https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-137-Earth-s-Wasteland-Chapter-Iii-/13546844/
Chapter 136: Earth Wasteland Arc (Part Two)
Chapter 136: Earth Wasteland Arc (Part Two)
Humanity, human civilization, the lands where humankind thrives—these rise and fall in endless cycles. No matter how brilliant a character, how glorious an achievement, or how prosperous an era, all will eventually be forgotten by the passage of time.
No monument stands forever, for all will crumble.
No story remains eternally praised, for humanity will always write new epics.
"Old Earth", or "First Earth", is precisely such a place being gradually forgotten...
One peaceful night in the 22nd century, astronomers peering through the clear lenses of the Palomar Mountain Observatory in America and the Arecibo Telescope in Puerto Rico were stunned to discover a new bright spot in the sky. It was clearly visible near Pluto's orbit. Observatories in Russia and Sweden soon confirmed the phenomenon, speculating that an unexplained small Meteor Strike of unknown origin was hurtling toward the Solar System.
Some newspapers ran brief articles about this celestial body, while news agencies merely mentioned it in passing. For most people, astronomical news paled in comparison to celebrity gossip.
Days later, astronomers observed the region with growing tension and curiosity, speculating on what would unfold. They found... the Meteor Strike's scale and brightness increased at an astonishing rate. Now, even ordinary photographic plates could clearly capture its image. The closer it approached Pluto, the more anxious the scientists became. Even in the 22nd century, a celestial collision so near to humanity's doorstep was unimaginable. However, at the time, the absolute distance between the two bodies still seemed vast.
When the unimaginable quickly shifted into the realm of possibility, global media finally focused on this unfolding cosmic drama. Even school students created orbital charts proving humanity could only watch helplessly as the Meteor Strike barreled toward Pluto.
Soon, the entire world reported the event. The anticipated collision never occurred. Instead, as the Meteor Strike passed Pluto, it dragged the entire dwarf planet into its blazing mass...
The two celestial bodies fused into a colossal, dazzling white sphere visible to the naked eye from Earth.
Now, beyond the Sun and Moon, a new celestial body appeared, regularly rising and setting with Earth's rotation. Every night, people watched its ascent, gradually realizing each time it rose... it grew larger.
Suspicion and fear spread among humanity. Questions like, "Why did the Meteor Strike specifically come here when the universe is so vast?" emerged. Asking such questions was foolish, akin to wondering why one's birth succeeded while billions of other possibilities failed.
Scientists explained astrophysics concepts on news programs, sharing research findings. Wave after wave of reports confirmed the same truth: this interloper invading the Solar System would inevitably head toward the Sun. Only gravitational pulls between planets might alter its destructive course. Either way, Earth's doomsday had arrived.
But then, the unexpected happened.
Imagine Earth receiving a death sentence with a temporary reprieve.
After consuming Pluto, the fireball slowed, halting at a relatively safe distance. Like the Sun's twin brother, it scorched the world. Winter vanished. The coldest seasons felt like early summer.
As one dawn ended, the next illuminated the sky with blinding brilliance—a relentless, hellish heatwave scorching the planet. No one knew how long this would last, but melting polar ice caps reminded humanity: Earth was no longer safe.
Optimists, skeptics, the desperate, and the mad reacted differently. Earth plunged into unprecedented confusion. The apocalypse had finally arrived in tangible form—not the "environmental crisis", "alien invasion", or "deadly virus" from movies or casual fears. It hung in the sky daily, declaring the end was nigh.
Ironically, this "reprieve" united humanity. In the following decade, technological progress surpassed the previous two centuries.
At last, humans set aside skin color, race, nationality, and faith, uniting for the shared goal of survival. They pooled their greatest scientific knowledge, experts, and resources without reservation.
Twenty years later, humanity took its first step toward interstellar colonization. The first "Ark-class" mothership launched beyond the atmosphere, carrying one million souls. Then came the second, the third...
When escape became humanity's only hope, true nature emerged. Earth erupted into war, ending with 93% of the population and artificial infrastructure destroyed.
Twenty-seven years later, the "doomsday" ended as abruptly as a joke—with no one laughing.
The Meteor Strike suddenly veered 90 degrees, reaccelerated, and left the Solar System. No one understood why. Perhaps it wasn't a Meteor Strike at all, but an alien vessel, some special life form, or an unknown god testing humanity.
In the end, when humans gained the ability to flee Earth, the threat vanished. The bitter irony? Humanity's own nuclear war had already ravaged the planet, rendering it uninhabitable.
Thankfully, critical jump technology had been mastered. Interstellar travel was no longer fantasy. Survivors aboard the Arks found a new home—a lifeless world in the Milky Way nearly identical to Old Earth, untouched by intelligent life—"New Earth", or "Second Earth."
In 2386 AD, a breakthrough technology called "Ant" emerged—microscopic nanotech drones capable of repairing biological cells.
