67: Savior Project

Three months later, Mizuno Hiroshi's coronation ceremony was grand and solemn. A castle had been hastily built in the ruins of the city center; however, the decorations inside were extremely modern. The Fusion of classic and modern styles made the castle look both bizarre and sacred.

The roars of the Monsters in the castle were deafening.

Mizuno Hiroshi, in his Monster form, wore a specially made cloak and a crown inlaid with countless rare jewels. He sat on the luxurious throne located at the high point, accepting the tsunami-like worship of the Monsters.

Power reached its peak at this moment.

Upon the new emperor's ascension, his first decree was to announce a new power structure: headed by the Ten Heavenly Kings, with various levels of cadres under them. Monsters with sound intelligence served as soldiers, while those who had lost their minds were reduced to cannon fodder for war.

The new system centered on Merit Points. By accumulating merit, Monsters could increase their own strength, obtain higher status, and even restore their human forms, maintain sanity, and enjoy medical services and other aspects of life.

It could be said that these so-called Merit Points were a new currency system.

Everything was orderly, yet it revealed a cruel Rank oppression.

However, the seats of the Ten Heavenly Kings remained vacant, waiting for the true The Strong Ones to fill them.

In the next few hundred years, the Country of Monsters adopted a "Gu" strategy toward the human world.

Sometimes they applied pressure, forcing humans to migrate inland to develop and grow; at other times, they launched surprise attacks, instantly turning prosperous cities into ruins, devouring all vitality, slaughtering lives, and letting despair and wailing spread across the land.

Or, they would stage the grand performance of Mingyu City in other cities again, but the difference was that it was no longer Mizuno Hiroshi taking action, but the various Monsters under his command.

While doing these things, they would deliberately leave some cities to linger on, letting them continue to develop and grow, but would harass them with Monsters from time to time, keeping humans constantly shrouded in the shadow of fear.

This strategy of tension and relaxation made the surviving humans like birds startled by the mere twang of a bow, terrified day and night.

On this day, Xiang Yan looked down at the cafeteria he had built with his own hands, watching the vast and boundless cloud of negative energy, and felt it was time to start eating.

As his thoughts stirred, massive amounts of negative energy poured into his body from all directions, and the power that had been stagnant for tens of thousands of years began to advance again.

At a certain moment, Xiang Yan stopped, feeling the guy he had been locking in the dark room stirring, and cast his gaze again toward this suffering human world.

The "Savior" was about to appear.

In Jingtai City, a 17-year-old boy named Sato Shinsui returned home after finishing his part-time job and started cooking.

The dim light spilled into the cramped room as Sato Shinsui skillfully chopped a few simple ingredients and put them into the pot to stir-fry.

The sizzling sound of oil and the clanging of the spatula against the iron pot wove together into a slightly noisy yet warm melody.

The salty fragrance of soy sauce and the sweetness of vegetables permeated the air, tempting his hungry stomach.

"I'm home!" a crisp female voice came from the door, accompanied by the clinking of keys.

Sato Shinsui turned back and saw Sato Yoko pushing the door open, her face showing a hint of fatigue, but even more gentle smiles.

"Sister, you're back. Did work go smoothly today?"

Sato Yoko changed into her slippers, walked to the kitchen door, and gently ruffled Sato Shinsui's hair.

"It was fine, just a lot of customers, a bit tired." She took a deep breath, and the fragrance in the kitchen made her feel relaxed. "What are we eating today? It smells so good."

"Curry rice, your favorite," Sato Shinsui said with a smile. He knew how hard Sato Yoko worked every day. In order to support her two younger sisters in school, she, like him, worked several part-time jobs and almost always worked very late.

Sato Yoko walked to the dining table and sat down, looking at the busy Sato Shinsui, and a warm current surged in her heart.

Although they were not blood-related, the family affection between them was thicker than that of real siblings.

She silently took out a beautifully packaged cake box from her bag. "Leftovers from the shop today, I brought them back for Reiko and Sakurako to taste."

Not long after, Sato Shinsui carried the pot containing the curry to the table and placed the rice cooker next to it.

"Reiko and Sakurako are coming back late today, they have school activities," Sato Shinsui explained. He knew that Sister Yoko cared very much about her two younger sisters.

