章節 11: Dea's Demise and the Apocalypse Realm

There were all on the news

Moderator : Good morning, everyone. Today's roundtable focuses on a pressing question: What would the world look like if we prioritized health, food, and global wealth over military spending?

Dr. Carter (Economist) : From an economic standpoint, the redirect of such immense resources would likely result in a significant economic boom. Think of the job opportunities in health research, agriculture, infrastructure, and sustainable energy.

Ms. Okafor (Agricultural Expert) : Agreed. The possibilities in agritech alone are vast. Improved food production and distribution can help address global hunger and malnutrition, especially in vulnerable regions.

Mr. Huang (Public Health Expert) : Not just food but think of the advancements we could make in healthcare. Eradicating diseases, improving maternal health, and increasing global life expectancy.

Prof. Ramirez (Political Scientist) : The question is about political will. Historically, nations have prioritized defense because of perceived threats. Changing this mindset won't be overnight.

Ms. Patel (Sustainability Expert) : But imagine the benefits for the planet. This isn't just about human welfare but also environmental welfare. More funds can lead to cleaner energy solutions, reforestation efforts, and better conservation methods.

Mr. Cohen (Military Historian) : It's essential to remember that the military isn't just for warfare. Many nations deploy their armed forces for disaster relief, peacekeeping missions, and more. A balance is necessary.

Ms. Andersson (Social Scientist) : An essential factor here is societal impact. By prioritizing health and wealth, we are indirectly investing in education, reducing crime, and fostering community growth.

Dr. Silva (Environmental Scientist) : And don't forget the environment. A healthier planet means a healthier populace. Cleaner water, purer air, and a more stable climate can result from these shifts in priorities.

***

The aroma of instant noodles wafted through the air, blending perfectly with the scent of freshly brewed coffee. The camp was surprisingly stocked with an abundance of these noodles, each pack boasting rich flavors that danced on my tongue. With a cup of robust instant coffee in hand, the day seemed poised to start on a promising note.

I glanced over at Dea, my ever-dependable companion. "How's the data transfer coming along?" I inquired, taking another sip of the warming drink.

Dea's form flickered slightly, "So far, everything is proceeding without a hitch. All the vast information from our world is being transferred to the Master DNA. My nano storage simply doesn't have the capacity to handle such immense data."

I paused, processing her words. "Hold on, will that be risky? Embedding all that data into my DNA?"

Dea's response was reassuringly clinical. "Not at all. It only requires a few drops of your blood, perhaps some strands of hair—essentially, any source of DNA will suffice. The entirety of Earth's online data will be seamlessly copied and saved into your genetic structure. For your information, Using DNA's four nucleotide bases (A, C, G, T), it encodes digital data (0s and 1s) in a compact and enduring form. Just one gram can hold a whopping 215 petabytes(215 million gigabytes)! Unlike traditional storage that degrades or becomes obsolete, DNA stands the test of time."

She continued with a hint of pride, "The data compression techniques here seem archaic. I've managed to compress a million terabytes into a mere 10 bytes, transitioning from a binary language to a quantum system."

I held up my hands in mock surrender. "You're talking way above my head with all that high-tech jargon. You'll need to give me a crash course later. For now, I've got tasks on my plate."

I was set on giving the wooden camp a thorough clean-up. Clearing away the remnants of past inhabitants and assessing what resources lay hidden within its confines was a priority.

However, in the midst of my thoughts, a realization jolted me. "Dea!" I exclaimed, nearly spilling my coffee. "The girl from yesterday—did she attempt to contact me again or leave any messages?"

Dea paused for a moment, searching her databases. "No communication from her end," she confirmed. "However, you did specify that you didn't want to be disturbed during your rest."

I sighed, leaning against the wooden pillar of the camp. "True, but that's just a tactic, you know? It's like saying NO but the other meaning is 'please, chase after me' or 'prove how much you care'. If she's truly into me, she'd have made a stronger effort."

