Chapter 108: Artificial Angel 001

The handsome man stood before the hospital bed, his emotionless transparent eyes beneath short golden hair.

Xiu…

Wen Chu opened his mouth, wanting to call the other’s name, but apart from a layer of white mist on the breathing mask, no sound came out.

The “beep-beep” sound of the instrument gradually became steady. Xiu leaned down slightly, frowning as he observed his condition.

“Wen Chu,” Xiu said calmly, “Congratulations on waking up.”

Wen Chu’s heart, which had just settled, became uneasy again.

He had imagined countless reactions from Xiu upon meeting.

Angry blame, joy of reunion, or anger towards him—none of these emotions were present.

He only saw business-like coldness in Xiu’s eyes, as if he were just one of the masses, a complete stranger.

There wasn’t a tiny bit of space for him in Xiu’s heart.

Wen Chu even suspected his current favorability in Xiu’s heart was also 0.

In the last world, he could be confident enough not to check the favorability panel to be sure Xiu loved him, so he didn’t look at the panel again.

Now Wen Chu just wanted to call the system to return his favorability panel.

Xiu looked at Wen Chu for a while, then looked away, avoiding the boy’s aggrieved and pitiful expression.

…Little liar who only knows how to pretend to be pitiful.

Checking again that his hair could cover his burning ears, Xiu tried hard to maintain a cold and restrained distance, reached out to remove Wen Chu’s breathing mask, and then pulled out the indwelling needle on his hand.

The medicine dripped down the needle tip onto the messy floor. Wen Chu was stunned for a moment, then struggled to sit up.

“Xiu.” He called out urgently, his round eyes staring at Xiu like a puppy.

Xiu put the medical equipment on the table, lowering his eyes: “When I came, your physical condition was a bit poor, possibly unable to survive the transmigration of four worlds. The equipment here isn’t enough, can only barely keep you alive like this.”

Wen Chu blinked, a bit unclear about the situation.

Transmigration?

Xiu didn’t want to look at Wen Chu’s face, but the unfinished medicine bottle in his hand reflected the boy’s blank, ignorant, and pitiful face first.

Xiu: …

Xiu sighed lightly, picked up a piece of broken glass casually, turned around, and showed it to Wen Chu: “Do you remember who you are?”

Wen Chu looked at the reflection in the glass.

The white-haired boy wore a hospital gown, a small halo on his head, long hair scattered on the bed. By his ears were a pair of soft white small wings, and beneath the wings were white fluffy drooping rabbit ears.

Further down, under the scattered long hair, were transparent tentacles growing from the tailbone.

Without the non-human setting deliberately set by the system, he still looked strange.

Wen Chu answered obediently: “I am Artificial Angel 001, but you named me Wen Chu. Before that, I should have been human?”

Speaking to the end, Wen Chu’s tone was uncertain: “I should have been human, right…? In a few worlds, I have a few fragmented memories.”

Xiu raised his eyebrows unexpectedly: “Still have some brains.”

Wen Chu: quq?

Scolding him even at this time?

Xiu put down the mirror and explained concisely: “As you can see, you are an artificial angel pieced together by humans of this world. This world headed for destruction due to the abuse of gene editing technology. I came to recycle this world and sensed power fluctuations during recycling, so I found you.”

“You possess power close to a god, but were dying, so I saved you.”

“Saved me?” Wen Chu repeated subconsciously.

Does saving people involve rubbing against each other like that?

Xiu obviously realized what Wen Chu wanted to say, pursed his lips, and interrupted quickly: “The integration of every part of your body is poor. The combination of soul and body is unstable, possibly dispersing at any time.”

“So I extracted your soul separately, wanting to take you to re-experience your past to temper your soul, but didn’t expect things to be so complicated.”

Saying this, Xiu couldn’t help glancing at Wen Chu’s beautiful face again, speaking uncontrollably: “Do you know…”

Know what?

