Chapter 58: The Cause of Human Extinction?

Without hesitation, she chose to equip the Thought Manipulation-Type Separated Multi-Lock Floating Cannons as well, and continued her journey to amass armaments. One by one, all sorts of weapons—some powerful, some modest, each possessing unique abilities—were swept up by Zhuang Xiaoyuan and stashed away. It wasn’t until the weapon loading interface automatically popped up to warn her that she had exceeded the weight limit that her frenzied pillaging was finally brought to a halt. She cast one last longing glance at the surrounding weapons racks, gritted her teeth, and departed.

No sooner had she left the armory than Zhuang Xiaoyuan found herself in another space. It was a vast, empty wasteland, with yellow earth stretching into the distance beneath a cerulean sky. At her feet lay a small base made of silver-white metal. Before her eyes floated a tiny light screen, explaining the situation: [Weapon loading complete. Weapon operation training about to begin. Proceed? Yes/No].

“Yes.” She reached out and selected Yes—well, there was no other option, was there? Though many of the weapons were familiar in name and sounded formidable, Zhuang Xiaoyuan had only ever heard of them; she had absolutely no idea how to use them.

Weapon operation training was meant to teach her their usage. She dearly wanted to check on Zhuang Xiaosi’s battle, but wielding a weapon she couldn’t use would be pointless. She resigned herself to study diligently; after all, Task Two required simulation training.

[Weapon operation training beginning. Please protect the base from destruction within the allotted time. Countdown: 3…2…] As soon as Zhuang Xiaoyuan confirmed her choice, the light screen vanished from her eyes, and above her head appeared enormous lettering and a countdown.

“Wait, wait a second! Isn’t this supposed to be weapon training? I don’t know how to use any of them—ahhhh!” Staring up at the sudden countdown, cold sweat streamed down her forehead. What was this? Weren’t they supposed to teach her how to use the weapons? Why the sudden, unprovoked battle? This was enough to drive her mad.

[…1…] As the countdown ended, a black tide surged rapidly from the horizon. Human eyes could not see so far, but as a machine maiden, Zhuang Xiaoyuan could clearly make out the incoming enemies: rice cookers, electric heaters, vacuum cleaners, induction cookers, electric ovens, microwave ovens—countless household appliances had sprouted mechanical limbs and were flooding toward her in a wave.

“…What is that? System? Customer service? GM? Someone explain, please! Why are household appliances the enemy?” Watching the multitude of appliances racing toward her, Zhuang Xiaoyuan felt the world’s malice keenly. Was this a joke? How was a rice cooker supposed to attack—headbutt? Was the induction cooker going to burn her to death? Could a vacuum cleaner actually be a terrifying weapon? What kind of madness was this?

But soon enough, Zhuang Xiaoyuan witnessed the power of these household appliances.

The rice cooker closest to the base suddenly popped open its lid, and shining grains of white rice shot out like bullets, accompanied by a dense rattling sound. The base’s wall was riddled with holes.

Next came the induction cookers—wow, wow, wow—they were spewing flames. Was this really an induction cooker or a flamethrower? Under their fiery assault, the unknown metal walls melted in places.

Then came the vacuum cleaners. As they powered up, a violent suction pulled at everything. The shattered walls finally collapsed, and debris, dust, and metal fragments were all sucked into the vacuum cleaners.

“Heh… heh heh. Household appliances are truly formidable. Are these even household appliances? Appliances with legs, running around, a rice cooker firing bullets, a flamethrowing induction cooker… what on earth is going on?” Zhuang Xiaoyuan wore a thoroughly exasperated expression as she watched the base be destroyed by this motley horde of appliances. She was utterly despairing—despairing at this world’s malice.

[Weapon operation training failed. Restart? Yes/No] As the base crumbled into ruins, the vanished light screen reappeared before Zhuang Xiaoyuan.

“…” Staring silently at the screen, her expression darkened as she muttered, “Why do household appliances have such destructive power?”

“Beep. According to historical research, household appliances were weapons developed by humans in ancient times. Eventually, humanity created the ultimate household appliance, which led to their own extinction.” Perhaps because the training had not proceeded, this time the light screen quickly answered her question.

“Heh… so that’s it. Humanity was destroyed by household appliances? What kind of science fiction is this? Your historical research is abysmal. Whether it’s an asteroid impact or a solar catastrophe bringing on an ice age, there are plenty of ways to wipe out humanity. But to claim it was household appliances? Surely it should at least be artificial intelligence. Being wiped out by appliances is just pathetic. Oh, humanity…”

“Ugh, my heart is exhausted. I have no strength left to complain about this malicious world.” She vented all her frustration in one breath, then collapsed limply to the ground.

Having just admired countless high-tech future weapons, now she faced enemies created for human convenience and comfort. She could mock this for a lifetime. Truly, the humans of this world were hopeless—destroyed by household appliances? What was this so-called ultimate appliance?

[Weapon operation training failed. Restart? Yes/No] Even as Zhuang Xiaoyuan lay on the ground, the light screen stubbornly hovered before her, directly in her face.

“All right, all right, you win. Let’s start over. I refuse to believe that with so many futuristic weapons, I can’t overcome household appliances. Even if their previous performance was anything but domestic.” After venting her complaints, Zhuang Xiaoyuan managed to calm her battered spirits and prepared to face the training seriously.

[Countdown: 3…2…1…begin.] As the countdown ended, the ruins beneath her feet were restored to pristine order. Once again, the horizon was darkened by the tide of household appliances.

“Come then, appliances, let me teach you that household appliances should stay obediently at home… not run wild outside.” Her expression finally grew serious as she drew a gigantic weapon from her arsenal—the Electromagnetic Railgun.