CHAPTER 87: CHAPTER 86: BLUE DEMON! MARKEL’S OUTBURST

Everyone followed the sound to the doorway, and their pupils contracted at the sight. The door, which had previously withstood the force of grenades, had been slashed open by the blade of a blue mecha, leaving a massive gash.

The enemy standing in the doorway was entirely encased in azure mechanical armor. Even his pupils were lifeless mechanical eyes. The light mecha he wore was vividly colored. Its metallic shell was sleek, and every piece of armor looked like a meticulously polished work of art—both sturdy and gracefully light. Blue light converged on the circular core at his chest, the power core of the light-type mecha. The appearance of blue flames seemed to be a declaration of its master’s immense power.

The enemy in the doorway was quite satisfied with everyone’s reaction. He surveyed his surroundings, using the infrared spectrum detector on his mecha to scan the environment and everyone within it.

The results were as he expected. Only these few people remained in the building. He let his guard down and taunted them, "Honestly, you all disappoint me greatly."

The cold, mechanical voice sent a chill through their hearts, but they all focused, wanting to hear how he intended to deal with them.

"Before coming here, I was prepared for a major battle. After all, my opponents dared to call themselves the Mechanical Resistance Army. Anyone who dares to so brazenly oppose us, the Celestial Palace, should have been strong.

"But the result is somewhat disappointing. The force that boasted so spectacularly turned out to be just a ragtag squad of sewer rats. It’s laughable. What? Did you expect to laugh us to death and win without a fight?

"I really don’t understand what you’re thinking. Isn’t it good to be alive? Why insist on being saviors of nature and messiahs of the apocalypse? You heretics simply don’t understand the beauty of machinery. Only by escaping the limitations of flesh and blood can humanity truly transcend."

It was obvious that the man in the blue mecha, holding an absolute advantage, wanted to preach his theories. However, Markel rudely interrupted him.

"Right, right, you’re absolutely right! I’ve been fed up with these people for a long time, but they outnumbered me, so I had no choice but to compromise. Now that you’re here, sir, you’re a beacon of light in this apocalypse."

"Please, give me a chance to reform. I’m willing to join your Mechanical Legion, and I’m sincere. I know everything about the Naturalist Sect. Ask me anything, and I’ll answer."

"Look, the battle armor before you was left by that heretic. I can tell you everything about him. I just beg you, don’t kill me. I want to live."

Hearing this, Monica immediately tore her gaze from the battle armor and shouted furiously at Markel, "Markel, are you insane? That belongs to the god!"

Markel shot her a look of disgust, as if to say, *If you want to die, stay away from me.* Right now, he didn’t care whose armor it was. As long as he could live, he would sell out anyone and anything, just as he had betrayed his first girlfriend years ago.

It wasn’t just him. Even the Natural Church Personal Guards beside him were tempted. After all, who would choose death if they could live?

Unfortunately for them, they had misjudged the situation. The blue Mecha Warrior, who had been somewhat interested in proclaiming his ideals, instantly lost all enthusiasm.

"Sigh, forget it. How could a bunch of scrubs understand the greatness of machinery? I don’t have time to play house with you. It’s better to end this quickly. After all, the lord outside has quite a temper."

After speaking, the blue Mecha Warrior added, "Oh, right. Remember the name of the man who kills you. I am Blue Demon. ’Blue’ as in the color, and ’Demon’ as in magic. I hope that after you die, your god can avenge you."

With that, Blue Demon drew the blue-glowing blade from his waist. It was a super-divine weapon forged from metals with the highest possible ratings in sharpness, toughness, and hardness. Phrases like "sharp enough to sever a hair blown against its edge" or "able to cut iron like mud" were insufficient to describe its keenness. The blade, shaped somewhat like a Tang dao, shimmered with a unique, cold metallic light. As its body glowed blue, arcs of electricity flickered continuously across its surface.

