Demi-human Girls Completion Manual Chapter 1358 - 29: Life Completion Manual (Part 2)

As Fisher delved into the narrative of "Mountain Climber," his senses felt like they plunged into a vast, obscure cosmos.

Upon deeper examination, every word and phrase within this extensive poem seemed to harbor infinite, profound significances, completely overwhelming his mind. Yet, in this moment of immersion, he felt no such thing. His gaze simply drifted sideways, settling upon the annotations left by Erwin, the former Life Minister, which detailed his contemplations on the lengthy verse.

Erwin's perspective suggested that the initial poem concealed the secret to the concept of "rank." For an individual's standing to ascend, they must traverse the mountain just as the climber does.

"The appellation of the first mountain is 'Human,' and the route the mountain climber traverses indeed mirrors the exploration and mastery of one's internal being. The journey undertaken represents a profound rediscovery of the self, culminating in the attainment of the zenith of human potential."

"The second mountain bears the name 'Transcendent,' a symbol of might far beyond the grasp of ordinary individuals, transcending human limitations, and signifying a departure from the very essence of humanity.

"The third mountain is labeled 'Myth,' representing those inaccessible realms of immense power, veiled in mystery, which humanity relegates to 'imagination.' These places are beyond mere sight, guarded by celestial beings who project a clear refusal to climbers who venture this far."

"Conventional approaches are incapable of breaching the Myth's Gate; the divine bars entry to mortals attempting this ascent. The sole recourse is to 'bribe' the guardian angel. This unconventional method, and the potency resident within this Completion Manual, share a striking resemblance: 'chaos.' For humanity to reach the Myth, 'chaos' must be employed, though the specific 'treasure' it demands warrants considerable contemplation."

Erwin's marginalia, stark and precise, gradually unveiled the perilous, chaotic truths embedded within the text before Fisher's eyes. He felt as though he were following a well-trodden path, uncovering pre-existing answers sequentially.

The symbolism of the mountains is distinctive; they signify aspects of one's being. Therefore, the mountain the climber seeks is not situated in any terrestrial locale but resides within the landscape of nightly dreams.

Erwin and the originator of the Life Completion Manual had, through communion with the angelic entity, debated a crucial question: If the core of humanity is a species dwelling at the mountain's base, and after sequentially cresting the second peak, the individual no longer retains a human form and undergoes structural alteration, are they still, by definition, 'human'?

As the latter portion of the long poem approached, the perils of the ascent amplified, and the mountain climber's physicality underwent increasingly significant transformations.

Subtly, the climber's mindset and conceptual framework began to evolve.

"The anatomical structure of humans dictates their thought processes and perception. Likewise, the corporeal constitution of demi-humans shapes their cultural paradigms and inherent meanings. A Mythical Being possessing a sufficiently elevated Life Rank would inevitably perceive the world through a lens distinct from that of lesser beings. As humans ascend through the ranks, and concurrently adapt their physical forms to these new levels, their cognitive architecture undergoes inevitable shifts."

"If beings possess strength akin to gods, dwelling in the world's hidden recesses, the very architects of existence—from what vantage point do They observe this world and the myriad lifeforms within it?"

"Perhaps Their perspective on creation far surpasses the imaginings of commonplace existence, yet this does not preclude Them from instituting the fundamental laws governing life's operations. It is analogous to how humans might observe ants; the ants could scarcely comprehend the angle from which they are viewed, yet this does not impede humans from imposing judgment, constructing habitats with ease, supplying resources, or altering the operational rules of the ant colony..."

"Similarly, should humanity achieve divinity, the tribulations that plague them could be readily resolved."

Through these residual annotations, Fisher finally grasped a fragment of Erwin's profound contemplation.

She did not fundamentally desire to alter the essence of humanity; rather, her aspiration was to ascend, transitioning from a state akin to ants to that of humans, and then, paradoxically, to utilize human capabilities to alleviate the very struggles that ants endure.

This endeavor represented a pinnacle of idealism; from Fisher’s detached viewpoint, he could not guarantee its ultimate success. Moreover, even if she attained a godlike existence, how could she assure her own continued empathy with the concerns and anxieties of the 'ants'?

This question inherently lacked a definitive answer, inviting perpetual debate and refutation. Nevertheless, Erwin had committed herself to this path of practice. While Fisher felt compelled, from his position, to intervene, this did not diminish his profound respect for the grandeur of her ideal.