Cyber Era Witch
Chapter 266 - 238: Alien Evolution

Chapter 266: Chapter 238: Alien Evolution

A40’s processing program was constant, fixated on combat, making it well-suited to be sent to join such a deadly competition.

"Boss!" A40 responded lively, sounding fully charged.

"Where are you now?" Xu Yang sat cross-legged on the ground. On the other end of the communication, one could hear the noisy background. A40 must be inside some building, possibly near an industrial fan humming vigorously, its blades at least a meter in diameter to make such a roaring noise.

"An old factory in the suburbs of Anjiu City," said A40, "in Sugar Town, Chitome."

"Sounds pretty remote."

"After Seeking Shadow kills someone, he always comes back here. Our supplies are here as well."

"The supply needs for two Synthetic Humans shouldn’t be much."

"Boss, you’re out of the loop," A40 said. "Now, we’re no mere two Synthetic Humans, but a large society with over 100 members."

"Oh? How did that come about?" Xu Yang hadn’t realized they had developed on their own.

"We call ourselves the ’Self Help Society’ now," A40 explained. "Seeking Shadow attacked a cargo ship in one operation, storming in single-handedly into the dragon’s den, rescuing 150 unfortunate souls who were to be sold to the Agave Continent. They were tricked or forced to sign contracts; upon arrival they would have been taken by local medical institutions and treated like experimental materials! Seeking Shadow got wind of this and took down the whole ship, cutting off the black-hearted enterprise’s money route."

"That’s impressive," Xu Yang admired. "So everyone gathered together after that?"

"It was tough," A40 elaborated. "Among the rescued subjects was someone who didn’t understand the situation and thought Seeking Shadow came to kill them as well. Seriously, this guy caused us a lot of trouble! As soon as he got to a safe place, he immediately called ’Century Pure Land’ for help, and drones flew towards Seeking Shadow’s location instantly!"

"As a restrictive program, ’Century Pure Land’ shouldn’t be indiscriminately killing, right?" Xu Yang mused.

"That would be the case if everyone’s credit scores were normal," replied A40. "However, a few of the subjects were flagged red. The drones deployed tear gas and stun grenades towards them, causing immediate chaos at the scene, with people scattering in all directions."

"Then things must have turned into chaos."

"In a word, chaos. We had to find a place to hide," said A40. "At the time, I was looking for work in Sugar Town, wiped out the thugs occupying this factory, and after contacting Seeking Shadow, had her move here. This place was originally a refrigerator factory, but it was abandoned later due to lack of sales. After moving in, we were followed by security personnel from hostile corporations, went through a lot of trouble, and it’s only recently that we’ve managed to stabilize somewhat. The people rescued from the cargo ship were homeless, and then we had unemployed and homeless people join us, along with various odd individuals. We’ve grown in size and established a society in the suburbs, helping and supporting each other."

"Sounds like a homeless group, is there a Witch among you?"

"Yeah, and we’re managing quite decently now," said A40. "Sugar Town is a distance away from normal surveillance, so it’s very chaotic. We have to help each other out and solve problems for people outside too, mainly fighting against the vicious cyber ronin in the suburbs and wilderness. We keep hitting criminals and even ambush some corporate owners, hanging their bodies on street lights as a warning to the surrounding factories, making them think twice before laying off employees or cutting wages."

"I’ll come take a look," Xu Yang said. "This time I contacted you to offer you a fighting opportunity. You know about ’the festivity,’ the series of bloody challenges in the Colosseum Arena."

"I’ve been wanting to go," A40 said eagerly, "but unfortunately, the people in the Colosseum Arena are professional fighters dispatched by corporations, and I’m not! I can only be a freelancer with no fights to fight!"

"I’ve set up a company for overt operations, ’New World Mechanism,’" Xu Yang stated. "You’ll fight under the title of this company."

"Yes!" A40 was excited. "Boss, when will you come over?"

"Soon, wait for my message," Xu Yang said.

"I’ll be waiting!" A40 couldn’t wait. It was eager for breakthroughs amidst the flashing blades.

Xu Yang ended the communication.

"How does it look?" Farosa’s gaze lingered on the page, only pausing her reading when encountering unfamiliar concepts.

"Not bad, this event could be an opportunity," Xu Yang said. "We could also leave the underground world and get to understand the situation in Anjiu City."

"Anjiu City." Farosa closed the book. "It’s more than ten times larger than Aizu City."

"Right, I’ll go scout on the Ground. But Pan Ruiyi’s matter is the priority," Xu Yang declared. "Once you’re ready, I’ll come back."

