Starting from the Collapse World, I became the behind-the-scenes boss

Although Destiny has always touted itself as a theocratic organization, World Serpent is actually the real fanatical group.

The entire world snake organization, perhaps it should be called the Fire Chasing Hero Cult?

"We are already used to being misunderstood." The gray snake waved its hand, appearing magnanimous. "There is a secret place within the World Serpent where Mr. Shihen can see just a glimpse of those great beings."

When you witness all of this firsthand, you'll understand how insignificant and laughable humanity is compared to them.

"That sounds interesting."

Shihen stroked his chin and laughed.

"Whatever is requested, the snake will respond." The gray snake's electronic eyes flashed red. "So, Mr. Shihen, are you prepared with the price commensurate with it?"

Should we live in chaos alongside the masses of this era, or should we follow in the footsteps of our great sovereign and bring new life to this world?

"I'm curious, if I say no now, will Mr. Gray Serpent summon eight hundred axemen to chop me into mincemeat?"

Shihen said with a smile, while looking around as if searching for hidden axemen.

"..." Gray Snake paused slightly, as if he hadn't expected the boy to have such a thought, and after a long while he continued, "No matter what the outcome, Mr. Shihen will always be Snake's friend."

When he first discovered the boy, Gray Snake thought he had found a hidden gem.

But as Shihen gradually revealed his prowess, he realized with a start that he seemed to have found a lion with sharp claws and teeth.

When Gray Snake was surprised by the boy's strength, the boy gave him another huge shock.

Less than a year after its contact with Honkai, the Time Mark has already reached the theoretical limit of the Stigmata, even to the point that its creator, Mebius, has long since given up hope.

Compared to the boy's current strength, his phenomenal growth rate is even more astonishing.

Even Gray Serpent couldn't help but suspect that even if he used the power that could reliably defeat Time Mark, his opponent might still give him a surprise counterattack.

“I’m not interested in saving the world or anything like that, but…” Shihen said softly, a slight smile playing on his lips, “Your plan sounds rather interesting.”

Moreover, I am very eager to witness the great being that Mr. Gray Serpent spoke of.

"Then we are truly companions."

The gray snake stretched out its palm toward the boy.

Although he was somewhat dissatisfied with Shihen's attitude, he knew that this was the best possible outcome.

Just dreaming about spouting slogans about saving the world and getting the other person to bow down in worship...

Once Shihen has truly witnessed the brilliance of the pre-civilization era, he will understand how absurd his current actions are.

Gray Snake firmly believed this.

"I'm really looking forward to seeing what amazing sights the snake will show me."

As he spoke softly, Shihen smiled and took Gray Snake's hand.

The scenery in the paradise of the past must be quite spectacular.

Chapter Forty: Simple Unexpected Events

"So, that's all the Grey Serpent talked to you about?"

As they drove across the vast snow-covered plains, Raven asked the boy in the passenger seat.

"Well, that's all."

Nodding, Shihen looked out the window, admiring the vast snowscape where heaven and earth blended into one, and a sense of bewilderment welled up in his heart.

After a long talk with the gray snake, he thought he would get a ticket to the Paradise of the Dead, then rampage through it to achieve the feat of clearing the game with all achievements, and finally get promoted and a raise to become a high-ranking executive of the World Serpent.

But in the end... he was met with a raven's plane.

The plane flew directly north from southwestern India, reaching the far north of Siberia.

Nearly a week had passed since the Ganesha incident ended, and he and the raven were driving across the snowy plains of Siberia.

Even though November is considered late autumn according to Chinese custom, Siberia had already seen heavy snowfall.

"Does it look good?"

Noticing that the boy's gaze was fixed on the window, Raven asked with a smile.

Although somewhat surprised that Gray Serpent valued Shihen so much that it could even tolerate the boy's behavior that violated the organization's rules.

But deep down, the raven was even more surprised by the gray snake's keeping of its promise.

If she were in the other person's shoes, she probably would have already granted Shihen the title of cadre and sent the boy to the Land of Baptism.

However, Gray Serpent still kept the original three-month agreement.

Was it for some unknown reason that she wanted to see more of Shihen's performance?

Deeply moved, Raven did not intend to pursue the matter further.

Whatever the reason, all she wanted was to spend these last three months with the boy.

Because once you've witnessed the true scenery of hell, you can never return to the sunlight.

"quite pretty."

Glancing at the mercenary driving with one hand, Shihen rationally refrained from pursuing the issue of traffic safety.

He strongly suspected that the other party even flew the plane with one hand.

"Once you've seen it enough, it won't be surprising anymore."

The raven looked like it had been there all along.

"Oh."

He answered softly, still looking out the window.

At least for him now, the snow scenery in Siberia is still quite beautiful.

What meets the eye is an endless expanse of white, and even the sky is gray, with only the occasional coniferous forest adding a touch of gray-green to this picture.

