Chapter 475: I Am Who I Am
Fourth Ladder...
Kaito Shirogane sat in the hall, alone savoring that power radiating from the inside out just now.
Judging from Li Qingzi's reaction and description, it was a peculiar power that forbade all abilities and even reset strengthened attributes to zero. She said that in that instant, she felt as if her physical body was about to collapse, and before her eyes, she saw countless pitch-black Yin spirits pouncing towards her in an illusory space.
Undoubtedly, that scene should be the image in his own sea of consciousness.
In other words, in that instant, Li Qingzi saw the situation in his sea of consciousness, and at the same time was almost cut off from all abilities, specializations, attribute points, extraordinary characteristics, and tier characteristics...
In that power defined by the Space as [Fourth Ladder · Light of the Heart], she regressed into a mortal.
Is that my essence, my [Heart]?
Kaito felt this was probably not the case, because that was the trait revealed when he used the Transcendent Helix to imitate Li Qingzi's manifestation in that instant.
At this very moment, however, Kaito could no longer grasp that feeling.
This [Fourth Ladder · Light of the Heart] was completely different from the flesh and blood attributes of the First Ladder and the energy of the Second Ladder. It didn't possess the convenience bestowed by the Space.
Using that kind of ability wasn't something that could be activated just with a thought.
On the contrary, it was a special power from the inside out.
[Light of the Heart], in Kaito's current understanding, should be a power that points directly to human nature, a light that bursts forth when the self is completely revealed and the sense of existence named [I] is stimulated to the extreme.
Kaito leaned back, and his body naturally floated backward and flew out. His Mantra completely controlled the movements of all the servants in the manor, so he didn't worry about being seen.
He floated out from the window just like this.
His thoughts continued to drift.
Kaito had already obtained Gantz. Judging from the technology of the Multi-Faced Aliens, this existence called [Human] possessed no specialness in the eyes of high-dimensional creatures.
Flesh, appearance—these things could be replicated with a flip of a hand. Even in the ordinary human world, there existed technologies to alter appearance and even clone.
The soul—this was what most human consciousness considered the most noble and special part of why humans are humans.
Humans believed they had noble souls. Some people, adhering to various beliefs, thought that even after death, a human's soul could continue to reincarnate. That beneath the physical shell, that was the fundamental reason why you are you.
But the Multi-Faced Aliens said the soul was merely a piece of special information weighing 21 grams.
They had already transcended the soul level and could completely crush, replicate, and create souls using technology.
The soul was not special, not noble.
Kaito drifted under the night sky, stars twinkling above. This place was a certain distance from the city. Away from the various lights of the city, the stars under the night sky could be seen a bit clearer.
Kaito rested his hands behind his head, like plankton drifting in the sea, moving with the wind in the night sky.
He couldn't help but think, if there appeared an existence that looked exactly like him, sounded exactly the same, had an identical soul, possessed all his memories, and was endowed with the exact same abilities by the Space or some other existence.
Then, that existence could also be called [Kaito Shirogane].
But he obviously wasn't him, and he wasn't him either.
Where exactly lies the decisive point that distinguishes [Me] from [Him]...
This is probably where the [Heart] truly exists.
Although Kaito often appeared cruel and brutal, seeming to prefer solving problems directly with slaughter rather than thinking.
But his brain processing speed was actually quite fast. Besides those law books, he had also read quite a lot of thoughts and philosophical works from various human sages.
He understood very well that the question of [Who am I] already had answers.
But this thing called [I], in the world of extraordinary power, or rather, in the so-called [Stairway to God], had a unique meaning.
That was some kind of true self hidden deep within the soul and the inner heart.
It was the origin above nature.
Kaito felt as if he had grasped something in the unseen, but he couldn't reproduce that mysterious feeling no matter what. His memory was surprisingly good. He could even remember the extent of Li Qingzi's pupil dilation, the frequency of her heartbeat, the number of pulse contractions, the goosebumps on her skin, and even the secretion of hormones in her body during that scene just now.
But he couldn't reproduce it.
Merely making his body exhibit the same characteristics as Li Qingzi couldn't reproduce that thing.
The invisible helix inside Kaito's body spun faster and faster. The ends of his long black hair behind his head had already begun to turn white.
