Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 228 - 202: Becoming a God

Chapter 228: Chapter 202: Becoming a God

Hearing Kanako’s words, Xu Yang shook his head. There was no way to persuade her now. After all, people don’t betray their origins. Once the power balance changes, Kanako will naturally have new perspectives.

"This economic crisis has spread across the world," Xu Yang said, "the days ahead are going to be difficult. It is a structural crisis, and Black Fire Innovation will not likely bring any improvement."

"Maybe," Kanako said, "but we’re concerned about other things. This crisis has fully exposed the true nature of some companies—their bubbles burst one after another. Many children of Xisheng have revealed their true colors. They have established many ambitious companies, planning grandly, but now they face the risk of bankruptcy. There’s too much leverage everywhere, and such a huge storm... only the strongest companies will survive. How about you? How is the Nestor Corporation doing?"

"Nestor Corporation has its own plans, and many things can be done with your financial support," Xu Yang said.

He was very interested in the surrounding seabed. The Nestor Industrial Park was built atop a large iron mine on the seafloor, and its earnings supported all operations. Undoubtedly, ocean resources still had considerable potential for development. Aside from traditional mining, there were important resources like oil and gas. Unlike traditional mining companies, Farosa could summon divine power from the ocean, and Lila could use Dominator Level magic power to search for ore veins. The combination of both naturally provided a greater exploratory advantage and might return unparalleled value.

"I could help you secure financing on the scale of a billion, but you must also ensure your repayment capability," Kanako said, "More than half of the mess now is due to debt issues, too many non-performing loans, banks are collapsing one after another. After this event, it’s likely that no small businesses or individuals will be able to borrow money, investment plans will become extremely conservative, and production plans will be cut in half."

"Even you have to tighten your belts, so one can imagine how others are living," Xu Yang said.

"Our family’s decision-making AI just optimized 70,000 company employees," Kanako said, "Moreover, Kyoto Infinity is selling many assets at very favorable prices to survive and avoid being acquired. A lot of resources for sale have appeared in my channels, and it’s hard to choose. I’m not sure which to buy, some of the companies under its banner seem to have some developmental potential."

"Companies? Forget about those," Xu Yang said, "You should be grabbing Witch Researchers, buying research institutes, taking over their security departments, attracting newly jobless professional ninjas, and recruiting Battle Witches to your side."

"Isn’t money more critical?" Kanako asked, puzzled, "All those shopping malls, banks, prime real estate, rare earth mines..."

"What you need is advanced productive forces and violent institutions," Xu Yang said, "Money and resources are just accessories to them. You should take this opportunity to acquire Witches and warships from Kyoto Infinity so that your influence in Xisheng will rise."

"That’s true," Kanako contemplated.

"Make it your top priority to snatch up the technological and military resources that Kyoto Infinity is dumping," Xu Yang said, "You can even take out loans, borrow money from all the channels you know. Aren’t you always worried about other members of the family making moves against you? Once you have your own private army and a technological logistics team, what is there to fear?"

"Indeed, I need to accomplish these before mom leaves," Kanako agreed, "... I’m going to see mom soon."

"Contact us again before that," Farosa suddenly said.

"Eh? Farosa, you’re here too?" Kanako said with delight upon hearing Farosa’s voice.

"Now is not the time for idle chat," Farosa said, "Once you’re done with your current tasks and about to see your mother, contact us then. I have something important I need to convey through you."

"You... and my mother?" Kanako asked, puzzled, "Do you have something to say? Now just..."

"Not the time." Farosa remained enigmatic, "Goodbye, then."

Xu Yang looked back at Farosa, who simply smiled, saying nothing.

"Let’s leave it at that for now." Xu Yang and Kanako ended their communication.

"Guess what I want to tell her mother?" Farosa sat in her chair, poised and composed.

"Certainly not about sharing longevity tips," Xu Yang thought to himself, then suddenly realized what Farosa intended, "—Indeed, you want to extend Honma Noriko’s lifespan."

"Xisheng Investment Group, this is the largest and wealthiest enterprise we can access at the moment," Farosa pondered deeply, "I have many things that need to go through Xisheng’s channels for exploration, as you know, the news from the Mystics."

"Then how are you going to extend her life?"

Farosa’s smile grew wider.

"I’m going to turn her mother into a Witch," she said, "With that Star Crystal Stone we found, I can transform anyone into a Witch through a ritual."

"That’s a bit bizarre," Xu Yang mused, "Honma Noriko has already ruled over Xisheng for so many years, with life extension, she could live for another 70 years or more... That would be quite a historical record."

