The exchange of fists and feet between Sam and Leon became increasingly fierce.
The original silver color of the mecha's body had been largely eroded by "The Propagation" during the clash. The bewitching dark red flames of "The Propagation" attached themselves to its fists and feet as a boost. The high-intensity energy output never ceased; describing every strike as an explosive blaze would not be an exaggeration.
Leon remained as calm as ever.
There were no Imaginary energy fluctuations on his body; he relied solely on his Avatar body to withstand the "Emanator-level" beatdown. Leon parried with considerable ease. However long the after-sales service Firefly required, he would give it to her. Until she completely conquered the "Stellaron".
Leon repelled Sam casually once again, like a hunter toying with his prey.
The next second, Sam, who should have rushed over to punch and kick him again... suddenly stopped for an instant this time. In the blink of an eye, the high-concentration flames symbolizing the manifestation of "The Propagation" ignited upon Sam once more.
Suddenly, another burst of "Imaginary" energy erupted!
The entire Penacony trembled because of it. Clearly, it hadn't been affected in the slightest by this Swarm Disaster before, but at this moment, it was unexpectedly shaken to its foundations by Sam's excessively powerful magnitude.
Such powerful influence was simply as if that "Swarm King" had returned in person.
If Leon, the after-sales service provider, hadn't been present today, and if the Charmony Festival hadn't been destroyed previously, allowing things to develop like this... then the "Dreammaster's" plan might actually have succeeded.
With such powerful imposing might, one would only need to provide a little leadership, and the hearts of the people, thirsting for safety and shelter, would immediately lean toward "The Order".
Unfortunately, since the destruction of the last Charmony Festival, the "Dreammaster" no longer had this chance. It was now merely making a reluctant final gamble.
But since Leon was here, the result of its plan this time would remain exactly the same as the last: smashed to pieces by him, and the person kicked to death once again.
"Why do we live?"
Sam, now in a form enveloped by fire—a burning man—waved a hand to the right. The blazing "Propagation" flames on the body dissipated in an instant.
"And why do we die?"
Under the tempering of the raging fire, the original silver-white knight completely vanished. Replacing it was the newborn Emperor of "The Propagation".
Just like the "Source of Fatal Calamity," once Sam's appearance was completely eroded by "The Propagation," it thoroughly changed into a different world. From an elegant knight, it transformed into a pitch-black warrior, with not a trace of the original shadow remaining.
Not only that, but with the strengthening of this energy, plus the blessing of the top-tier support item, the "Stellaron," Sam's intensity had already surpassed that of an "Emanator".
It wasn't as simple as surpassing an ordinary low-end game "Emanator" to reach a high-end game "Emanator". It directly surpassed the concept of an "Emanator," rather than surpassing the ranks within "Emanators".
Above "Emanator" is, of course, "Aeon".
Under the "Propagation" core simulated by the "Stellaron," Firefly possessed this qualification. In the current moment of transcending the "Emanator," perhaps it was more appropriate to call Sam, or Firefly, a "Half-step Aeon".
Just like Jingliu after her coronation as a Lord Ravager, she touched upon this realm.
Although both Firefly and Jingliu were false, incomparable to the true transcendence of the Flawless Pure One, Cyrene, both had still transcended the level of an "Emanator". Compared to Cyrene, it was merely a question of the degree of transcendence.
If the max numerical value of an "Emanator" is 100, then Jingliu is 140. And Firefly is 11.
Then what about Cyrene?
The Flawless Pure One is inestimable; it is no exaggeration to say that even doubling the number would still be too little. After all, the position Firefly obtained was fake. What she received was not the recognition of the true "Tayzzyronth".
The Swarm King Himself is still sitting in jail under the Amber Lord's hammer; this was merely a simulated fictional product. Since it is fake, it naturally cannot compare to the "Flawless Pure One" who is a true direct descendant.
But this was already enough to solve everything.
If handled properly, using this false title to wipe out the Entropy Loss Syndrome by passing off the fake as real would be absolutely no problem.
"Hah?"
In response to the wisp of "Aeon" aura Sam revealed, Leon gave a corresponding response.
"Bring it on!"
The genuine aura of "Remembrance" immediately appeared from him. It wasn't that he could borrow a wisp of an "Aeon's" might because he touched that realm. Rather, he was "Fuli" Itself!