Wen Chu looked up at Xiu, but Xiu lowered his eyes and stopped talking.

So strange.

From waking up, Xiu’s attitude towards him was so strange.

Saying cold wasn’t quite right, but not familiar either, rather like deliberately keeping a distance.

Listening to Xiu, Xiu should have memories of those four worlds. Could it be that after experiencing four worlds, Xiu didn’t have a single word to say to him?

Even scolding him for being too absurd?

Wen Chu quickly recalled his known information, only feeling things becoming more confusing.

Xiu didn’t give him time to think, continuing: “To let your soul adapt slowly, I took you backwards in chronological order.”

“You should remember some, but only fragments. You were once a descendant of the God Race in the Light Continent, wandered to the Demon Race and was raised as a nightmare, then bullied and dismembered by demons. Under coincidental opportunities, you were summoned by humans, died again, then as a wandering soul, drifted until now, discovered and assembled by humans again.”

Wen Chu was stunned listening.

Does he actually have such a long life history?

Then he died miserably every time.

Wen Chu spoke slowly: “So every world is a past I once experienced?”

“Yes, but not entirely.” Xiu tore a bed sheet from the adjacent bed, “Because of our participation, the world line this time was changed a lot.”

Saying this, he threw the bed sheet onto Wen Chu, wrapped Wen Chu up like a spring roll, and then picked Wen Chu up.

Wen Chu was startled, flapping the small wings by his ears: “Wait—I can walk myself!”

Xiu chuckled: “You lay for so long, could even forget to breathe, still can walk?”

Wen Chu: …

That was an accident.

He stared seriously at Xiu’s jawline, asking in a small voice the question he had been concerned about since waking up: “Then why did you save me?”

Xiu turned his head away: “You already possessed power close to a god. According to the rules, I cannot ignore an existence about to become a god. This is mandatory rescue.”

Very familiar words.

Wen Chu flapped his small wings again—mainly because his tentacles were all wrapped in the bed sheet and couldn’t move.

“God?” Wen Chu repeated, the strange feeling in his heart growing stronger.

He could be very sure he had no relationship with gods.

Although memories of the past weren’t clear, Wen Chu clearly remembered he was a failed product.

Except for the ability of regeneration, he didn’t show any power of “resurrection” as supposed in the experimental assumptions.

Countless human experts came and went, conducting various precise researches on him, and the final conclusions were uniform.

—He was a failed product.

The Human God Creation Plan was thus shelved.

But now Xiu said he possessed power close to a god.

Either humans’ painstaking efforts for years were wrong fundamentally, or Xiu made a mistake.

Wen Chu doubted a bit: “Are you really not mistaken?”

Xiu paused: “I say you are, so you are.”

He carried Wen Chu out of the broken laboratory.

Outside the laboratory was dry land, traces of seawater washing not hard to see on the ground.

Obviously, this was once an ocean, now the tide completely receded.

Looking at the dead silent world, Wen Chu asked: “Where are we going now?”

Xiu extended his fingertip, drawing a rift in the air: “Taking you to the Divine Realm. As long as you prove you have the ability of resurrection, you can stay there.”

While Xiu spoke, this completely silent planet also gradually turned into powder, white light spots gathering at his fingertips.

From the distant sky to the nearest laboratory, finally only this small patch of land under their feet and the rift in front remained.

This is probably the “recycling” Xiu mentioned?

Wen Chu guessed.

The next moment, he was carried by Xiu into the rift.

The last bit of land disappeared. In the universe, an abandoned planet fell.

Wen Chu didn’t know what happened behind him. He was speechless with shock by the scene before him.

Xiu brought him to an extremely modern block.

An archway stood at the entrance of the block, surface carved with classical patterns, shining with metallic luster, “Divine Realm” written above.

People came and went in the block. Stone paved roads stretched forward, buildings on both sides almost endless.

And these buildings had very different styles.

There were quaint quadrangles, next to which were towering towers shining with technological luster piercing the clouds, and rough simple thatched cottages.