"And we can also take this chance to skyrocket instantly," Farosa said, "Skipping the accumulation phase and getting investment straight from Honma Noriko. Then it won’t just be a billion, but hundreds of billions, trillions."

"You don’t really intend to prolong the life of this capital behemoth, do you?" Xu Yang suspected Farosa had other ideas in mind.

"Hmm," Farosa said with a frivolous tone, "Indeed, who knows? Who knows whether I might play a little trick during the ceremony and send Honma Noriko to her death. The matriarch passing away, Xisheng Group falling apart, children turning against each other, the flames of war spreading, the condition of the Archipelago crumbling deeper than it is now, everyone going mad and shooting at each other, rivers of blood flowing through the entire Archipelago Continent."

"I suppose that’s your real objective," Xu Yang said.

"Unfortunately, I can’t say," Farosa shook her head, "I have decided to keep the answer a mystery until the very end. Whether I will turn Honma Noriko into a young and beautiful Witch through the ceremony and gain her support, making Xisheng Group our ally; or whether I will kill her, shatter Xisheng into pieces, and seek revelry in the bloodshed... No one will know until the ceremony is complete."

"Both are profitable," Xu Yang assessed, "Both... can help us achieve our goal."

The Innovation docked at Nestor Industrial Park’s dock, slowly surfaced, Xu Yang straightened his attire, making sure he looked impeccable, then opened the hatch and stepped ashore, returning in the best of states.

The industrial park was bright and clean as always, large mining equipment roared, drilling out raw ore from the deposits, and Synthetic Humans moved back and forth. High above, Witches strolled on the maze-like metal walkways and staircases. Upon seeing the Innovation return, they immediately rushed over excitedly, surrounding Xu Yang and recounting the troubles they had faced in the meantime, such as issues with food and heating.

At that moment, inside the Innovation, Lila left the central control panel, intending to go out and take over the situation, when she turned and saw Farosa watching her with a strange smile.

"What?" Lila asked with a cold demeanor.

"So," Farosa spread her arms, "a hug."

"..." Lila remained silent.

"Come on, just like the time out at sea."

Lila approached Farosa, placed a single hand on top of her head, spun her 180 degrees, then pushed her away.

Farosa staggered out of the Shuttle Machine, the Witches excitedly looking at her. She immediately put on an enigmatic expression.

"Yes," Farosa announced, "I know what you want to ask, and indeed, as you have anticipated, the sky has darkened, Yan Duo has revived, everything is our achievement!"

"Oh!"

"Is that so?"

"Of course!" The Witches were aghast, the journey Xu Yang and his party had taken had truly turned the world upside down.

Before sorting out other issues, 101 reminded Xu Yang of something crucial, the fainting of Mouse Witch Sally.

Both Xu Yang and Farosa were troubled and immediately headed to Sally’s broadcasting studio within the industrial park.

Upon opening the door, they saw that the communication radio had been shut down for 4 days, which was about two days after the sun had fallen into darkness, and Sally had suddenly collapsed.

She hadn’t been transferred to the infirmary because she was undergoing strange changes, her entire body covered in an orange, jelly-like substance, like an immortal cocoon or chrysalis, with the Rat Witch herself sealed inside, seemingly in a deep slumber.

"What’s happening to Sally..." Xu Yang brought up the footage from that day.

There, Sally sat before the radio, joyfully replying to the Ratmen’s messages when suddenly, she noticed something bright and colorful appear before her eyes, possessing a powerful allure. After consuming it, she quickly passed out, her body undergoing severe transformations.

"Dewdrops," Farosa recognized immediately, "A massive projection of the Ratmen’s visions onto Sally, forming a crystal of faith."

"Similar to Suzukawa Kiyo’s situation..." Xu Yang bent down to examine Sally’s condition, the Rat Witch wasn’t hurt, "After all these days, she still hasn’t awakened?"

"She can’t awaken because the Ratmen’s imaginations are too chaotic," Farosa paced around the room with her hands behind her back, "So, her transformation needs time. Fortunately, it doesn’t threaten her life; the rats’ fantasies behind the radio are coming true. They have given their wishes and received their reward."

"She’s not harmed, right?" Xu Yang was concerned for Sally’s safety, "What about this jelly-like gel."

"She created it inadvertently, wrapping herself to avoid injury. A kind of self-defense emergency measure, an overflow of Power. All in all... when the Rat Witch awakens, perhaps her form will change, but she’ll have gained new Power," Farosa observed Sally with interest.

That is to say... Divine Power.