Chapter 1002: NO.125: But They Are Indeed a Joint-Stock Company

NO. 125: But they are indeed a joint-stock company.

It was mentioned before.

Otherworld Group. Superhuman Fantasy Joint-Stock Company.

Its members are all beings unwelcome in their homeland.

Because their homeland has long been occupied by humans.

Even the concept of a 'superman' has, under the fiercely opposing stance and ideology, become a legend that must be hidden among the mundane.

This is still the plan of those 'supermen' who chose humanity and would rather compromise.

And as for the non-human group that neither wants to serve those humans nor wishes to continue fighting and suffering casualties.

They instead embarked on a search for another world, ultimately arriving at this one.

To be frank, for these displaced beings, this is the perfect ending.

It is neither a barren wasteland of futile effort, nor a collective hostility replaying history.

Earth under the governance of the Holy Terra Federation perfectly matches their expectations.

Not only did they offer friendly reception, but also a free social atmosphere, so free that they readily accepted the group, even allowing them to find kin-like beings in this world.

Monsters, deities, aliens, and even otherworldly beings—all exist here, living openly alongside humanity.

At such a time, if one were to say there's anything not quite right……

It can only be that the pace of life here is too fast.

Although their original world's pace of life was already fast, with major events constantly unfolding——yet in the Holy Terra Federation, they have witnessed what it means that there is always a higher heaven.

From the Heaven's Gate City they first saw, to the Boundary Gate District where they now stand after returning to Earth.

Even though most of them are still unaccustomed to terminals, to reading electronic news, and once even avoided a flood of information pop-ups, their keen and unique 'vision' still prevents them from ignoring the abnormal conditions constantly occurring on this land.

Like a massive energy flowing underground, and like occasional abnormal undulations coming from the sky, and even feeling the violent impact from the Dark Realm a couple of days later……

Whether it's a local characteristic or a common trait of the federation's jurisdiction, the employees of the Superhuman Fantasy Joint-Stock Company always feel this city is excessively bustling.

But compared to the city's hustle, what makes them even less able to adapt is the city's corporations.

They are simply too utilitarian, too efficient.

Plans must be listed within three days, projects must show results within a week, employee overtime is the norm, criticism and education are also common, and occasionally one sees clashes between resignations and dismissals.

Even though they themselves, as non-humans, possess energy and ability far surpassing those employees, they still can't help but let out a startled sigh.

Is human life really this laborious?

"Not exactly; rather, lax companies and slack-wage thieves are also part of today's workplace norm."

The V-neck-clad alien in a suit calmly explained, describing the state of enterprises in the Boundary Gate District to a host of monsters.

"Because in recent years the proportion of social welfare has significantly increased, conversely a considerable portion of the populace advocates a slow‑living attitude."

"Of course, I also know that none of you think otherwise; after all, judging by what you see and feel, it's all utility and repression. In this, I hope you at least have this bit of self‑awareness……"

Saying this, he slightly leaned forward, his inorganic V‑shaped face gazing equally at all employees on either side of the long table.

His twenty segmented fingers rested calmly on the red‑wood tabletop, moving gently and producing a series of faint tapping sounds.

That visage should have reminded everyone of Master Urutimo, but its altered form only made certain alien staff feel a sense of familiarity.

"You are working with the Symbolists," he said.

"The Symbolists' industry has always been known for high pressure; even if Ludaofu Xiangzheng now leads a brand‑new upper‑echelon team in eager reform, that new breeze won't instantly sweep across all lands."

"Besides that, I hope you all also realize this:"

On the face that had slightly lifted, yellow light flickered, reflecting the discontent on many faces.

Yet his tone remained matter‑of‑fact.

"That is—even if the Symbolists' reforms are implemented everywhere, it doesn't mean the company atmosphere can become what you all idealize, for excellence or strength alike demand a price."

"What the Symbolists can guarantee on that end is merely not crossing the line, not breaking the law, and that decisive, vigorous spirit will continue."

"So by now, someone must be wondering: why should we keep going? That kind of question, right?"

He slightly turned his head, scanning all beings on either side of the long table.

Here there is a half‑demon princess of the monsters, the sole remaining empress of the Italos Insect Tribe, a mentor who once was a candidate to rule the demon realm, and furthermore an iron‑masked swordsman who once sealed Death Satan.

And there are still many such beings seated.

"I know that each of you, more or less, has once enjoyed lofty treatment."

Each person can produce some impressive titles, even their lineage.

"As monsters, as deities, and those related to them, even as noble otherworldly beings, and as aliens possessing advanced technology, they once basked in humanity's awe."

But they ultimately ended up with the fate of being displaced, their hearts filled with endless complexity toward humanity.

Upon arriving in this land, seeing countless compatriots' joy is one account; again beholding the teeming prosperous society built by humans brings another feeling.

"And you all know that this world, this political society, still puts humanity first, humanity as the main."

"Lately, you all must be adapting with great difficulty, even hardship, right?" Seeing the agreement in countless gazes, he continued, "Everything here—food, clothing, shelter, travel—feels novel, and even things you can't figure out, including work‑related items, may have thresholds, requiring you to ask colleagues who do better."

