Chapter 353: Aren't You Human? 【The Messenger of Hilma】

Looking at the young human before her, the eye-catching heterochromatic eyes of the Antithese of Life held a hint of gloom and irritation.

Restoring the complex and chaotic magic cube.

This was the scene the Antithese of Life had always imagined; perhaps this magic cube, which belonged to the Six Great Gods, was indeed difficult to restore.

This had indirectly become a toy for her to pass the time!

Now—the toy for passing time was gone!

"Don't think that just because you are valued right now, I won't kill you."

The Antithese of Life lifted her wrist, and the sharp blade of her scythe-spear moved a fraction closer to Tang Zheng's skin:

"It is only natural for the weak to be trampled upon."

A heavy sense of oppression descended!

The temperature seemed to drop by several degrees, and the pressure made the air grow viscous.

In such a situation, an ordinary person would likely find breathing uncontrollably difficult, and their brain would fall directly into a coma due to oxygen deprivation.

Tang Zheng put on a stiff expression: "Very well, if it is only to pass the time. Perhaps I can help you make a few similar toys."

A laugh.

"You truly do not fear me."

The Antithese of Life stared at Tang Zheng's cheek, her cold expression slowly fading, and the curve of her lips deepened:

"It was the same last time, and it wasn't the 'I gave up struggling because I couldn't escape anyway' excuse you gave."

Speaking of which.

The Antithese of Life suddenly leaned her head forward, her petite nose twitching a few times, as if sniffing something.

At such a close distance.

Tang Zheng could even smell a faint, fresh fragrance like tender green leaves in a natural forest emanating from her.

"You have a unique scent on you."

The Antithese of Life tilted her head back, pondering slightly: "Forget it, I can't remember."

"I just feel like you're a problematic guy; I can't quite put my finger on it, but..."

The gaze of the Antithese of Life grew increasingly cold.

Just as she had said, the human before her was different from most of the humans she had seen before... or rather, different from all of them.

Even those arrogant, confident fellows in the [Black Scripture] had never given her this indescribable, strange feeling that this adventurer named Tang gave her.

A scent?

A flash of surprise crossed Tang Zheng's eyes; the "unique scent" the Antithese of Life spoke of likely did not refer to a surface odor.

Now was not the time to think about this.

Looking at the Antithese of Life, who was already radiating killing intent.

"You aren't human, are you?"

Tang Zheng realized he needed to change his approach, otherwise, given her temperament, she might very well actually strike.

Facing the World-Class Item [Downfall of Castle and Country]!

He currently had no way to deal with it.

"As far as I know, the strongest among humans should be the 'Deviation' Mr. Fluder of the Baharuth Empire, but compared to your strength—"

Tang Zheng shook his head: "I'm afraid he isn't even fit to carry your shoes. This is not meant to insult that legendary existence, but an unbelievable fact."

"You have surpassed the Heroic Realm, surpassed the leader of the Deviations, and even surpassed the realm of the Demon Gods!"

"This cannot be power that a human can master."

"You aren't human at all, are you?"

Tang Zheng's resonant, forceful voice rang out, his gaze fixed directly on those heterochromatic black and white eyes.

The Antithese of Life narrowed her eyes; it wasn't surprise at having her secret discovered, but she did not feel that strange sensation from his eyes.

—A half-breed mongrel!

In a daze, a woman's spiteful voice echoed in her ears, followed by the lashing of a whip and fists.

Her entire body burned with pain.

Fear, terror!

Crying and begging could not buy a single moment of respite.

There was only hollow despair and powerlessness!

Resentment?

That woman had long since died; even if she wanted to vent, there was no one left.

Besides, it was only natural for the weak to be trampled and ravaged by the strong; if one wanted to put an end to all this, one only needed to become stronger.

A smile appeared on the cold, fair face of the Antithese of Life, if one could call it that.

The atmosphere grew even colder!

"The Theocracy, which always claims 'Human Supremacy,' actually harbors a non-pure-blooded human."

"But I can feel your unique status from those few Pontiffs; it is truly a strange situation."

Tang Zheng spoke bluntly as if he did not fear death, and seeing the increasingly cold expression on the Antithese of Life, he shifted his tone:

"If that legendary existence, Mr. Fluder, is the guardian deity of the Baharuth Empire."

