Chapter 6205: Soul Machine Utopia (72)

Chapter 6205: Chapter 5215: Soul Machine Utopia (72)

The development process on Earth was pretty much the same as the Ancient Ones had described before. However, the mural emphasized that it was only after having lived on Earth for hundreds of millions of years that the Ancient Ones discovered their race’s genetic flaws.

Their genes were somewhat like playdough, able to perfectly mold itself to fit into any shape, and they would instantly change to match their surrounding environment, beyond their control.

When the environment outside was harsh, they could make themselves powerful, without needing to breathe, able to consume inorganic matter, anchor themselves securely with their roots, and use waves for positioning. However, in times of abundance, they would discard those useless abilities.

After arriving on Earth, their lives were surprisingly pleasant. Even the most dangerous deep seas on Earth were nothing compared to the cosmic billiard table. During this period, their rooting abilities gradually atrophied, their tentacles lost their piercing and digging capabilities, becoming tools for swimming, while other attributes also regressed. Fortunately, they lived long enough to notice, unlike short-lived species like the human race which could easily mistake this as their natural state.

Having discovered these flaws, the Ancient Ones did take measures initially. But with a complacent mindset, thinking there was no need to return to outer space, they all migrated to the deep sea to slow the rate of their degradation by living in harsher conditions. Yet, inevitably, they ran into Cthulhu.

At that time, the Ancient Ones were still incredibly powerful. Not only had their bodies not devolved severely, but they also maintained a connection to the Great White Space, akin to robotic cats pulling out various weapons effortlessly. In such advanced civilizations, there existed ultimate weapons similar to human nuclear bombs; even Cthulhu had to retreat, eventually returning to slumber in Lalaiye.

Nevertheless, the deep sea environment could not halt their devolution. By the time they wanted to return to space, it was too late; they could no longer fly, nor connect to the Great White Space. As such, they couldn’t rely on technological equipment to fly, and even if they could get into the atmosphere, sustained habitation there was impossible.

They deteriorated so badly that many technologies they once operated were now unusable. In response, they created a labor force for themselves, the Shuggos, to perform those arduous tasks instead. However, this labor force also revolted.

After the Shuggos’ rebellion, not only did suppression cost many lives, but more importantly, no one was left to perform the heavy labor, leaving them unable to construct anything decent. This hastened the decline in technology and heritage, rendering everything irreparable.

After viewing these murals, Professor Dale stood in silence for a long time.

Wrapping up the life of a species in a few hours brings unspeakable shock. Professor Dale silently processed this information, then let out a long sigh.

“Their tragedy was unavoidable.” Professor Dale concluded and continued, “Wisdom brings ambition, leading to civilization.”

Professor Dale’s voice echoed through the empty cave, carrying an epic grandeur.

“It is only when our wisdom is sufficient to realize that mutual aid brings more prey and warmer dwellings that we establish societies and the foundation for developing civilization.”

“Everything we possess now is built on the idea of seeking a better life. They were the same, wanting a better, more stable life; it is the original intent of civilization and its entire meaning.”

“What they pursued ultimately killed them, as if God played a joke. But no civilization wouldn’t do the same; every civilization seeks a better life. They would, and so do humans. The difference lies in whether humans also have such genes.”

“I find it absurd,” said Professor Dale. “In nature, only life that adapts to the environment survives. Yet, this adaptability, when leading to the pursuit of stable environments, will cause their demise. Does this mean that the path of civilization is a dead end? That it will inevitably decline and go extinct?”

Shiller thought about it; Professor Dale’s logic might be: nature selects bio-groups capable of becoming civilizations with two features: strong adaptability and a need for a better life.

If adaptability is weak, changes in the environment lead to elimination, as exemplified by dinosaurs. The meteor impact on Earth was indeed a great disaster, but some life survived. With the extinction of dinosaurs, civilization couldn’t naturally develop.

The other aspect is wanting more. They must desire more food, larger territories, and the ability to pass these on. Many wild animals with insufficient intelligence don’t possess such sociability.

This creates a paradox: Bio-groups with these two characteristics evolve into civilizations, maintaining these features, wanting better lives, ensuring the long-term survival of their kind, inevitably seeking environments with better conditions.