"Mm, I see," Sato Yoko nodded and began to help set the bowls and chopsticks.

After setting the table, Sato Yoko looked at Sato Shinsui, who was still busy in the kitchen, and asked: "Shinsui, isn't dinner ready? What are you still busy with in the kitchen?"

"Sister Yoko, I'm making some soup. The temperature has dropped these past few days, so drink it to warm your body."

"Knock, knock, knock."

A knock on the door sounded.

"Who is it?" Sato Yoko asked, raising her voice slightly.

"It's me, Sister Yoko!" A crisp voice came from outside the door, with a hint of playfulness; it was Sato Reiko.

Immediately after, another slightly childish voice also sounded, "And me, sister! I forgot to bring the key when I went to school with Sister Reiko today." This was the voice of Sato Sakurako.

Sato Yoko breathed a sigh of relief and hurried over to open the door, and the figures of the two younger sisters came into view.

Sato Reiko was wearing her school uniform with a bright smile on her face, while Sato Sakurako was tightly clutching her sister's hem, curiously peering into the room.

"Why are you back so late? Do you know there are many bad people outside!" Sato Yoko asked sternly, even though she knew the answer.

"The school had club activities today, so we came back late. Didn't brother tell you?" Sato Reiko said, taking off her shoes and hopping inside, and Sato Sakurako followed her in.

"Sorry, Reiko, I forgot to tell Sister," Sato Shinsui interjected.

Sato Reiko made a face at Sato Shinsui.

"I'm so hungry, what's for dinner today?" Sato Reiko then asked impatiently.

"It's curry rice and miso soup," Sato Shinsui replied with a smile, his gaze sweeping over the two younger sisters; the youthful aura on their faces made him feel a trace of warmth in his heart.

"Great!" Sato Reiko cheered, pulled Sato Sakurako to the dining table, and picked up her bowl and chopsticks impatiently.

The family sat around the dining table, and the atmosphere returned to its previous warmth and harmony.

The sound of bowls and chopsticks clashing, mixed with the laughter of the family members, formed a beautiful symphony.

Although life was not wealthy, and this home was not complete—their mother had passed away early, their father had unfortunately passed away due to a Monster attack two years ago—and although they were not even blood-related.

But this small room was full of love and warmth.

After the meal, Sato Reiko suggested playing a card game, and everyone gladly agreed.

Laughter and cheers rose one after another, filling the entire room, as if to dispel all the fatigue of the day.

Joyful laughter echoed in the room.

Sato Shinsui looked at the three younger sisters, his heart filled with warmth.

Although life was hard, with their company, he felt everything was worth it.

After playing, Sato Yoko skillfully tidied up the room, putting the scattered clothes and toys back in their places, while Sato Shinsui helped sweep the floor, and Sato Reiko and Sato Sakurako went to wash up, preparing to sleep.

Everything in the room was orderly, just like this family; although they had experienced pain, they could still support and rely on each other, living an ordinary and happy life.

After washing up, Sato Sakurako was the first to crawl into bed.

She hugged the soft quilt, feeling the warmth of home, and soon entered dreamland.

Sato Reiko was energetic, pulling Sato Yoko to chat and sharing interesting things from school.

Sato Shinsui lay quietly on the bed, listening to the murmurs coming from the next room, and a smile unconsciously rose at the corner of his mouth.

"Sister Yoko, do you think..." Sato Reiko suddenly lowered her voice, with a hint of mystery in her tone, "Will we ever be like the stories in legends, obtain power, become a Magical Girl, and save the world?"

Sato Yoko was stunned for a moment, then smiled and ruffled Sato Reiko's hair.

"Silly girl, what are you thinking? Go to sleep."

"But..." Sato Reiko wanted to say something more, but was interrupted by Sato Yoko.

"Good night." Sato Yoko gently turned off the light.

The room plunged into darkness, with only the faint light of the street lamp outside filtering through the curtains.

Sato Shinsui prepared to go to work as usual.

He tidied up his clothes, said goodbye to his sister and younger sisters, and stepped onto the cool early morning street.

The shops along the road were steaming with heat, the aroma drifting into his nasal cavity, tempting his cravings.

