Shadow of the Beautiful World

While our world had power, we fought back massively.

In the tavern on the edge of the dark city, Strange listened to the description of the old man who was being eroded and transformed by the energy of chaos, but still retained his wisdom and humanity.

He already knew before that this world has persisted for more than ten years under the erosion of cursed flesh and blood, but according to the old man's description, this flesh and blood with the power of chaos eroded a continent in three months.

According to this speed, these human beings in front of them should have disappeared long ago, and they couldn't hold on for so long.

There must be something hidden in this.

The power of chaos in this world is so powerful that it has already occupied most of the world.

If these humans remaining in the desperate world have a way to fight against the strange flesh and blood that erodes the world, it must be a very powerful force.

So, can this power be used for oneself?

But to be honest, although it was possible, Strange didn't have much hope for it.

Just look at the group of people in front of you. Regardless of whether they have had the power to fight against chaos, they have failed now, which proves that there is a limit to the power that may exist.

After our civilization migrated to the western continent, the remaining researchers in the world spent a few months setting up a device on the former northern continent.

The old man poured himself a glass of wine.

There was a look of reminiscence on his face covered with black horny, he drank the cloudy wine with strange flutters, and said to Strange:

We draw heat from the core of this world, and use something similar to a large-scale lens system to attack the invading flesh and blood.

I still remember that the cursed flesh and blood that spread to the northern continent quickly receded under the scorching light like the sun.

We were so excited, we thought we had found a way to save the world...but we were too happy.

This kind of burning and obstruction angered it, and the flesh and blood quickly showed a more aggressive side, and it confronted the 'salvation' beam we set up on the northern continent in a way that does not care about loss.

Having said that, the old man shook his head, his three eyes were filled with the same despair as when this story happened.

Drawing heat from the center of the earth, the zoom beam is very powerful, and the flesh and blood will be burned to ashes, but after all, there was only one such device at the time, and the flesh and blood gushed out from the deep sea, gathered in all directions, like a composition of dirty blood tides and storms.

We failed...

Those heroes detonated the device for saving the world before they failed. The explosion wiped out all the flesh and blood thrown into the northern continent, but the price paid was that the northern continent also collapsed.

Can you imagine? The scene when an entire continent collapses.

The old man pointed to his heart with his black paw, and said:

I've seen it, I've seen it with my own eyes.

It was a tragic victory. It seemed to be frightened by our determination. The erosion of flesh and blood to the Western Continent was stopped for 10 years. We thought we would frighten it and stop the erosion of flesh and blood against civilization. Corrosion of the last island.

But no, it realized we could hurt it, so it went the other way.

The old man laughed miserably, and said to Strange in a dispirited way:

It no longer corrodes the ground, it no longer corrodes the world, and instead begins to corrode us, the last survivors living in the world, like the disease that transformed my body into flesh and blood that appeared 3 years ago, like a plague.

It was too late for what we discovered. It took 10 years to study us, study life, find our weakness, and then launch an attack in the dark.

We are too stupid, we have wasted too much time in 10 years of this precious sacrifice.

We're fucked.

Brave warriors and wise researchers were the first to be infected, then our chiefs and officials, and finally the strong men, women, children...

The old man covered his forehead and said softly:

Our civilization is over, we're hopeless.

After 10 years, after realizing that the lens device you invented can kill flesh and blood, didn't you continue to install it?

Strange asked:

Haven't you thought about building more lenses and killing it all at once?

We thought about it, we were ambitious, and we even planned the future after the reconstruction of civilization!

The old man held his mutated fist and said to the curious outsider in a harsh voice:

In 10 years, we improved it, we set up a larger lens, and our researchers burst out with unparalleled wisdom! But... not everyone can make up their minds.

The collapse of the Northern Continent reminded us that maybe the lens can kill it, but its dying counterattack will also tear apart the Western Continent, which is our last home.

He shook his head and said:

It will die, but we will die too. If we all die, then even if we win, what's the point?

We hoped to implement the deterrence strategy, hoping to scare it with the power of mutual death. 10 years of peace made us think we had succeeded... When the epidemic appeared 3 years ago, we wanted to implement the mutual death strategy strategy, but it's too late.

Pointing in the direction outside the city, the old man said to Strange:

That infinite forest in the mountains, that's where the 'sun' lens device is, but we can't get into it anymore.

Our world doesn't have any magical magic, or real superhumans, we don't have any, we're just an ordinary civilization, and the forest is full of strange evil spirits, the kind of monsters that only exist in our legends .”

They bind our last hope, and after the last few elite legions are buried there, we can only wait for death.

Strange fell silent.

He looked at the wine glass in his hand, and he felt sad for the not-so-bizarre story in this world.

After a while, he asked:

Are there any normal people in this world?

Maybe more.

The old man said in frustration:

After learning that the spread of the epidemic was unstoppable, we set up several permanently closed shelters underground and sent healthy children into them. No one could establish contact with them. Maybe they are still there, maybe they already dead.

Worst case scenario, they are already infected, just like us.

Strange did not continue to ask.

After more than ten seconds, the old man put down his wine glass, looked at Strange, and said:

So, curious outlander, do you have anything else to ask?

there is none left.

Strange stood up, heaved a sigh of relief, pulled the hood down, and said to the old man:

I've got the information I need, I...

He looked at the old man, in front of him, there seemed to be an unspoken expectation in those cloudy eyes.

Strange could read the anticipation.

He also knew very well that there was no need for this mysterious old man who knew a lot to tell a stranger all these things, but he still did so.

He is expecting a kindness.

It's like a drowning man longing for last help.

