Chapter 619 - Mechanical Possession

Han Wu opened his eyes and realized that he stood within his own consciousness. A boundless white space stretched in every direction, and an interface hovered before him, displaying what was happening outside.

Han Wu smiled bitterly. Only after he collected all seven parts of the Machine God and turned into a complete automaton did he understand what had happened.

“So it seems that the Machine God’s seven parts were deliberately separated to seal it, and now the Machine God has possessed me. Am I right, Cyborg V?” he asked.

[It’s an honor to become my vessel.]

Han Wu raised an eyebrow. “Did you know that someone once said those exact words to me?”

Cyborg V remained silent.

Han Wu chuckled. “You may control my body, but there’s something you still don’t know about me. I possess a power no one else in this world has. Want to see it?”

[Vessel, there’s no need to waste time with words that challenge my authority. I will take over your body and divine realm and bring you immeasurable success. Submit, and do not oppose me.]

Han Wu ignored it and continued, “This power is called Avatar Creation, and it's the only power that I have. You have probably never seen it before. Let me show you.”

Han Wu activated Avatar Creation, and more than twenty avatars were created from Cyborg V’s core. In the next instant, they merged back into one.

Han Wu patted Cyborg V’s avatar. “You chose the wrong target to possess.”

Cyborg V tried to retaliate but froze in horror. Han Wu had already stripped away more than half of its strength after separating it from him. It was only as powerful as an Earthsunder life form now.

Han Wu easily grabbed Cyborg V’s fist. The latter searched for a way out of this mess and drained every reserve of energy, but there was no escape. Its processor overheated, and it couldn’t understand what had happened.

“Don’t think too hard. You did manage to possess me, but that was in the past. Now, you are just one of my avatars. One of many!” Han Wu said smugly.

[Curses. Cyborg V will not submit to you. You will gain nothing!]

Cyborg V’s cold mechanical voice echoed as it initiated its self-destruction sequence.

As the Machine God, it could abandon the physical body it possessed and transfer itself to another nearby mechanical unit or automaton. Even though reconstructing its frame would cost time and energy, that sacrifice was far preferable to being another life form’s slave.

Han Wu sighed at Cyborg V’s obstinacy. “Deactivate the self-destruction sequence. Remove all authority of Cyborg V from my avatar.”

At his command, Cyborg V suddenly froze, and its destruction timer stopped.

[How can this be?]

Cyborg V was stunned. Han Wu’s actions had exceeded the limits of its analytical capacity.

“You are one of my avatars, and I’m the owner of the avatar,” Han Wu said matter-of-factly. “In other words, my authority surpasses yours. Understand?”

[You damned life form. You despicable life form! One day, I will return and reclaim everything that belongs to me.]

Han Wu frowned. Cyborg V was a ticking time bomb that would never obey him. Unlike the Origin of Mutation, which he could reason with, Cyborg V wasn’t only stubborn, but it also didn’t possess any emotions to exploit. Its current consciousness existed as the product of vast, consolidated data.

Imprisonment would not solve the problem, and destruction would squander Han Wu’s efforts. The Machine God had great potential, and now that it was one of his avatars, destroying it would mean losing a portion of his own power as well.

Only one option remained. He would keep the Machine God’s frame and erase Cyborg V’s memories.

“Reformat Cyborg V. Remove all related data,” he commanded.

[You can’t do this. No!]

Cyborg V resisted, but it was futile. Its authority was second to Han Wu.

The avatar convulsed, then went rigid. Silence followed. From that moment on, it was no longer Cyborg V. It was the Machine God alone, now part of Han Wu’s power.

After dealing with Cyborg V’s rebellion, Han Wu absorbed the Machine God back into himself.

Kerry and the others hurried over. “Han Wu, are you all right? I noticed something was wrong with you just now.”

“I almost got possessed by the Machine God,” he said. “But don’t worry. It’s under my control now.”

Kerry remained uneasy but said nothing. Once they returned to the college, she would file a report on the incident and arrange a full examination to confirm that Han Wu wasn’t possessed.

Akanzor and Bart approached their God and reported, “Glorious God, the brat named Ji Zhongyi is close to death. He wishes to see you one last time.”

Han Wu had actually noticed Ji Zhongyi earlier, when he was destroying Tou Nao’s mech. Ji Zhongyi had accomplished a feat that made it possible for him to defeat the Five Body this time.

He moved to him at once. Ji Zhongyi’s complexion had turned a purplish black, the chips’ toxin seeping into every cell. Even Han Wu’s Life Aspect couldn’t rescue him now.

Seeing Han Wu at his side, Ji Zhongyi forced a smile. “Mas...ter.”

This time, Han Wu didn’t reject him and replied, “I’m here.”

“Master... you finally accepted me. I just... don’t know... if I can... learn from you...” Each word came slowly and faintly, as if every breath drained what little Life Energy he had left.

“Master, I’m going to see... My father... My... brother... Master... Please take care...” Ji Zhongyi couldn’t even raise a hand to gesture toward the Mechmouse King. His eyes alone pointed the way.

Han Wu placed his palm over Ji Zhongyi’s heart and felt his heartbeat. “I understand.”

“Master... I’m beyond saving... You don’t have to save me...”

“I’m not trying to.” Han Wu’s voice remained calm. “I’m going to end your life instead.”

He drove his hand and crushed Ji Zhongyi’s heart, dispersing the last traces of Life Energy within him.

Ji Zhongyi died with a smile, as if he finally found release.

Kerry recoiled and quickly put some distance between herself and Han Wu. She suspected that the Machine God had taken him over. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have killed a benefactor.

“Why did you kill him?” she demanded.

“He was beyond saving,” he replied. “He had no more than a minute or two to live. I decided to end his life and free him from the suffering.”

“But he helped you before!” she argued. “How could you kill him?”

Han Wu smiled plainly. “Why not? If he didn’t die, I couldn’t bring his soul into the cycle of reincarnation.”