Chapter 690 - 425: End of War (Part 2)

The two crowds merged together, and everyone was searching for the whereabouts of their family members.

"Dad, Dad, I’m here!"

"Oh God, it’s so good that you’re okay, it’s so good that you’re okay..."

"Marian, are you alright?!"

"Ah... our house was bombed and collapsed, these people rushed into the fire to rescue me, if it weren’t for them, I might have..."

Amidst the rising and falling sounds of relief, many people found their family members, reuniting and embracing each other, tears flowing with expressions of having narrowly escaped death.

But not everyone was so lucky.

Many soldiers had already perished in the previous battles; those running civilians couldn’t find them no matter how hard they looked, or they learned of their family’s deaths from other soldiers, each one collapsing to the ground, wailing.

In this final strategic stronghold, the joy of reunion and the pain of loss intertwined, some fortunate for regained loved ones, while others mourned in the sorrow of eternal separation.

Thus, the war ended.

The anticipated rivers of blood and slaughter did not unfold.

The Queen Bee had absorbed all knowledge from the "Human Document," being more rational than anyone, she would make the most profitable decisions for her side without hesitation, even if it meant swimming through seas of corpses and blood.

Simultaneously, she was more tender than anyone, understanding the fragility and hardship of all living things, doing her utmost to protect every life.

The war ended.

No cheers of victory.

No regrets over defeat.

Only the tears of reunion or farewell, and the indelible pain engraved in the hearts of the survivors.

Humanity lost.

Humanity won.

...

The Construct Swarm approached the Upper Court Council Headquarters, the final battle concluding with the total surrender of the Capital Group Army, ceasing their resistance.

The Worker Bee Constructs, who previously launched wave after wave of ruthless offensives, now, under the Queen Bee’s control, eagerly joined logistics roles, helping to treat the wounded, settle the populace, and maintain order.

Before long, the core members of the Rebel Army also appeared.

Su Mo reunited with Su Motong, along with three batches of companions who had gone on missions to the headquarters of corporate giants.

Fenrir, Dongdong, Hibell, and Nuobai had sustained numerous injuries, but they either had super-speed recovery abilities or astonishingly high health bars, becoming lively again after a short rest post-battle.

Shangguan Li, on the other hand, returned to the rear for surgery; her physical condition was acceptable, but she needed to remove her over-burdening Apocalypse Level 1 cyber-eye and replace it with simpler components.

When Su Mo walked into the encampment, he saw the highest commander of the Capital Group Army, Lu Yangming.

This General had been present since the initial siege defense, witnessing the entire war, and was among the few fortunate enough to survive after enduring from beginning to end.

In the end, the Capital Group Army voluntarily laid down their arms, and he didn’t command the battle supervisors to enforce battlefield discipline, tacitly allowing everyone to surrender.

As Su Mo approached, Lu Yangming sat smoking on the ground, his gaze somewhat vacant.

Lu Yangming knew Su Mo had arrived, but didn’t look at him, only murmuring, "Now that I think about it, we fought so fiercely, so many died, for what?"

"We couldn’t protect anything, and perhaps didn’t need to protect."

As the Capital defense dragged on, many soldiers actually knew they were going to lose on their side.

Their continuous and relentless fighting wasn’t really about loyalty to the World Government, but merely a desire to protect their families behind them.

However, in hindsight, such concerns seemed redundant.

Su Mo shook his head, walking past Lu Yangming: "Nothing to say. You’re a soldier, you fulfilled your duty."

Su Mo led his companions to the main gate of the Upper Court Council Headquarters, now past dawn, this towering building standing like a sword piercing the sky, overshadowing the rising sun in the east, casting a massive shadow on the ground.

Su Mo took three fractured keys from his companions, keys from the giants’ headquarters, and pieced them together.

This key was an item that must be obtained via the main storyline in the original "Dawn" narrative, used to acquire the sixth major clearance item, the "Desecrating Silence Sword."

This key was separated into three segments, each held by the headquarters of the three major corporate giants.

In the original storyline, these were three mandatory boss battles against Hansen, Adam, and Tsukimori Iori.

In reality, these three were fought off by Su Mo’s companions; he didn’t engage from start to finish.

It wasn’t about putting companions in danger, but because he was about to face a formidable foe only he could handle.

In that battle, he not only had to win but had to win quickly.

So before that, his body must not be worn out.

After all, real life isn’t like a game.

In games, whether it’s health, mana, or stamina, it all replenishes quickly at the rest point.

Reality doesn’t have such mechanics.

Now, with the three fractured keys together, Su Mo was also about to walk down his destined path.

Su Mo: "You guys go rest up; Mo Tong and I will handle this."

Holding the key, he entered the Upper Court Council Headquarters with Su Motong.

As they entered the lobby, they immediately saw a group of people waiting there.

These individuals were dressed in immaculate suits, with the emblem of the Upper Court pinned to their chests, lined up neatly as if they were guards welcoming a VIP.

They were all significant members of the Upper Court Council, each holding unparalleled power, with the ability to decide the fate of millions with just a signature.

Yet this group of powerful individuals collectively kneeled the moment they saw Su Mo, humbly bowing before him.

At the forefront was the leader of the World Government, his hands and forehead pressed to the floor like a servant before his master, yet his voice remained heavy and forceful.

"Mr. Su Mo, as leaders of the World Government, during our tenure we committed countless atrocities in collaboration with the giants, we do not seek mercy and are willing to accept any judgment."

"But before that, allow me to elucidate the current situation to you."

"Since the Dawn Year began, humanity has risen with difficulty from the ruins of the apocalyptic war, countless individuals sacrificing their precious lives to rebuild civilization with one collective mantra — humanity’s survival trumps all."

"Yet now, the nascent civilization spanning 156 years stands again on the brink of annihilation, and the switch symbolizing destruction lies in your hands."

"That key can unlock the door to the highest underground storage room, but as the door opens, the leaders of Sky City will trigger the ultimate insurance against humanity, entering the countdown to doomsday."

"The Dawn Era lasted only a short 156 years, but human history transcends that."

"Tracing back to the old days, back to ancient times, back to the first appearance of the human species, that’s a history spanning 2 million years."

"2 million years, Mr. Su Mo, a full 2 million years, humanity braved storms and hardships, yet now faces the end."

"The only person who can stop all of this is you, only you can halt this at the moment, cease this war, and disappear from this world to prevent humanity’s destruction."

"We’ve committed too many wrongs, but please believe this next request is not driven by personal motives, this is the first time we stand from the perspective of the entire human race to make a request of you—"

The World Government leader clenched his fists, his voice resonating like a bell: "For the sake of all humanity, please take your own life!"

All the Upper Court personnel maintained their kneeling posture, at that moment unanimously voicing the same request.

"For the sake of all humanity, please take your own life!"

"For the sake of all humanity, please take your own life!"

"For the sake of all humanity, please take your own life!"

The resounding voices echoed through the hall, as though forming invisible walls pressing in on Su Mo from all directions.

Who knows how much time passed...

"Tap, tap, tap..." the leader heard footsteps slowly approaching.

A hand gently rested on his arm, helping him up.

He lifted his head and saw Su Mo’s face.

No anger from being offended.

No arrogance of a victor.

No bewilderment from unbearable pressure.

Only calmness.

A calmness that seemed to have foreseen everything, a calm as placid as water.

"For the sake of all humanity."

Su Mo said.

"I refuse."