### Chapter 413: 30. Pandora
“In my original world, the New Siberian Wind Company is renowned for its intelligent particle beam weapons designed by engineer Kaloft Peterovich Shalik. These high-energy smart weapons stand out among conventional firearms. You probably wouldn’t understand, but the machine tool I’m building now is a simple prototype for manufacturing such particle weapons. Later on, I will also use the mini-computer in my cybernetic body to design their applications offline.”
Fisher clearly recognized the energy lunar stone that would be used to manufacture the mechanisms in the future. This means that Mikhail has not yet officially started building the mechanisms that would later become his hallmark. Fisher is uncertain about how similar the products from his original world are to the mechanisms that will come later, so he can only focus on the machine tool Mikhail is currently constructing.
Mikhail reveals the function of the machine tool and the weapons it manufactures without reservation, but both Gouwen, being a doctor, and Fisher struggle to comprehend the details.
Fortunately, Mikhail seems to realize that the two in front of him have limited understanding and does not elaborate too much. He simply expresses confusion as to why Tang Zeming Asuka has not yet checked the external wiring.
“Has she not finished checking? The wiring should be clearly visible on the outer wall.”
“Help! Help! Wuu wuu wuu! Someone help me!”
Just as Mikhail mentions Tang Zeming Asuka’s name, a scream echoes up from downstairs. Fisher and Gouwen’s expressions change, and they quickly rush to the closed window. Upon opening it, a huge transparent, viscous mass, larger than the house itself, suddenly comes into their view.
“Goo roo roo!”
“What is that?”
Fisher furrows his brows as he stares at the writhing giant creature. Gouwen leans on the windowsill, pats Fisher on the shoulder, and points ahead.
“Look! Little Tang Zeming is up front; that thing is chasing her.”
On instinct, Fisher reaches for his Fluid Sword, but finds nothing— it seems they have not returned it to him. While feeling speechless, he critically observes the bizarre, oversized artifact in front of him. Sensing that it possesses a high rank, likely around the Fourteenth Rank, he immediately declares, “I’ll go rescue Tang Zeming. Who will go call Hela over?”
“I’ll go; that way it can be faster. Be careful; this thing is at a high level, but its offensive capabilities don’t seem too strong. It appears to enjoy chasing after little Tang Zeming.”
Indeed, Fisher notices that Tang Zeming Asuka is growing weaker the more she runs, while the gigantic mass behind also seems to slow its pursuit. However, the horrifying “goo roo” sound it makes grows louder, making Tang Zeming Asuka dart around the building in a panic, not daring to look back.
“Ha wuu wuu, help. Help!”
Seeing Tang Zeming Asuka run while crying makes Fisher sigh. He jumps down from the second floor and rushes towards her, with Gouwen closely following him to go find Hela for assistance. Meanwhile, Mikhail, the only human in the room, wisely stays put, knowing that his one eye and one hand would only hinder matters.
“Goo roo roo~”
The translucent giant creature continues to bubble, with sickening tentacles whipping the ground. As Tang Zeming Asuka, nearing exhaustion, closes her eyes and accelerates in terror, Fisher genuinely suspects that if this continues, she could actually run herself to death.
As she struggles to keep moving, the giant behind her suddenly extends a tentacle to poke her back. In an instant, her black school uniform jacket is corroded, leaving gaping holes as her pale back and the straps of her cute pink underwear, adorned with little bears, become exposed.
“Wuu ah ah ah ah!”
“Goo roo roo~”
As Tang Zeming Asuka cries out and runs with her hands covering her back, the half-transparent mass instantly sprouts countless semi-transparent tentacles that excitedly latch onto her left leg and ankle, swiftly corroding a portion of her black stockings and shoes, before violently yanking her down into the mud.
“Wuu wuu.”
Feeling wronged, she sniffles, looking pale and turning back to see the multitude of twisted semi-transparent tentacles still advancing towards her, which frightens her into closing her eyes, awaiting death.
At that critical moment, Fisher comes from behind, grabbing one of her hands and pulling her away from the encircling tentacles.
“Fisher.”
“Are you okay?”
