The Awakening of Intelligent Machines, the Extinction of Humanity

Clouds were thick and dark.

Yellow sand flew in disarray.

The broken walls, collapsed beams, and blackened surfaces bore the marks of fierce fires, evoking a sense of heaviness and oppression.

The end of the world, or rather, its decay, was the best interpretation of the city before Xu Xi's eyes.

As Xu Xi surveyed the scene, all he could see were endless stretches of blackened ruins.

The wind howled.

Grains of sand scraped.

The fractured, charred buildings stood like rows of collapsed black tombstones, slanting across an endless desolation, marking the end of civilization.

The world was eerily silent, save for the clinking of gears echoing clearly throughout the ruins.

“This world…”

“Was it invaded by extraterrestrials?”

“Or perhaps, there was an unimaginably horrifying uprising of intelligent machines?”

Xu Xi looked up at the sky darkened by heavy clouds.

The air was thick with the smell of burning, and a mechanical eagle soared by, its wings emitting jets of air, diving and weaving like a fighter jet.

A deafening roar shook the sky.

The mechanical eagle plunged into the heart of the city's ruins.

When it rose again, its sharp alloy claws gripped the wreckage of a heavily armored vehicle, as if it were prey, disappearing rapidly into the horizon.

Xu Xi watched this unfold, stunned for a long time.

Was this a case of Transformers going rogue, or intelligent machines becoming sentient?

Even though it was sci-fi.

It was still too abstract.

“A ruined civilization, wandering mechanical creatures, this setup is really… quite peculiar.”

Xu Xi stretched out his hand, catching a light fragment that landed precisely in his palm.

The fragment was engraved with exquisite patterns.

Humans aboard colossal starships sailing toward mysterious, glittering starscapes.

The excitement, the anticipation, were perfectly conveyed through the design.

This contrasted starkly with the desolate ruins Xu Xi had seen, indicating that the world's destruction must have been sudden.

“In any case, I should explore first.”

“The priority is to find water and food, as well as a temporary shelter.”

Xu Xi set off again.

He walked along a rugged path, stepping over the remains of humans and machines, their bones crunching beneath his feet. His goal was clear—wandering the outskirts of this nameless city.

The wasteland was dangerous.

Mechanical constructs roamed everywhere.

Some were humanoid, others beast-like, and some were purely war machines.

Xu Xi even witnessed these mechanical beings attacking each other, devouring each other's energy, effortlessly smashing through reinforced concrete.

Undoubtedly, this environment was deadly for Xu Xi.

To avoid wasting his limited revival chances, Xu Xi moved cautiously, always trying to bypass mechanical creatures while searching for usable weapons.

【Your first step is a giant leap for humanity】

【Walking through the ruins of the city, you bring life back to it after over a hundred years of silence】

【You proceed cautiously, searching for supplies while discovering two special guns】

【The guns' material is peculiar—a type of alloy you've never seen before, barely showing signs of yellowing after enduring the passage of time】

【However, you find that the triggers on the guns are malfunctioning, and won't budge no matter what】

【Ding——】

【Your presence brings great joy to the guns' spirits】

【To your surprise, the two guns suddenly become operational】

【From seven steps away, the gun is quick; within seven steps, it is both accurate and swift】

【The guns’ power gives you a slight sense of security, and holding them, you continue searching for water and food】

……

【You succeed, finding plenty of food, but unfortunately, time has rendered it inedible】

【The wear of time causes most food to spoil】

【Helplessly, you continue your search】

【After a long time, you finally locate a sealed box of nutrient fluid in the dark ruins of a building】

【You sigh, noting how nutrient fluid seems to be a staple in sci-fi and post-apocalyptic stories, and now, you've had your own taste of it】

【The nutrient fluid provides you with hydration and nourishment】

【Your hunger is quenched】

【Feeling content, you start to consider your future】

【You find an underground shelter and use it as your temporary home, beginning to gather information about this world】

【On the second day after your arrival, you collect many books, including basic readers】

【On the third day after your arrival, despite your utmost caution, you encounter a humanoid machine, whose energy shield makes it invulnerable to your attacks】

【Ding——】

【The gun spirits grow delighted, triggering a critical hit that deals 1000% damage to the humanoid machine】

【You forge a subtle connection with the two guns】

【Gradually, you begin to understand the construction of the guns, as knowledge opens its doors to you】

……

【Two months pass, and in these sixty days, you become proficient in the new world's common language, comparing dictionaries to read the records properly】

【You learn that this is a highly developed, federated, technological planet】

【Its civilization was prosperous, and humanity strong】

【Its technological level even surpassed that of Earth after different realm fragments merged】

【Technologies like Virtual Reality, manned spaceflight, anti-gravity, gene enhancement…】

【Its technology was dazzling, its future bright—a civilization straight out of science fiction, even on the verge of venturing beyond its planetary system to explore the vast, glittering galaxy】

【However, a calamity capable of destroying the civilization arrived just in time】

【During humanity’s moment of triumph, the Mechanical Cataclysm descended suddenly, causing all of humanity’s mechanical creations to rebel and awaken, giving birth to a murderous will to eradicate humanity】

【No one could escape, no one could survive】

【With their technology rendered useless, humans were left with only weak flesh and blood】

【Even those modified with exceptional genes, possessing bodies far superior to ordinary humans, were no different from regular people before the planet-destroying, interstellar weapons】

【It seems humanity on this world has met its end】

【Reflecting on this conclusion, you are left stunned for a long time】

"Crackle—"

"Crackle—"

In the quiet underground room, the sound of flipping pages was crisp.

Xu Xi's expression was grave as he scanned back and forth until he finished reading the entire book, then slowly closed the thick cover.

It was a diary with a blood-stained cover.

Its owner was neither a high-ranking official nor a professor but a common citizen of the Federation.

From the perspective of an ordinary person, it chronicled the chaos after the mechanical rebellion and the despair of waiting for death.

“A mechanical rebellion, it’s like cutting off the heart of a technological civilization.”

“Even the starships rebelled and gained sentience…”

“There is no retreat for humanity…”

“As a transmigrator, I am very likely the only human alive on this planet.”