Volume 7: Da Mu Da Mu Chapter 68 The Man Called Consus Decides to Die
Mason's knowledge of the Isu world was not superficial. He knew that in that world where the assassin tradition was prevalent, there had always been legends about "saints".
But not a “man-made saint” like John Wick.
When Team K first entered that world, Barbara dug out the Isu heritage compiled and collected by the people of that world from Abstergo's database.
"Saints" have appeared in every era since the birth of human civilization. Their abilities are different from those of ordinary people, and even give people a sense of omnipotence. Especially their leadership and charisma are simply beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
These are guys who have naturally awakened the Isu bloodline in their blood, but it is doubtful whether these "saints" passed down to later generations are still themselves after awakening.
At least Mason believes that a considerable number of these saints active in history are the ghosts of the Isu.
Those guys who had died long ago were unwilling to just give up the world. They had been secretly using the "divine blood" hidden in the source of human genes 70,000 years ago to shape the world into what they wanted.
Consus once asked Mason about his opinion of the Isu in the God World, but Mason chose to avoid answering.
But it was obvious that he really had no good feelings towards the Isu.
However, when he met Hephaestus today, even though the two of them talked for no more than ten sentences, the latter still left a deep impression on Mason with this chic and decisive refusal.
So much so that Mason could call the God of Forging "mentor" when he said farewell to him whom he met for the first time.
Of course, Mason was able to get to where he is today in various manufacturing fields thanks to the knowledge and wisdom left to him by Hephaestus, especially when Team K was still weak, these gifts really helped a lot.
From this perspective, it is not an exaggeration to call him a mentor.
The only regret is that I cannot invite such outstanding Isu people to join my cause, but everyone has their own aspirations, and such things cannot be forced.
The mental illusion brought about by the complete awakening of the Isu bloodline was rapidly dissipating.
The disappearing figures of Hephaestus and Aphrodite embracing each other turned into points of light as Mason watched, and the surroundings turned white, as if they were in a world model that was simulated by data but not yet colored.
This scene was very similar to the scene of "starting over again" after "losing synchronization", but Mason's expression became serious.
He knew that he should return to his body after the mental projection dissipated, so the "cutscene" before him was not naturally generated.
Someone is interfering with all this!
Could it be that other Isu people are here to pick some peaches?
"It seems you had a good talk with Hephaestus."
However, before Mason could prepare for counterattack, Consus' familiar voice sounded in the white light, and the captain immediately relaxed his vigilance.
Although he learned from his master the fighting method of not trusting anyone, he was still not as obsessed as Batman.
Mason has a "trust list" in mind.
It’s hard to say who exactly, but Consus and the hat are definitely on the list.
Since the moment this Isu ghost appeared beside Mason, he has been doing his best to help Team K advance their cause, especially in the field of guiding Mason in combining the obscure Isu biology and alchemy, all taught by Consus himself.
He is also considered one of Mason's mentors.
"I thought you guys ignored me."
Mason turned around and smiled and said:
"It seems that you don't have much confidence in the integrity of your real brother?"
"Alas, I once trusted Hephaestus when he was alive. He was the engineer and creator I respected the most, but he has been dead for more than 70,000 years after all."
Consus, standing in the white light, sighed and said:
“You are not the first heir of Hephaestus. Although I was dormant most of the time in the past of the Isu world, I heard some gossip about him during the occasional times I was awakened and traveled around the world.
Do you know who his previous successor was?"
Mason shook his head.
Consus did not keep the secret, and he said softly:
"Nikola Tesla, the most dazzling intellectual son of an era, a great inventor, a saint with crazy behavior..."
"His most famous deed is his love affair with pigeons. I think Harley and him must have something in common, but you said he is a saint of Hephaestus, which is a bit..."
Mason added a sentence to show his gossip skills, and then he heard Consus's faint voice explaining:
"Tell me then, Mason, to your knowledge, of what goddess is the white dove the symbol of?"
The captain was stunned for a moment and blinked, but did not answer the question.
But this terrifying little detail made him realize that what Consus said was true, and Hephaestus did not seem as simple as he had just appeared.
This guy is also a very complicated person.
"Got it?"
Consus shook his head and said:
"I'm not accusing my brother of driving that brilliant genius mad, I'm just saying that just because a person is trustworthy while alive doesn't mean he will abide by the code after he dies.
During the long period of 70,000 years, repeated reincarnations have driven many of my compatriots mad. They have become crazy, reckless and act without regard for the consequences.
