Her mother was always very clean and particular about her appearance, and rarely even went near it. Why would she go there specifically today?

Curiosity drove her downstairs and she quietly walked to the vicinity of the storage room.

Before even getting close, you can vaguely hear soft, intermittent sounds coming from inside, like someone muttering something in a low voice, but it's hard to make out clearly.

It seems like Kyoko is talking to someone.

Asuna stopped in her tracks, a hint of wariness flashing through her mind. Although she didn't think she would encounter any danger at home, she still subconsciously touched her right wrist—there was a small, delicate silver bracelet there.

Although she wasn't wearing a full power suit at the time, she had a specially made sports vest and safety pants under her regular clothes, which looked no different from ordinary clothes. However, as long as the wristband was activated, the function could be awakened, turning it into a simplified version of the power suit, which greatly enhanced her athletic ability.

Combined with the fighting skills she learned in the virtual world and the Kuse family, she was confident that she could hold her own against the Crow People even if she encountered them again.

Of course, she was probably overthinking it. Her family has always been innocent, and the Yuuki clan has absolutely no connection with supernatural forces.

squeak~

Quietly push open the old wooden door of the storage room, leaving only a narrow crack to peek inside—

Upon seeing this, she was instantly stunned.

The room, which was originally cluttered with miscellaneous items, was now spotless. The floor was covered with clean cushions, and a brand-new image of the Virgin Mary hung under the ventilation window. On either side of the image were two small angel statues, and in front of the statues was an incense burner, from which wisps of smoke rose.

Her mother, Kyoko Yuuki, knelt on the front cushion, her hands clasped together, a string of prayer beads wrapped between her fingers, her eyes closed, praying softly with an expression of utmost piety.

Three servants from the house were kneeling beside her, mimicking Kyoko's movements and muttering something, creating a solemn yet eerie atmosphere.

Ugh?

Asuna had never known that her mother had religious beliefs. In her memory, Kyoko had always been strong and capable, managing all the affairs of the family, and always calm and composed. She had never seen her mother so devout... or rather, vulnerable.

Moreover, if it's just about having faith, why not just go to a church or set up a special chapel? Why make it seem like a secret activity?

This is not the Tokugawa Shogunate era anymore!

(The Tokugawa Shogunate prohibited the spread of Christianity, which could only be organized secretly in private and was called "Kirishitan".)

Incidentally, to avoid detection, some people would use Guanyin statues instead of Virgin Mary statues, directly influencing later Buddhist and Catholic beliefs. Even today, one can still see statues of these deities that are indistinguishable from each other.

Asuna was so engrossed in watching that she accidentally bumped the door panel, and the old metal door hinges made a creaking, dull friction sound.

The prayers inside stopped abruptly, and Kyoko Yuuki turned her head sharply, her gaze sweeping across the crack in the door.

——!

In that instant, Asuna clearly felt a chilling hostility and an inexplicable terror, causing her to subconsciously take a half-step back.

But that feeling vanished in an instant. Kyoko quickly put on a gentle smile and said to the door, "Is that Asuna? When did you get back?"

The people who were praying also got up, straightened their clothes, put on friendly expressions, and went forward to open the door to greet the young lady.

Kyoko gestured for the maid to leave first, then walked to the door and gently hugged Asuna.

The girl was flattered and overwhelmed!

This gesture would be considered "too intimate" by her mother; she wouldn't normally be so carried away.

"Mom, you..." Asuna pulled away, looked at her mother, and didn't know what to say for a moment.

Kyoko smiled and gently stroked her hair, her tone natural: "You just got back and you've already discovered Mom's little secret?"

She didn't explain much, but simply closed the door to the storage room.

"Let's go inside and talk."

Back in the living room, Kyoko asked Asuna to sit down, her tone more affectionate than usual: "Is your work at the Kuze family going well? Have you been wronged? How has Lord Kuze... no, how has Ms. Ruri treated you?"

