The Undying Transmigrator

Chapter 27: Mercy

"A normal ending? This mission even has cutscenes?"

Mo Wen observed the new option with interest before clicking it.

The surroundings transformed once more, transporting him and Ren Sisi to the target's office where they spectated like ghosts as the younger NPC version of Qi Shiming conversed with their target.

A-874184, clad in military uniform with medals covering his chest and scars crisscrossing his face, sneered: "I thought you'd kill me immediately."

"I invited you here for refuge, yet slaughtered the refugees who followed you, and schemed to kill you at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives."

"Unfortunately, you didn't trigger the trap, but I believe you've understood my resolve."

Qi Shiming nodded: "Yes, I know."

A-874184's lips twisted into a grin, his facial scars writhing like centipedes as madness contorted his features: "So you're exactly as I imagined - nothing but a cold power machine."

"No rage, no hatred, just icy calculations!"

"Your so-called ideals are lies, mere banners to fool those ridiculous idealists while making others underestimate you as some fool."Qi Shiming countered: "Why should I feel rage? The refugees have safely entered the city. Your bombing demonstration proved your determination."

A-874184's cybernetic eye flickered: "What do you mean!"

Qi Shiming raised his palm, revealing a miniature city composed of light in his hand.

The movements of millions synchronized perfectly, every machine operated with flawless precision, and all secrets A-874184 believed hidden lay exposed.

"Mercy requires strength to enforce. Ideals demand proof through action."

"I'm powerful enough to render your schemes meaningless, your cruelty harmless against me. You cannot bypass me to harm those I protect, only witness the illusions I craft. Thus, I claim the right to decide your future on behalf of those under my protection."

"Impossible!" A-874184 gaped at the city in Qi Shiming's palm, while Ren Sisi and Mo Wen found this absurdity overwhelming.

Ren Sisi mocked: "What kind of godly drama is this? A palm-sized city is one thing, but this insane level of detail? Totally unrealistic. With this precision back then, he could've trampled the entire world!"

Mo Wen equally baffled: "So who was the one scrambling under naval artillery earlier? That armored vehicle I captured was clearly real! What does this 'normal ending' have to do with our mission?"

Ren Sisi paused: "Wait... is the real objective discovering Senior Qi Shiming's abilities, guiding him to create illusions for an assassination? This training tests mental flexibility and perception under extreme pressure."

Having a top hacker disable overpowered enemies while a super-augmented soldier blitzes through defenses was indeed broken.

As they complained, the cutscene continued.

"I pardon you. In the name of myself, Qi Shiming, and the thirteen thousand six hundred eighty-two refugees, we forgive your attacks against us."

"But I cannot pardon you for the dead."

"Your crimes are unforgivable, as are those of your creators."

"They stripped you of compassion and mercy, implanting slaughter and hatred, locking your infinite potential into being a 'war machine'."

"You fulfilled their mission, propagating their hatred, creating more lives destined only to kill and die."

"Before, none could judge you."

"The shattered order couldn't, other madmen wouldn't, the dead lacked even the power to condemn."

"Now, I arrest you. I am plaintiff, judge, and your jailer."

Qi Shiming stepped forward, lightly tapping A-874184's chest as points of radiance and warmth infused into him.

"I declare you guilty of crimes against humanity, and sentence you to compassion."

"I will rewrite the genes of you and all abominations. I will negate your nature, make you feel others' pain and despair, forcing you to spend your remaining life making amends until death."

A-874184 collapsed onto the desk, tears and snot spraying uncontrollably as he wailed, cursed, and gradually quieted after prolonged convulsions.

He instinctively sought justification: "You just can't handle my post-death failsafe..."

Qi Shiming remained unmoved: "You already disabled it out of remorse earlier. Yet I still didn't kill you."

A-874184 attacked another angle: "This is brainwashing!"

Qi Shiming calmly replied: "Education works slower with similar results - they're fundamentally alike. But if you insist... then yes, this is brainwashing, and equally mental murder."

"One could say I conveniently killed this body's original owner, letting a newborn mind occupy it to serve me."

"So what?"

A-874184 growled: "Eventually I'll revert. Your changes will undo. The world won't accept your distortions."

Qi Shiming stated serenely: "But none shall escape my watch until I die. I'll ensure no one I've changed can revert."

"Given time, people will accept distortions as normal, just as they've normalized endless war and madness."

"I'll make my changes this world's foundation, rebuild civilization's roots, implant love and compassion in every chest - willing or not."

"If change comes again, future generations will build upon my reforged foundation."

"Meanwhile, I'll execute every betrayer."

A-874184 sighed: "You tyrant."

Qi Shiming smiled gently: "Thank you, new prisoner. Now get to work - though this time, driven by mercy."

"I'll find a way to betray you eventually."

"I'll burn you alive with this seed in your chest before you do."

...

Dragonblade Ninja reported: "Minister, the client Wang Fugui is dead - dissolved from within by radiant light, leaving no remains. Strangely, it resembles psychic energy effects, but... my instincts say this was 'natural' death, not attack or triggered execution."

"Speaking of which, Minister, do you know Wang Fugui's past identity?"

The minister, simultaneously handling the Corporation's inquiries, answered: "If his claims were true, he was a warlord who escaped post-war tribunals."

"Probably not A-874184, Columbus, Chu Renjie... They voluntarily submitted to public execution by Sir Qi Shiming himself, with confirmed soul erasure."

"Hmm, process of elimination leaves it uncertain - might just be boasting."

"I'm busy now. Check with Intelligence if curious - they enjoy digging up roots."