Facing an Ancient God for a Year

Chapter 1833: Chapter 1808: Ben’s Original Future

In theory, the current situation is enough to file a report.

There is an allegedly ancient ”ark” beneath the Benevolence Institute, where the Prison Angel Commander, who dared to offend the almighty Night Watchman, has been hiding in an attempt to survive, but now has been crushed into dust.

The next step is to rigorously interrogate potential informants, especially tracking down the whereabouts of the suspicious individual Nefeli.

As a temporarily assigned field employee, this report is sufficient for Su Gao to file and take it easy afterwards.

Unfortunately, he is not the Chief Yuan, and unless faced with an overwhelming threat, he’s unlikely to hastily withdraw.

Then instead of retreating, it would be better to hurry and delve deeper to see what’s further below.

On one hand, Fu Qian is equally curious, and on the other, due to his frequent dealings with Angels, he has no fondness for the rapidly ascending light and is not inclined to conduct any thorough search.

”Alright.”

Su Gao’s acceptance rate of advisor suggestions is unquestionably high, and the next moment he is already taking the lead.

As if facing a formidable enemy, although the natives remain standing in place as punishment, Fu Qian and his companion are firmly fixated by their gazes.

This reaction seems to indicate that the posture indeed suggests preparing a grand move, rather than seeking peace.

But that seems to be all there is. Until Fu Qian and his companion reach the passage leading further down, no divine punishment descends.

...

It must be said, the architectural style of this ark is primarily simplistic.

There are no decorations to be seen, and the layout of each level is quite similar, with only minor adjustments due to space changes.

In the blink of an eye, they descend another level, and before them emerges yet another expansive ”wheat field.”

The light emanating from nowhere, yet scattered everywhere, now has the brightness of a rising sun.

Greeted by light in the darkness is indeed a pleasant sensation, and adding the joy of a bountiful harvest makes it even better.

The only regret is that although there are many cords on this level, only one in ten of the golden ambers remain, with most having vanished without a trace.

And those that do remain, besides being equally emaciated, seem to have some distinct features.

”Are they all pregnant women?”

As they navigate through, Su Gao glances at Fu Qian with some surprise.

”There are also pregnant men.”

Fu Qian observes just as closely, gesturing toward a spot in the distance.

Indeed, this level’s remaining intact ambers all contain individuals with emaciated bodies possessing swollen abdomens.

Some are large, others small; some are round, others grotesque.

The mention of pregnant men is not without basis; these bodies seem pregnant but lack typical female characteristics.

Moreover, they do not only bear human traits.

Through the increasingly golden gel under the light, more than one body inside shows a transformation similar to earlier attackers, possessing traits of both humans and marine creatures.

”Though the contents in their bellies are also deceased, they do not appear to be ordinary flesh and blood.”

Before Su Gao can inquire further, Fu Qian scrutinizes a nearly triangular-shaped abdomen and continues to share his opinion.

”Something seems to have attempted to use their bodies for gestation, but failed?”

Though unfathomable, Su Gao follows the gaze and searches for explanations.

”It’s hard to say. At the very least, I lean towards the assumption that they were aware of the gestation due to the garments they wore. The abdominal sizes differ from those above.”

Fu Qian shakes his head slightly and offers a professional analysis from an advisory perspective.

...

The same style of the wrapped robe as in the two levels above is apparent, but even these inherently loose garments seem to have been specially adjusted for the belly, appearing particularly oversized.

”Indeed.”

On the reminder, Su Gao quickly notices this detail.

”So the current scenario is that an ancient Deity possibly created this place during the Long Night to protect its followers and... bestowed offspring upon them?”

Though the situation feels peculiar, Su Gao continues to thoughtfully observe and summarize the journey so far, offering her hypothesis.

Despite sensing that the latest scenery is still hard to comprehend for her.

”Perhaps it represents humanity’s hope after the Long Night.”

In the increasingly bright ark, this time Fu Qian takes the lead, suggesting Su Gao let her imagination roam.

”Judging from the cocoon-like state, these individuals were likely protected in a state of slumber aboard this ship. The children in their bellies were likely set to be born only after awakening from slumber.”

”But for some reason, they didn’t endure, or they couldn’t awaken after the night?”

Following Fu Qian’s steps and thoughts, Su Gao, amidst rising light, reflects on each step with some sentiment.

”That should be it, although those we met above could still move and react.”

Fu Qian points upward.

”Something has eroded them... is it this ship?

The individuals both inside and outside developed some marine biology features, yet there’s no sign of a place where they must transform to survive.”

Sighing slightly, Su Gao poses a new question.

...

Indeed.

Clearly, Su Gao is a thoughtful student, never ceasing to seek understanding, and possesses a great spirituality in terms of personal insights.

”I think the same; forging a deep bond with the ship itself is necessary for such prolonged slumber.”

And Fu Qian nods in agreement with her thoughts.

”It’s hard to imagine this thing once voyaged on water, yet it indeed exhibits various marine traces, which perhaps harbors its inherent nature.

And as a seemingly supreme force, channeling this aspect to its passengers over centuries seems within reason.”

”Hmm.”

Receiving such recognition from Professor Fu brings Su Gao warmth, though she feels saddened for the fate of the ship full of believers.

”This is—”

However, her emotions are interrupted, her gaze suddenly focused on a certain spot ahead.

”I also noticed something particular just now.”

Indicating to proceed, Fu Qian approaches where her gaze rests.

Like a harvested field, this ”wheat field” has few remaining standing cords.

But at their feet, at the end of a coiled cord lies a seemingly intact amber.

Though the abdomen of the female body within has a fissured opening lined with numerous overlapping folds.

”Looks like not all of them failed to be born.”