Bunny Girl

97 – The Final Evolution

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Everywhere I looked, I saw only white, except for the girl holding my hand. She told me she was number 99, and that she had been waiting with “everyone else”.

“Where is this…? And what do you mean, ‘everyone’…”

 

—we are inside of the World Tree. Open your eyes. Open up your heart… if you’re scared, just a little bit is enough… don’t worry. All of us are on your side—

 

Deep inside me, I knew she was speaking the truth. So she must have known, too, that I still could not trust, still could not let anyone into my heart.

But… even when I knew she was truthful, my door had been shut ever since I was born. I no longer knew how to open it.

 

—don’t worry—

 

Someone touched my shoulder. I turned around to see that it was a boy who looked about the same as the age of my current appearance. He was looking at me kindly.

Was he… number 01?

And it wasn’t just him. An Asian boy about ten years old and a slightly-older black boy were holding my hand in encouragement.

Number 17…? Number 08… ?

Their thoughts poured into me from their magic stones that I’d taken into myself, and my sight expanded as the world was painted over.

 

The ground was thick with green foliage as far as I could see, dotted with beams of dappled sunlight that had found their way through the green canopy covering the whole sky. Above the labyrinthine and enormous branches of the World Tree were many, many children. They all greeted me with a smile.

The secret alpha testers… the ninety-nine orphans who had died to the corporation’s betrayal…

There were kids from ten to fifteen years old, both boys and girls, of all nationalities and races. I only barely managed to recognize where they had been from by looking at the traditional clothing that they wore.

 

—thank you—

—thank you—

—thank you—

—number 13… you have saved us—

—you have saved—

—you have saved our souls—

 

The secret alpha testers spoke with gentle voices, full of warmth.

I see… so what I’d done hadn’t been for nothing, then. I did it… I actually saved them.

I closed my eyes, immersing myself in the warmth of their gratitude, the warmth of the sunlight.

The sun then darkened for a fraction.

 

—sorry—

—sorry—

—sorry—

—we’d let you be in pain alone—

—we’d forced our burden on you—

—we’d made you bear the resentment, the hatred, all by yourself—

 

“That’s not true!”

I was just trying to survive. I’d even told myself it had been for you, when all I was doing was justifying my vengeance.

“I… I don’t deserve your apologies…” I said, biting my lips.

The girl of number ninety-nine gently shook her head.

 

—we were the same—

—it hurt. It was unbearable. It was terrible—

—we died, bearing dark hatred for the world, cursing it—

 

As the other children followed up with their own words, the sun once more darkened.

But then… the light slowly returned together with its warmth. The ninety-nine secret alpha testers gathered around me, touching my hands one after another.

 

—but we were saved—

—you have freed us from our hatred—

—you have taken us away—

—from the darkness—

—so now—

 

Their voices joined together as one.

 

—it is our turn to save you—

—take it. Take our final power—

[Shedy] [Race: Bunny Girl] [Archdemon Lv. 100]
・The demon of Laplace. One who had ascended beyond an Archdemon.

[Magic Points: 338,000/338,000] 3,000 ↑
[Total Combat Power: 371,800/371,800] 3,300 ↑
[Unique Skill: <Causality Alteration> <Dimensional Manipulation> <Consumption> <Materialization>] 
[Racial Skill: <Fear> <Mist Form>]
[Simple Identification] [Human Form (Wonderful)] [Subspace Inventory]
[Dark Lady] 
[Final Evolution Available]

***

My vision blanked out. Once I could see again, the World Tree and the secret alpha testers were already gone, leaving me once again in a world of white.

It wasn’t the blind whiteness as before. Instead, everywhere I looked, I saw geometric shapes and lines with the same basic white tone, as though I was inside the world of cyberspace. So I wasn’t inside the World Tree, then. This must be my own personal mindscape.

 

“…final evolution…”

It was the last bit of power given to me from all the secret alpha testers. This was probably where my final evolution would happen, then, and the reason why it looked like cyberspace was probably because I was an artificial demon, and the evolution process had based itself on that same artificial system.

Evolve.

I focused on my decision. Boxes of text appeared, floating in the air to my left and right.

