Chapter 12: You Are Brave

Chapter 12: You Are Brave

The Black Hawk Military Academy served as a crucible for forging new Gene Warriors from raw human potential.

"I refuse deployment," the Emperor declared without hesitation when presented with the mission parameters. "My presence is required here. The newest initiates require guidance that only experience can provide."

Throughout His countless millennia of existence, He had assumed myriad roles: sovereign and knight, scholar and deceiver, criminal and crusader. Playing the hero who saves worlds held no novelty for one such as Him.

Yet time remained His most precious resource. The knowledge of the Kamigawa Civilization awaited His complete mastery—the secrets of Dark Plane manipulation, Sub-Creature engineering, and Void technologies. Only after absorbing this wisdom could He alter the Destiny Nodes and claim more advanced Genetic Engines.

"Since arriving at this academy, you have shown no interest in your classmates, yet now you speak of guiding newcomers?" Instructor Ruisz rubbed his temples, sensing an approaching headache. "You merely wish to continue your studies undisturbed."

This individual surpassed even Death God Karl's former obsessiveness. At least Karl had once harbored affection for Liang Bing—the Angelic Queen—and maintained social connections within the academy.

This one cared for nothing save knowledge.

More disturbing still was His learning capacity, which exceeded anything Ruisz had witnessed. Given sufficient time, this student would likely surpass even Ding Gehei in scholarly achievement.

"Consider this proposal," Ruisz offered. "Accompany the mission to Giant Gorge, and I shall share the Kamigawa Civilization's research on the Pangu culture."

The Emperor's expression remained neutral.

"Furthermore, exceptional performance may grant you access to certain God-Making Project secrets and additional Kamigawa scientific achievements."

A smile touched the Emperor's features.

"Protecting Earth remains every citizen's duty. I shall comply with academy directives absolutely."

Ruisz stared in disbelief at the sudden transformation.

Such rapid attitude shifts felt almost insulting to his intelligence.

"Big Guy, you don't need to appear quite so... eager," the Raven muttered from his shoulder.

Where had his stern, calculating, eternally serious Golden overlord disappeared? The being before him resembled a tech addict incapable of restraint when presented with new knowledge.

The Emperor paid no heed to the Raven's complaints. Having secured the desired information from Ruisz, He departed for Giant Gorge with evident satisfaction.

Above, the dimensional rift continued expanding. Warships poured through the breach in steady succession—the Taotie Civilization from the Dark Nebula had begun their invasion of Earth.

Tianhe City fell first.

Flames consumed entire city blocks while screams mingled with explosions in a symphony of destruction.

"How dare this primitive human civilization resist my god Karl?" General Feng Lei, one of the Taotie Army's principal commanders, ground his armored boot against a man's skull. "Such ignorance deserves only suffering."

Nearby, dozens of civilians cowered on the ground, hands clasped over their heads, trembling with terror. Taotie soldiers patrolled with weapons ready, beating or massacring any who showed the slightest resistance.

"Weak flesh, ignorant minds—such a species represents the universe's refuse, fit only for slavery," Feng Lei declared to his troops. "These humans aren't even worthy of breathing the air my god Karl has blessed. Let them—"

"Well spoken."

A voice cut through his proclamation.

The Emperor emerged from the smoke, clad in the academy's black armor. His true war-plate and weapons could not traverse dimensional barriers, forcing Him to rely upon inferior substitutes.

The Taotie soldiers displayed immediate panic. Their detection systems had registered no approach—the figure had materialized without warning.

The Raven, perched upon the Emperor's shoulder, silently applauded the alien general's courage.

'Remarkable, ' it thought. 'This creature dares call humanity to refuse before the Fifth Chaos God—a being whose supremacist devotion to mankind borders on fanaticism. Such bravery exceeds even praising Khorne's exotic dancing skills.'

"A Gene Warrior?" Feng Lei's frown deepened. "All of your kind should have been eliminated."

The Taotie had thoroughly researched Earth's Xiong Bing Company, crafting specific strategies to counter their strongest member—the Sunlight gene of the Great Sun. Upon learning the company had deployed to Tianhe City, they had immediately struck, destroying all transport helicopters.

One had apparently escaped their net.