"Then, given your status, there is only one possibility for you to hold such a unique position in the Slane Theocracy: you are the guardian deity of the Slane Theocracy."

"No!"

"I should say you are the guardian deity of all humanity!"

When Tang Zheng said the words "guardian deity," his voice rose by a notch: "Since that is the case, as a human, why would I be afraid?"

The smile on the Antithese of Life's face did not change, but the feeling that made the air turn cold vanished instantly.

"So what?"

The Antithese of Life spoke nonchalantly, looking down from above.

She seemed not to care about what Tang Zheng had said.

However.

The slightly upturned corners of her mouth and the fact that she spoke again all indicated that the Antithese of Life was not as indifferent as she appeared.

As expected!

Tang Zheng felt certain; although he had only encountered the Antithese of Life twice, he had slightly grasped her personality.

To put it nicely, she was "naive."

This likely had to do with the environment she lived in; as a God-kin and the strongest combat force used for deterrence, the Antithese of Life had always been hidden by the Theocracy.

Even though she was over a hundred years old, the number of people who could interact with her remained very limited, and the Theocracy intentionally provided an education lacking in emotion.

This resulted in the Antithese of Life having severe psychological defects and a lack of self-identity.

"I have a few demi-human friends."

"One is a troll known as the 'Warrior King' Go-Gin, who has stayed in the Baharuth Empire for over 10 years, and the other is my adventurer companion."

Tang Zheng stepped back, distancing himself from the blade pressed against his throat, and seeing that the Antithese of Life did not react, he revealed a faint smile:

"What I mean is, I share the same stance when it comes to protecting humanity."

"I might even be able to assist you."

Tang Zheng spoke in a calm, soft voice.

"Ha~?"

The Antithese of Life lifted her wrist, shouldered her scythe-spear, and mocked:

"Just you? You'd better go assist those old fogies instead."

Watching the Antithese of Life put away her weapon.

Even the killing intent had vanished!

A smile flashed across Tang Zheng's face; he did not refute her, nor was there any need to.

What satisfied him most was that with this as a foundation, future interactions with the Antithese of Life would be much easier.

The Antithese of Life carried her black scythe-spear, her demeanor becoming lazy once more, and she glanced at Tang Zheng indifferently, feeling unusually good.

She was born of a nearly impossible cross-breeding.

She had obvious elven features, namely the ears hidden beneath her hair.

In the Slane Theocracy, which upheld "Human Supremacy," even an absolute powerhouse like the Antithese of Life was affected, keeping her ears hidden under her hair at all times.

"Speaking of which, that girl in your adventurer party is called... what was it?" the Antithese of Life asked without warning.

"Enri," Tang Zheng said. "Oh."

"From what I understand, she should have just been an ordinary village girl before; how did you discover she had talent?"

The Antithese of Life asked with curiosity, seemingly having investigated and understood "free will."

Under the gaze of those heterochromatic eyes.

Tang Zheng shook his head and gave an unexpected answer: "I wasn't sure she had that talent."

"I probably just felt she could do it; the current result is that she has done even better than I imagined."

Tang Zheng smiled and shrugged his shoulders.

The Antithese of Life was silent for a moment, then turned and walked toward the outside of the church; as she reached the doorway of the main hall.

"Don't forget the toy similar to the magic cube you mentioned."

"I don't like people who talk big."

Zesshi Zetsumei spoke coldly without looking back, while simultaneously tossing her arm toward the rear.

A bronze-colored object was thrown over.

Tang Zheng reached out and caught it; it was indeed the bronze feather-shaped necklace that Zesshi Zetsumei had just taken out.

——Night.

VIP guesthouse, inside the room.

Tang Zheng looked at the bronze feather necklace in his hand, his gaze slightly brightening.

Although it looked quite crude, the piece as a whole possessed a sense of refinement different from the magic items crafted in this other world.

"A game item from 'Yggdrasil'."

"I never expected such an unexpected gain, though it is surprising that those six Pontifexes haven't taken it back yet."

Tang Zheng toyed with the bronze feather necklace in his hand, lost in thought:

"Is it because of Zesshi Zetsumei, or do they want to show goodwill?"

"However, the value of this item is indeed not too high; it is only one tier stronger than the magic items of this other world."

…………

Item: Messenger of Hilma

Grade: High-tier (31–40)

Restriction: Summoning-type magic caster.

