Chapter 256: The Last Order!

"The Demon King? Is it the legendary demon that created the Dark Sonata? It actually exists!"

"What is this thing? An apostle?"

Anthony exclaimed after a moment, staring incredulously at the skeleton lying on the ground.

Most of their previous speculations about the Dark Continent had been mere guesses, and now that they had confirmation, they couldn't help but feel bewildered by the reality before them.

"Wow."

At the entrance to the stone statue's base, Menchi emerged with a pale face, her hand covering her mouth. After stepping outside, she doubled over and vomited.

Oboro had only allowed Menchi to explore the underground passage after confirming there was no immediate danger. As for what was hidden inside, he had already sensed its presence.

"It's not an apostle" Oboro said softly. "At best, it can only be considered a plaything of the devil."

"Everyone, sit down," Oboro continued, his expression serious.

Hearing his command, the three of them sat down on the ground. Their minds were still reeling, partly from shock and partly from fear induced by the "incomplete song" they had just heard.

If not for Oboro's protection, the three of them would have met a swift death despite their extensive training. They had grown tremendously in skill, yet in this moment, they felt utterly powerless.

"I've glimpsed part of the truth about the Dark Continent," Oboro began, recounting word for word the scene he had witnessed in the skeleton's memories. "This place is both the Garden of Eden and a magic box. To be more precise, it's a large-scale gene breeding vessel."

Menchi and the other two listened with gradually widening eyes.

"Not just humans all the species we've encountered are different from the creatures in the human world. Haven't you noticed? The wildebeest has conch shells on its back The metal centipede has hooves on its feet. These are results of genetic evolution, adaptations to the environment and food chain. All species here are constantly changing, humans included. Unconventional mating, reproduction, and emergence of new life forms Meruem is a prime example. Humans typically sit at the bottom of the food chain. They lack physical strength, but they're advanced intelligent life forms. This alone makes humans the best genetic match. Chimera Ants are merely an inconspicuous creature in the Dark Continent, but after combining with human genes, they created terrifying individuals like Meruem"

Oboro explained methodically, his voice steady.

"If the life forms we encountered before lacked thinking and had weak Aura, then the ecological chain of the Dark Continent is gradually evolving from 'wilderness' to 'civilization' the emergence of intelligent creatures. Humans are a crucial link in this process. Those sub-human races, including sub-human monsters, all originated here. Human genes were selectively bred, perhaps at the very beginning of this continent's existence, to participate in the 'reproduction process.' That's why many higher life forms on the Dark Continent, including the Demon King, maintain certain human characteristics. I believe at least 70% to 80% of intelligent life on the Dark Continent are 'descendants' of humans"

The three remained speechless.

It wasn't that they disagreed with Oboro's assessment it simply stretched beyond their imagination.

"From what I've seen in the memories besides humans, other creatures are constantly evolving, mating according to instinct. Even so, humans cannot overcome their inherent weakness and must still rely on powerful creatures Most humans here are slaves or food for superior species. A few form partnerships with alien species or create unique ethnic groups and tribes. However, the Dark Continent operates by one iron law: power. Once a species with human genes gains wisdom and becomes a super-dimensional life form, it no longer belongs to the human category. It hunts for stronger food because it requires more life energy It seeks better genes, follows the food chain, evolves, reproduces instinctively, and creates its own bloodline. Countless genes on this land are as vast as the sea of stars, and the continent's energy resources are rich and magical, making the life forms here incredibly diverse and strange"

"That's why human civilization once had such profound influence on the Dark Continent"

"I understand like Komugi," Anthony swallowed hard, thinking of Ant King Meruem and Komugi.

If a creature from the Dark Continent could develop emotions with humans, then such phenomena must have occurred throughout the Dark Continent's history. After all, humans had existed here for an incredibly long time.

"The Ant King and Komugi aren't special cases," Oboro nodded, thinking of how the entity in Alluka's body shared similarities with Killua.

"Genetic combination and evolution isn't limited to physical form The Dark Continent continues to evolve in this regard or rather, it has never stopped. However, humans still cannot change their fundamental weakness. To Chimera Ants, humans are merely 'food' that can optimize their genes or provide services and convenience for other intelligent races. That's all. For humans to survive here, they can only choose a few paths: dependency on stronger beings, evolution at the cost of their humanity, or escape to a place beyond these rules"

"In that case, is our human world our island in the lake a primitive gene bank?" Gabwich rarely spoke, but now his scalp tingled with realization.

Was this why the creatures of the Dark Continent had never invaded the human world? In a sense, was protection actually preservation of the purest original genes?

