Chương 108: Chapter 1:”Yu Descends on the Planet of Artificial Life”

I was flowing through the Star Pulse, a place like a sea of stars where pale white lights floated fluffy here and there, heading for the next world. About four years have passed since I left Sacris. I was now 21 years old. Since then, I spent time in two worlds, 『Mishrabam』 and 『Iskira』. In 『Mishrabam』, days were so peaceful that the battles in Sacris felt like a lie. At first, I was braced for what kind of incident would happen, but nothing happened so much that I felt let down.

It seems what Will said in Sacris, that I would be free for a while, was true. I started working as a waitress at a restaurant. There, I was liked by the owner chef Dia, and well, various things happened, and I ended up doing cooking training... but let's save that story for another time. Thanks to one year of training, my cooking skills improved considerably. To the point where Dia gave me a passing grade on the "Graduation Exam" the day before I left the world.

When we parted, Dia, who had been holding back tears, finally cried. Even though I thought I would part with a smile, I inadvertently cried along with him. 『Iskira』 was a world where animals called Magic Beasts, possessing magical power, occupied the position of ordinary animals. I spent the last three years there. I made a living as a Magic Beast Hunter while regaining my combat instincts that had dulled in Mishrabam. I mainly stayed in a small country called Dajin.

Since this country was caught in the war between two major powers on both sides, I moved around variously as a freelance warrior to protect the people of Dajin. Thanks to that, I gained considerable combat experience against both Magic Beasts and humans in this world. Especially the death match with the super-large unicorn Zegzem and the sword master Badlan is still fresh in my memory. Through these battles, I feel like I've grown one size bigger.

When I left 『Iskira』, Mick, a personal inventor I became good friends with, made me carry a waist pouch full of various things as souvenirs. I think it was his way of hiding his embarrassment. Now. The world I am heading to now will be the fourth otherworld for me. With a mix of expectation and anxiety, I head there. As the destination approached, I came out into the original cosmic space. From far away, a star gradually approached. A gray star.

Viewing from space, the atmosphere of that star was so terribly turbid that the surface condition could not be seen at all. As far as I could see from the outside, it didn't seem like a very beautiful star. Eventually, just as I thought the ground approached rapidly, I soon landed on the ground accompanied by my physical body. Looking around immediately, it seemed to be the middle of a city. The ground was covered with something like metal plates, and there were magnificent skyscrapers everywhere.

Overall, it had a bright and spectacular atmosphere based on silver-white, giving an impression of being overly mechanical. Looking up, many vehicles, such as things that looked like cars and single-seater bikes, were running floating in the air as if it were natural. I stared in amazement at the sight. It was obvious at a glance. It seems civilization is extremely advanced here. It felt like I had come to a future world. However.

I was facing a serious problem, so much so that I didn't have time to think carefree like that. This is the middle of a big city. Naturally, there were people as far as the eye could see. They were completely wide-eyed at my sudden appearance. I was quite troubled. What should I do? Until now, I had coincidentally landed only in places where no one was, but I see. Sometimes I land in front of the public like this. From the surroundings, it would only look like I suddenly appeared out of nowhere.

Which is actually true. Now, how should I get through this situation? As I was pondering, a woman nearby suddenly screamed.

"It's a Humite! A Humite has appeared!" Humite?

"A Humite is here—!" Triggered by a man's voice calling for vigilance, they moved away from me as if scattering baby spiders. Eh. What. What is it? Soon, a large ring of people formed around me, and I was left alone in the middle. The people around seemed to be carefully watching my movements. Some glared at me as if looking at an enemy, some showed signs of fear, and some seemed to be watching with curiosity. Reactions were truly varied, but I couldn't feel any favorable emotions.

Of course, I have absolutely no idea why such ill feelings are directed at me. What is going on. What did I do? Just as I was bewildered by the sudden event. Sirens rang out here and there. An obvious alarm sound roared through the area. Furthermore, an emergency announcement by a female voice began to play. 『A Humite has appeared at District 3, Block 5. Residents in the vicinity, please be extremely vigilant. I repeat. A Humite has appeared at District 3—』 I have nothing but a bad feeling.