Effect:

——Summon's Gift: While a summoned creature exists, gain a shield equal to 10% of the summoned monster's HP.

——Phase Shift: The wearer instantly swaps positions with any monster they have summoned (Cooldown: 30 seconds).

Description: The messenger's feet have never truly stepped on any one place; its will is only entrusted to its avatars.

…………

A high-tier magic item.

Although the grade is not high, the effect is exceptionally good.

"As expected of a game item, the ability is quite practical."

Tang Zheng looked at the bronze feather pendant in his hand, his eyes flickering slightly.

This was his first time coming into contact with real game equipment from "Yggdrasil"!

He immediately perceived the difference between game items and magic items crafted in this other world.

Simply put!

The effects of game equipment are much more explicit.

Meanwhile, some magic items crafted in this other world have vague effects, and the abilities of some items may even show discrepancies when used by different people.

Besides that.

The "restriction" information on game items is also much clearer.

"The effect and ability of this magic item were clearly prepared by the Theocracy intentionally for me."

Tang Zheng thought to himself; he had already inspected this item just now and did not find any hidden magic markers.

*Click~*

The bronze feather necklace swayed slightly.

Tang Zheng did not stand on ceremony and put it on; currently, he only had two items on him that could be called equipment.

"'Heaven and Earth' did not conduct surveillance this time." A hint of a smile grew on Tang Zheng's face.

Due to his orchestration this time.

The Holy Kingdom has become the biggest headache for the Slane Theocracy, and the two sides cannot avoid a tug-of-war to gain the maximum benefit.

"Shadow Clone!" Tang Zheng activated the [Ninja] skill.

The shadow under the illumination of the "Everlasting Light" writhed.

A figure exactly the same as Tang Zheng emerged from the shadow and stood to the side.

"Go."

Tang Zheng waved his hand.

Ninjutsu: Concealment!

The shadow clone became illusory, its entire body rapidly disappearing as if it had merged into the air.

Ninjutsu: Shadow Stealth!

In Tang Zheng's perception, the shadow clone turned into a flowing shadow, quickly moving outside the VIP guesthouse and heading toward the depths of the Slane Theocracy.

Taking advantage of the fact that the Theocracy's attention is not currently on him.

Tang Zheng needs to investigate the specific location of the "Relics of the Six Great Gods" as soon as possible.

Unfortunately.

Clementine does not know.

Probably only the highest level of the Theocracy and the guardian Zesshi Zetsumei know.

In the next few days!

The Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy held continuous consultations.

Remedios and the others visited from time to time to discuss with Tang Zheng, and the two sides reached a full cooperation.

Mid-Spring Month.

May 18th.

Three days passed, and the division of interests between the Holy Kingdom and the Slane Theocracy had basically been settled.

And through the constant investigation of his shadow clone, Tang Zheng had roughly identified several mysterious locations within the Slane Theocracy, though he was unsure which one housed the Relics of the Six Great Gods.

It is also possible that none of them are.

Tang Zheng did not act rashly; these mysterious locations were heavily guarded, and there was no telling how many magical defenses were hidden there.

Most importantly.

Even if Tang Zheng determined the location of the "Relics of the Six Great Gods," he did not intend to snatch them immediately.

The sunlight outside the window shone into the room through the glass.

Clementine held her arms across her chest, looking with both surprise and curiosity at Tang Zheng, who was sitting on the sofa toying with a strange chain-like object made of metal.

"My lord, you actually came into contact with that monster twice?" Clementine's purple pupils gleamed with disbelief.

That was a terrifying existence that surpassed what normal humans could understand!

As soon as Clementine thought about how she had once been tossed and punished by the other party like a toy, a surge of anger rose in her heart, but more than that, it was fear.

Even now.

Just by looking at the other party, Clementine's body trembled uncontrollably.

"A monster? In terms of strength alone, calling the other party that is not wrong."

Tang Zheng inspected the metal chain-like object in his hand; this was a toy similar to a Rubik's cube that he had made during this time:

"But in terms of personality, it is actually quite easy to get along with."

If it were someone from his past life, they would surely be very familiar with this strange object featuring nine spiral metal structures; it was the puzzle toy known as the "Nine-Linked Rings."

Tang Zheng had modified it slightly so it looked more like the style of this world.

(End of chapter)