The Record of Unusual Creature

Hao Ren and Hasse sat opposite each other in the centre of the air bubble, and the underwater shadows that flashed past them often cast some mottled light spots around them. Hao Ren asked Hasse, “If there is an instinct which will not help your reproduction and evolution from the viewpoint of biological evolution, and it has nothing to do with getting food or increasing the chance of survival, and it just makes you getting hostile towards other intelligent beings in an incomprehensible way. Do you think this ‘instinct’ is natural or normal?”

Hasse shook his head and about to stand up. Hao Ren stopped him. “This is a serious question. I hope you will take it seriously.”

Hasse said coldly, “Perhaps you are serious, but you don’t understand the importance of killing instincts to a demon-hunter. This is the key to our superiority in the alien war for the past ten thousand years.”

“But if there is no killing instinct, alien war wouldn’t have existed at all—it’s not the key to solving problem, it’s precisely the problem itself,” Hao Ren lifted his fingers pointing at White Flame. “This young demon hunter has absolutely different views, because she, like me, is free from the control of killing instincts and able to think calmly. The killing instinct has controlled old demon hunter like you for too long, and even become part of your life so that you don’t even question its rationality.”

Hasse’s ever-deadpan face finally showed an erratic look. “This is the weirdest remark I’ve ever heard… Do you know that you are discussing something that is almost natural? Discuss its rationality is meaningless because it has existed since time immemorial.”

“Then how do you justify the weakening of hostility of new generation of demon hunters towards the aliens?” Hao Ren spread out his hand and said, “You have not encountered any genetic diseases. Environmental changes on the earth will not affect this aspect. If killing instinct is a justifiable phenomenon, then is its decline reasonable? If its subsidence is justifiable, what is the meaning of its existence before that?”

Teuton silently watched the arguments between Hao Ren and Hasse. This silent man did not express his opinion. He took an old prayer book out from his robe, sat in a weird position on the edge of the air bubble, and began to study it quietly. It was already a dozen meters deep underwater and the light was dim, but this did not affect the vision of a master demon hunter.

Sorma was keeping this magical environment intact outside the air bubble. Shaqira came up to Hao Ren and listened curiously to the weird discussion.

Hasse realized that this seemingly indiscreet young man was not as naive as he had imagined. He had sensed something was more than meets the eyes. The fact that he could survive until today was not entirely because of his fighting ability but also alertness and coolness of an elder. Hasse remained silent for a few seconds before he shook his head slightly, “I can’t answer your questions, but I still insist that it’s pointless to discuss whether or not killing instinct should exist, on the premise that it already exists. Whether it’s the instinct that controls us or we’re using the instinct, it’s a fait accompli and we’re happy to accept as it is.”

Vivian came to Hao Ren’s side and looked at Hasse. “Hasse, you are a smarter demon hunter. I now tell you something as an elder: The innate confrontation between the various otherworldling races is also weakening, including between the werewolves and the Blood Clan. I know you’ve contributed a fair bit of effort during the last trouble at the sanctuary in Athens, and then you should have seen the interracial inhabitancy there. During the mythological era, this was impossible. I have a thought: regardless of the demon hunters or otherworldlings, the essence is the same; we are all supernatural ‘otherworldings’ to the humans who are the real master of this planet. The so-called killing instinct is no cleverer than the intrinsic hostility between the otherworldlings. This abnormal phenomenon had suddenly emerged tens of thousands of years ago. Now that it has begun to subside, and you have witnessed it yourself. So I suggest that you calm down and think about it and look at the truth behind it.”

White Flame who was meditating in the distant looked up and glanced at them. There seemed to be a flash of light in her eyes, but then she lowered his head again, as if she was indifferent to the discussion here.

In eye of Hasse, there was a strange glow of light. He took a deep breath and asked, “Is it that you have mastered something… some ancient secret?”

Vivian pondered for a moment before she looked up. “Have you ever wondered if there is a world in which otherworldlings and demon hunters coexist peacefully?”

Hasse’s voice hardened. “… if this is a joke, then we should stop here.”

Hao Ren had his hand spread out. “Okay, let me rephrase: Do you think that demon hunters and otherworldlings are native of this planet? Do you dare to swear to the theory of evolution and stratigraphic pool of fossils and say you are a native of this planet?”

Teuton and White Flame looked up spontaneously; they could no longer pretend to meditate.

“You mean the ‘day of return’?” Hasse leaned forward slightly. “There are two explanations for the ‘day of return; the first explanation is the return of alien forces, and the other explanation is just the opposite that the aliens will return to a place called the World of Origin… are you telling me that you’ve found the World of Origin?”

Hao Ren did not answer directly, but shifted the conversation slightly. “There is evidence that all the supernatural races on Earth come from another world. If you have learned evolution, you can certainly accept this argument, and I guess there has been such discussion going on among yourselves. I’m working on this and you may be interested in my results, but only if you’re willing to abandon your prejudices and walk with the aliens.”

After a few moments of pondering, Hasse got to his feet. “Let’s wait for us to complete this trip then we shall talk again.”

Hao Ren shook his head and smiled. The voice of the MDT sounded in his head. “I knew you’d not be able to persuade them.”

“I don’t care, at least I’ve sown a seed of change,” Hao Ren also replied in his mind. “The world of demon hunters is a closed circle. It’s not that we can reach out to their senior members and talk to them in a so calm and sensible manner every day, I have to grab the opportunity to plough their mind field while they’re here.”

“Then how effective do you think your ploughing is?”

“I believe there are still opportunities for us to be in contact with the demon hunters in the future, and it is impossible for them to not discuss the gradual decline of their killing instinct internally. Therefore, as long as Hasse goes back and talk with his men, the situation will soon change,” Hao Ren exhaled. “The alien war is almost over.”

Y’lisabet, the little girl, was not interested in these discussions. She was lying at the edge of the bubble with Lily and gazed curiously at the ocean scenery outside. This kind of panoramic sea-view experience was new and interesting to her. Sorma, the siren, was swimming around the air bubble and waving at them from the outside. Then a wave of light ripples swayed behind her and she transformed her body into a colourful fish before she swam off chasing a string of bubbles. Y’zaks saw this and was curious. He asked Nangong Wuyue who was just beside him. “How many forms can sirens transform?”

Nangong Wuyue was holding her own snake’s tail in deep thought. The question jolted her. “How many? Countless forms. As water is amorphous.”

Y’lisabet darted over and asked, “Can you turn into a coral reef? Crab? Sea urchins?”

Nangong Wuyue flung its tail happily and ready to show off. Hao Ren stopped her immediately. “Can you not tell your Phi Phi Shrimp Theory to anyone who shows the slightest interest?”

Nangong Wuyue: “…..”

The air bubble suddenly jolted a bit, and Hao Ren saw the bubble was slowly decelerating judging from the change of light and shadow around him. He got to his feet and looked at Shaqira. “What’s going on outside?”

A light came from above as everyone found that the whole bubble was slowly rising up to the surface of the sea. Sorma poked her head through the water curtain into the air bubble. “Fog’s on the sea surface, it’s a magical fog. Probably there are other sirens controlling the sea. They’re a lot stronger than me.”

They immediately raised their guard, and the bubble had now risen completely to the sea surface.

Fog filled the air everywhere, blocking out the sky and sunlight. The sea was raging as strange waves, which defied the laws of nature, were building up.

Accompanying the salty sea breeze was a vague vocal. Hao Ren looked into the direction of the sound, and but he cold nothing.