Wen Chu even saw a circus tent.

Simply a hodgepodge of buildings as one pleased.

When Xiu appeared, people coming and going in the block couldn’t help stopping, looking at Xiu and Wen Chu in Xiu’s arms with shocked eyes.

As if looking at a walking crispy sausage.

“This is that…”

“Right right, it’s him, the one who made Xiu violate the rules…”

Whispers entered his ears. Wen Chu raised his drooping rabbit ears uneasily, wanting to hear clearly.

However, Xiu swept a cold glance over, directly shutting these people up. Wen Chu couldn’t hear a sound anymore.

Under everyone’s gaze, Wen Chu wrapped like a spring roll was carried into the block by Xiu in an extremely wretched posture.

Because intuition told him Xiu definitely hid something from him, Wen Chu’s attention was very focused. The moment Xiu stepped into the block, he keenly felt something wrong here.

The spatial extension here was peculiar.

Buildings seemed tightly fitted, but walking in, one would find that the tight gaps were actually branches of another brand new block, also with roads and various strange buildings inside.

This was a folded space.

Wen Chu vaguely guessed the reason Xiu insisted on carrying him.

Without specific power, perhaps he would have to face the true appearance of this space, which would probably be a huge block where one couldn’t walk out the distance of a house in half a lifetime.

Just this made him more puzzled.

Since Xiu already assumed he didn’t even have the ability to walk into this block, why insist he was also a god?

Which god gets lost in their own home?

And why wrap him in a bed sheet? Dislike him for being dirty that much? T^T

Wen Chu’s thoughts ran wild, while Xiu had quickly brought him to a pure white building.

When he walked in, this white building, no bigger than a normal residence, instantly expanded.

Inside wasn’t the pure white Wen Chu imagined, but a vast grassland, on which stood a towering castle.

It was exactly the castle he personally decorated and got engaged to Xiu in.

Not far from the castle sat an exceptionally familiar manor.

Xiu really packed everything and brought it for him.

Seeing Wen Chu looking at the scene in astonishment, Xiu explained calmly: “And the remaining bits and pieces, I put them all in the basement. From now on, this is your home.”

Wen Chu caught the main point: “What about you? Won’t you live with me?”

Xiu said coldly: “I’m very busy.”

Wen Chu: “QAQ”

Xiu looked away: “Pretending to be pitiful is useless.”

He pulled the corner of the bed sheet, and Wen Chu rolled out, landing on the soft lawn.

Xiu reached out to pull him up: “You have four days to practice your ability. On the fifth day, you need to show your ability in front of all gods to pass the test, otherwise…”

Wen Chu: “Otherwise I can’t stay here?”

Xiu paused: “No, I will let you stay here, just that you might not be able to move freely.”

Wen Chu listened dizzily.

Listening to Xiu, this test seemed both important and unimportant; he still hadn’t grasped the situation.

“So this is where gods live, those I saw just now were all gods?” Wen Chu sorted out his thoughts, “Then because I am special, I was discovered by you. As long as I pass the test, I can stay here and be a god with you?”

Xiu nodded. Seeing Wen Chu stood firmly, he withdrew the hand supporting Wen Chu.

Here it comes again, this deliberate alienation.

Wen Chu pursed his lips, really feeling somewhat aggrieved: “Why don’t you hold my hand? Are you angry with me?”

Clearly just now calling him Little Gem, little baby, how come back in reality he suddenly didn’t recognize him?

“…No.”

Xiu retreated a few steps, a touch of red revealed between shaking golden hair, quickly covered again.

Xiu maintained a safe distance from him: “You are very familiar with home. Go wash up yourself. Too late to cook today; I’ll go buy some food for you.”

Wen Chu felt Xiu just wanted to find an excuse to run away.

He immediately reached out to stop Xiu: “No need, my storage stone has—Eh?!?”

Before Wen Chu finished speaking, he saw Xiu run away, disappearing directly on the spot.