Bang~

Just as I was marveling at this, the SUV suddenly started bobbing up and down as if it had hit a pebble.

"How many years has this lousy road not been repaired?"

While holding the steering wheel, Raven began to complain.

"..."

Looking at the road ahead, which was covered in snow and looked no different from other places, Shihen raised an eyebrow but did not speak.

Since the second collapse occurred in Siberia twelve years ago, this place has been completely devastated. Government institutions are almost paralyzed, and warlords of all sizes have been fighting each other for more than a decade without achieving stability.

In this situation, apart from a few large cities where things are relatively stable, other places are basically left to fend for themselves.

I have no idea where this road leads...

Turning his head to look at the snow scene in the distance, Shihen secretly pondered in his heart.

Regarding the destination of this journey, the raven only said it was to collect a debt, but did not elaborate on the specifics.

For Raven, the mercenary queen, to come knocking on our door to collect a debt, there must have been quite a few deaths on our end.

Charon's number one spot on the list is soaked in blood, so red it's almost black.

Glancing at Raven beside him, who seemed focused on driving, Shihen observed a moment of silence for those people for 0.3 seconds.

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Shihen caught sight of plumes of black smoke rising in the distance and said, "There seems to be some movement over there."

It's not mealtime yet, and the smoke from the chimneys isn't in this shape.

"I guess it's war."

The raven glanced up at it once and then paid it no further attention.

Having been a mercenary for so many years, war had long been commonplace for her.

"It doesn't seem like it; the gunfire is too sparse."

Shihen shook his head.

His senses are much more acute than a raven's, allowing him to hear more things.

With a slight shift in its wine-red eyes, Raven seemed to have thought of something and turned to the boy, asking, "Want to go take a look? Consider it an opportunity to broaden your horizons."

"..." Meeting Raven's gaze and seeing the expectation hidden in the mercenary's eyes, Shihen nodded, "That works too."

He doesn't actually like meddling in other people's business.

But since the raven wants to go, then let's go and take a look.

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Fire, fire everywhere.

Looking out through the cracks in the abandoned cellar, all Peggy could see was flames.

The orange-red flames leaped and danced joyfully, spreading from one place to another, devouring everything and releasing terrifying heat, like some kind of giant monster wanting to destroy the world.

Amid the crackling of the flames, Sophia could clearly hear countless screams, screams from people she knew all too well.

Uncle Owen, Grandpa Nat, Aunt Ines...

These people who used to laugh and tell her stories, and give her candy, are now only emitting chilling wails.

Some people's voices only last for a brief moment before disappearing completely, while others' voices linger for a long time.

It's like a mouse being caught and toyed with by a cat.

Listening to the painful wails mixed with curses, Peggy couldn't help but think to herself.

But they're clearly not rats!

They are human beings, just like those guys who suddenly barged into the village!

But why would those people do such a thing? Was it because they did something wrong?

Peggy carefully hid in the clutter of the cellar, watching the flames spread above and the fallen wood blocking the cellar entrance, leaving only the firelight filtering through the gaps. She remained motionless.

Sister Sophia said that as long as we hide like this, as long as we hide in this cellar, as long as... we don't get discovered by those guys.

A heavy, oppressive feeling washed over Peggy from all directions, and the dizziness caused by the lack of oxygen began to set in. It was as if the whole world was gradually drifting away from her.

She could no longer feel the passage of time, and the scene in the cellar gradually blurred. Peggy seemed to see everyone in the village waving to her.

But the next second, with a loud "bang," everyone in the village vanished instantly, and the scene in the cellar reappeared in Peggy's view, unchanged from before.

The only difference was that the wooden planks at the cellar entrance had been completely removed, and a beautiful, flower-like face peeked in.

"Are you OK?"

The man called out to her, his voice gentle yet powerful, as warm as the sun.

"It's so warm..."

Her lips moved as she spoke, Peggy reached out her hand towards the man with all her might, and then her consciousness ceased.

"Did you faint now?"

Looking at the girl who had completely closed her eyes and was no longer moving, Shihen couldn't help but mutter to himself.

However, considering the environment here, it's already a miracle that the other party survived.

After glancing at the cellar, Shihen immediately jumped down and scooped up the girl huddled in the pile of junk.

Hmm, really thin.

He lifted it up and felt the weight, which was no more than sixty or seventy pounds, and Shihen couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

Upon jumping out of the cellar, Shihen was immediately confronted by a raven.

Is this the only one left?

Raven glanced at the girl lying in the boy's arms, frowned, and asked.

"It should be."

Shihen answered, his gaze sweeping over the village completely engulfed in flames and the corpses scattered everywhere, his eyes filled with suppressed anger.

Although he never considered himself a good person, some people had completely lost their humanity.

He simply couldn't believe that such a thing could happen in this day and age.