"It went very smoothly. Ruri-nee took good care of me, as did Kei and Miko... I also got along very well with my classmates."

Asuna answered truthfully, but the strange feeling in her heart grew stronger and stronger.

Her mother's gaze just now, and her sudden identity as a believer, made her feel uneasy, but looking at her mother's gentle smile, she didn't know how to ask.

Kyoko inquired a few more times about her daily life, and then chatted about the recent situation at home. Her tone remained kind and gentle, as if the prayer she had just given in the storage room was just an ordinary little thing that wasn't worth mentioning.

Asuna looked at her mother's profile and felt that something had changed...

She hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help but ask, "Mother, were you praying in the storeroom just now? I never knew you had any faith."

Kyoko Yuuki picked up her teacup, took a sip, and said calmly, "I wasn't enlightened before, but I've only recently started to have some insights."

She put down her teacup, changed the subject, and her eyes became serious.

"Let's not talk about that. Asuna, have you ever thought about why the world suddenly became like this?"

"Now"

Asuna paused, then quickly realized what Kyoko was referring to, and nodded: "There are indeed big differences, but it has nothing to do with faith..."

"Monsters and aliens have suddenly appeared, and their numbers are far greater than those announced. Many videos can be found online, although some have been deleted by the government. Everyone knows that the world is undergoing a huge transformation."

Monsters that used to only appear in stories are now appearing one after another…

Kyoko sighed softly, her tone carrying an inexplicable certainty: "None of this happened without a reason!"

"Mom, what do you mean by that?" Asuna felt a sense of unease.

“You must have heard of the Chinese Yin-Yang theory, right?” Kyoko said slowly. “Black and white are interdependent, where there is light there is shadow, and the appearance of monsters must be because there is something corresponding that attracts them.”

Could it be that...?

Asuna's heart raced slightly as a bad feeling crept into her mind, but her gaze remained fixed on Kyoko's eyes—she was so unfamiliar; this was unlike her mother.

Before she could speak, Kyoko said directly, "The source that attracts the monsters."

"How could that be!" Asuna immediately retorted, "TPC was established to protect world peace. They've been fighting monsters and protecting everyone!"

Kyoko shook her head, her eyes filled with an undeniable stubbornness: "World peace is a false proposition."

She looked at Asuna, her tone calm yet revealing a strange logic.

"Human beings have always progressed through division and competition; uniting together goes against the laws of nature."

Think about it, once humanity loses its internal checks and balances, it will recklessly disrupt the balance of nature and expand its living space. The appearance of monsters is to stop all of this; it is the will of God in the unseen realm.

Asuna frowned, her worry growing stronger: "God? What god? Our Holy Mother would never send monsters to harm humans."

"Mom, you haven't joined some weird cult, have you?"

“It’s not a cult.” Kyoko’s tone remained gentle, but her eyes revealed a hint of fanaticism. “This era is too chaotic, and it will only get more chaotic in the future. I just want to protect my family. As long as we follow God’s guidance, the Yuuki family, including you, will be safe and sound.”

Asuna opened her mouth, but didn't know how to refute it—her mother was very domineering at home, and she was used to being an obedient daughter.

The girl took a deep breath to calm herself down and looked at Kyoko seriously: "Mother, my future ambition is to work at TPC after graduating from university."

"Huh?" Kyoko asked in surprise. "You... this is the first time you've told me about your life plans, right?"

"Yes, because I knew that Mother would prepare a perfect life for me, so I have been waiting for your instructions all along, but now it's different."

Asuna pressed her hand to her chest and straightened her back: "I understand. In this chaotic era, it's not enough to just go with the flow. People must have the strength to protect themselves... and the courage to make changes."

Dear Mother, I also want to protect this family, you, Father, Brother... but I don't believe what you say, I only believe what I see.

That is, TPC is truly working for all of humanity!

I've been at Kuse-tsai for a while now, and I've had contact with many of the group's core departments, so I can say without hesitation—

Only they can do it!