Could it be that I've gotten involved in something quite troublesome? Eventually, a siren sound different from the broadcast approached. Several cars ran through the sky and came here. Almost directly above me, they stopped abruptly. Keeping the horizontal position, the cars nose-dived in front of me. When they landed on the ground, the doors opened all at once. People wearing black uniforms swarmed out. About twenty in total.

"It's Dieclan!" A welcoming voice rose from the people. One man among them, who seemed to have a high rank, stepped forward. And he called out to me. His expression clearly did not welcome me.

"A Humite, huh. You bastard, how on earth did you get in here unnoticed?" From his heavy voice, it was conveyed that he was extremely vigilant. It seems there is no mistake. The Humite mentioned since a while ago probably refers to me. I don't know what a Humite is, of course, but it seems I'm being mistaken for one. For now, to avoid making things worse, let's bow my head. Even if I honestly explain that I came from another world, they are unlikely to believe me, so let's keep quiet about that.

"I'm sorry. If I did something bad, I apologize. What should I do?" Then, he snorted. As if looking down on me and making a fool of me.

"What should you do, you ask? It's decided. Illegal entry by a Humite is a capital offense." Told something completely unexpected, I was shaken. Capital offense!? (Death penalty!?) Wait a minute. Certainly, illegal entry might be a bad thing. But is that something one has to die for? Besides. They won't understand, but this is force majeure. Capital offense is no joke. When he raised his right hand, the other people readied things like guns all at once. No, not things like guns.

No matter how you look at it, they are definitely guns. Oi oi. Seriously... While feeling impatient inside, I tried not to show it on my face as much as possible and tried to persuade him.

"Umm. First, can we discuss this a little more peacefully? Surely there must be some unfortunate misunderstanding—""No questions asked. Fire!" Simultaneously with the signal. Gunshots rang out all at once, and numerous bullets were fired.

"Uwa!" They really shot! I hurriedly dodged them. Normally, I wouldn't even see bullets, let alone dodge them, but I'm glad I'm a man now. In a state where physical abilities are enhanced by Qi, it is possible to see through the trajectory of bullets. But, why? Until now, I should have been able to dodge such things with ease. I was now quite on the edge. For some reason, the effect of 《Physical Enhancement》 is poor. My movements are strangely dull. I feel like I can only exert about 20% of my usual power.

If I'm not careful, even bullets of this level might pierce my body and kill me if they hit directly.

"Why! Why aren't they hitting!" The man who gave the instruction seemed unable to wonder why I could dodge bullets. Certainly, if there was such a guy on Earth, I would be surprised too. Like, are you my mom? That person (though I shouldn't say this about my own mother) apparently dodged bullets naturally. To him, it might be such a feeling.

"Fire! More!" When he shouted at the people around him, the attacks became increasingly intense. Gradually, I became fully occupied just dodging. Finally, a bullet grazed right next to my cheek. At this rate, it's only a matter of time before I get hit. I won't let myself be killed without knowing anything like this. It's just going to the next world even if I die, but that sensation of strength draining away when dying is truly unpleasant. If there is a legitimate reason to bet my life, I'll gladly bet it.

But I'm not crazy enough to give my life for free without knowing the reason. —Can't be helped. It's self-defense. Love what you're reading? Discover and support the author on the platform they originally published on. To switch to counterattack, I put Qi (Life Energy) into my left hand. I created a sword composed of white shining Qi—a Qi Sword. This powerful weapon infused with my life force is much tougher and sharper than ordinary swords. Furthermore, I can change its shape to some extent according to my will.

But here too, I felt a strange discomfort. Strange. The Qi Sword lacks momentum more than usual. Normally, it emits a stronger shine and draws a solid white color. But now, the Qi Sword I created is slightly pale in color, and its shine is weak. It can't be that my skill suddenly dropped. For some reason, the effect of 《Physical Enhancement》 remains poor too. Which means, could it be— Is this world's Qi Tolerance low?... If so, this is bad.