Rumble—!!!
"Remembrance" contended with the "Propagation" on Sam's body, and in less than a second, it completely crushed over it, causing Sam to suffer a swift defeat.
Borrowing and using are fundamentally different. Firefly was borrowing someone else's power for her own use; Leon was directly using his own power. Just based on this difference in realm, Firefly was destined to lose without a doubt!
"What are you still waiting for?"
Leon looked at Sam. "Since you have already conquered fate, why still allow fate to drive your body?"
Sam being able to bring out this magnitude of "Propagation" power signified that Firefly had successfully conquered the "Stellaron" within her body. If not for this, Sam could not possibly have brought out the imposing manner of an Emperor.
Everything pointed to Firefly having already secured the "Stellaron," but since everything was resolved... why had Firefly's consciousness still not returned to the main body?
Sam rushed toward him again, launching an attack. As always, Leon responded with composure. No need to ask much; the answers were all within the exchange of fists and feet.
*'Am I... dead...?'
Inside Sam, Firefly's consciousness was blurred, unaware of the answer to this question.
'In the end... I still couldn't resolve everything...'
Firefly was not surprised by the outcome of her own death. A "Stellaron" is not something an ordinary person can contain. As a Stellaron Hunter, she had known long ago that she did not have the ability to contain a "Stellaron".
Even if she simulated the core of "The Propagation," her courage to disregard her own safety could only buy a brief fusion time; she simply could not achieve long-term containment. In the end, it was nothing but drawing water with a bamboo basket—all in vain.
She knew. She knew it all. She had just been foolish for a moment, and with Elio's script in front of her, she always felt a miracle might happen.
Is this loneliness? Tayzzyronth must have felt this way back then too...
Firefly did not fear death... but, she feared dying alone.
Loneliness and love were the initial hotbed of the swarm. They are also the continuous lineage of "The Propagation" Path.
Why was the "Swarm King" lonely? Because at that time, there was only one Coleoptera left in the world. No more family, no more kind.
Thus, He feared loneliness and death, for beside Himself, there was nothing else. So He began to crave kin, crave love.
This was the birth of the entire Path of "The Propagation," and also the underlying logic of this Path. Every Pathstrider of "The Propagation" more or less displays or leans toward this base color.
Firefly was no exception.
She could die to resist fate. She could die to save the galaxy. She could die for any ethereal matter. But... she just didn't want to die alone.
Just like the owner of this Path, "Tayzzyronth". He could die, and did not fear death, but He feared living alone. And He feared dying alone.
So even if "Tayzzyronth" knew clearly that continuing so blatantly and intemperately would sooner or later result in a hammer falling on His own head, the loneliness and love in the bottom of His heart that were difficult to fill still drove Him to continue "Propagating" without hesitation.
Even at the final moment of death, it was so. Even when jointly suppressed by the "Amber Lord" and several other "Aeons," He still thought of "The Propagation".
He even exchanged his own authority of "The Propagation" for a chance for the remaining swarm to survive under the hands of these "Aeons". This is the origin of the galaxy's remnant swarm; they lost their reproductive functions in exchange for the chance to drag out an ignoble existence.
This was also another form of the "Swarm King's" practice of "The Propagation".
Since His ascension, Tayzzyronth's logic of action had never changed from beginning to end. Everything He did was merely hoping to fill that empty hole in the bottom of His heart. Hoping to rely on kin to fill the loneliness and love.
But in the end, did "Tayzzyronth" really get what He wished for?
Firefly felt He did not.
After accepting "The Propagation," she could feel the loneliness of this "Swarm King" even more.
"Tayzzyronth" pursued kin. But for Him, did existence that could be called kin really exist in the current galaxy?
The prerequisite for the "Swarm King" to have kin was singular: He had to still be a "Coleoptera," not the famous Aeon of "The Propagation".
After ascension, "Tayzzyronth" had little relation to His previous species. It could completely be said that He became a new species Himself. For Him as an "Aeon," would there really be a so-called "kin" of the same species?
The race He "Propagated," although also practitioners of the same Path, if they asked themselves honestly, could they really be called kin? Did a single one of them arrive at the height of "Tayzzyronth" and see the same scenery?
Never.