"No Though it contains original genes, they've been deemed inferior. The reason Dark Continent creatures don't venture to our world is probably as the captain said before the resources and energy there are too scarce. Evolution selects for advantageous genes, and this land abounds with them Our purebred humans, aside from being 'intelligent creatures,' have long been insufficient. But for some lower life forms that cannot 'combine' with established intelligent species in the Dark Continent, humans remain a good choice. It's unfortunate that most lower life forms lack the cognitive capacity to realize this, let alone travel to our world"

Menchi elaborated thoughtfully.

"Higher life forms are disgusted by us, and lower life forms are brainless," Anthony summarized succinctly.

"There's another variable: 'emotions.' Human emotions, like those of Chimera Ants, can cause powerful species to transcend food chain instincts and develop feelings for the weakest humans just like the Ant King."

"As long as intelligence exists communication and exchange become possible. This might be the survival capital for humans who still exist on the continent However, as the captain said, most humans remain 'livestock' being cultivated Some advanced life forms may retain feelings toward humans, but I suspect they're exceedingly rare. The Dark Continent's nature and environment infinitely amplify organisms' instincts Most species still adhere to hunting, submission, the law of the jungle, and respect for strength."

"I fear those with genuine feelings are few"

"Don Freecss only wrote the eastern chapter of the New World Chronicle. There are two possibilities for why he never returned First, he discovered the diversity of life energy on the continent, uncovering sub-human species or civilizations evolved from different genes. These findings would be far more fascinating than the so-called disasters and hopes because they represent human potential. All species on the Dark Continent derive from humans. The second, more realistic possibility is that he simply couldn't return."

Oboro sighed softly. "This is what I needed to tell you"

Menchi and the others began to understand his meaning.

"Go back now, while there's still time."

""

"Captain!"

Anthony's expression changed abruptly. As he was about to speak, Oboro raised his hand to silence him.

"It's not difficult to understand Since we set foot on this land, we've been adapting to the ecological chain, but we haven't integrated because integration requires evolution, and this evolution isn't voluntary. It's entirely passive. If you continue following me, one day you may suddenly transform into a new life form Remember how Chimera Ants chose humans for cultivation? Turning humans into ants Without our intervention, Pom, Knov's disciple in the crusade team, would have become an ant It's fortunate to retain some human appearance. If you become a monster, you'll never return to the human world. Even if you survive in some sense humans won't accept you. Consider V5's attitude toward the Dark Continent, and why Chairman Netero expressly forbade humans from coming here The old man must have realized this, and his decision now seems correct."

"If the last purebred humans also participate in 'evolution,' then humanity will truly 'disappear' and cease to exist. Of course, purebred humans may still exist in the Dark Continent. I glimpsed them in the memories but their survival is precarious. They're like ants being toyed with, unable to control their own destiny."

"If you become like this" Oboro pointed at the dead "deformities" nearby, "forget strangers even your loved ones won't recognize you."

"The gatekeeper was right to prevent humans from entering It understands pure humans too well. They need tribes, compatriots, social groups. Humans cannot separate from their original world to evolve. Oboro ago, humans and certain creatures escaped and voluntarily relinquished 'evolution.' We aren't that desperate for power just moderately ambitious. We're fundamentally unsuited for this place. History has proven everything."

"But I might be an exception."

Oboro closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, he smiled unexpectedly. "Let's go. Listen to me Don't fight your instincts. You can choose not to evolve, but when your survival is threatened, you may choose otherwise. That's the true horror of the Dark Continent. Once you choose evolution, you can never escape, never return. The environment and its rules will infect and indoctrinate every creature that sets foot on this land."

"When evolution offers power and rebirth, it's nearly impossible to refuse in the name of survival."

"Not just you even I I can't claim complete confidence in my resistance."

"Our ancestors made the wisest decision in leaving this place."

"Don Freecss may be unable to return as well. Not because he doesn't want to Of course, I haven't seen him, so this is merely speculation."

"Go back now while you still can."

Oboro rarely smiled at them, and this unexpected expression immediately brought tears to their eyes.

"Let's"

Menchi's voice trembled.

Oboro shook his head. "I came to this world not for power, nor for friends or humanity. I came only for myself, so this Dark Continent game doesn't affect me. I thought this first expedition was merely a trial that I could return to prepare, but I never expected that venturing too deep would make departure so difficult."

"It was indeed my mistake"

"There's no point in returning now because I'll definitely come back it would be a waste of time."

"I'll leave human affairs to you"

"I want to see if, as a pure human, I can triumph without participating in this evolution I want to conquer this place, to overthrow the 'rules' of this continent!"

"Perhaps Don Freecss thought similarly."

"With the most primitive and weakest genes, I'll stand atop this 'gene breeding ground.'"

"After you return, reach consensus with V5 and prohibit human involvement here."

"Maybe someday I'll return If I remain unchanged, we'll meet again. If I've changed forget it."

"This is my final order as your captain. It is absolute!"

"Go back!"

"Keep your human appearance and essence go back!"