Fisher pulls her away from the danger, and upon hearing her almost fainting voice, he raises an eyebrow, looking at her back. He initially thinks she might have been injured by the creature’s touch, but upon closer inspection, he sees that her skin is unharmed.
Tang Zeming Asuka, still light-headed, feels Fisher’s scrutinizing gaze and immediately blushes, covering her back. The chilly sensation makes her feel even more embarrassed, nearly causing her to faint, as her eyes begin to spin.
“I-It’s nothing; it seems like the clothing…”
She must have been seen, right?
She remembers how she was teased for wearing such childish undergarments during swimming class at school, never expecting now it would be seen by Fisher from another world.
Hahaha, it’s already miserable enough not being able to live at school, and now it’s the same here… I want to die.
Fisher doesn’t understand why Tang Zeming Asuka’s face is becoming redder; she looks as if she’s struggling to breathe. However, thinking that she is merely shy, he takes off his jacket and hands it to her.
“Wrap this around yourself.”
“Ah, thank you! Fisher!”
“Goo roo roo!”
As Tang Zeming Asuka takes the jacket from Fisher, she hasn’t finished expressing her gratitude when her expression suddenly shifts, and she shouts urgently at Fisher. Fisher raises an eyebrow and looks down, noticing a gigantic shadow rapidly expanding and colliding behind him, about to engulf him completely.
Fisher quickly pushes Tang Zeming Asuka aside, then leaps away to dodge the giant half-transparent tentacle’s grasp. Upon closer inspection, he realizes this abnormal creature shows no sign of being agitated, and oddly, he feels it might be a bit excited? Just moments ago, the creature could have taken a more aggressive assault, yet it chose to opt for a clumsy grab instead.
Is it possible this thing is playing a game with them?
Fisher, with a strange expression, glances at Tang Zeming Asuka, who is covering herself with his jacket, then looks at her black stockings, now full of holes and unevenly shredded, further deepening his confusion.
What type of artifact did Michael create?
“Goo roo roo!”
But the semi-transparent artifact has no regard for Fisher’s thoughts. It gives a strange cry and promptly shifts its target to him. With its body writhing rapidly, several tentacles swiftly attack Fisher like a storm, both in speed and quantity far exceeding its assaults on Tang Zeming Asuka.
Clearly, this thing adapts its attack based on the opponent’s strength.
Without his Fluid Sword or magic, and wary of touching a divine artifact that might be corrosive, Fisher decides to evade and lead the creature away towards the other angels.
“Fisher, ah!”
Tang Zeming Asuka, seated on the ground barefoot, has already run quite a distance. In the heat of the moment, Fisher pushes her down, inadvertently causing her ankle to twist. Moving her body brings a sharp pain that makes her gasp.
“Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!”
It’s no small matter; Michael’s artifacts are anything but ordinary. Although their purpose remains uncertain, their quality is undeniable. Fisher, with his Thirteenth Rank body, feels rather challenged to evade the artifact’s tentacles unarmed, narrowly avoiding a few hits.
“Boom! Boom! Boom!”
“Tang Zeming, if you can move, get to a safe place, I—”
Fisher, noticing that Tang Zeming Asuka has frozen and cannot move, grows concerned that she might be inadvertently harmed by the creature. Before he can finish, a thick semi-transparent tentacle crashes against his white shirt, instantly corroding it and leaving him with an exposed upper body.
Fisher’s expression darkens as he stares at the sticky tentacle clinging to him, then he abruptly retreats, glancing towards Tang Zeming Asuka.
He sees her, who was previously struggling to move, now mesmerized and staring blankly, her red lips pursed as she watches him, appearing as if in a trance.
Regardless, this scenario is excessively stimulating for a seventeen-year-old high school girl.
Namo Amitabha.
Thankful that the Pure Land True Sect I practiced does not require chastity—I’m immensely grateful.
Tang Zeming Asuka swallows her saliva, intensely focused on Fisher’s upper body, her thoughts racing.
“Tang Zeming!”
Only when Fisher calls her from afar does she reluctantly pull her gaze away, clutching Fisher’s jacket tightly as she heads toward the entrance of the building.
Meanwhile, as Fisher no longer has to worry about Tang Zeming Asuka, he focuses on evading the artifact and runs towards the opposite direction of Michael’s forge, where more angels can be found.
