A Guide to Humanity’s Extinction

Silence filled the long-abandoned floor, the fierce afternoon sun failing to pierce its windows.

The building’s interior was pitch-black. The Pope and White Jack stared at each other.

A blade rested against White Jack’s neck. The girl in the black kimono gripped the katana, standing quietly behind him, poised to slit his throat at any moment.

He stared straight into The Pope’s eyes and grinned. ”I think we could be a little friendlier. Why don’t we sit down and have a chat?”

White Jack turned his head, glancing at the girl behind him. ”At the very least, there’s no need to hold a knife to my neck. We might have plenty of opportunities to work together in the future... Don’t you agree?”

The Pope watched him quietly, saying nothing.

Jiang Qingzi stood with his hands in his pockets. ”I think he goes by ’White Jack.’ I’ve seen him on the news... quite famous lately.”

”Is he really that famous?” Bandage Man tilted his head.

”Small fry,” Sorakagehime remarked.

”Keep quiet for now. I have a few questions for him,” The Pope said. The others instantly fell silent, exchanging glances.

”Bravo.” White Jack whistled.

Amidst the silence, The Pope asked, ”Why are you tracking us? Who sent you?”

”Because your actions have angered God. This is His will.” Halfway through White Jack’s sentence, Sorakagehime pressed her katana closer, slicing a scarlet line across his neck.

”Don’t push your luck,” Sorakagehime said, her voice icy.

”You say I’ve angered God?”

The Pope chuckled softly, silently turning a page of his book.

”Do you believe in God?” White Jack asked. ”Or do you just feel that when committing evil, borrowing God’s name is the only way to alleviate your guilt?”

”You seem to think you know me well. Let’s hear your insights.” The Pope was surprisingly calm.

White Jack stared at him. Lowering his voice, he spoke at a leisurely pace:

”An orphan born in the slums, a man who grew up in chaos. No matter how wealthy he becomes, he can never hide his inner turmoil, because it is deeply rooted in his upbringing. Unable to find order within himself, he can only plunder from the outside world, endlessly taking...”

He raised a pale finger and lightly tapped his own chest. ”Trying to fill that restless, empty heart.”

The Pope fell silent.

”Boss, don’t listen to his nonsense,” Sorakagehime said.

The Pope raised a hand to silence her, then asked White Jack:

”And then?”

White Jack chuckled. ”And then, this orphan killed the Italian Pope and took his identity. Finally, he abandoned the church entirely, committing despicable acts in the name of faith. He calls himself ’The Pope,’ but acts as a thief.”

The Pope remained silent, though his gaze shifted.

”How did you know all this?” he asked after a moment.

”Yes, why?” White Jack shook his head. ”Because I know every single one of you. I consider myself an information broker; how could I live up to the title without information?”

His hollow gaze swept across everyone present.

Jiang Qingzi scoffed. ”For a guy with a blade to his neck, you sure know how to bluff.”

”Oh, my lovely little magician. I should thank you for leading the way, otherwise I never would have met this important client.”

White Jack spoke slowly, turning his head to meet the younger man’s eyes with a teasing gaze.

Jiang Qingzi was unfazed. ”So I led the way. Are you sure you can walk away?”

”Of course I am. I really must be going.” White Jack reached out, grabbing Sorakagehime’s katana and leaning his neck forward.

The blade sliced into his neck. The steel reflected his torn mouth, the corners stretching upward into a bizarre, eerie smile.

An instant later, White Jack’s figure blurred, melting like hot wax. Even the surrounding air began to heat up.

The three Death Crow members’ expressions shifted. Only The Pope remained calm, his lips parting as he murmured:

”Bill.”

Hearing his name, Bandage Man reacted instantly.

He raised his hand with lightning speed, shooting out a swathe of black bandages. They surged forward like splashed ink, wrapping entirely around White Jack’s body.

Bandage Man tried to lock White Jack in place.