Before you came here, I heard stories about you from some 'old friends', strangers.

Seeing that Strange hesitated, the anticipation in the old man's eyes shone brighter.

He said in a hoarse voice:

I know that you have magical powers. I saw the battle that took place in the dark mountains. I saw the light that tore the earth apart. You are different from us. You have stronger power than us.

Maybe you can do what we can't do.

I know, it's rude, and we don't have anything to give you, but as you can see, the world has been desperate for too long.

The old man paused, fastened the dirty rag in his hand, and said to Strange in a trembling voice:

I'll tell you everything you want to know, us guys, willing to give everything, maybe this seems like a ridiculous promise to you, but it's the last thing we can come up with.

Outlander, help us, help the world...please.

I...

Strange didn't know how to answer.

He really feels sad for what happened to the world, and he is willing to help them if he can.

But now the battle has entered a more dangerous stage, he can't even protect himself, how can he boast at this time.

His purpose of coming here is not simple.

The sun lens that can hurt the flesh and blood of the curse is the last resort for him to compete with other competitors. If he can get that lens, maybe he can win more advantages for himself.

But looking at the begging in the cloudy eyes of the old man in front of him, the kind of humbleness that let go of all pride... If Strange asked him to kneel down and pray, then the old man would definitely not have any hesitation.

It was a look that could only be seen under the ravages of real despair.

I will try my best.

Strange gritted his teeth and said:

I won't hide it from you, I'm going to get your lens, and I don't belong to those powerful people you see, I have a hostile relationship with them, everyone is each other's enemy, so I need a lens strength.

But if I can, I will use it to kill those cursed flesh.

Strange supported the table, he said softly:

I can't promise you more.

That's enough!

The old man standing behind the bar rubbed his hands excitedly, he said:

If the solar lens can be activated again, the flesh and blood that has eroded to the edge of the western continent can be removed, and it will be deterred again, which can buy more time for the people in the shelter...

Last breath, well, it is indeed lingering, but we don't dare to hope for more.

The old man tried his best to straighten his body.

But it was very difficult to do this with the twisted spine, he clenched his paw into a fist in a funny-looking gesture, and punched Strange in the chest.

This world has been oppressed by despair for too long. We seem to be walking in the dark, unable to see the people ahead. We long to see the light, even if it is the last ray of light before the end...

He said:

If we are doomed to die, my brothers and I are more eager to go to death with hope. Those who are still alive also need spiritual comfort.

Courage can help them through this darkest hour, please ignite it!

He turned around and shattered the oddly shaped wine cabinet behind him with his claws. With the sound of broken glass, he took out an empty bottle containing a rolled scroll from among the wine bottles, and handed it to Strange. He said:

This is the map to the Sunlens underground facility, the last thing I can lay my hands on.

Ignite the lens, ignite the last fire of courage in this world.

Thank you, good outlander, and whether we survive or are doomed here, we shall be grateful.

———————————

Strange walked out of the tavern.

He didn't even dare to look back, the old man and the alienated creature in the tavern who could still maintain his will saw him off behind him.

They also sang strange songs, probably the songs of blessings for warriors in this world.

But Strange didn't feel the glory, he only felt the pressure.

Heavy, breathless pressure.

A group of desperate people pinned their last hope on him, it was just a trivial plea, but Strange never imagined that the expectation given by others would be such a heavy thing.

He can break the contract, anyway, he has got what he needs.

But will he do that?

Would a self-proclaimed hero do that?

Most importantly, can he do it?

He's the weakest of all the contestants, and maybe even the strongest Doom wouldn't dare to pat his chest and say he can.

To save, you need not only courage and sacrifice, but also strength.

And power is what Strange lacks the most at this time.

With such chaotic thoughts, Strange left this silent city. He had to rush to the dark forest in the shortest possible time without staying or delaying.

Doom's previous blast had only injured the contenders, but hadn't completely crushed them.

The chaotic power that exists in this world is eroding the bodies of outsiders all the time, which is an invisible time limit.

Under the double pressure, the competitors are like whipped beasts, and bloody battles are on the verge of breaking out amid growing anxiety.

Strange is sure of his own strength, and he doesn't want to be targeted.

But things like luck are not transferred by human will.

After walking out of the city for a few minutes, Strange encountered a roadblocker. In a path on a cliff, the Ebony Mew hovered over a stone.

It looked at Strange who was walking quickly in front of him, and a strange smile appeared on the noseless face of Ebony Throat.

It raised its thin fingers and waved them lightly.

The next moment, amidst the beast-like roar, those monsters with alienated flesh and blood rushed out from the surrounding darkness, like the most loyal herd of beasts, and under the command of Ebony Maw, they rushed towards Strange .

Obviously, even if the competition has just begun, Strange alone is trying to use the power of this world. Hope is power, and dark despair is even more so.

The wild mage reacted quickly. He grabbed his wand, drew out his battle axe, and between the strikes of the knife, the first monster that rushed over was immediately decapitated.

But more monsters trapped him in the trap.

Ebony Maw didn't even intend to say anything more to Strange. It saw the golden trident on Strange's back. It was a weapon Proxima never let go of. Its companion was killed by Strange .

This made Ebony Maw feel a bit of anger in his heart.

It raised its fingers, and the rock under its feet rose rapidly under the control of its powerful will, like a sculpture of an invisible hand. As it flew at any time, sharp stone cones densely spread behind the ebony throat.

Its gray eyes were full of cold light.

It is going to fulfill the revenge of the dark sect, and it has to do what it has to do. This is no longer just because of this battle...

The matter has become a personal vendetta.

then...

Blood for blood, tooth for tooth!