"You'll feel ever more fatigued, your mind occasionally flashing with utterly negative thoughts, thinking that since this world doesn't oppose you 'supermen', staying hidden is still fine, and even the society's welfare is so good that just loafing around is acceptable, right?"

In a prolonged silence, facing that face whose eyes are indiscernible, someone lowered their head for no reason.

They clearly don't feel ashamed, yet they constantly sense being stared at by that person, and then feel an inexplicable heaviness and sorrow.

At Guino Xiaomei's desk, the little red matryoshka doll now shrank to the edge of the table corner, trying to avoid the pressure that would remind him of certain past memories.

"In that case, I must ruthlessly conclude that Miss Xiaomei's earlier proposal to leave was indeed preserving everyone's last shred of dignity."

"What did you say?!"

In the muffled sound of pounding the table, eventually someone couldn't take it and pounded the table.

His hair long like a lion's mane, with side‑extended horns, his build sturdy as a fitness enthusiast's, one punch made that seemingly ordinary red‑wood tabletop—nothing at all—rebound, his fist going numb as it relaxed.

But even so, he still wanted to let out a shout not losing momentum, only to be glanced at by the tall, slender, muscular man beside him whose wing‑like outline and skin tone resembled a classic demon from the screen.

Thus he fell into silence, while that man slightly nodded toward Guiye Xiaomei and 'Mifilas'.

Both responded with the same nod, and the loquacious speaker continued naturally: "I say, leaving as soon as possible might be the wisest choice in your lives, for you have no chance of victory."

"It is undeniable that you harbor ambition, for that is one of the desires present in every living being's heart, its core being the greed for better and stronger."

"But ambition also has its levels."

The alien raised his hand and placed it on the blank projection screen beside him, and immediately a common image from the Holy Terra Federation's development history textbook appeared, unfolding from between his parted five fingers, forming a readily recognizable chronicle of the federation's development.

From construction and production, to technological innovation, to urban scale, everything was built upon those countless old photos.

"Although individual humans are frail, the human race as a whole always retains the vigor of youth, continually harboring ambitious drive; compared to that, how do many of you, with long lifespans, think?"

"You can easily outlast individual humans, but the human race will accumulate and expand those achievements, and at the same time..."

He turned his head, raised his hand, and asked those employees before him.

"What have you inherited from your companions again? The same old overhead view?"

"You of the past could easily suppress frail humans, yet the humans that developed under your contempt have already made you feel reluctant."

"Why retreat?" he asked, directing the question to everyone.

But he didn't expect them to answer, and in the next second he himself voiced that conclusion, as if reading their minds.

"Do you find fighting meaningless? Do you find casualties unbearable? Do you find all this especially tedious?!"

"These can be reasons, but they are also excuses."

"Because what you left behind is your homeland; you clearly know what was taken from you by the other side, yet you have reservations."

"Why the reservations?"

"Friendship, love, making you avoid?"

"It's because you're weak! O you who were once noble."

"If you truly possessed power, all that you worry about would be met with composure capable of handling it properly."

"Precisely because you lack confidence in the outcome of fighting to the end, you choose to leave your homeland."

"Precisely because you don't know how to deal with complicated love and hate, you choose to avoid."

"You have fled all the way here, and this place indeed offers an opportunity sufficient to make you stronger!"

"Here also lies rich knowledge sufficient to fill you and enable you to solve past mysteries!" He turned his head, pressed down hard on the desk, the force so deep that it left neat fingerprints on the surface.

In that dull resonance, most of those present unconsciously sat upright, gazing at the distinctly tall and slender figure that seemed as fragile as a breeze, yet at this moment they held substantive dignity and power in their hands.

"As a result, among you, some still fail to realize this, letting the opportunity slip away, admitting that they deserve to be tossed into history's old scrap pile, and at the same time..."

That hand rose, the five fingers that should have been spread on the back of the hand lifting like claws.

"The humans of your homeland, the humans of the city you now inhabit, continue to accumulate and progress."

"Having fled everything and arrived here, where do you still plan to flee to?"

"The Symbolic House seeks excellent collaborators; assistants from the Symbolic House will pressure you, but behind her lies the power and knowledge sufficient to restore your noble standing."

"In this world, in this era, possessing achievements, wealth, and status can be concretely transformed into power and knowledge; the boundary between the mundane and the superhuman is not drawn so wide."

"Take a good look at your current selves, you who were once noble; this is your last opportunity."

"Seize the opportunity, time waits for no one; I really like this Eastern Yan proverb, and my speech ends here."

"Dismissed!"

Having said that, one person raised a hand to signal everyone to scram, but he instead finally sat down in his own seat, which had been ignored from the start.

Then he closed his eyes.

And this was reflected on Mifilas's face as merely a faint dimming of the blue curve.

But just as humans can still sense changes in light even with their eyelids closed, he soon opened his eyes due to the Hei'an before him, seeing a crowd of employees surrounding him.

A sudden déjà vu of being about to be mobbed arose, but the result was a rustling of everyone bowing.

After a brief silence, he sighed.

"Although this training ground was indeed funded by the Symbolic House, there's no need to follow Jidong workplace etiquette."