Academic gathering with a lich-Chapter 900 - 837

"Our President is a man of responsibility, easily swayed by social relationships. I fully understand and respect him..."

The electric serpents drilling through the crust twisted and passed through the body of a Mantis Monster. Its figure immediately lit up, trembling violently as fragments disintegrated further—a process akin to a newborn chick breaking free of its shell.

"Our work is noble, yet exhausting. Everything we’ve observed from the experiments has been utterly extraordinary. Over time, the life values and perspectives we cultivated in our before-life have been impacted to varying degrees. In this line of work, one way or another, we all become peculiar. My colleagues are seen as lunatics by the general population, yet I’ve managed to maintain a lucid, benevolent mindset..."

Reaching out to touch the Mantis Monsters immobilized and rigid under the magnetic field’s pull, the Lich’s simulated superconductor formed a short circuit upon contact, burning the insects to ash with high-voltage currents. Exhaling, the Lich blew away the rising poof of fine dust.

"We bear no ill will toward the swarm serving the Evil God. Even toward the chaotic black overlord of a distant planet, we maintain our unwavering neutral stance..."

Another pitiful insect dissolved into ashes within the Thunderbolt Purgatory.

"Life is beautiful—a miracle of nature. I think the reason for our hostility toward you Mantis Monsters must be your overwhelming numbers. A single species exceeding its limitations spells disaster. Hence, while eliminating the majority of you, I genuinely intend to preserve species diversity. Yes, you two—you’ve been selected as Superior Species to board Noah’s Ark..."

Mr. Electromagnetism sauntered back to his marked-off boundary—a quarter-circle spanning mere square meters, the soil untouched by tremors, lacking the magnetic field patterns rippling through other areas. Within this boundary, two tightly nestled Mantis Monsters occasionally flickered, trembled, yet remained intact without bodily disintegration. They had evolved electromagnetic resistance; however, their neurobiological currents had been disrupted by electromagnetic interference, preventing the upload of their evolutionary genes to the swarm network.

"Don’t be afraid. I’ve preserved your ability to think clearly because I plan to show off our Magic Research Society’s grand exploration project to you."

"My part goes like this."

"Weakening the Evil God and reducing the Mantis Monster population to endangered status are merely byproducts. My real aim is to launch sufficient quantities of material into the atmospheric layer, at least a thousand kilometers high, to provide celestial materials for my colleagues’ research projects. Stasis deliberately left a gap in the upper static barrier. In theory, you could escape beyond that height, but you’re shackled by conventional thinking—or so I’d wager."

Mr. Electromagnetism clapped his hands, and the world of turbulent lightning abruptly froze. Floating sands fell to the ground. The surviving pair of Mantis Monsters stared in horror at the looming Lich. Everyone present instinctively felt that the eerie silence would give way to a greater storm.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Employing an immutable Stasis Force Field as an unyielding gun barrel, with the magnetic field of this star beneath our feet as gunpowder—I, the effective trigger, hereby enact the greatness of Advanced Magic Research Electromagnetics! Behold the power, dear insects!"

"Electromagnetic Deflection·Regional Ascension!"

In the eyes of the Mantis Monsters, the crust erupted. In the wake of surging electric light, a terror-inducing monstrosity seemed to drill up from the depths, as molten stones collided with the static barrier in spectacular combustion. Behind Mr. Electromagnetism, who had outstretched his arms, an immeasurable peak shot skyward at terrifying speed, unleashing catastrophic winds of destruction. The maniacal Lich was nearly engulfed by the tremendous forces he conjured from beneath the earth.

Sounds akin to the planet’s screams echoed for what felt like an eternity. Once the darkness dissipated and senses cleared, the Mantis Monsters found the three standing upon a small plateau at the edge of the barrier. Scorched, curling grassy mats commingling with clumped soil tumbled away. Mr. Electromagnetism remained where he stood. Behind him lay an abyssal void without a visible bottom—its perfectly square boundaries burned red down to the molten depths.

The only incongruity was the lonely perch upon which the survivors stood. Ah, it had lost its stability, collapsing under gravity’s weight.

"HAHAHA! Perfection! I don’t hand out tickets for Journey to the Center of the Earth." Manipulating the magnetic field, Mr. Electromagnetism levitated himself and the two Mantis Monsters, drawing them effortlessly above the ground. Sensing the absence of malice from the creatures, he released his restraints upon them. "I’ve preserved your swarm’s genetic legacy. If anything, you should be grateful for that. Now go forth, act as Adam and Eve for the new world, and propagate swiftly!"

Indulging in a little posturing as God, Mr. Electromagnetism smugly eyed the two Mantis Monsters. He was confident in the flawless logic behind his plan. His colleagues wouldn’t care about the insects’ fates, but he did, which proved he was more thoughtful and meticulous—truly a superior researcher!

One of the Mantis Monsters began transitioning into a Queen, but the process lingered with no signs of progress.

Mr. Electromagnetism waved dismissively.

"I’m no longer your enemy; you can disregard me. Do as you please!"

"But... we’re both female..." The nascent Queen answered timidly.

"What?" Mr. Electromagnetism glared at the pair, finally discerning his mistake through their identical behavior. "Why can’t you reproduce asexually? Is your species truly so primitive? A lineage that must share genetic material to propagate is utter rubbish!!!" He flatly refused to acknowledge his oversight.

Watching the visibly infuriated Mr. Electromagnetism, who appeared ready to vent at any second, the Mantis Monsters quickly devised a solution.

"We can connect to the swarm network. It contains our genetic database along with instructions for adapting to adverse environments."

"Then go online already!"

"But... your abilities are still blocking our neural pathway to the network."

Without hesitation, Mr. Electromagnetism stormed forward and smacked the Mantis Monster’s head.

"Fixed."

The unrestricted Mantis Monsters began linking to the swarm network, uploading their fear of Mr. Electromagnetism alongside their evolutionary traits. Then...

Mr. Electromagnetism watched as the Mantis Monsters appeared to cry—though no tears fell, their vacant expression resembled that of a controlled shell.

"They’re coming... they’re coming..."

"By the bones above!" Mr. Electromagnetism shrieked grotesquely while slinking away, spinning through the air warily observing the memetic attachments. He knew the Mantis Monsters were doomed, undone by his cold-blooded, merciless colleague: Mr. Horror.

"Living this long and still failing to value personal privacy—you deserve extinction."

The other Mantis Monster hadn’t heard his scorn. Although disconnected from the swarm network, the proximity to memetic entities and similar biological structures still contaminated her.

Mr. Electromagnetism remained the infallible researcher! It was only his colleague—the ever-malicious Mr. Horror—who sabotaged the plan.

"Murderer, sick freak, brain worm, demon."

Snorting irritably in place, Mr. Electromagnetism awaited the barrier’s dissolution; his task was flawlessly completed. Now it was someone else’s responsibility.