3 bar menu

Chapter 98

「In the first place, humans aren’t supposed to be able to handle incomprehensible powers like magic.」

「…?」

Saegusa tilted her head in surprise, as if she cannot believe what I just said.

「I mean, it’s really true. Just trust me on this.」

「Then why are we able to use magic?」

「Well, about that—」

「Yes, why are we able to do it?」

「Originally, humans were also a genetically enhanced race.」

「Humans are… enhanced?」

If this were not another world but rather a super-future Earth, the concept of ‘statuses’ would be incomprehensible from the start.

「Innumerable nanomachines are scattered in the atmosphere and within our bodies. They assist in using extraordinary skills corresponding to our statuses. It’s the same for abnormal strength.」

Saegusa’s eyes rolled around in confusion.

「Well, I guess that’s hard to understand.」

「Spirits of the four elements are dissolved in the atmosphere and within our bodies, providing important assistance when using magic or sorcery. You know about that, right?」

「Oh, that I know.」

「In essence, the spirits of the four elements and the atmospheric energy are part of a system created in ancient times. Or perhaps, they are the start of biological weapons.」

「I see…」

「In a world where monsters who can crush rocks with their fists roam, it is impossible for us humans to survive without the backing of civilization.」

「…」

「That’s why when we destroyed the world, we artificially evolved the human species itself as a way to survive in a world after the collapse of civilization.」

「…But the old humanity, in the end, wished for the complete extinction of humankind, right?」

「Ah, yes. That’s right.」

「So why go to the trouble of providing assistance like that?」

「In the end—」

I looked up at the sky.

「It’s leftover conscience… No, perhaps it’s just hypocrisy.」

Although civilization was destroyed, the human species itself was not completely wiped out.
I’m sure that was a measure to relieve their guilt…

It’s too half-hearted and, one could say, too human of a result.
And as an extra measure to prevent civilization from advancing too much, they even installed extremely wicked safeguards.

「I see… I understand the general situation now, but what are the other reincarnators trying to accomplish?」

「They’re trying to regulate the population themselves because it’s grown too much. They want to become the purging gods who once destroyed humanity.」

「I see…」

「The population is also a barometer of civilization’s progress. The primary cause of population growth is related to food self-sufficiency technology. However, the total population of humanity is always monitored through the distributed nanomachines. It’s regulated to not exceed 5 million. For example, it might manifest as major disasters.」

「Oh…」 Saegusa’s eyes widened.

The great calamities, a crisis that has plagued humanity since ancient times.

Well, that makes sense.
It’s been accepted as a natural disaster, suddenly causing devilishly unreasonable massacres without anyone knowing or even attempting to find out the cause.

「So, all the incidents with demons and clearly artificial great calamities that have occurred until now?」

「It was probably just one experiment.」

「So, are the reincarnators causing artificial great calamities in various places to adjust the population through mass slaughter?」

「Most likely…」

That may not be their only aim, but for now, it’s certain that’s what’s happening.

「But why did you let those people go on until now?」

「There are two reasons. First, their goals are somewhat justified in a sense. If we stop them and prevent the massacres, humanity will ultimately stagnate.」

「Huh? What do you mean?」

「In reality, this world is within a very small scope of this planet. Or more accurately, we’re kept alive within a terrarium.」

「A terrarium?」

「Outside the farthest lands, swarms of ultimate biological weapons that once wiped out the old humanity still roam. They’re killing machines programmed to kill any species they find.」

「But… we’re still alive, aren’t we?」

「That’s because we’re kept alive. Our recognized survival range… our territory inside the terrarium is programmed not to be intruded upon.」

At that moment, Saegusa seemed to realize something and gasped.

「So, what happens when the number exceeds 5 million?」

「As you might guess, they come from outside. But this time, it won’t be about leaving some alive… it’ll be about wiping out everything.」