This was a manifestation of his life force being massively consumed.
He began to feel pain.
Power was right before his eyes but couldn't be grasped, making Kaito feel pained and angry.
He always felt he lacked something, thus unable to find that feeling.
Figures began to appear before his eyes one by one.
From the bespectacled Professor who first told him about the power of the so-called [Heart], to that weak heartless person in The Boys world, to the tall pirate captain Orkins in the One Piece world who looked at him coldly, accusing him of being completely unable to understand the thoughts of the young girl Cindy, thinking he was a heartless beast.
Previously, Kaito always thought it was just that he lacked empathy, compassion, and such things, that he couldn't empathize with those weak humans.
At this moment, however, he felt as if he were locked in a cage of body and soul, unable to touch reality.
Kaito felt extremely suppressed and couldn't help but open his mouth to let out a violent roar.
Ha!
Boom!
Like a thunderclap exploding in the night sky, a terrifying explosion burst from the cloud layer.
That terrifying vibration in the air could be felt within a radius of over a hundred miles.
A large number of Goryeo citizens even terrifiedly thought their northern neighbor had already launched a war.
Only Li Qingzi, wearing a white nightgown, stood in the courtyard watching that blazing white shockwave spreading to the surroundings in the night sky.
That terrifying power made her deeply realize that Kaito had completely become a monster, surpassing elites like herself who were at the so-called [Strong] tier.
Mercenary Tao's true combat power had definitely stepped into the [Fierce] tier.
He was already a veritable fierce beast.
She crossed her arms, feeling the toughness of her physical body. Her previously secretly complacent strength, speed, and even destructive power had now been surpassed by Kaito.
She suddenly understood what this fierce beast wanted to tell her at that moment.
She stroked her chest, where the mark left by Mercenary Tao's touch seemed to still linger.
Li Qingzi suddenly covered her head and let out a bitter laugh, her voice growing louder and louder.
I actually put the cart before the horse. So I'm already this weak...
Weak guys would only be abandoned by Kaito.
She had also been influenced by the people in her family, ultimately thinking how amazing the Republic of Goryeo was, consuming mental effort to control such a place.
"Ha, haha... hahaha!"
Li Qingzi laughed wildly. Intense demonic power began to radiate. Haki and demonic power intertwined; beauty and cruelty coexisted.
The next day, Li Qingzi, the newly appointed Chairperson of the March Consortium, publicly announced that the March Consortium and Goryeo would fully support the cause of ability users, and the group would comprehensively transform into a large-scale conglomerate revolving around ability users' activities.
Moreover, she promised that all talents joining the ability user agencies under the March Consortium would receive the top-tier informational and material support of the March Consortium.
At the same time, crackdowns and exposures would be carried out against unregistered ability users within the borders of Goryeo.
This news directly triggered international shockwaves.
A conglomerate with a market value exceeding two trillion US dollars actually transformed so abruptly. Furthermore, this speech made the existence of [Ability Users] completely impossible to hide anymore.
Inside the headquarters of the March Consortium, multiple board members and directors simultaneously sought out Lee Sun-hou, hoping he would step forward to stop Li Qingzi.
But this old man merely had a heavy expression and made no decision whatsoever.
Bang!
The specially made bulletproof armored door of the office was kicked open with a bang.
Li Qingzi, wearing high heels and a scarlet trench coat, appeared before everyone, her aura terrifyingly sharp.
"This is my final decision. Those who do not accept this resolution can leave on their own."
Lee Sun-hou noticed that behind Li Qingzi, that terrifying Mr. Bai, with a faint smile on his face, was looking around the environment.
The bodyguard standing next to Lee Sun-hou, tall and wearing sunglasses, suddenly trembled all over, unable to control himself.
He felt an intense fluctuation of killing intent lingering on his body surface.
Completely unmatched. Once I make a move, I will die!
This feeling lingered in his heart. He had no room for resistance at all. His body went soft, and he actively bowed his head to Li Qingzi, saying:
"Codename [Mercury], reporting to Chairperson Li. I will go to the agency to register later."
Lee Sun-hou also looked up consequently, saying to everyone:
"Old friends, can't you see clearly?"
He pointed at his granddaughter.
"A great change has arrived. This... is the future!"
(End of Chapter)
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