[Demon Lord]
・The pinnacle of demons, a ruler of the Netherworld. The diametrical opposition of gods. The granter of the fruit of wisdom to mankind, and the devourer of their ripened civilization.
[Beast]
・The pinnacle of demons, one who takes the shape of an animal. Savage and cruel. A predator and a destroyer, eternally seeking conflicts.
[Devil]
・The pinnacle of demons, the traveler of dimensions. One who gorges on souls of humans, who understands and charms the hearts of humans, who grants otherworldly knowledge on a whim.

These boxes were filled with red text and were on my right. Next were the blue-colored boxes on my left.

[Draconic God]
・A supreme creature, one who has lived through an eternity to acquire a spiritual body. Possesses great wisdom and force of will, as well as immense power.
[Minor God]
・An intelligent creature who had reached the threshold of godhood. The protector of life, and the ruler of the cycle of reincarnation. Rarely is there a natural Minor God, as most manifest by stealing power from another god. Called a [Goddess] when female.
[True God]
・A Major God born from the minds of intelligent beings. A true god, one created solely for the sake of those who are both their creators and their worshippers. Possesses no physical form. Power drastically fluctuates depending on worshippers.

“Umm…”

On the right side were demons, and the left were… gods? So I could evolve into these?

I was honestly surprised becoming a god was even a choice for me. I guessed I had the secret alpha testers to thank for that.

But could I win against Fiorfata as a god?

Among the choices was a Demon Lord, the same as Fiorfata, and the explanation mentioned being diametrically opposed to gods. If Demon Lords were godkillers, then I didn’t think becoming a Minor God would be much of an improvement from what I was already. Draconic Gods had the same problem.

True Gods were born from the thoughts of their worshippers, so I might not be able to keep myself as me if I chose that.

If I wanted power to fight Fiorfata, then perhaps I should choose to become the same Demon Lord as it was. Being a Beast or Devil might be good too, though I felt like a Demon Lord was the most balanced in terms of offense and defense.

Artificial or not, I had been evolving as a demon in the first place. I should be able to get used to the new power right away if I continued that line of evolution.

But I’d already made my choice. Not out of these six.

I chose the seventh option hidden among the others.

 

I had been a human who had no understanding of humans. I had only gained my insight into the hearts of others after discarding my humanity. From my wavering heart came a fragment of itself…

I took it. I grasped the white box of text hiding itself right in front of my eyes.

 

Then the white space that was my mindscape shattered. A vast world stretched out in front of me as I looked down on Yggdrasia, my new home.

I will protect this world. I will protect it for you.

 

[Shedy] [Race: Bunny Girl] [Joker]
・Dea Ex Machina. An artificial goddess born in cyberspace. Possesses the right hand of a Demon to destroy all, and the left hand of a Goddess to save all.

[Magic Points: 500,000/500,000] 162,000 ↑
[Total Combat Power: 550,000/550,000] 178,200 ↑
[Unique Skill: <Causality Alteration> <Dimensional Manipulation> <Consumption> <The Divine Language>] 
[Racial Skill: <Fear> <Mist Form>]
[Simple Identification] [Deity Form (Lovely)] [Subspace Inventory]
[Overlord]
[Goddess from the Machine]

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53 thoughts on “97 – The Final Evolution”

    1. Considering a classic deus ex machina is supposed to solve all outstanding issues, I think technically none.

      Overall, though, there have been a *lot*

      Liked by 4 people

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      1. Don’t she remaind you of the MC from “serial experiment L.A.I.N” ?
        The part about the “artificial godess”, i mean. And also her personality, for some part.

        Liked by 3 people

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      2. I’d say joker fits in this situation. It’s the progression from the Laplace rabbit. She was originally a demon who guided fate, now she can play any role in fate hence why she’d be the “joker” who can play any role. The reference to cards also associates her with fate, since the order of the cards is a common metaphor for the movement of fate. It also continues the Alice in Wonderland reference by basing it on the card, since she originally became a Laplace rabbit by thinking of the white rabbit.

        Though I would say “Jester” or “Fool” might be better since it would relate her to the even more fate focused tarot cards.

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  16. Thank you for your work.
    I guess the author ignored secret alpha tester 100 and gave the speaking role to 99 because that number is cooler?

