On Hiatus: God's Personal Reasons
Chapter 268: #Birth of the Ultimate Machine God (3)

Chapter 268: #Birth of the Ultimate Machine God (3)

Ruuumble— Baaang!

Sam-Shin’s destructive beams pierced through the ceiling, vanishing into the depths of space. Of course, Zernard, who had taken the full hit, wasn’t unscathed.

Pwoosh pwoosh!

Murky blood gushed out from his torn upper half like a burst sewage pipe.

However, a split second later, black bubbles boiled violently from his cross-section, displaying immense regenerative power. Just like that, his upper half burst back.

“D-des...troy?” Sam-Shin’s confident expression quickly gave way to confusion.

-That was quite a powerful ability. But it doesn't work on me.

With black blood still dripping from his face, Zernard swung his fist at the restrained Sam-Shin.

Swaaaaa!

His arm sliced Sam-Shin’s neck diagonally like the alien scavenger’s blade. Just before the attack could land, Sam-Shin faded and vanished. Sam-Shin had exhausted all of his power.

Puzzled, Zernard let out a murmur.

-Anyway, one down—

Suddenly, Zernard’s head was crushed down into his neck, as if caught beneath a press.

I had activated my skill, Crushing Forefinger of God.

In the next moment, Zernard nonchalantly pulled out his head, glaring at me.

-Yet another anomaly. Abilities like yours shouldn’t manifest from my genetic lineage. Did the all-powerful AI combine another set of genes to enhance you?

Crack!

Gritting my teeth, I raised my middle finger.

Let’s see if you can still regenerate after becoming toast!

“Convicting Middle Finger of God!”

Kwaaaa!

From my middle finger, hellish black flames sparked, surging toward Zenard. He released Eight from his tentacles and turned them into a shield for himself.

“Tsk! Cowardly bastard!"

“I-Il-Shin... Don’t worry about me... Fire!” said Eight, before collapsing.

I hesitated.

-Weak.

Zernard’s arm transformed once more.

Craaack!

Then, his head transformed into that of a demon god's with six horns.

Pzzz!

As if resonating with each other, black sparks scattered from his horns. What formed at his grotesque mouth resembled God Fist, but made of God of Destroyer’s divine power.

-Die, my imitation. This is the true God Fist—a fusion of God of Destroyer’s power and the Human Union’s strongest pilot.

With a flash, God of Destroyer’s power surged forth like a tidal wave, faster than the speed of light.

Ruuuumble!

The belated explosion tore my eardrums. I could feel my death coming. Zernard’s divine power had surpassed that of a High-tier god—perhaps even a Top-tier one.

Demon Lord's Disintegration!

I reflexively unleashed my skill to survive.

My unstable Demon Lord's Disintegration and Zernard’s God Fist collided.

Baaaam!

The huge Human Union’s fleet was like a sailboat hit by a horrific storm. The impact of gods’ powers was horrendous.

“Koff koff!”

I squirmed in pain like an insect, coughing putrid blood. I’d turned black like burnt charcoal. Everything within my line of sight was in ruins, as if bombarded by a barrage of atomic bombs. I tried using the Healing Ring Finger of God, but it was ineffective against wounds afflicted by God of Destroyer’s power.

Swooosh! Thud!

Just then, the dazzling gold Soul Mecha traveled at an incredible speed and landed in front of me.

[Pilot Zernard Il-Shin's life response is weak.]

[Activating Guardian Mode on NT2512R-1004, injecting a nano machine.]

Pwoosh!

A seemingly thin, blinding thread spread out like spider web, sticking all over me. They replaced my wrecked organs and blood vessels, making me feel so much better. However, in exchange, the soul armor was reduced into a hopeless state.

[Soul Energy currently at 21%.]

[32 hours, 31 minutes, and 21 seconds to activate.]

[Activation speed scales with Soul Energy gathered.]

