บท 222: Chapter 222

The little girl, only six years old, had dark-pink hair tied into twin ponytails. Her clothes were covered in patches, but the neat stitching suggested that someone took good care of her. Because of the 'Gastrea gene,' her appearance had been modified to be very cute, even if she couldn't always have a full stomach.

The 'Gastrea Gene' was created by humans who sought eternal life and godhood. However, it was unstable, akin to a ticking time bomb, often leading to genetic collapse. That was why humans attacked by 'Gastrea' would become 'Gastrea' themselves when infected. Human genes simply could not handle the 'Gastrea gene.'

Takumi had to give credit to the scientists who came up with such a powerful concept. The potential of the 'Gastrea Gene' could indeed lead to godhood, but the human body was incapable of bearing it. Those who were captured and trained as 'Initiators' aimed to master the 'Gastrea Gene.' When more than 30% of it was mastered, they could create a 'field' and reach physical feats no animal could achieve—like supersonic movement, mental oppression, or even conjuring lightning—comparable to the fourth stage of Gastrea.

Takumi opened the manhole cover and smiled. "My little sister, is your name Maria? Could I come in and hide too?" he asked warmly.

Maria blinked in curiosity. "How does big brother know my name?"

"It's not important," Takumi replied with a gentle smile. "Can't I come in?" He allowed a hint of sadness to show.

Maria looked at the distant city, filled with fire and smoke, and said innocently, "Brother, come in. The elder said that it's very dangerous outside." With that, the little girl retreated into the sewer, and Takumi jumped in after her.

Although it was an abandoned sewer, it was surprisingly clean without any foul odor. Candlelight shone dimly on the walls at the far end of the corridor. The little girl ran ahead, her sweet voice echoing, "Elder, there's a big brother here who wants to hide with us!"

Takumi followed Maria, her cute form disappearing down the corridor, while recalling scenes from the anime. The Tendo family, to enrich their pockets, reduced the content of 'Iride Metal' in the stone monuments, which allowed the fourth-stage Gastrea, Aldebaran, to attack along with the other Gastrea. To redirect the public's hatred, they spread propaganda blaming the 'Cursed Children.' Maria and dozens of other girls were ultimately targeted by thugs and killed in a bombing.

The elder who took care of them had survived, being farther away from the blast, but he ended up in the hospital, barely holding onto life. Takumi still remembered how that scene struck him, giving him an overwhelming urge to jump into the screen and punish the culprits himself.

When Takumi reached the end of the passage, he found a room that, while simple, had a bookshelf. The elder had clearly tried to educate the children, teaching them how to read and learn so they could one day live in the city. In the center of the room stood a kind-looking middle-aged man with glasses. In the corners, several young girls peeked out, looking curiously at Takumi.

Matsuzaki, the elder, looked at Takumi in shock. This young man was unnaturally handsome, almost ethereal, and he radiated an inexplicable aura that commanded respect. But he quickly gathered himself and asked, "Young man, are you here to take refuge?"

Matsuzaki looked down, a hint of sadness in his voice. "Though I must tell you, hiding here may not be enough to escape the angel's purge." He showed Takumi the 'Wind Element Mark' on his arm. This was the mark of the gods, and although Matsuzaki hadn't tested it, he felt assured that no one could harm him or the children before the arrival of the 'New Era.'

Takumi smiled, waving his hand dismissively. "Matsuzaki, you need not worry that I might be a threat. You've already guessed that I am not human, correct?" He held up a shimmering 'Eye of God,' playing with it as it hovered above his hand.

Matsuzaki nodded slowly. "Are you... an angel? Or perhaps even a god?" Gazing at Takumi's serene expression, Matsuzaki felt an inexplicable reverence emanating from the depths of his soul.

Maria peeked out from behind Matsuzaki and blinked her eyes, her small voice questioning, "Angel? Are you like the angels in heaven?"

Takumi couldn't help but be charmed by her innocence. He knelt down and gently patted her head. "That's right. But big brother here is much stronger than the angels in the sky," he said with a smile. "So, Maria, what's your wish? Big brother can help make it come true."

Maria's eyes lit up with excitement. "Really?"

"Really," Takumi assured her, smiling warmly. "Any wish you want."

Maria stood on her tiptoes, her voice filled with joy. "I want to eat delicious food every day..." She paused, her little hands waving hastily. "No, no—Maria wants everyone to have enough to eat, three meals a day!"

Hearing this, other children who had been hiding in the corner came out of hiding, eyes wide with hope.

"I want to try potato chips. I heard they are tastier than bread," one of them said.

"I want strawberries!"

"The chocolate Elder brought back last time was so yummy, I want it again," another chimed in.

Takumi looked at the group of eager girls surrounding him, their eyes shining with anticipation, and he couldn't help but laugh gently.

"Alright, everyone watch carefully—big brother is going to do some magic now," Takumi said, pulling out a magician's hat and placing it on his head. In a flash, his attire transformed into a tuxedo, causing the children to exclaim in delight.

"Wow!"

"Now, look at big brother's hands. See? Nothing in them, right?" He clapped his hands together, capturing their attention, and then swiped his arm. A tablecloth appeared out of nowhere.

"This tablecloth can create any delicious food in the world," he announced, draping it over a table.

Maria asked innocently, "Really? Then... I want a birthday cake! Elder said my birthday is in two days."

"Alright!" Takumi replied, and with a golden flash, a five-layered fruit cake appeared on the table.

"Fruit cake!"

"Wow! It's huge!"

"It smells amazing!"

The children stared in awe, but none of them made a move towards the cake. Instead, they looked at Takumi, patiently waiting for his permission.

Matsuzaki, on the other hand, was thunderstruck. This wasn't some trick or illusion; he had watched the cake materialize from the golden light. Any last doubts in his heart were dispelled—Takumi was truly divine.

But a question lingered in his mind—why had this god come here?