"No matter. Eliminating you presents minimal difficulty." Data-light blazed in Feng Lei's optical sensors as the streamlined wings of his mech-suit deployed. "Consider death by my hand an honor."

He charged.

The next instant, a massive luminous palm slammed him earthward. His sleek mechanical form crumpled, damage warnings cascading through his control core. Terror flickered across Feng Lei's features before invisible force seized him, lifting him skyward.

"You—"

His words never finished. The general's mech-body detonated, scattering fragments across the battlefield.

Witnessing their commander's instantaneous destruction, the surviving Taotie soldiers fled in disorder. Why attempt combat when their strongest had fallen to a single gesture?

They managed only a few steps before collapsing, their lives ended with peaceful efficiency.

[Destiny Node Changed 8%]

The notification appeared in the Raven's consciousness.

"Big Guy remains Big Guy," it observed. "Complete dominance without suspense. Honestly, it grows somewhat tedious."

"At least provide some back-and-forth. He strikes you, you strike back—flesh against flesh, truly exhilarating combat."

"Two quick moves and finished? The audience won't pay for such brevity."

The Emperor ignored his companion's commentary, turning instead to Han Sen and the others who had arrived.

"Escort these civilians to safety."

"What of you?" Han Sen asked.

The Emperor indicated the Taotie mothership hovering above. "I must educate them regarding the universe's true refuse."

"We're teammates—we should act together."

"We are acting together. Civilian evacuation falls under your jurisdiction."

The Emperor departed without further discussion. Han Sen and his companions regarded the panicked civilians with visible frustration.

"He's always like this," Lena complained. "Zero team spirit."

"Who told us we can't match him in combat?" Liu Chuang muttered dejectedly.

"What kind of Gene does Boss possess anyway?" Han Sen examined the scattered mech fragments and corpses. "With such overwhelming power? That Taotie general wasn't weak, yet he died instantly."

"How should I know?" Lena rolled her eyes. "He's completely mysterious. Might not even be a God-Making Project product—possibly from another Kamigawa Civilization program entirely."

"Enough speculation," Rose interrupted, tapping Han Sen and Liu Chuang on their heads. "Move the civilians first. We'll handle battlefield cleanup afterward."

"What the hell is this entity? The Taotie Army can't even mount a counterattack!"

Liang Bing had been observing the Tianhe City battle from her concealed position. Watching the massive Taotie battleship's destruction by the Emperor nearly caused her optical implants to malfunction.

"This 'Emperor' designation sounds unfamiliar. I've never encountered such an individual in any God-Making Project records."

"A-Tuo, initiate scanning protocols. Determine this being's background."

Liang Bing attempted to probe the stranger's origins.

The next moment, her Demon Engine issued critical alerts.

[Sub-biological energy attack detected. Self-cognition modification in progress.]

[Level 1 protection program failed. Please connect to Demon Wings for additional computational power.]

[Level 2 protection program failed. Please connect to Demon Wings for additional computational power.]

"Damn it!" Liang Bing cursed. "I merely wished to investigate his background and received an attack in response."

"Activate emergency communication—contact that bastard Karl. We have a problem on Earth."

Her expression shifted to alarm.

How could such a malevolent existence operate on Earth?

[No malice detected. The highest level defense cannot activate. Underlying cognitive logic is being modified.]

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Confusion clouded Liang Bing's features.

Moments later, she returned to apparent normalcy.

"A-Tuo, what was I planning to do just now?" she asked, bewildered.

A-Tuo, her demon general, replied, "Weren't you going to deal with the Xiong Bing Company?"

"Did I say I was going to deal with the Xiong Bing Company?" Liang Bing's confusion deepened.

"Yes, what else would you do?" A-Tuo scratched his head.

"I feel like I'm forgetting something important. Let's focus on handling the Xiong Bing Company for now."

"Queen, Death God Karl is calling. Should I transfer the communication?"

"Tell him to disappear. I'm not in the mood."

In the distant Dark Nebula, Death God Karl stared at the terminated connection with bewilderment.

Liang Bing was experiencing another episode of instability?

She had initiated an emergency communication, yet now refused his response and told him to disappear.

Was she bullying someone who cared for her?