"Heh heh, any last words? Spit them out and be on your way. You’re lucky you ran into me. If it were anyone else, you probably wouldn’t even be allowed to say a word."

Blue Demon’s laughter was unsettling, sending a cold shiver down their spines.

Markel glanced at the people around him: two weak combatants from the Natural Church, a somewhat handsome wanderer, a useless female logistics member from the church, and a lunatic. None of them looked capable of covering his retreat. Driven into a corner, Markel’s demeanor took a bizarre turn. The previous sycophancy vanished, replaced by a new expression as his voice rose from a whisper to a roar.

"Hahahaha...

"Why? Why does everyone have to push me? He pushed me, she pushed me, and now you’re pushing me! Do you have any idea what price I paid to become strong?

"You damn bitch, aren’t you curious why I haven’t touched you all these years? Haha, today I’ll show you why! This is all his legacy, what that person left for me. Today, you’ll all get a taste of its power!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, Markel’s hands shot out, grabbing the two Personal Guards beside him by the neck and yanking them into the air.

CRACK!

It was the sound of cervical vertebrae snapping. The bodies of the two men, who had been alive just a moment ago, went limp. Markel casually tossed them aside, and they slammed against the wall.

"Well, well. You really are full of surprises."

Blue Demon, having seen Markel’s true nature, praised him, "Interesting, very interesting. A church that reveres nature and opposes machinery, yet its leader is a cybernetic organism. If you hadn’t made a move, I never would have guessed.

"The most fascinating part is that your Heart of Mechanical Energy was able to remain hidden from my mechanical scan. Truly marvelous, marvelous indeed.

"But as a cyborg like you, haven’t you completely abandoned your human body? You can’t even perform the most basic human functions. How is that any different from a eunuch? You might as well just join our Mechanical Legion.

"This time, I’ll give you a chance. As long as you kneel and kill these companions of yours, I’ll grant you an opportunity to be tested. If you pass, you can join our Celestial Palace No. 1. I am truly generous."

Blue Demon’s words stabbed deep into Markel’s psyche. Although it had been his own choice—the irreversible path of full-body mechanization to escape discrimination, to no longer be looked down upon, to seize control of his own destiny. Over the years, Markel had barely managed to brainwash himself and forget that painful experience. But now, this loud-mouthed bastard calling himself Blue Demon had shattered it all with a few words. He was about to snap.

Drawing on his experience of surviving in the lower rungs of society, Markel’s words became filth as he instantly fired back.

"Hmph! You’re just a metal shell yourself. You call me a eunuch? Can you even get it up? It’s like the little brother laughing at the big brother for not having a dick. How ridiculous!"

Markel’s vulgar words successfully enraged Blue Demon. No longer as casual as before, his mechanical eyes began scanning the hall’s structure.

"Alright. I’m reluctant to admit it, but you’ve successfully angered me."

Meanwhile, taking advantage of the verbal sparring match, Chen Pingchuan tried to pull Vivian away. Not daring to use too much force, he felt a distinct resistance.

They exchanged a glance. Chen Pingchuan saw worry in her eyes, while Vivian saw deep concern in his.

They spoke in the quietest possible whispers.

"Let’s go, while that blue hunk of metal hasn’t noticed us. If we delay any longer, it’ll be too late."

"I’m not leaving."

"Why not?"

"Sister Monica isn’t leaving, so I can’t leave."

Seeing the look of utter despair on Vivian’s face, Chen Pingchuan didn’t even need to ask. He guessed she must have received some kindness from that female cult leader.

While lamenting Vivian’s naivety, Chen Pingchuan also sensed how tricky the situation had become. He could certainly escape on his own, but there didn’t seem to be a point. This was just a simulation, after all; no one would actually die. But was Vivian really the only reward from this Mechanical Resistance Army instance? If so, should he really abandon her?

Unseen by anyone, the battle armor that had been standing on display in the hall began to regain its luster, as if it were coming back to life.