“Goo roo roo!”
The semi-transparent artifact follows closely behind, moving swiftly without clear intelligence, merely executing its designed function, mechanically trailing Fisher into the angels’ forging area.
Many angels, busy forging on the Fifth Day, observe this scene without any expression, halting their work, and stand motionless, coldly watching Fisher as he flees.
“This way, Fisher!”
As Fisher continues to run, he suddenly hears Gouwen’s voice from afar, standing by a solitary furnace among many cosmic forges, waving at Fisher. Not far behind him stands Hela, who had separated from their group just moments ago.
Fisher immediately alters his direction, rushing towards them, leading the massive artifact towards the forging platform.
“Goo roo roo!”
However, Hela continues smiling with hands behind his back, with no intention of intervening. Just then, a terrifying suction unexpectedly emerges from the depths of the forge tower, effortlessly lifting the large artifact as if a black hole resided within the tower, swiftly consuming the bubbling artifact and reducing it in size until it gradually disappears.
“.”
Silence falls over the Fifth Day. The observing angels quickly retract their gazes from the tower, not immediately returning to their forges. In an instant, the entire Fifth Day falls into quietude, and Fisher can only hear his own breathing.
He looks up at the towering structure. Hela still wears a smile without saying a word. Only Gouwen gestures toward the tower’s interior, seemingly indicating for him to come up.
Fisher ponders for a moment but decides to ascend the tower stairway. This white tower, located at the edge of the Fifth Day, is aesthetically harmonious, aligning with the unique symmetrical beauty of angelic architecture. The temperature inside the tower is incredibly high, signaling that it is operational.
Fisher quickly reaches the top, but both Gouwen and Hela remain silent. A hollow female voice suddenly resonates from inside the tower.
“You just ran from Michael’s forge all the way here, and seventeen angels witnessed you being chased, yet none intervened. Why do you think that is?”
Fisher realizes she is inquiring of him. After a second’s thought, he replies, “Because I am human; the angels, as mythical beings, have no need to rescue a human?”
“Besides being human, you are also one of the seven honored guests we have left behind. The angels have a duty to ensure your safety. Excluding this guest identity, most angels, except for me and a few others, would not intervene, because the true reason for their inaction is that this artifact belongs to Archangel Michael. All angels know he cherishes his creations, so they dare not act lightly.”
Fisher pauses for a moment, and with Hela’s approving gaze, he steps into the tower alongside Gouwen. There stands a completely empty top floor with only a terrifyingly hot furnace in the center. Before this furnace sits an incredibly powerful angel with silver hair, three pairs of pale silver wings, and like Fisher, she is turned away from him.
Her rank is a staggering Nineteenth Rank.
Just seeing the back of this silver-haired angel, who bears a striking resemblance to humans and presides over the Holy Grail he seeks, makes Fisher’s breathing quicken.
“Archangel Shaliyah.”
“In actuality, compared to this name, I prefer the titles used by other races.”
The archangel turns her head with a serene smile, and only then does Fisher notice her eyes are partially covered by a light silver and gold silken artifact, obscuring the absence of her eyes, transforming her appearance into that of a kind, maternal beauty.
In her hands, she cradles a tightly closed square iron box, seemingly containing the translucent goo relic that had chased Fisher earlier. Upon hearing her words, Fisher hesitates briefly and tests the waters.
“Archangel Pandora.”
Upon hearing this title, her beautiful smile broadens. She gently tosses the iron box in her arms to Fisher, then returns her gaze to the blazing, terrifying furnace.
It seems she is forging something.
“This is a private toy favored by Archangel Michael. Typically, he enjoys taking it to other planets, but unexpectedly, it got activated just now. It has calmed down now, and it should be returned to his forge later.”
Fisher looks at the small iron box in his hand, feeling rather helpless. Gouwen glances at the box with curiosity, then back at the shirtless Fisher, quietly asking,
“Why did you end up without your shirt while running? Was it too hot?”
“This toy corroded my clothes; who knew Archangel Michael designed something meant to corrode clothing?”