I’d learned that the Soul Mecha absorbed the souls of sacrificed organic life forms as energy. During the aliens’ surprise attack, the souls of the sacrificed soldiers only accounted for 1%. Now, it was at a staggering 21%. Just how many lives were lost in this attack?

I didn’t have time to think about that.

Swoosh!

Perhaps having achieved his purpose, Zernard rapidly fled from the Human Union’s fleet, with his tentacles still holding onto the unconscious Eight.

“Let me get on, Soul Mecha! I must catch Zernard!”

However, the soul armor wouldn’t budge.

-Refusing order. Given the pilot’s current physical condition, engaging in battle with a monster estimated to be SSS-rank or higher is impossible. The pilot’s survival is currently the top priority.

“Lazenca! Hurry, do as I—koff! We’re going to lose him at this rate... Let... me...” I crawled on the floor, desperately clinging onto the soul armor’s feet.

Yet all that answered was a cold, mechanical voice

-My name is not Lazenca, but NT2512R-1004. The pilot’s cognitive abilities are impaired. Refusing to embark.

“Shut up and let me go! Please!”

-Refusing order.

“No! Eiiight!”

Left behind in the ruins carved by the former Human Union’s hero, I was overcome with helplessness at losing my lover

Throb throb!

Ding!

As I felt intense pain in my arms, another message appeared.

[Blind Eyes of God is seeking the truth.]

[You have succeeded in surviving against an irresistibly strong enemy in Birth of the Machine God STAGE 2: Alien Queen's Revival.]

[Birth of the Machine God STAGE 2: Alien Queen's Revival Normal Clear!]

[NEXT STAGE 3: The Human Union’s Despair will begin.]

[SKIP]

***

With the return of Zernard as the union’s enemy, the Human Union was facing the threat of extinction.

-Kieeeek!

-Kyaaak!

As if all that came before had been no more than a game, the alien army began to overwhelm the Human Union. Every time, Zernard Il-Shin would appear, just like a hero born in a time of chaos. Like a comet, he and NT2512R-1004 would deliver a dazzling performance. The aliens fell in droves, but still came like an unending flood. The casualties of the Human Union had climbed past ten billion.

Even at this very moment, another life was slipping away. I stared at the dying, burly man in my arms. His limbs had been maimed by the alien dragon.

“Colonel Zernard Il-Shin... it was an honor to fight alongside you on the battlefield... Please, save the people of the Human Uni—koff!”

Plop!

The man, whose limbs had been torn apart by the alien dragon, died before he could even finish saying his final wish.

“Uncle.” I closed his eyes.

He was both my father figure, my mentor, and my guide.

Tzzz—

My Soul Mecha gleamed with a sacred, golden glow, shining like a beacon in the desolate universe.

[Soul Energy currently at 51%.]

Bang!

Uncle, along with my other fallen comrades, were turning into energy for my soul armor

That’s right, they aren’t really dead. They’d live forever with me, as guardians of the Human Union!

-Kihihihi!

-Krrrr!

Whoosh whoosh!

Gigantic, dragon-like monsters, exuding savage bloodthirst, surrounded me. It was said that seven dragons had defeated Zernard, the strongest human who’d almost reached the level of Machine God. They’d returned once again to crush the hopes of the union.

“Filthy aliens.”

Woooong!

I put down Uncle’s body and drew the cutter, which resonated wildly.

“Come.”

I am different from Zernard. I will kill the aliens, and surpass my father—no, the traitor of the Human Union!

-Kyaaaa!

“Hyaaa! Machine God awakening! God Fist!”

The Soul Mecha and the legendary dragon unit collided, staking the fate of each of their races.

Seven dragon heads fell before the Machine God’s blade that day.

Throb throb!

Agonizing pain surged up my arms, growing worse as it reached my shoulders.

Ding!

Then, another message appeared.

[Blind Eyes of God is seeking the truth.]

Ding!

[Birth of the Machine God STAGE 3: Despair of the Human Union PERFECT CLEAR!]

[NEXT STAGE 4: The Real Enemy is Within Us will begin.]

