PFC Chapter 550 Nightmare at the Bottom of the Abyss I
Chapter 550 Nightmare at the Bottom of the Abyss I
Huang Yayin and Night Owl bought Aarons three days.
Although this amount of time was far from enough for Aarons to come up with a winning strategy, he still did everything he could.
"This is the best we can do for now... Although it's not up to par as an ark, it should be able to get these people off this planet."
After removing all the equipment and most of the components from the White Bird, Aarons built an ark that could probably be used for space travel on the few remaining intact areas of Pendermore.
Fortunately, because the city structure and infrastructure of Pendermore itself originated from a highly advanced alien civilization, the project was completed much earlier than expected.
"Although I built the power unit according to Dawn's design, it became impossible to replenish fuel easily once we entered outer space... The worst-case scenario is that the Ark ran out of energy before reaching any destination."
If that's the case, those who boarded the ark would only die alone in the cold universe.
"...To be honest, I still don't understand why you did these things."
The de facto leader who immediately brought order to the city after the Star Beasts destroyed Pendor and gained the approval of most residents was none other than the current president of the Mage Guild, who is now almost devoid of magical abilities.
Because of Jiang Yue's connection, Aarons' communication with him went quite smoothly—or rather, at this point in time when magic was rapidly declining and most of the creations of civilization had become ineffective, even the most normal person would lose the ability to think rationally.
At this point, a man who almost completely ignored these problems and was accompanied by a large group of women who looked intimidating said that he could solve the problems. Naturally, he would be subconsciously regarded as a savior.
"But, I feel that in the current situation... there is no other way."
"That would be best, since I don't have much time to explain the specific reasons in detail."
Although no one understood Aarons's intentions, they still obediently followed his instructions.
In a critical moment when no one can afford to miss a single lifeline, people will choose to believe in even the most illusory hope, even if it's all a scam.
So, under the command of the Mage Guild Master, all the residents who remained in Pendor eventually boarded the Ark and entered the specially designed hibernation facility.
To conserve energy and resources, they will remain dormant in the Ark for a year with minimal energy consumption—after which all the Star Power stored in the Ark will be depleted.
If the crisis on this planet has not been resolved by then, or if the Ark still has not found a suitable place to live, then these people will naturally perish in the starry sea.
"...The task of piloting the Ark is now entrusted to you."
Unlike the ordinary residents who went into hibernation, the crew members who transferred from the White Bird to the Ark were responsible for piloting and maintaining the ship.
If they were not rescued in the end, they would face death and despair from the boundless deep space... but these people never complained.
"Please rest assured, we will witness it until the very last moment."
"We will do everything we can to survive, and please, you must survive as well."
The female mage who had followed Aarons from the beginning, and the young demon who had always believed in him, bid Aarons a final farewell on behalf of all the crew members.
These ordinary people, who had no special abilities and were unlikely to be remembered in their entire lives, still chose to follow their lord.
Even if endless darkness and despair await them, the glimmer of light in their hearts may never be extinguished.
"Ah, I promise you—I mean what I say I will do."
Thus, this simulated ark, carrying only ordinary people, left the planet's gravitational field before the erosion began to reactivate.
—If humanity on this planet had taken this step sooner, would the outcome have been different?
……
Then, the brief three days came to an end.
The black dust, visible only to Aarons, began to stir again, and life on the earth quickly withered and disappeared.
The plants and animals that were preyed on did not wither or rot, because even the microorganisms that were supposed to decompose them were also consumed... They maintained their original form but lost their lives, and then, as their cells disintegrated, they turned into pure matter.
If it weren't for Aarons constantly using his envisioned barrier to resist this invisible erosion for everyone, they might have been devoured by the fragments of the god long ago without even realizing it.
"It's basically all set up, we can get ready to begin."
Aarons, who had returned to the ground from the white bird that was perched in the sky with the help of Spider Cherry, was already feeling the immense pressure.
The stellar energy on the Earth's surface is rapidly dissipating, and life on it is constantly collapsing—the weakest plants and animals are already on the verge of extinction, while humans and magical beasts are dying one after another.
When the surface is completely devoured, the star's core will become the next prey.
"The White Bird is now filled with substances I created using star power, except for the Star Pulse Furnace and the remaining skin of Aru. I deliberately mixed many properties into those things, so it should taste terrible."
Fragments cannot devour many kinds of concepts at once, so by inducing them into a state of forced digestion, their essence can be weakened.
Aarons' ability is to create a variety of "concepts"—most of which are just fantasies that can only exist briefly in reality, but they can still play their due role.
"Are you ready? If you are, I will start the Star Pulse Furnace."
When the White Bird's Star Vein Furnace is fully activated, a massive amount of star power will be transmitted from the planet's interior.
And the 'fragments' that are devouring the power of the stars will certainly not let go of this delicious food, whose size is as dazzling as a lighthouse.
At that time, its true form will completely break through the restrictions set by the hero and come to this place driven by instinct, stepping into the trap set by Aarons.
"No problem, sir—we will fight alongside you to the very end."
No one knows what the outcome will be, but everyone is prepared for the worst.
Mo Qianyun, Jiang Yue, Keliya, Yalu, Karin, Zhu Ying, and Xia Ye... With Aarons' assistance, the seven women unleashed power even greater than their own limits.
Unless the planet's core is devoured or its star power is completely exhausted, they can maintain this output level indefinitely as long as Aarons is alive.
"Then—ignite it."
And so, the giant white bird lit its hearth one last time.
The intense light illuminated the entire sky, revealing the previously invisible black dust to everyone.
—Then, a dark storm arrived in an instant.