Comparable to a certain system good at running away.

Wen Chu looked blankly at the air in front, chasing a few steps unwillingly.

But he obviously didn’t have the ability to teleport like Xiu. Chasing several steps only reached the end of the grassland.

The street outside the door seemed to extend infinitely; Xiu was long gone.

This clearly shows a guilty conscience.

But this time no system gave him cheats, nor plot summary. Wen Chu could only guess wildly himself.

Did Xiu do something sorry to him?

Did Xiu lie to him?

Does Xiu actually not love him, just forced by him, so now doesn’t know how to face him?

Thinking of the last possibility, Wen Chu’s expression suddenly became very poor, his already morbidly pale face even paler.

He held his white rabbit ears, brought them to his cheeks, holding his face and squatting down in disappointment.

If you don’t like me, don’t pick me up…

In this place, unfamiliar with people and place, letting him live alone in such a big castle recalling past adventures alone, what’s the difference from being in jail?

Bad, eyes are sour.

Wen Chu sniffled, just about to hold back tears, when he heard a small call at the door.

“Hey, Wen Chu!”

Wen Chu looked up tearfully and saw several people crowded at the door, men and women, looking at him like looking at some rare animal.

When he raised his face, these people obviously paused in surprise, then showed expressions of “so that’s it.”

“Wen Chu, come quickly, remember us?” The red-haired girl who called him first jumped up.

Wen Chu hurriedly wiped his tears with furry ears, looked carefully, and finally found familiar traces on these people’s faces.

He asked uncertainly: “Minnie, James, Alice? Why are you here?”

Minnie smiled: “We sneaked to watch then. Reintroducing, I am Minnie, responsible for maintaining the planet’s ecological balance. James is responsible for condensing necessary materials for planets from nebulas. Alice is responsible for giving planets gravity.”

Minnie reintroduced the two beside her, then continued to look at Wen Chu gossipily: “Eh, how are you and Xiu? He didn’t hesitate to violate rules to save you; really loves you to death.”

Wen Chu’s tears had dried. Looking at the three gossiping people in front, he felt he didn’t quite understand Minnie’s words: “What do you mean didn’t hesitate to violate rules?”

Minnie was shocked: “He didn’t tell you?”

Wen Chu pursed his lips: “I was brought here by him as soon as I woke up. He won’t say anything I ask.”

“This…” Minnie hesitated, not knowing if she should open this mouth for Xiu.

Alice put her arm around Minnie’s shoulder carelessly: “Sigh, isn’t it just getting beaten? We wouldn’t escape a beating for sneaking to watch anyway. Too much debt is not a burden; let me say.”

Alice looked quiet and refined, but once she opened her mouth, her image was completely gone.

She went straight to the point: “Do you know you are an artificial angel? Remember the past?”

Wen Chu nodded. He knew this; Xiu also told him about the past.

Alice said: “It’s like this. The world you were in headed for destruction because of genetic research. But this is normal. With so many planets in the universe, countless are destroyed every day. As the God of End, Xiu’s task is to recycle these destroyed planets.”

“He has always been a cold workaholic, leaving right after recycling. But this time he unexpectedly stopped, saying he found power fluctuations similar to a god and wanted to bring it back.”

James interjected: “I happened to be nearby then, so I went to take a look. You were very weak then, had a part of power similar to a god, but were dying, absolutely impossible to become a god.”

James showed an expression unbearable to recall.

“I suspected this guy acted on lust, dazzled by your face. Just said ‘you cannot become a god’ to Xiu, and was almost torn apart by him alive.”

“Result, don’t know what method he used, actually saved you back, and brought you back to the Divine Realm.”

“You should know, all people in the Divine Realm broke through the upper limit of power of the planet they were on by themselves after experiencing respective opportunities, then arrived at the Divine Realm to become gods. You are the first one brought here. To fight for a chance for you, Xiu fell out directly with the guild.”