For "Tayzzyronth," strictly speaking, the only ones who could be called kin were other "Aeons". But the other "Aeons," His kin, all only wanted to kill Him. Not to "love" Him.
This caused the gap in His heart not only to remain unfilled but to grow larger and larger.
"Tayzzyronth" was lonely from beginning to end; this was the reason He practiced "The Propagation" until death. That loneliness and love were never alleviated in any way.
'AR-214...'
This emotion was the same when placed upon Firefly. She feared dying alone, but what did the current her still possess?
As a Glamoth Iron Cavalry, her only remaining kin had already died in Penacony. And after resolving "Entropy Loss Syndrome," she and the Stellaron Hunters, who each had their own needs, would have no common ground.
Firefly was quite clear about her condition.
After conquering the "Stellaron," she had already far surpassed the rank of "Emanator". The "Stellaron" is equivalent to a creation of "Xipe," which is to say, an item bestowed by an "Aeon".
Jingliu could use three "God-bestowed items" to elevate herself to the place of a "Half-step Aeon". Why couldn't she?
"Half-step Aeon"—these four words articulated Firefly's current predicament.
The "Swarm King" needed kin to transcend "The Propagation". She, of course, also needed kin to completely conquer the "Stellaron".
But... kin?
Kin of a "Half-step Aeon"... such a thing was fundamentally impossible to exist.
Firefly's consciousness sank deeper, and the fear lingering in her heart became increasingly intense. Under the strong will to survive, for no apparent reason, she suddenly remembered that Reignbow Heavenly General, remembered that figure who made people feel at ease just by standing there.
"I'm here." She remembered those two words that made her truly make the choice.
She remembered that absolute strength that lost to no one.
If it's you...*
Firefly pursed her lips. Before her final consciousness was swallowed by the "Stellaron," thoughts surged in her heart. When people see a life-saving straw, they will subconsciously grasp it tight; she was no exception.
"I'm here. I have always been here."
The usual male voice entered her ears, and the "Stellaron's" swallowing of Firefly suddenly lightened.
"Don't think of yourself as some rare item, okay? Someone with your level of intensity... is simply as common as wild dogs by the roadside."
He had reached out his hand to many girls, so this time was no exception.
"But in a strict sense, we can indeed be considered kin, that is."
Leon grabbed Firefly's wrist. He wasn't an "Aeon" right now either, merely someone who had obtained an "Aeon's" recognition. You don't say, Firefly really could be counted as kin to him.
Both were the people closest to "Aeon".
"Remembrance" and "The Propagation"—these two could also be said to be ownerless Paths. Did this not count as being kin?
"I give you the chance to chase my back, until my back completely vanishes."
Of course, being kin was only temporary. After all, both of them would likely pursue the chance to ascend to "Aeon" later, and Leon was incomparably convinced that the first one to win would be him.
By that time, they wouldn't be so-called kin anymore.
"Can you keep up, you smelly Medium Cup?"
Who dares to claim invincibility? Who dares to say they are undefeated? Although not seen in the era of the Swarm Disaster, a Leon appeared in the present, hundreds of Amber Eras later. Hah! Across the nine heavens and ten earths, only I dare to claim supremacy!
At the moment Leon's voice rang out, Firefly could clearly feel her body become lighter. Her nearly blurred consciousness was no longer deep and heavy.
Completely conquering the "Stellaron" was definitely not that easy; one certainly had to complete some special tasks. If not completed, the probability of death was likely very high.
Since it simulated the core of "The Propagation," the test given by the "Stellaron" naturally adhered close to the essence of "The Propagation".
That was to find kin.
If she didn't find kin, then Firefly would die.
—Fortunately, Elio, who had foresight, had long ago found a top-tier after-sales service provider for her in advance.
When she came back to her senses, Firefly's consciousness had returned to Sam. The vision before her eyes also returned to normal.
Leon was holding Sam, holding her wrist. His gaze was directly facing the faceplate, with no expression on his face.
Firefly stared blankly at this face.
After the return of her, the pilot who had obtained the conquest of the "Stellaron," the "Propagation" on Sam's body also immediately began to peel paint and fade away. It gradually returned to its original silver-white appearance.
"Finally awake?"
Seeing Sam return to the original appearance, Leon asked.
"...Awake."
A moment later, Firefly answered this question.
"Thank you."
And the first thing she did upon coming up was to say thank you.
____
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