"It won’t be ready in a short time," Farosa picked up her phone, searching for specific items on an antique collection website, "the key is some auxiliary items."

"Buying something?" Xu Yang felt a trace of concern, "Specific risk items could arouse suspicion. If what you buy is highly sensitive, you might be put on a watch list immediately."

"There is an item that can overcome gaps, the Sand of Stars, which I’ve already obtained from Chainsaw Angel," Farosa said in a low voice. "Just that there are other accessories that I need to select. After I’ve chosen all of them, you help me make the purchases through covert channels. Only when they have all arrived can we truly set off."

"This isn’t something that can be resolved overnight," Xu Yang remarked.

Farosa pinched the bridge of her nose.

"That’s why I must go to Anjiu City," she said.

"Oh?"

"It’s mentally exhausting," Farosa explained. "I have to figure out a way to deal with Kanako’s mother, gather the necessary gear for the trip to Nangong Island, take care of the Little Witch, and most importantly... survive the scrutiny of various Ancient Mystics. So, even for the sake of my mental well-being, I need to leave this dreary underground and get some fresh air."

"Okay," Xu Yang said lightly, "I will arrange accommodations in a scenic, safe, and reliable place. Just wait and enjoy yourself. I guarantee sunshine, a terrace, and a bathtub, along with air conditioning, a freezer, and a luxurious buffet. There will also be pre-ordered Synthetic Human servants ready for you."

"How considerate you are, always thinking ahead for me. This is the lifestyle I need; this world was made for me," Farosa propped herself up on her elbow, resting her face in her hand and gazing sidelong at Xu Yang with unprecedented softness in her eyes, her voice becoming velvety soft like a cherry in a cocktail, "I really don’t know what I’d do without you."

"If only you could be this affectionate with others," Xu Yang said.

"Don’t you understand?" Farosa leaned in to kiss him, "This is something only you can enjoy in the whole world."

After nearly an hour, Xu Yang left Farosa’s room.

Before heading out, he needed to check on the Mouse Witch’s condition.

Inside her own broadcast room, Mouse Witch Sally was enveloped in orange alien gel, the transformation nearing completion. At this moment, Sally was close to the form of a high-ranking "Ratman Deity." The orange gelatinous substance was fading away as if being consumed by her new body.

A deity made from Ratman, Witch, and Dewdrops, Sally was now a trinity in one.

Most noticeable was the crown-shaped ornament that had sprouted on her head, which outwardly resembled a coronet adorned with platinum and colored jewels, topped with irregular jagged bone-like spikes. On closer inspection, one could see that the base of the crown was fully integrated with Sally’s scalp, while the rest of its structure mixed with her natural hair growth.

If this "coronet" represented the Ratmen’s awe and belief in her power, then all of that reverence and belief had been transformed into the heavy ornament that sat on her head, which could never be removed and wherever she went, it would exert immense pressure on her body.

Sally’s face retained more rodent-like features; from her originally dark skin, petite and sweet appearance, she now looked aged and weathered. Her cheeks were covered with fine hair and wrinkles, as if bearing the Ratman Race’s pains and disasters from the past half-century.

Her body proportions had also changed; her limbs had become longer, and her stature had grown from petite to taller than anyone in the industrial park. The most significant change was her tail; her small decorative tail had grown longer and more intimidating, sprouting a few barbs and turning pitch black.

From Xu Yang’s perspective, Sally’s appearance was like a lowest common denominator; no Ratman follower would recognize this as the Witch they envisioned, but everyone could agree that this appearance overlapped to some extent with their imagination.

Xu Yang silently stayed by her side.

When she awoke and saw such drastic changes in her appearance, she would undoubtedly find it hard to accept, but this was the price of belief.

The Ratmen constantly fantasized about the Rat Witch at the other end of the world, their belief condensing into Dewdrops. Unintentionally consuming them, she was then transformed into her entirely new "persona."

However, as Farosa said, upon awakening, she would also gain corresponding Divine Power, though which specifics were still unknown since no one knew exactly what powers the Ratmen collectively imagined Sally to possess.

If one became powerful through one’s own Power, then one could do as one wished. But now, Sally had become what she was through everyone’s veneration, and she also had to bear the corresponding responsibilities.

Xu Yang reached into his pocket, where he still kept the small craft that Sally had given him, always carrying it with him. It was woven from mushroom threads with a simple look, imbued with Sally’s hard work.

He took out the mushroom craft and placed it not far from Sally, so that as soon as she awoke from the transformation, she would see it immediately.

No matter what changes occurred in her appearance and power, Xu Yang hoped Sally would not lose herself.

Afterward, he left the industrial park to set off on his journey.