But when he unraveled the bindings a moment later, he found them completely empty. Only a puff of white smoke wafted out.

”He actually got away,” Bandage Man said in surprise, scratching his head.

”Somebody has to take responsibility,” Sorakagehime said, turning to look at Jiang Qingzi.

Jiang Qingzi paused, then shrugged. ”It’s my fault this time. Happy?”

Bandage Man turned to The Pope. ”Boss, what do you think?”

The Pope was silent for a moment before speaking.

”Keep an eye out for him. We’ll be operating in Leijing for a while longer; we’ll likely run into him again.” He looked up at the empty air ahead.

Lingering in the air was a line of text formed from the white smoke, written in Italian:

”Arrivederci, mio falso Dio.”

The Pope stared at the text silently, a dark light flickering in his eyes beneath his round hat.

”What does that mean?” Bandage Man scratched his head.

Jiang Qingzi frowned, translating slowly:

”Until we meet again, my false God...”

...

...

At the same time, in the Solomon Cafe in downtown Leijing.

Ke Mingqing rested his chin on his hand, looking out the window. A straw hung from his mouth, his coffee long finished.

The wind chime tinkled as a customer pushed open the wooden door.

Hearing the chime, Ke Mingqing finally snapped out of his daze as a settlement screen appeared in his vision.

[Main Quest 3 (Phase 1) Completed: Use your secondary identity to contact the supervillain ’Black Magic Hand’ and attract his attention to cross paths with the thief organization—’Death Crow’.]

[Quest Rewards Obtained: 2,500 Experience Points, 2,500 superhuman coins, 1 Attribute Point, 1 Medium Skill Enhancement Card.]

[Current superhuman coins: 5,500]

[Prompt: Experience points have reached the cap. Your player level has automatically increased by 1.]

[Current Level: Lv. 05 (2,000/2,500 Experience Points)]

[Gain 1 Attribute Point for every 5 levels. Including the quest reward, you currently possess 2 Attribute Points. Allocate immediately?]

’Allocate.’

Ke Mingqing gave the silent command, opening his attribute panel and spending his points without a shred of hesitation.

[Congratulations. Your Strength attribute has officially increased from E+ Rank to E++ Rank.]

[Congratulations. Your Agility attribute has officially increased from D Rank to D+ Rank.]

[Player ’Ke Mingqing’ current attributes are as follows: Strength: E++; Agility: D+; Spirit: E]

After he allocated his attributes, a new quest panel refreshed before his eyes.

[Main Quest 3 (Phase 2) Refreshed: Use a secondary identity to infiltrate the inner ranks of ’Death Crow’ and become one of them.]

’Looks like joining Death Crow as ”White Jack” is off the table. They’ll definitely be suspicious of me...’ Ke Mingqing let go of the straw.

He shrugged, pondering inwardly:

’The Pope is Italian. My Disguiser talent lets me change my appearance at will anyway. When the time comes to join them, I’ll just sculpt an Italian face. Fellow countrymen are always exceptionally friendly when they meet.’

Just then, the cafe owner with the white ponytail walked over and silently collected his cup.

Ke Mingqing caught a glimpse of the owner’s tall, muscular figure, and suddenly saw a super-human species panel slowly appear above the man’s head.

[Superhuman Codename: Black Hand Zorro]

[Type: mutant]

[Danger Rating: A++ Rank (strength regressed due to severe injuries)]

[Superhuman Profile: Black Hand Zorro, former Roundtable Hero.

After realizing the dark side of superheroes, he quit the Superhero Roundtable Council and established the anti-hero organization, Solomon. The organization has only two members: Black Hand Zorro and Owl Judge.

Zorro possesses a right hand named the Devouring Arm, which can significantly enhance his strength by consuming Ability Users or Energy Crystals.]

’No way, who the hell are you?’ Ke Mingqing was quietly shocked, watching from the corner of his eye as the cafe owner carried the tray into the back room.