Initially, "Ant" restored amputees' limbs or treated spinal injuries. Even those paralyzed for decades with severe muscle atrophy recovered fully.
When "Ant" revived a mountaineer frozen dead on a snowy peak for years, the technology gained global attention. Humanity turned its gaze back to First Earth...
From 2401 AD, a few human "ancestors" from Old Earth were resurrected. Historical truths and lost civilizations answered countless mysteries.
This became a wave lasting half a century without slowing...
In 2455 AD, a Level-4 catamaran transport ship named Grendel arrived at Old Earth. A scientific team discovered two cryogenic lifeforms at Crystal Lake Laboratory and brought them aboard. One was the female researcher Rowan; the other, Jason Voorhees—the immortal killing demon.
They didn't know that on that same day, the Grendel wasn't the only visitor to the Crystal Lake basement levels. Another team with hidden motives followed the scientists to this location. Only after the research team departed did these strangers enter the laboratory...
"Didn't expect this... We've run into strong opponents", Final Strike muttered.
"Kuangzong Jianying of the 'Swords and Laughter' duo is indeed a formidable adversary", Doom Strike added.
The two members of Shi Dao Studio both had crew cuts, pale complexions, and emotionless expressions. Their voices were quiet, their tones even. They wore green-and-black uniforms resembling modified Star Trek uniforms. On the left chest of each uniform was the Shidao emblem - a meticulously crafted skeletal scimitar with the black Chinese characters for "Shidao" beneath it.
"Is this Mad Feng Jue guy also a master from 'Jianghu'? I've never heard of him before..." Doom Strike frowned. "Feels strange meeting this combination, doesn't it, Bu Jue?"
Final Strike nodded. "Indeed suspicious... According to this game's rules, the power disparity between teams shouldn't be extreme. Though Kuangzong Jianying is two levels below us, his strength rivals both of ours combined. But this Mad Bu Jue character is only level 16..."
"So you're saying..." Doom Strike's eyes narrowed. "The system actually considers their duo's combined strength equal to two level 19 players like us?"
"Hmph... Something must've gone wrong", Final Strike crossed his arms. "Could this unknown Mad Bu Jue actually be Kuangzong Jianying's equal? If so, there's only one possibility - he's some celebrity-class player using a new nickname in Terrifying Paradise."
"That makes sense", Doom Strike agreed. "Probably some Jianghu defector from another studio, rebranded with a new ID and partnering Kuangzong. Explains why we're facing two lower-level players in a 2v2 match."
"Actually not bad", Final Strike smirked. "Finally encountering opponents below our level in kill mode - victory should be straightforward."
"Mmm..." Doom Strike nodded. "Still, even if we know we'll win, we can't get complacent. Notice how our Vitality Value is slowly draining? This scenario must have a time limit. If they use stalling tactics to avoid direct combat, this becomes a contest of Vitality Value Regenerator efficiency and medicinal item consumption. Without concrete HP values, just percentages, our advantage disappears completely if it turns into a hide-and-seek game."
"Exactly my thoughts. We should finish this quickly", Final Strike agreed. "With our level advantage and 'that drug'... Losing would be unforgivable."
Meanwhile, Feng Bu Jue led the way down the corridor with his steel cleaver, Kuangzong Jianying silently shadowing him. Feng Bu Jue activated his [Casey Jones Mask]. While not an actual gas mask, it helped filter the toxic atmosphere.
"Consumption combat favors us", Feng Bu Jue rasped through his mask, voice muffled. "How do you mean?" Kuangzong Jianying asked. "Using ranged attacks or traps to harass?"
"Not necessarily", Feng Bu Jue shook his head. "Simply avoiding them counts as consumption too."
Kuangzong Jianying paused, then grinned. "Ah, the environment's indiscriminate vitality drain effect?"
"Exactly", Feng Bu Jue coughed. "Higher levels mean more base vitality, but percentage-based losses make them equal for both teams." They'd just compared stats minutes ago - a level difference, yet both at 95% vitality with synchronized percentage drops to the second. Proving the toxic environment drained vitality equally regardless of level.
"Hmph", Kuangzong Jianying smirked. "How many Vitality Value Regenerators do you carry?"
"Four medium capacity bottles", Feng Bu Jue replied.
"And I have more", Kuangzong Jianying shrugged. "What if one of them specializes in medical proficiency? Your 'consumption strategy' would play directly into their hands."
"I said start with consumption, not finish with it", Feng Bu Jue countered. "I simply suggest not rushing into direct confrontation. If you wanted pure close-quarters combat, you'd have partnered a pure combat specialist instead of me."
Kuangzong Jianying opened his mouth to reply, but a guttural growl cut him off. Feng Bu Jue immediately froze.
The two silently shifted into defensive positions, backs to each other, holding their breath as they strained to locate the source of the sinister sound.
(End of Chapter)
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