Ereshkigal Crawling on the Body

Xu Xi had always been highly concerned about his own safety.

After all,

this simulation was unlike any before—there was no protection from supernatural powers, nor any healing from rare treasures.

In the resource-scarce, enemy-infested wasteland world, Xu Xi always adhered to the principle of survival at all costs. Whenever he ventured out, he would never leave without his powered armor.

In addition,

he carried a multitude of instant-deploy energy shields and specialized protective mechs that served as shelters.

Such a level of defense was already astonishing. When Xu Xi was stationed at the rear, providing a continuous stream of mechanical enhancements, it was rare for any rebellious mechs to get close to him.

Even if they did, Ailei would swiftly eliminate them.

But this time was different.

It was a beginning Xu Xi had never anticipated.

The earth trembled, sandstorms raged, and a metallic tide stretched to the horizon, vast and boundless.

This was Xu Xi's mechanical army—not the entirety of it, but certainly the main force.

The sound of breaking air echoed incessantly.

Countless anti-gravity airships transported heavy-load vehicles one after another, heading toward another satellite city occupied by rebellious mechs.

The sea of machinery surged, the clamor of metal rising.

Ten thousand? A hundred thousand? Or perhaps... a million?

With control over two satellite cities, the war mechs produced non-stop were so numerous that even Xu Xi found it hard to estimate their exact count.

Yet, such a spectacular army did not bring Xu Xi any sense of security.

"Warfare is about strategy, isn't it?"

"I miscalculated..."

"I originally thought that space-based weapons would only come into play at the stage of the main base city, but here we are, facing them today."

"Tsk, orbital particle cannons."

Xu Xi gazed into the distant sky.

A "meteor" fell from high above, faint yet dazzling, seemingly insignificant, yet its brightness eclipsed the sun.

Thus, the world darkened, leaving only that single streak of brilliance.

The overall impression was similar to the divine punishment of the God of Light.

But today's attack did not come from the hands of a deity. Instead, it was a man-made creation from the old Federation era—a near-Earth orbital weapon platform.

"Was it because I produced too many mechs, triggering the automatic alert of the orbital platform?"

"The sudden rebellion may have erased the Federation's control over the mechs."

"But the old commands, the underlying logic, seem to still be functioning normally."

Xu Xi sighed.

The world before him began to be engulfed by blinding radiance, scorching and frenzied, accompanied by the sudden roar of violent winds.

Xu Xi considered himself fortunate.

He possessed the ability to resurrect after death, meaning he wouldn't truly perish in this attack.

Ailei's essence was data; the destruction of one body would not cause real harm.

The mechanical forces produced on the assembly lines could also be replicated again.

It was merely a matter of time.

With such minimal losses, Xu Xi believed it was worth it to gain intelligence on the orbital weapons.

However, sitting idly by was not Xu Xi's style. He raised his hand, mechanical energy surging as he aimed at the "falling star" in the sky.

"Ailei, hide behind me."

"What are you saying? At a time like this, it should be me who..."

Ailei's voice was urgent.

This was the first time Xu Xi had seen such anxious emotion on her delicate face.

The sky darkened.

High-energy particles poured down onto the plain like molten gold, vaporizing and annihilating everything.

...

[You have encountered a targeted strike, originating from the old Federation's orbital weapon platform.]

[You exerted all your strength, utilizing every bit of your mechanical energy, layering all the energy shields on the scene. At the same time, Ailei controlled a large number of mechs to shield you.]

[As the light descended]

[You lost all consciousness]

[You could not see, could not hear, only feeling your entire body floating in a hazy white light.]

[In your daze, you heard Ailei's cries.]

[When you opened your eyes again, the scene had completely changed. The land was scorched, filled with black smoke, and littered with the shattered remains of mechs.]

[Thanks to Ailei's assistance and the enhancement of your mechanical energy, you were fortunate enough not to die on the spot amidst the layers of mech defenses.]

[You were in a near-death state, your chest caved in, blood flowing uncontrollably from your mouth and nose.]

"Master..."

A trembling voice called out to Xu Xi.

Xu Xi half-opened his heavy eyelids.

With great effort, he turned his gaze toward the source of the voice.

As expected, being an intelligent AI, Ailei remained intact.

But the body that carried Ailei's consciousness, the beautiful humanoid shell, had been ravaged by the particle cannon.

Half of her face was burned away, revealing the silver metal beneath, exposing a crimson mechanical core and a dense network of internal circuits.

The other half of her face was in slightly better condition, though marred by several gruesome cracks.

She lay over Xu Xi, leaning down to examine his injuries. Seeing Xu Xi awake, Ailei seemed overjoyed.

"Ma... Master..."

Her severely damaged, delicate face showed a faint, almost imperceptible smile.

"I'm sorry, Ailei, for worrying you."

Xu Xi wanted to reach out and comfort the seemingly ferocious yet fragile mech maid, but he noticed his hand was covered in blood, too filthy and unseemly.

Thus,

he stopped the motion halfway.

"In this physical condition... continuing to hold on would only prolong the pain."

Xu Xi frowned, deciding to use one of his resurrections.

"Ailei, can you kill me?"

"Request denied. This command violates the second protocol."

The suggestion was so shocking that it was immediately rejected by Ailei.

In the past,

Xu Xi had told Ailei that death was not the end for him, but clearly, the loyal mech maid did not believe such words.

She clumsily tried to comfort Xu Xi, urging him never to give up on life.

"It seems I'll have to do it myself," Xu Xi said helplessly, using the last of his mechanical energy to form a pistol and pointing it at himself.

...

[You committed suicide.]

[You knew that no matter how you explained it, Ailei would not believe you could resurrect.]

[Rather than wasting time explaining, it was better to demonstrate true resurrection.]

[As you pulled the trigger, the gunshot echoed around you. Ailei's body instantly overloaded, and in a move she could not comprehend, she lunged forward to embrace your body.]

[The loyal mech maid wanted to carry you all the way back to the base.]

[But something happened that short-circuited the mech maid's logic.]

[Your body was restored to its original state, with no trace of injury. Even some old ailments had completely vanished from your body.]

[You had resurrected, standing before Ailei once more through a principle she could not understand.]

"I'm sorry, I must have scared you just now."

Xu Xi spoke apologetically, gently stroking Ailei's head.

His voice was soft.

His movements tender.

He was worried that his earlier "suicide" might have left a negative psychological impact on Ailei.

Thud—

Ailei did not speak. Instead, she pressed Xu Xi to the ground, her hands cupping his face as she gazed at him with a bewildered expression.

Then she began crawling all over Xu Xi, inspecting his body.

Only after completing her examination,

and confirming that Xu Xi's body was perfectly healthy,

did she finally stop.