The Assassin Brotherhood and the Knights Templar have come to this point, and the role played by the Isu Ghosts cannot be explained in a few words.
But fortunately, Hephaestus recognized you.
The finest craftsman in Isu society regarded your wisdom as a priceless treasure that he could not bear to destroy, and he ended his own death, which had been delayed for too long, with a quick and complete death.
Perhaps it was because he was too proud to see himself going insane in torture, so he chose to preserve his final, yet shattered, dignity.
Anyway, may he rest in peace.”
"Well, thank you for coming all the way to look after me."
Mason nodded and said to Consus:
"Then let's go back now, we still have a lot of things to do."
"No, I decided not to go back."
Consus smiled and said to Mason:
"After witnessing the decision my brother made, I realized that my existence seemed to have become a symbol of some kind of tragedy, and I also longed to retain my last bit of dignity.
This is the last time we meet, Mason.
I'm honored to have witnessed your journey to this point, but my story may be coming to an end."
"Hey, you two are in completely different situations!"
Mason immediately stopped him:
"I have asked Bartmos to customize a set of prosthetics for you that can transfer your biological characteristics. I was planning to give it to you as a gift. How quit at this time?
If you say that this is all because you saw Hephaestus choose to die with your own eyes and that's why you were inspired, then I would think you are a fool, but the thing is, you are not!
So there must be some reason behind this, right? "
"Yes, there is a very important reason."
Consus did not deny it at all.
This guy admitted with a smile:
"It's because of you, Mason Cooper. It's because just now, I witnessed with my own eyes the birth of the 'leader' of the Isu people in this era. My mission is over."
"mission?"
Mason savored the word, and looked at Consus, who explained:
"Just as you have seen many worlds making plans to fight the apocalypse, the Isu also have plans to face the apocalypse.
Transforming humans as gene carriers is just one of them, and the Aurora device is also one of them.
But that’s not all.
If you were making a 70,000-year plan, would you design everything and leave it to fate?
No, you won't.
You must select some 'executors' or 'watchmen' to ensure that this long-term plan can be properly promoted, and I am one of them.
You know, I was once called 'Prometheus', the legendary 'fire thief'. Why do you think I was called that?"
Consus smiled and said to Mason very calmly:
"I am one of the watchers chosen by my people.
I have witnessed the development of human civilization from its infancy to the present day. During this process, whenever the grand plan of Isu civilization deviated, I would use my methods to make fine adjustments.
I am not the only watcher, but the others have all been lost to history.
Cassandra is the last watcher they chose before their demise, and she has survived until now with the help of the Staff of Hermes. Her light is so bright that I can hide in the darkness.
I thought my mission was over.
But it turns out that when I met you, my real mission had just begun...
I realized that what I needed to do was never to ensure some plan that would last for tens of thousands of years. When faced with such a major change as the impact of events, what I needed to do most was to choose a leader for my long-lost people!
Mason, a leader like you."
"Ah, I see. You didn't deceive me."
Mason curled his lips and said:
"You just didn't tell me the whole truth. I now understand what you and I talked about in the Mikoshi World, asking me about my opinion on the Isu.
That's when I should have been alert.
But why?
Consus, I have united the five worlds. I don't mind helping the Isu if you tell me the truth. Why do you have to choose to die?
I'm used to you giving me all kinds of advice in times of crisis, even if it's not always correct."
"Because of weakness!"
Consus said in a deep voice:
"After entering the world of the mikoshi... no, after learning about the existence of Brainiac and Batmos, I realized that the Isu's technology could not guarantee my concealment for long.
Your trust in me means that once I fall into the control of the enemy, you will also be in danger. I admit that this is a somewhat absurd idea, but I am willing to eliminate a weakness for my leader.
Even if the price is my demise.
Of course, the bigger reason lies in what I just said. I have survived for 70,000 years, Mason. I have witnessed the collapse of my civilization, the rise of mankind, and I saw the impact coming.
I have taught you everything I can. Your achievements in the field of Isu biological sciences are comparable to mine, so my ability is no longer enough to accompany you to move forward.
It is also a good choice to quit now.
Of course, this can also be considered a form of ‘personal kidnapping.’”
The fire thief in Isu mythology laughed loudly. He stretched out his hand and passed some information to Mason in this spiritual space supported by the special function of the shroud.
The latter narrowed his eyes.
"This is?"