Dea blinked in confusion. "I'm sorry, I don't quite grasp the concept," she admitted.

I offered a resigned smile. "It's alright." My tone turned somber.

***

In the amber light of the waning day, rays of sunshine danced through the labyrinth of leaves, revealing an enigmatic elder who appeared amid a swirl of silvery mist. His argent locks cascaded like liquid moonlight, and his gaze was a constellation of ancient wisdom. Peering down at me, sprawled on a timeworn mat in a cozy woodland cabin, he quipped, "Still breathing, young one? Fortune favors you."

Rising with a stretch and a roguish smile, I retorted, "You certainly took your time. Where's the next stop on this cosmic journey?"

The elder's grin turned mischievous. "Ah, according to our unique pact, your next destination is Shangrila—an astral amphitheater teeming with champions from the furthest reaches of existence. Each a paragon from their home world, all vying for the coveted mantle of Supreme Being of the Cosmos."

My eyes widened, disbelief coloring their depths.

With a flourish, the old man conjured an ethereal screen, displaying a surreal panorama. The scene erupted into a chaotic spectacle featuring celestial giants swinging cosmic hammers, agile elves shooting stardust-laced arrows, technologically-sophisticated aliens using beam weapons, and wizards summoning whirlwinds of fire and ice. It was a theater of cosmic combat.

"You," the old man pointed at me theatrically, "are fated to be in that chaos, vying for the throne."

Pausing to digest the weight of his proclamation, I nodded slowly. "If that's my destiny, then so be it."

The elder's eyes took on a serious hue, clouding with uncertainty. "Unfortunately, it's not that straightforward. I can't grant you entry into Shangrila."

Sitting upright, I offered him a wry grin. "Then how about a one-way ticket to Hawaii?"

His eyebrows shot up in astonishment. "You'd trade a cosmic arena for...a beach?"

I shrugged casually. "I've had my fill of battles. Now, I just crave a hammock, a sunset, and a cocktail."

Massaging his temples, the old man exhaled deeply, "It's not about what you or I want, it's about our binding contract. If I go back on it, the 'old devil' won't be pleased."

"Old devil?" Now he had my attention.

"The guardian of our pact," he explained, clearly reluctant to delve deeper.

Rolling my eyes, I quipped, "When did I drunkenly agree to this madness?"

Before I could press further, he redirected, "Shangrila has strict entry criteria. You need to be within Earth's top 1,000 beings."

Raising a skeptical eyebrow, I retorted, "With billions of souls on Earth, how do you quantify such a rank?"

Without a word, he summoned a translucent holographic display. And there, in bold digital letters, stood the shocking revelation:

Jaime Hunter = Rank number 1

"Earth's Premier President, the zenith of charm and might, with dominion over all global armaments."

My jaw dropped. The old man mirrored my stunned expression.

"How did I become Earth's president? I've been here, binge-watching Avatar and savoring noodles!"

The old man's eyes darted outside, widening at the sight of legions of stunning emissaries and a formidable military cohort laying siege to our camp. Yet, his arcane barrier stood firm, deflecting their advances and mirroring false images.

Baffled, he asked, "Have you upended the global order in a day?"

Amid the ambient chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves, the old man shifted his gaze from me to Dea, my ethereal companion. Taking a deep breath, he tuned into the thoughts of a bewildered soldier outside our perimeter. The old man's piercing eyes widened, filled with a blend of fear and regret. "I should've let the world take its course... allowed this boy to be killed by a nuclear attack."

Amid the ambient chirping of birds and the rustling leaves, the old man shifted his gaze from me to the space beside me, where Dea hovered, resembling a shimmering orb of light.

I turned my attention to Dea, my voice lined with urgency, "Dea, return into my body and update me, now." In response, the luminescent orb that was Dea began to dissolve into countless nanobots, which then cascaded toward me, seamlessly seeping into my skin and vanishing from sight. The sensation was a familiar tingle, like a soft electrical pulse coursing through my body.