Technically, if I use Lenks's 【Rebellion】, I can temporarily break through the limit due to tolerance. But that power puts too much burden on me to use. Besides, the lower the original tolerance, the greater the load required to raise the limit. Because I have to forcibly release what the world imposes strict restrictions on. If I use it forcibly, my body and mind might not hold up, or worse, I might die instantly. It's like strangling myself. It's tough, but I have to manage as it is... First, check the strength.

I try hitting the Qi Sword with a bullet. Then, although the blade strength is weak, it managed to repel it without danger at this level. Alright. If so, if I make a shield with Qi, I can prevent bullets. I changed the shape of the Qi Sword into a shield shape. Moving while holding that, I could prevent bullets without danger. Having a little leeway, I decided to concentrate my consciousness and search for Qi to measure the opponent's condition. There, I notice a shocking fact.

Strange sweat burst out due to the enormity of it. To my surprise, I can't feel any Qi at all from those who are shooting guns now. Not only that. Fearfully, including the people watching from afar, no one in this place seems to have Qi at all. This was something absolutely impossible normally. Because if it's a normal living creature, it must have Qi, large or small. The fact that there is none means— Could it be that these people, who look like nothing but humans no matter how I look, are not just humans!?

I thought I needed to verify. I re-held the shield firmly and ran toward one of the men who continued attacking. Approaching quickly at a speed invisible to their eyes, I instantly switched from shield to sword and infused Qi. The Qi Sword increased its shine while keeping white, sparking crackle-crackle. And I deliver a blow to the surprised him as is. Since the attack itself is not the purpose, I hit the sword lightly. [Stunraze] This is a sword technique that does not kill people.

It hits with a Qi Sword that has lost its sharpness, and sends Qi at the same time to disturb the opponent's Qi, giving a shock like an electric shock. It's a non-lethal technique I treasure as I want to avoid killing people meaninglessly as much as possible. However, this 《Stunraze》 had almost no effect on the man I just hit. Although he was blown away somewhat by the impact of the blow, he stood up vigorously as if nothing had happened.

I, who closed the distance too much to hit the sword, decided to step back once before becoming prey to concentrated fire by guns. While taking a distance from them, I calmly connect the obtained pieces. No, it's not just a matter of not working. There was no Qi to disturb in the first place. It's not that life force is supplied from the inside like female me, there is really nothing. And the feeling when I hit the sword was completely different from when I hit a person.

A hard sensation as if hitting metal or something. Even though he's not wearing armor. At least not flesh and blood. What can be judged from here is— They are not humans! I can't believe it, but they are very well-made robots or something! I finally felt like it made a little sense. Why they are wary of me. Why they view me as an enemy. Maybe it's because I'm a human. I can't think of any other reason for now.

Even if not, it's probably certain that the fact that I am "different" from them is the cause of this situation. Because they distinguished me by calling me a Humite. If the "difference" itself is the cause, it won't be easy to settle this situation peacefully. I had hope that maybe I could still manage with discussion, but now I have no choice but to throw it away. Then what do I do? I can't stay like this forever. Defeating all of them attacking now would be one option. However, I didn't feel like doing that.

They have clear hostility, but I don't. And if I kill even one person (robot?), the conflict will become decisive. It is easy to imagine that it will become increasingly irreversible. I don't want to increase enemies unnecessarily, and I don't want to be resented by anyone. —For now, let's handle them appropriately and escape. That seemed best. Once I decided on the policy, I decided to use the high-power Qi Sword only as a shield and maneuver mainly with martial arts.

While dodging or defending against bullets flying like rain, I shower them with kicks and chops one by one to repel the guns. Still, I threw the guys coming at me or punched them directly. From the hard sensation returning from my fist, I was increasingly convinced that they seemed to be robots. Fortunately, or so to speak. I don't know the reason well, but I found out that even though they are robots, if I give a strong shock, they seem to faint, or rather, temporarily stop functioning.