Gouwen opens his mouth and, realizing what the artifact is intended for, glances at Pandora’s back, acknowledging its purpose. He stumbles over his words, afraid of saying anything inappropriate, and can only give a thumbs up to express his feelings.
“Mr. Fisher, Mr. Gouwen. Haha, you’re all here.”
Just then, Tang Zeming Asuka, concerned for Fisher, runs over after having twisted her ankle a bit, gasping for breath. Gouwen raises an eyebrow at her disheveled appearance, wrapped snugly in Fisher’s jacket with her stocking torn to shreds, knowing the situation, and smiles,
“Ah, looks like little Tang Zeming was also played with by that annoying clothing-removing toy.”
Tang Zeming Asuka pouts, diverting her gaze from Fisher unconsciously. Before she can speak, Hela bursts into laughter, pointing at Fisher’s body.
“The utility of that artifact is not limited to just this; how could a toy cherished by Lord Michael have only this effect? Soon, the places it touched will become sensitive and persistently warm, and according to Lord Michael’s threshold, the sensation should be quite intense.”
“Eh?”
“.”
Fisher silently purses his lips. He glances back at Tang Zeming Asuka, feeling a heat blossoming within him since Hela spoke. All the minute Ether pulse disturbances from the furnace’s high temperature seem to trigger a noticeable response in his body, leaving him feeling itchy all over.
However, it remains within tolerable limits.
Tang Zeming Asuka, however, is clearly unable to handle it like he can. Her face turns bright red, and both her legs and the back under her jacket feel unbearably itchy. She shifts uncomfortably, looking pitifully at the smiling Hela, who does not lend a hand, and must rely on her willpower to withstand it, feeling the itch and heat incessantly.
Meanwhile, a calmer Fisher surveys the surrounding area and is quickly amazed to find several magic materials piled beside Pandora’s furnace, likely intended for forging gospel artifacts.
He narrows his eyes, mentally noting this, and speaks to Pandora, who sits quietly before the furnace, seemingly waiting for something.
“Archangel Pandora, earlier, Archangel Hela mentioned that there were plans for us when bringing us to the Fifth Day. If I’m not mistaken, the original arrangement was for us to meet you, right?”
Pandora, as if feeling cold, extends her hands to warm them by the high-temperature furnace before retracting them, then speaks.
“I initially wanted to meet you during your time on the Seventh Day, but due to some matters in the mortal realm, that was delayed. Now that I finally have the opportunity, my requests have already been relayed to you through Hela, but given her laid-back nature, she likely did not explain in detail, leaving you confused about what lies ahead. Hence, I’m here specifically to discuss trading matters with you.”
Hela, standing outside the tower, lowers his head with a smile, seemingly apologizing for his lax attitude. However, his sincerity is questionable at best.
Fisher watches Pandora’s back, contemplating where the Holy Grail she manages might be.
“… Archangel Pandora must already be aware that forging sentient objects requires the tears of the World Tree, correct?”
“I am indeed aware; that is why I came personally to inform you about the changes in the plan.”
“Changes in the plan?”
Pandora, not having eyes, isn’t bothered by the lack of direct eye contact. While speaking to Fisher and the others, she still faces the furnace.
“A few days ago, during my time in the mortal realm, Archangel Remiel shared an interesting piece of information with me. He mentioned that the Elves’ Jianmu Palace on the Tree Continent has been closed since half a year ago, and they have ceased all the worship and sacrificial ceremonies they typically engage in. The official reason is that the Elf King is unwell and needs to rest and receive blessings.”
Fisher quickly processes the familiar term spoken by Pandora. He recalls hearing it earlier when Gouwen explained the tears of the World Tree.
“Jianmu Palace.”
“Indeed, Jianmu Palace is where the Elves hold their various ceremonies. Of course, if you have some understanding of the tears of the World Tree, you would also know that it is where they are stored.”
Pandora smiles faintly. A sudden, distinct “goo roo” echoes from the furnace, sounding like a sign of something maturing, as she continues.
“Archangel Remiel suspects that the real problem lies not with the powerful Elf King nor the Elven nobles under his rule.”
“He suspects that the tears of the World Tree have indeed been stolen.”
求求投票、打赏和支持，这对我来说十分重要！
万分感谢支持！
()
(End of this chapter)
