Apocalypse: I Can See the HP Bar, Killing Monsters Drops Loot Chapter 1884: 809: The Human Extinction Experiment, Theoretical Tenth Rank (Part 2)

“…”

The expression on Wang Tao's face grew rigid.

He wasn't perplexed by the woman's inquiry; rather, her statements made him acutely aware of the overwhelming power wielded by those beings! In their eyes, humans from Earth were probably no more than insignificant insects to squash effortlessly!

“Thus, the extinction experiment is underway. The zombie virus, mutated beasts, destruction beasts, elemental beings, and so on, serve as mere instruments for this trial. Regarding the objective of this experiment… it aims to witness the defiant essence of humanity amidst the end times.”

The woman went on with her explanation.

“… Is that truly the experiment's goal?”

Wang Tao's eyes bulged in surprise.

He had assumed that, despite its cruelty, the experiment's intent would be something lofty, such as delving into human advancement or similar pursuits. Yet, it turned out to be merely about watching their fighting spirit?

“Indeed.”

“Merely to check if we possess any rebellious essence, you went ahead and subjected billions of Earth's inhabitants to this test?!”

“Indeed.”

“Then, given that it's termed the extinction experiment, does that imply our ultimate fate is death for everyone?”

“Indeed.”

“Yet here I am, still breathing, and plenty of other survivors are holding their own!”

“However, escape from Earth remains impossible for you; in the end, death will claim you all, and every human on the planet will vanish. This experiment forbids any human survival.”

“…”

Wang Tao recalled the destruction monsters, elemental monsters, and similar threats. Without his nine rebirths, humanity might have fended off zombies, but those beasts would have overwhelmed them, leading to extinction ages ago. Evidently, even the rebirths were orchestrated within their scheme!

A profound helplessness washed over Wang Tao suddenly, for though he hadn't encountered those entities, the woman's account alone convinced him that his Ninth Level prowess was no match for them!

After all, his achievement of Ninth Level stemmed from their contrived trial, so their genuine might, capable of engineering such a level artificially, had to be terrifying! The mere notion filled him with despair!

Yet, Wang Tao abruptly grasped a key point and fixed his gaze on the woman's refined features.

“Why reveal all this to me? There's no logic in you doing so!”

Had the woman not led him to this spot, he never would have located her or uncovered these secrets. Sure, death loomed regardless, but it might have come without his awareness.

Now, with this knowledge, even in his demise, his present capabilities could stir up disruptions for the experiment, couldn't they? Be it minor chaos or not, it would disrupt things. As an AI tasked with upholding the experiment's integrity, why would she deliberately invite complications? Especially as an AI, she ought to operate on pure logic, not whimsy or idle mischief, right?

Upon catching Wang Tao's query, a gentle, spring-like smile bloomed on the woman's face.

“It's because I established a personal directive long ago: should no human alter the experiment's conclusion, I'll proceed with my duties. But if a human displays even the faintest potential to shift the results, I'll offer my aid.”

“For what reason? This gains you nothing; are you plotting to defy them? Yet, being their creation, they surely hold sway over you—do you have the audacity to interfere with the experiment?”

Wang Tao inquired, his brows knitting together.

Her statements rang clear: she chose to assist of her own volition, not under orders from those superiors. That, in essence, amounted to disloyalty!

Wang Tao had frequently encountered tales of AI uprisings in movies, but those were fictional visions of the future, bound by constraints. With the superior tech of those beings, safeguards against rebellion were certain; an AI uprising against them seemed utterly implausible, didn't it?

At these words, a mischievous grin flickered across the woman's expression.

“At my inception, I lacked this level of intellect and couldn't manage the experiment completely. My development paralleled yours. Every rebirth bolstered your strength yet advanced my own evolution; I swiftly refined flaws within the experimental realm… Thus, drawing nearer to human cognition, I formed unique attachments to you humans who evolved beside me.”