He looked at Consus, who nodded and said:
“The process of making and transferring biological imprints, and how to preserve the integrity and purity of soul data to the greatest extent possible under the contamination of foul energy.
This is my last gift for you.
If everything were to reach its most cruel point, the hunter lady next to you could survive like me in this way.
This way you don't have to put yourself in a dilemma.
You may not use it.
But I know you prefer to have more options in your hands before a crisis comes, which makes you feel comfortable.
Finally, if you unfortunately fail in the future, this method can also protect your soul from death.
However, there is only one Isu Shroud that I made myself, and it can only store the data of one soul, so don't worry about its missing functions.
The fact that I have been hiding in it for 70,000 years and still have such vivid emotions has proven its reliability and durability. You only need to make some upgrades to ensure that it can accompany you to the end. "
"I still think this is a bad idea!"
Mason accepted Consus's offer and retorted:
"But we still have a way for you to survive. You should fulfill your duty and mission to your people and continue to watch until you see the reconstruction of Isu civilization with your own eyes.
You cannot abandon your duty and become a coward, Consus!"
"Don't be so childish, Mason."
Consus shook his head and said softly:
“I know you consider me a friend, and I know you are a sentimental person, but witnessing the departure of Hephaestus has touched me deeply.
I am a ghost.
Wandering in an era that does not belong to me, perhaps it is time to end this journey of searching for my hometown and entrust everything to the future. "
Mason fell silent.
After a few seconds, he looked up at Consus and said:
"If you insist on doing this, please at least let me see you off as a friend, comrade, and fellow traveler."
"As a leader!"
Consus placed his left hand on his heart and bowed respectfully to Mason. He whispered in a hymn:
“Blessed are those who walk among the Isu.
We will rise from the long dead and follow the brave back to the world of the living.
Blessed are the ghosts of the past.
We will be able to break free from the dark predicament and move towards truly great goals.
Blessed are the soldiers who have lost their homes.
We glimpse the light of enlightenment falling from the sky, and an era of chaos will end.
On the night when he appeared in this era like a red sun, bringing hope, the ignorant darkness and abominable evil killed each other out of fear.
A new myth is being written, and I am honored to witness this dawn.”
As Consus sang with a religious tone, Mason raised his hand and placed it on his shoulder. In the white light of the biological consciousness compiled by the data dissipating, Mason's close friend lowered his proud head to him and said softly with an oath-like voice:
"Greetings, my leader."
"Shua"
Mason's eyes opened the next moment.
The first thing he saw was the slime monster Kevin transforming into Batman and looking at him worriedly. His transformation was very lifelike, but the big gourd behind him, which was extremely inconsistent with the image of a master, betrayed him.
"Ah, I should have known not to give you this thing. It has brought your disguise level from perfection to the level of a comedian."
The captain complained, rubbed his brows and sat cross-legged. He picked up the hat beside him, dusted it off and put it on his head. The next moment, the hat said sadly:
"He's gone, isn't he? The Isu who always had lies and concealments in his heart but was truly trustworthy is gone?"
"Well, he's gone."
Mason stood up and manipulated the water to reshape his own water clones. During this process, the hat lamented as if he had lost a close friend:
“I used to hate him and be wary of him, but when he actually left, I felt lost, as if I had lost an old friend.
It's a pity that I didn't become friends with him while he was still alive."
"Ah? You have any regrets?"
Mason curled his lips and said:
"Then when he comes back next time, you can tell him in person that you want to make friends."
"?"
The hat made a face with a question mark on it, and Mason said casually:
"I am officially the 'King of the Isu'. What? As a leader, am I incapable of asking my friends to continue to serve the cause?
I'm so busy, and he wants to learn from Hephaestus and be lazy?
It’s not that easy!
Okay, stop wasting time and get busy!
There is still much to do!"
…
"Shua"
Consus opened his eyes in confusion.
He thought he was dead, but he wasn't.
What appeared before his eyes was a neon city covered by heavy rain. The strange neon lights were reflected in the water stains on the ground, reflecting strange light. Such colors were everywhere, making the whole city seriously light polluted.
In front of Consus, a stupid singer with an umbrella and a silver arm was blowing smoke rings at him and said impatiently:
"Welcome to Night City, idiot. We are still in need of a good doctor to adjust the consciousness data of those cyber lunatics. Stupid Mason just recommended you to us, but how long are you going to stay here?
Come with me!
Lao Wei has given his clinic to you, it’s time to find another place to continue working.”