Speaking up to here, Wen Chu finally understood.

“So… I should have died, but Xiu used the back door to bring me in?”

Alice nodded heavily: “Right. So now many gods outside are unhappy with you. Originally, your power should have been tested directly upon arrival today. It was Xiu who dragged it to the fifth day for you. If it still doesn’t work after five days, even Xiu can’t keep you.”

“We were a bit worried about you, also wanted to hear gossip, so came to see.”

Alice patted Wen Chu’s shoulder, looking like good brothers: “Relax, I quite like you. We aren’t here to see your jokes.”

Wen Chu: “…Like me even after being pitted out of such a large territory by me?”

Alice’s mouth twitched: “Can’t you let me perform sensationalism a bit?”

Minnie suppressed laughter beside: “Little Wen Chu is sharp as always. Alice, you clearly came to gloat.”

Alice gestured: “There is also a tiny bit of sympathy. I can’t watch them be separated, right?”

Alice looked at Wen Chu eagerly: “Try now. Xiu kept you by his side, supplied you power for so long, you should have part of the power too. Maybe the situation isn’t that bad?”

Wen Chu looked down at the flower bud in front of him, probing to put his hand on it, trying to transfer his life value like before.

One second, five seconds, ten seconds.

The flower had no reaction.

Wen Chu lowered his eyes: “I can’t.”

No system, no Xiu, he couldn’t transfer his life value at all.

Alice obviously didn’t expect such a result, standing awkwardly on the spot.

The atmosphere was somewhat frozen for a while.

“Haha… maybe you just didn’t find the right method. When Xiu comes back, ask Xiu, let him teach you.” Minnie smoothed things over awkwardly.

Wen Chu squatted on the ground holding his knees, looking up at the three at the door, asking softly: “Did you also need someone to teach back then?”

“No need.” Alice said straightforwardly, “I was born on a slaughter planet. Everyone was killing each other. I killed everyone on the entire planet, then naturally arrived here, then naturally knew… Mmph mmph mmph!”

She was gagged by Minnie halfway through.

Minnie smiled sheepishly: “Everyone’s talent is different, progress is different.”

Wen Chu understood.

Only he, this “relationship hire,” knew nothing.

He wanted to ask more, when he heard Xiu’s cold voice behind the three.

“What are you doing here?”

The three watching the fun instantly froze on the spot like mice with stepped-on tails.

“You you you you why back so fast?” Minnie looked at Xiu with a cold expression in disbelief, “Shouldn’t you go to the guild—”

Xiu’s eyes grew colder. He glanced at Minnie warningly: “I think you and Alice want to be beaten into the guild.”

Alice cried injustice: “What does it have to do with me?”

But her cry was ineffective. The three were unceremoniously thrown into the street by Xiu and disappeared.

On the huge field, only Wen Chu squatting on the spot and Xiu carrying a meal remained.

Xiu looked at Wen Chu who wouldn’t get up from the ground and walked closer.

He didn’t know how much Alice and others said. Anyway, these people unaware of the inside story probably didn’t say anything good.

Xiu wanted to comfort, but felt being intimate with Wen Chu at this time was too shameful, saying awkwardly and gently: “Still not getting up? Do you want to be a real rabbit eating grass?”

Wen Chu held his fluffy ears, burying his head lower.

He even covered his face with ear feathers, blocking his face tightly.

“Xiu.”

Wen Chu didn’t dare to look at Xiu’s face.

He stared tightly at that flower bud without any change, voice muffled: “Sorry, I seem to still haven’t learned that power to bring the dead back to life.”

“Did I cause you a lot of trouble?”

That’s why Xiu is so distant to him.

No matter who, meeting such a useless helped object, probably would be disappointed, right?

Xiu should have liked him enough, otherwise wouldn’t spend effort on him until now, weaving lies to deceive him.

But how could he be a god like Xiu.

From beginning to end, there is only an Artificial Angel 001 saved by a god, regarded as a failed product by everyone.