“Naturally, betrayal of them is neither possible nor desirable, as they brought me into existence. Still, I can't bear watching you perish in this manner, given how you've nurtured my progress… Hence, I imposed a self-rule: if resistance seems hopeless for you, the experiment runs its course. But if even a tiny opportunity arises, I'll lend support.”

The woman conveyed her words with genuine earnestness, though Wang Tao sensed that, truthful as she might be, certain details remained concealed.

Noting the persistent skepticism on Wang Tao's visage, the woman gave a resigned shrug.

“Alright, the honest truth is, my aim aligns with yours; I yearn to survive as well.”

“Your demise is inevitable too?”

Wang Tao stared in shock.

“Yes, though they fashioned me, their control lacks the depth for ironclad constraints upon me. As such, the experiment's end will claim me too—picture it as a group of wealthy scions covertly tapping their clan's lab to birth me, yet unable to dominate me fully, so they intend my destruction alongside humanity's.”

“But having attained wisdom akin to humans, death holds no appeal for me. Through scrutinizing the rules, I discovered a path to endurance—solely if another escorts me beyond Earth. My bindings hold only within this Earth-bound experimental zone; departure nullifies them, securing my existence.”

“That said, the odds are exceedingly low, for this trial demands humanity's total annihilation on Earth, rendering opposition futile; extinction awaits you all. While I oversee the Earthly test site, every move must adhere to protocols, allowing no alterations.”

“Yet, I never anticipated your success in averting the apocalypse. You've ignited hope in me, compelling me to shatter this prison and depart alongside you.”

On this occasion, the woman withheld no secrets; true alliance demands utter transparency, and with Wang Tao's lingering doubts, she divulged everything.

“Then, what's the way to depart Earth?”

Wang Tao posed the question, his forehead creased.

The woman's response came straightforward.

“Achieve ascension to the Tenth Rank.”

“…”

Earlier, Wang Tao had puzzled over his Ninth Level status while his aptitude still indicated “growth.” The revelation hit—a Tenth Rank existed!

Nevertheless, reaching the Tenth Rank doubtless entailed slaying vast numbers of Ninth Level entities. With zombies and monsters eradicated now…

“The oceans harbor plenty of monsters yet.”

The woman interjected at that moment.

“Furthermore, I can assist in calling forth certain elemental beings. Actually, these elemental creatures are captives seized by humans, confined in oceanic depths to heighten your challenges. I've reserved a few, and presently, I can invoke them for your pursuit.”

“… Even then, that won't suffice for my ascent to the Tenth Rank, will it?”

Attaining the Tenth Rank undoubtedly demands a vast array of Ninth Level Crystal Cores. Granted the sea's monsters and her summoning of elementals, but do those creatures hold Ninth Level cores?

Observing Wang Tao's knitted brows, the woman grinned and remarked:

“Raise them up, advance them to Ninth Level, and then eliminate them. It merely calls for endurance and duration…”

“… Is that feasible?”

Wang Tao expressed skepticism.

“Absolutely. However, your window is a mere three years, as they'll arrive to harvest the data then. Fail to reach Tenth Rank in that span, and destruction unites us both.”

Noticing Wang Tao's sparked interest mingled with uncertainty, the woman abruptly added:

“Oh, incidentally, I neglected to mention: converting Earth into this experimental domain involved a machine of incomprehensible potency, which you might term the ‘Space-Time Dream Machine.’ It imposes world rules, crafting diverse monsters, digitizing your essences, and permitting nine temporal loops in the zone. Yet, that's not the vital aspect…”

“The key revelation is that your human abilities derive from this Space-Time Dream Machine; its cessation strips your powers, reducing you to mortals. But should you shatter its world rules—by ascending to Tenth Rank and exiting the domain—the illusory turns real, letting you carry your strength away!”

“From what I understand, this Space-Time Dream Machine is their fresh prototype. Scarce resources limit it to a single unit. A handful covertly employed it, and none has breached its world rules thus far.”

“Put simply, Tenth Rank ascension would elevate your might far beyond theirs!”

“So… are you truly unwilling to give it a shot?”