[SKIP]

A beautiful woman, seemingly carved from crystal—the all-powerful AI—gave an explanation.

-This is an unavoidable sacrifice, President Zernard. To maximize the output of Soul Mecha NT2512R-1004, we must sacrifice 99% of the Human Union.

I was furious. “As if I’d cooperate with such an outrageous plan! How dare you call yourself Mother!”

Mother sighed slightly, like a normal human.

-Even if the entire Human Union is annihilated, as long as the cradle containing everyone’s genes—including mine—remains, the Human Union shall never perish. Look at the bigger picture, President Zernard Il-Shin. With the alien queen now resurrected and the endless troops, we need transcendental power to fight them and tide over this catastrophe.

“Shut up!” I gritted my teeth, aiming the cutter at Mother, my hands shaking with rage. “From now on, you’re the enemy of the Human Union! I will stop that madness plan of yours at all costs!”

-It can’t be helped then, Zernard Il-Shin. You’re no better than Zernard, that flawed specimen. I shall eliminate you and create the next hero. If I improve your genes, I might be able to create an even more superior pilot!

Ruuuumble!

Mother was literally almost as huge as the Human Union’s colossal vessel.

-Witness the true power of the Human Union, you fool.

Transforming into a planetary-scale robot, the all-powerful AI was out for my blood. A storm of energy beams and missiles rained down, threatening to ravage the universe along with me.

[SKIP]

“Mother! From this moment on, I will protect the Human Union!”

After a long battle of roughly seven weeks, I emerged victorious as the strongest pilot of the Soul Mecha.

Ding!

Another excruciating pain spread throughout me like wildfire, and a familiar message appeared.

[Blind Eyes of God is seeking the truth.]

[Birth of the Machine God STAGE 4: The Real Enemy is Within Us Perfect Clear!]

[NEXT STAGE 5: Clash Between the Corrupted Hero and Humanity’s Last Hope! will begin.]

[SKIP]

[SKIP]

The once peaceful universe was drenched in blood, overrun by hundreds of billions of wretched, repulsive aliens. Leading them at the forefront was Zernard, fused with a dragon.

-You’ve finally come this far, Son. In commendation of your achievement for defeating our arch-enemy, the all-powerful AI Mother, I shall give you one last chance. Come with us.

He extended his hideous arm toward me.

“You traitor! How dare you call me your son!”

Shrnnng!

Enraged, I drew the cutter.

Woooong!

[Soul Energy currently at 82%.]

Despite my relentless efforts, I couldn’t stop the number of sacrifices from increasing. Nevertheless, they’d become the energy for my Soul Mecha, fighting alongside me.

Frankly, I didn’t think we would lose here.

“I am the ultimate Machine God pilot, Zernard Il-Shin.”

I had inherited the genes of the former Human Union’s hero, Zernard. Now, I’d take down the corrupted enemy of the Human Union and rescue 82825, my partner and the one with whom I’d promised to combine my genes with—my lover.

-Beloved lover? Bull! Snap out of it, you dumbass!

Just then, an unfamiliar stream of curses floated in my head. I checked the panel to see if it was NT2512R-1004, but there was no message.

-You worthless punk! Do you intend to assimilate yourself with this world?!

The angry voice rang out once more.

“Y-you are?”

Throb throb!

I felt a splitting migraine as I barely managed to recall the owner of that voice.

“Yi...-Shin?”

That was none other than Zernard Il-Shin’s alter ego—or rather me, Yu Il-Shin.

-That’s right! It’s me! Now open your eyes!

Open my eyes? What did he mean...?

“Ugh!”

Another sharp pain assailed me. It felt as if my head had been pierced with a spike.

Ding!

[Blind Eyes of God is seeking the truth.]

Sss—

I finally saw the truth of this world.

“W-what’s... this?”

When I looked at my hands on the Soul Mecha’s controls, they had turned into pixelated, 8-bit-like characters straight out of a video game.

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