But he just stood where he was, smelled it for a moment, and quickened his pace.

Every day's work was crucial to him; earning a little more money would make life at home a little better.

Along the way, Sato Shinsui observed the various pedestrians on the street.

Office workers in suits and leather shoes were in a hurry, students were laughing and playing in groups of three or five, and vegetable vendors were shouting at the top of their lungs, forming a bustling urban landscape.

He calculated his work tasks for the day in his heart, hoping to finish early so he could go and do a few more part-time jobs and earn more money.

When he walked to a street corner, Sato Shinsui noticed a small group of people gathered together, whispering.

Curiosity drove him to take a closer look, and he found a man dressed in simple clothes lying on the ground, motionless.

The people around pointed and whispered: "Why did he suddenly fall here? Is he sick?" Some people looked indifferent, glanced at him, and hurried away.

Sato Shinsui felt a little hesitant.

He remembered the "touch porcelain" incidents reported in the news and worried about being blackmailed.

He was just a poor boy working hard; he couldn't afford any financial loss.

However, seeing the man lying on the ground with a pale face and chapped lips, he couldn't bear it.

If it was really a sudden illness and he didn't help, his conscience would be uneasy.

After struggling internally for a long time, Sato Shinsui gritted his teeth and walked over.

He took a deep breath, bent down, and went forward to check, finding the man's breathing weak and his body cold.

Sato Shinsui asked tentatively: "Sir, are you okay?"

No response.

He mustered his courage and asked again: "Sir, do you need help?"

Just then, the man suddenly reached out and grabbed Sato Shinsui's ankle.

Sato Shinsui was startled, his heart shrunk sharply, and the images of those blackmail news reports flashed through his mind instantly.

Cold sweat seeped from his forehead, and his palms became wet.

He stared nervously at the man, ready to run away at any time.

However, the man just opened his mouth weakly, his voice so hoarse that it was almost inaudible: "Young man... do you... have any food... I... am hungry..."

Hearing this, the heart hanging in the air finally let go.

So he was hungry and fainted.

He quickly took out a piece of bread from his backpack and handed it over.

"Here you go," Sato Shinsui said.

The man took the bread with trembling hands, a glimmer of hope flashing in his eyes.

The man took the bread and devoured it, as if he had been hungry for three days and three nights.

Even the bread crumbs spilled on his clothes, he didn't let go, picking them up bit by bit and eating them.

Before long, a piece of bread was finished by him.

He raised his head and looked at Sato Shinsui with gratitude, his chapped lips slightly moving: "Young man, you are really a good person. There are not many good people like you now."

Sato Shinsui smiled: "Just a small effort." He turned to leave, and suddenly heard the man call him.

"Wait a moment..." The man hesitated, "Young man, I... can I know your name?"

"My name is Sato Shinsui."

After answering, Sato Shinsui continued to head towards his workplace.

"Sato Shinsui..." The man repeated the name, then hurried forward and grabbed Sato Shinsui, "Mr. Sato, thank you for saving me, I must repay you."

Sato Shinsui quickly waved his hand and smiled shyly: "No need, no need, this is just a small matter, anyone who sees it will help."

Seeing Sato Shinsui's firm refusal, the man lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then took out a blue pendant from his inner pocket.

The pendant was cold to the touch, shining with a faint blue light in the sun; its surface was smooth as a mirror, yet it faintly flowed with a mysterious halo, like a deep pool of water, as if it wanted to suck a person's Soul into it.

The man stuffed the pendant into Sato Shinsui's hand without explanation, and said firmly: "Young man, you must accept this, this is my little token of appreciation." Having said that, the man looked at Sato Shinsui deeply, turned and walked away quickly, and his figure soon disappeared into the crowd.

Sato Shinsui stood there holding the pendant, stunned.

The pendant was cold to the touch, forming a sharp contrast with the temperature of his palm, which made him feel a little uncomfortable.

He felt that he had only done something he should do and should not accept such valuable things from others.

Although he didn't know the value of the pendant, he felt he couldn't accept other people's things casually.

"Sir, wait!" Sato Shinsui chased after the direction the man left, "Your thing is too valuable, I can't accept it!"