"Eeei! What are you doing against just one person!" Ignoring the man shouting instructions, I escape when about half are incapacitated. If I do this much, they will be distracted by dealing with their comrades and their pursuit will be slow. Escape seemed like an easy win. Until She appeared—. A shadow passes in front of my eyes. Looking up, a magnificent light blue open car was flying in. From the driver's seat, one person stands up. Letting her long light blue hair flutter in the wind.

She jumped off quickly from there without even lowering the car to the ground.

"It's Lilna -san!"

"That Lilna-san has come!"

" Dielevats has come for us!" Such cheers rise one after another. She seems to be a very trusted person. The woman called Lilna decelerated as if floating softly very close to the ground and landed brilliantly without danger.

"Lilna-san, please kill him!"

"Death to the sinful Humite!" She responds to the expectant voices around her by raising her hand lightly.

"How noisy. I was off duty today, though." Saying that, she stared straight at me. I observe her well too. The clear blue eyes and the smoothly flowing light blue long hair were impressive first. She has a neat and beautiful face, well-ordered like a doll. She was wearing a silver-white metal costume with black and red in places. From the waist to the chest is firmly covered with metal, but white skin is exposed on the shoulders and thighs.

From the elbows down and knees down, it is not flesh and blood from the look of it. It seems to be made of metal mainly silver-white. The tips of her feet are slightly swollen, looking as if she is wearing shoes. She wears parts like light blue knee pads on her knees, and on her gauntlets, there were golden parts and a flat hole from which something seemed likely to pop out. This person is not ordinary. I still can't feel Qi, but I understood that much well from the strength she wears and her flawless stance.

I raised the alert level at once. This doesn't seem to go so easily.

"Are you the Humite in question?"

"Is your name Lilna?" Then she frowned blatantly. The expression was natural like a real human.

"Humite, do not call my name familiarly."

"I'm not that Humite or whatever, though." I said the undeniable truth for me, but she only frowned suspiciously.

"Nonsense. I know. Your life reaction clearly. That is the greatest proof that you are a Humite." I see. I found out important information casually. Does Humite possess Life Energy (Qi) like me? So she distinguished by that. She glared at me as if shooting through me with those clear ice eyes.

"Humites threatening Natura —will be killed." When she finished saying the death sentence, she suddenly disappeared from in front of me. Disappeared!? Since I can't feel Qi, I don't understand her movements at all. Where. Where is she coming from. —Behind? From instinct and rule of thumb, I felt somehow behind was dangerous. I created a Qi Sword and swung it through as I turned around. Immediately after, with a blade sound Gakin!, her attack stops.

If my reaction had been delayed even for a moment, I would have been done for. From her right gauntlet, a light blue shining blade was popping out. It collided with my Qi Sword and was scattering sparks violently. She looks surprised, but her tone was calm to the end.

"This is the first time... this has been stopped."

"I don't intend to fight or do anything. Please listen to me." I tried to persuade her somehow, but her reaction was cold.

"I have no ear to lend to Humite's stories." She unleashes the same light blue blade from her left gauntlet too.

"[Inclear]. Transition to Attack Mode." Mastering the left and right blades dexterously, she slashed at me with a dual-wield style like overwhelming waves. I was desperate just to parry and dodge the blades. If I relax even for a moment, I'll be done. Against such overwhelming number of moves, I am helpless with one sword. I can use dual wield too, but precision drops compared to one sword. Since I can't put much power into each hand, one sword style is stably stronger except in special situations.

She realizes dual wield effortlessly by fixing blades to gauntlets. Moreover, she is quite used to movement with two swords. I can't oppose her with a makeshift dual wield. Strong. I should have accumulated considerable combat experience, but I am completely pushed. To clash with such a guy suddenly. It wasn't time to spare effort anymore. If I don't attack with the intention of defeating her, I can't create an opening. I put Qi into the Qi Sword with all my might.

The blade body with increased Qi density changes from white to dazzling blue-white. With that, I slash at her. [Senkraze]"You use strange sword techniques since a while ago. But—" The moment it seemed the attack would hit. A vivid blue transparent barrier covers her surroundings. When the Qi Sword hit it—. The Qi Sword shattered into mist.

