Steampunk Era: Mad Abield
Chapter 1049: Section 604: Journey to Central South (5)_2

Chapter 1049: Section 604: Journey to Central South (5)_2

Konen was somewhat puzzled. He knelt down in front of Malin: "Sir, is there such a thing as true and false faith?"

"Of course. Because for many years before the destruction came, there truly weren’t any deities who manifested themselves in this world. Those faiths were merely invoking different names—they had the Holy Mother, the Saint Heir, the Saint, and even the all-knowing, all-powerful Deity. But not one among them ever saved this world, let alone truly saved anyone." Malin sat up. He regarded Konen, this child who would surely never understand that before the apocalypse, no deity had ever truly manifested.

Those so-called eternals in the mouths of believers were nothing but creations of history and declarations spoken by men.

But when the Evil Gods came from Subspace, they brought with them genuine destruction. Civilization began its march toward ruin that day. Too many lives sacrificed everything in an effort to keep the flame of civilization alive.

"Then why did they believe in them?"

"Because that was their faith. We can mock their foolishness, but we cannot mock their faith, for at least that sentiment was utterly sincere." Malin, saying this, took two candies from his sugar box, tossed one to Konen, and unwrapped the other to throw into his own mouth.

"Even if it leads to destruction?" Konen still couldn’t comprehend.

Malin shook his head: "If destruction didn’t come, this wouldn’t be a problem. But the problem is, it did. That’s why this is where the issue lies. The Evil Gods replaced those deities, and they began to corrupt the souls of those who prayed to these names... In truth, these people are the most pitiful. We can only watch as the world heads toward destruction. Even in death, at least our souls might achieve freedom. But these people lost even their souls. The corruption of their souls transformed them into eternal supplicants of the Evil Gods. They lost even themselves."

"...I completely don’t understand." Konen shook his head. He looked at his own palm: "Quetos always says I’m slow. Today, I really get it."

"No, you’re just more skilled at fighting than thinking, child," Malin comforted him.

The boy shook his head: "Father told me to revere humanity because his mentor was the most exceptional human—the one who put an end to the war between bioengineered beings and humans. He told them, since we’re all struggling to survive on this planet, why can’t we join forces? ...Sir, I am very slow. Many times, I cannot understand human behavior. Among humans, there are figures as great as the Paladin of the Lord of Justice, there are Tech Hunters who risk their lives to venture into our territories, and there are those villains who want to capture our younglings and sell them... Humans are different from us."

Indeed, humans are different from you.

Malin sighed deeply. This Konen, though he called himself slow, was, in Malin’s view, merely suffering from the shared affliction of all bioengineered beings.

When humans created bioengineered beings, they likely never intended to teach them to think, let alone philosophy.

This is fundamentally not a question he could resolve.

"Sleep, child. Tomorrow we’ll head outdoors; I’ll take you hunting." Malin finished speaking, watching the boy’s face light up.

He sat upright and gazed at Malin: "Hunting? Then I must craft a spear suited for me."

"No, forget your spear. Civilized people hunt with firearms and bleed their prey with bayonettes." Malin shook his head.

Remember this, child: civilization is called civilization because of efficiency.

Human lighting advanced from torches to lamps, from natural flames to electric lights—that is efficiency.

Human food evolved from raw to cooked, from natural fire to the heat of induction stoves—that is efficiency.

Human hunting progressed from tracking to shooting, from spears in hand to firearms that propel grams of lead across hundreds of yards—that is efficiency.

This is the essence of civilization, Konen. You are destined to be the Standard Bearer of civilization.

Forget your spear.

......

During the hunting trip the next day, Konen seemed a bit unhappy, which was understandable in Malin’s eyes. After all, he fired thirteen shots but only hit a small deer fifty yards away.

Malin examined the boy’s firing. It seemed he had aimed at a much stronger buck instead. But as you might imagine, bioengineered beings truly aren’t naturally adept with firearms.

"I suppose I’ll still need to train you to use a firearm." Malin did not feel discouraged. In his view, were bioengineered beings truly inferior?

Come on, humanity’s ancestors couldn’t even eat a proper cooked meal back in the Ancient Era. What nobility could they boast?

"I’ll do my best to train my marksmanship," Konen said, then spent the next hour firing over twenty shots. This time, the only casualty was—a hunting dog under Chengshan’s care. It had been lurking near its target and was struck by one of Konen’s stray bullets.

Unfortunate, yet fortunate—the bullet only grazed the dog’s hind leg, hitting merely flesh. After treatment, it was back to frolicking.

The only issue was that the dogs were incredibly smart. Every time Konen needed them to drive prey, they’d start slacking—barely working until they were scolded by their master Chengshan, then springing into action momentarily before quickly hiding again.

Sigh, Konen, do you see? You’re embarrassing me.

Malin finally handed the boy a Mana-transformed spear. The boy disappeared into the woods and returned within five minutes, dragging a buck behind him.

"Bioengineered beings truly can’t handle firearms." Chengshan remarked with a sigh.

"But I still wish to train him. After all, during the Ancient Era, when humans wielded sticks to club each other’s heads, they didn’t even know what firearms were." Malin sighed: "Well, for the rest of today, let the boy enjoy himself."

And so, for the remainder of the hunting trip, Konen looked cheerful. Using his signature stealth and throwing spear skills, he accomplished kills that the unfortunate firearms hunters couldn’t match.

"I think if this boy could be properly trained, his marksmanship would be exceptional, for his vision is indeed extraordinary. I just noticed that during his hunt, while I couldn’t detect anything within the bushes, he had already thrown his spear," commented Pastor Zhang, who clearly held Konen in high esteem.

Even Malin had to admit that if the boy truly learned to use a firearm, humanity’s Sharpshooters might face a career crisis.

Bioengineered beings outclass humans in every way. That lunatic zombie was right—they indeed have the grounds for such arrogance.

At the end of the hunting trip, Malin decided to test the boy’s spear technique. He pointed to a deer 360 yards away: "Konen, can you take it down?"

"I can’t guarantee... it’s a bit far," Konen replied, hesitating.

Soon, though, he nodded: "Mr. Spear says it’s doable."

"Mr. Spear says it’s doable?" Chengshan tilted her head and joined the conversation.

"Yes, Mr. Spear." Konen picked up his Mana-transformed spear, accelerated, raised his arm, and hurled the spear forward.

Malin and the others watched as the spear tore through the air. At the final third of the distance, not only Malin but also Chengshan and Pastor Zhang realized that the spear would fail to reach its target—yet Malin thought that to throw a spear nearly 300 yards already proved the strength of bioengineered beings.

A mere child, not even a Transcendent, capable of throwing a light spear such a distance—truly remarkable.

But then, Malin and the others saw wings unfurl from both sides of the spear. They flapped twice, carrying the spear forward to pierce the deer in the lungs. The deer staggered two steps before collapsing, its lungs punctured, earning the dubious honor of this year’s most undeserved death among prey.

Miss Chengshan turned to look at Malin, her expression brimming with speechlessness.

Pastor Zhang turned to look at Malin, his face full of words unsaid.

Malin slapped his forehead.

Mana, you’ve grown up, haven’t you? Spreading your wings, aren’t you?