Like humans, they too fantasize about a planet better than Earth in the cosmos, ready to fly over once spaceships are available, relocating to places with bigger houses and more resources, then searching for more good planets to encapsulate entirely. This is the natural greed of social animals.

But, combined with strong adaptability, this could potentially escalate such that the better the environment, the weaker humanity’s essence becomes, resulting in the entire race’s weakness and eventual extinction.

In fact, signs of this phenomenon have started to appear in humans. Medicine advances for healthier bodies, yet the higher medical standards, stronger prenatal care, increase the likelihood of weaker genes surviving, potentially leading to weaker physical qualities.

Over a short few decades, such differences are unseen. However, even when comparing to dinosaurs, the human path remains long. Within spans of tens of millions to hundreds of millions of years, whether this will alter evolutionary paths is unknown. Just as humans nonchalantly critique the wrong evolutionary choices leading to dinosaurs’ extinction, humans too may already be on a misguided path, unaware of it.

After witnessing the Ancient Ones’ tale, it may seem absurd, but it might represent the highest potential civilization in the cosmos. Professor Dale obviously realized this, as despite everything, the Ancient Ones could still resurrect today, but can humans?

Consequently, he grew restless, even sitting against the wall. Seemingly pretending to eat something to regain strength, he actually appeared distracted, with an evident mental impact, unsure of just why he kept striving.

Shiller also let out a sigh. Such a legendary investigator like Professor Dale may not fear the psyshock attacks from Outer Gods, yet facing nature’s brutality might still cause hesitations. This embodies the allure of the Cthulhu Universe.

Many believe the book “Mad Mountains” did not best showcase the author’s potential, even considered among the lowest, lacking deeply terrifying scenarios, and even the seemingly most frightening Shuggos are mere fleeting glimpses.

However, this piece is arguably the most despair-inducing within the Cthulhu Universe. The most horrifying aspects are all in the Ancient Ones’ history—a powerful civilization possessing super-spatial teleportation technology, capable of building vast cities in the deep sea, confronting Cthulhu and its clan head-on, yet eventually devolving and declining due to Earth’s environment.

But what about humanity? What about humans born and raised on Earth?

Humans, born and growing in this environment, still unable to match the Ancient Ones at their lowest ebb, what development and existence can they truly pursue?

The true horror in this book is not Shuggos, but the cosmos and nature. They extend no clemency to any race, none for the Ancient Ones, none for humans either. This cruel reality, devoid of mysterious powers, is far more void-inducing than any powerful monster or God creation—this is the essence of the Cthulhu Mythos.

Professor Dale now felt like a sword drawn yet aimless. Prepared for potential monsters or harsh environments within the mountains, readying himself to confront them even desperately if needed.

But here, there’s nothing—only endless emptiness. No enemies, no traps, nothing requiring his preparedness—only a despair spanning time and history.

Professor Dale felt a chill from head to toe, yet knew he wasn’t physically cold. He wanted to retreat but couldn’t articulate any reasonable cause. Fear loomed, yet he couldn’t specify what he feared.

Suddenly, he felt a warmth nudge into his lap. Looking down, he found those gray eyes staring at him. Shiller made a sound, nudging his chest with its head.

Professor Dale took a deep breath, extending both arms to embrace the cat. Such gestures were rare for him; even holding a cat, he’d usually support it with one hand and pet its head with the other. Expressing emotions, even toward small animals, he was always very restrained.

But now, he felt incredibly grateful for bringing the cat. The feeling of holding another life was immensely comforting, warming his heart anew, rekindling certain thoughts within his mind.

And what about the cats? The cats coexisting with humans?

Soft, warm, and adorable, these cats salvaged countless weary souls and broken hearts. If human society collapses, what would become of these animals that chose humans?

Professor Dale realized that human civilization bears not just the weight of itself, but much more. Nothing can remain forever stable. Planets break, stars extinguish, the cosmos will end. Even the inexorable forces of nature, despite an unimaginably long timeline, are racing toward demise, with the end eventually arriving.

It is imperative that humanity survives, grows stronger, capable of safeguarding their planet and even the universe to maintain the possibility of order persisting eternally. Even for this slim chance, humanity cannot relinquish.

Professor Dale looked down at the cat in his arms once more, holding it tightly. Even if only for the sake of the cat, he must not give up.