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      1. No what he means is Shedy was #13. So out of the 100 alpha testers there should be a #100 as well but #99 talks to the heroine instead.

        I’m guessing the author just wasn’t thinking very hard and just thought “99 other alpha testers so I’ll have #99 show up” and wasn’t thinking about the fact Shedy herself wasn’t #100.

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  18. What the heck is that!? If there is six option & there is 3 dark kind & 3 light kind, she choose the 7 which is the referee!!!

    Demonic beings: Fck!! I thought she would be one of us!? Joker the F is that shit!!? Never hear that!?

    Divine beings: WTF!? Is that even possible?? Thats illegal!? Cheat she is cheating!!

    Liked by 3 people

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  19. Yay! we finally got info on the [Devil] class system for Demon Noble Girl even though it was insignificant.
    Was this entire novel leading up to here just to do a “Stop, Friendly Fire!” reference? it just doesn’t sit right with me.
    I still love the chapter though and thank you for translating #love bunny girl

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    1. Because they are simple names and symbols that carry a fair bit of meaning both obvious and subtle and they are well recognized by general people.

      Liked by 1 person

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  22. Awhh she could have been the same as Yurushia or her followers :T
    But,its better this way…its her own story after all,even though its the same universe.but after defeating Fiorfata she must become a pilar and meet Yurushia,rigth?

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    1. maybe. Like I said below it doesn’t seem being a “demon lord” race is a requirement for being a pillar so as long as she’s part demon when she kills a pillar she should usurp the position.

      I have no idea if the story will hint at that or if we’ll have to just assume that. There is no reason for her not to get the position of a pillar though so it’s probably safe to assume that unless the story directly denies it.

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  23. I wonder if she’ll still be recognized as having the position of demon lord after winning?

    Remember Yuruishia was a Devil and the dark beast dude was a “Beast”. So apparently you don’t have to be a demon lord species to hold the position of Demon Lord. You just have to be a type of demon and kill a reigning demon lord.

    Story might not even mention if she gets the position though unless her cyber system recognizes it.

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    1. From the moment I understood the weakness of my flesh, it disgusted me. I craved the strength and certainty of steel. I aspired the purity of the blessed machine. Your kind cling to your flesh as if it will not decay and fail you. One day the crude biomass that you call a temple will wither, and you will beg my kind to save you. But I, am already saved, for I am immortal.

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  27. So she went from being Neutral Evil to True Neutral? Yuri is Chaotic Neutral. I guess. Fiorfata would be Chaotic Evil. The monkey demon lord Yuru killed would be Lawful Evil. Rinne sounds like Neutral Evil.

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  28. Wow, what an ironic evolution she done here.

    A supposed human life void of any humanly ones after birth. She gain them after she changed due to machines, and go beyond them. Gaining what we can call feelings when venturing the world and being labeled as the bad one. More proficiened to the black side due to her new converted new nature, she finds more of humanity she supposed to gain when she’s a human. That’s the gist why she’s the between, not aligned to either one, and keeping balance and saving the corrupted world in the ‘gray’ way.

    Just typing what came to my mind after reading this whole chapter. Dang, it’s quite dramatic already before, and now she choose Deus Ex Machina. And it’s nearing the end, 3 chapters to go.

    Liked by 1 person

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  29. Me : “I have a new religion to introduce..”
    Stranger : “What is it?”
    Me : *show shedy race*
    Stranger : “I’m interested.”

    Liked by 2 people

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  34. Next chapter:
    Shedy: Its finally time for the finale! Time to show my power!

    Suddenly, the demon lord is struck by a huge explosion. It disintegrates.

    Shedy: What?! Who did that?! WHO STOLE MY FINAL MOMENT OF GLORY?!!!

    Meanwhile, an unfamiliar girl in magical garb sporting a witch hat fell to the group, with a satisfied expression. Kazuma smiled as he rated the explosion “98/100, 2 points lost for stealing someone’s kill so abruptly”. Aqua commented “Hmph..I thought for sure that girl would choose to become a goddess. If she was a minor god I could dump some work on her as her senior.”
    And thus the ending credits roll.

    Liked by 1 person

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