"It doesn't work on me." Wha—. My strongest blow that I place absolute trust in. It has been repelled. It has been ineffective. But, to be shattered along with the Qi Sword. Such a thing has never happened before.

"Die."

"Wa!" I barely dodge the blade thrust back. But perhaps due to agitation, my reaction was delayed for a moment, and it grazed my cheek a little. Blood drips from there. My spine froze. Bad. Too bad. What is that barrier! Damn. If the sword is no good, how about a fist. Next, I try putting Qi into my fist. And while managing to dodge attacks, I found a slight gap and drove a left straight. But, simultaneously with a sound Bachi!

, the fist hit the surface of the barrier generated in an instant and was completely repelled. Not just repelled. Even the effect of Qi reinforcement has vanished. This barrier, does it deploy automatically!? Moreover, even Qi...!

"I told you it doesn't work." She who told me so with a cold voice without changing her complexion seemed like a devil or something. While managing to suppress the welling agitation, I calculate the winning chance. Continuing the fight as it is, can I do something about this guy? The answer was No. I can't see a chance of winning. After all, attacks don't pass at all. If I transform into a woman, maybe I can manage with magic. But in this public surveillance, I hesitated to transform. Besides.

Let me say my frank feelings. I can't deal with this! Suddenly picked a fight, I don't know what is what. No one will be troubled even if I run away. Fighting seriously like this is just a loss. Let's run away quickly. Fighting as it is will be a gradual decline. But, how to run away. Currently, she is equal to me in speed. Since she knows the land, the advantage of the ground is also on her side. I don't think she will let me escape easily. —That's it. I got an idea.

There should have been a strange disposable tool in the souvenirs I got from Mick. Something that generates very powerful electromagnetic waves. I don't know why he made such a thing though. Anyway, if I can disrupt the movements of these guys who are machines even a little with it. Let's try. I take out Mick's invention 《EM-Ball》 from the waist pouch that has become tattered from use. Turning on its switch, I threw it towards the front of Lilna so as not to be repelled by the barrier.

The ball starts making a buzzing sound Jijiji. Of course, electromagnetic waves are invisible, but the effect seemed to be immediate. Her feet stopped abruptly, and she was clearly agitated.

"What...? A system error!?" Alright. Now! It's disposable, and the effect won't last long. Turning my back on her, I pushed through the surprised crowd and ran away at full speed. Anywhere is fine. To a place where I can hide! I run choosing small paths where there seem to be few people as much as possible. The mechanical city was maintained and beautiful even to the back alleys. 『Humite is escaping. Currently at District 3, Block 6. Humite is escaping. Heading to Block 7.

』 Tracking voice broadcasts are played frequently. How on earth are they pinpointing my location?

"I won't let you escape!" From behind, Lilna's menacing voice was heard. It seems she is chasing me without leaving. At this rate, I will be caught up eventually. Even though my figure shouldn't have been caught yet. How is she following me really? When I thought about it again, I finally found the answer. I see. I got it. She said something about life reaction. Could it be that she is reading Qi? If so. Transform! I transformed into a woman. Into a woman who has absolutely no Qi force.

My height shrinks a little, my hair grows fluffy, and a heavy weight is applied to my chest.

"Where. Where did he go!" The reaction must have disappeared suddenly. Eventually, her voice fades away. It seems I succeeded in shaking her off. Phew. Saved. When I sighed in relief, I noticed my chest was tight. Huh? My clothes haven't changed. Looking down, the clothes remained men's. Since there is no bra, the cleavage is clearly visible from the open chest. These clothes change into women's clothes in response to my Magic Power. If there is a certain amount of Magic Power, it should definitely change.

Could it be. I tried chanting magic as a trial. Wind acceleration magic targeting myself so as not to affect the surroundings. [Falspeed] Then the wind happened only for a moment Shun, but soon disappeared. Wha—!? [Rafalus] [Volket] [Arlcumber] Panicking, I try magic one after another. Anything is fine. Isn't there anything I can use!? But, they all failed to activate ruthlessly. No way—. I felt like everything went dark before my eyes. Magic cannot be used.