"Initiating data transfer, Master. Please brace yourself." The next moments were overwhelming - a torrent of images, sounds, and fragmented memories flashed before me, painting a picture of the recent world events. Though I lacked social finesse, I was far from ignorant. Growing up in the war-torn zones had taught me one thing - ignorance equaled demise.

"Dea, do whatever it takes to protect yourself; things are about to get really bad."I mentally commanded Dea.

Dea responded swiftly, its voice a calm contrast to the situation, "Understood, Master. Activating all protective measures now."

There was an uneasy silence between the old man and me. The realization of Dea's capabilities hung heavily in the air. The weight of his gaze said it all; he regretted giving me such power. I've seen that expression far too many times before.

"You're bound by our pact," I reminded him, my voice firm. "And the 'old devil' oversees it. You can't renege on your promises."

The old man's face transformed from contemplation to steely resolve. "True, what I have granted you remains yours. But I possess the power to obliterate it."

His aura grew menacing. With a deliberate motion, he clasped his hands, releasing a raw, unbridled energy that tore through the surroundings. Trees vaporized, the very ground trembled, and the hut disintegrated. In the aftermath, only I stood, untouched, shielded by an unseen force, though stripped of my clothing.

"Dea," I called out, but received no response.

"Alice!" Still, no answer.

I tried several more times.

"The pair are lost," the old man declared, his eyes heavy with gravity. "No matter how you programmed the AIs to protect themselves, Dea and Alice are now extinct. Their residual nanotech will turn toxic within you."

A voice as cold as ice emerged from my shadow, addressing the old man. "You've just violated our agreement. Restore what you've taken, now."

An ethereal object was extracted from the old man's fading form, spiraling towards me and settling within. The old man appeared diminished, a mere shadow of what he once was.

"You just attempted murder," the voice from my shadow jeered. "Therefore, by the terms of our prior agreement, he will be shielded from your harm for the next thousand years."

The old man, vanquished, murmured, "I've given back what I took, but the favors I granted can't be entirely undone. In exchange for keeping the remaining favors, you must never disclose the name of that object to him."

"Remaining favors? What are you talking about? You've taken Dea and Alice!" I exclaimed.

"Your power of flight, your enhanced magnetism, and the inert remnants of Dea and Alice."

"Very well, I accept. He'll never know," cackled the voice from my shadow. "Afraid he'll upend your treasured scions? This tapestry of fate you've spun is truly riveting."

The old man's gaze returned to me, stern and unyielding. "Due to my error in granting you Dea, I deem you ineligible for Shangrila."

"That's unjust!" I protested.

"So, propose an alternative," the old man challenged.

"Transport him elsewhere," the voice from the shadows chimed in. "Give him the chance to prove his mettle on a different planet."

After a pregnant pause, the old man relented, "Fine. There's a planet teetering on the brink of apocalypse. Let him try his luck there. If he lands in the top 1000 beings, he'll earn his place in Shangrila."

"Wait just a minute! If you're flinging me into an unknown realm, at least equip me for survival!" I exclaimed, my voice tinged with apprehension.

The old man fixed me with a scrutinizing look, "Name your condition."

"I want immunity against every creature in that world!"

"That's out of the question!" the old man retorted.

"Then grant him the gift of understanding any language on that planet," suggested the voice from the shadows.

"I can do that," the old man acquiesced.

"Well, I can't," I countered.

Disregarding my objection, the old man promptly enacted the incantation. In an instant, I found myself disrobed, teetering on the ledge of a crumbling skyscraper. The brisk wind caressed my bare flesh, invigorating my senses. Looking down, I saw streets awash with wandering zombies, their groans forming an unsettling requiem of looming catastrophe. Overwhelmed and ill-equipped, I felt like a fish out of water in this tumultuous new world, feeling alarmingly vulnerable.