"Prometheus, look at you. You used to laugh at me, but now you can't bring yourself to do it either."
For the first 37 clones, which had no consciousness and were like empty shells, both Vill-V and Prometheus could dispose of them without hesitation.
But this one had developed a nascent consciousness, innocent and blank like a sheet of paper.
Yet, she shouldn't exist in this world.
"I... I don't know."
For the first time, Prometheus felt lost.
In the past, she could terminate any experimental subject without hesitation if it needed to be destroyed.
But now, she hesitated.
"Congratulations, Prometheus. You're almost a real person now. Your reluctance, your hesitation—these are emotions, part of what makes us human."
Unlike simulated emotions and personalities, this was a genuine emotion that Prometheus had developed through her own calculations.
"Then, Dr. Vill-V, will you do it?"
"..."
Both of them hesitated. Neither could bring themselves to do it.
At first, both had confidently claimed they could do it. But when faced with the reality, they faltered.
After all, neither of them was like Otto, who would stop at nothing to achieve his goals. They were emotional beings.
"Should we call Chang Yuan?"
"...I support Dr. Vill-V's decision."
Rather than having the two of them, who weren't deeply involved in the plan, carry out the task, it was better to let the person most invested in the plan's success do it.
The two quickly agreed and called Chang Yuan over.
"...So you two can't do it, so you called me? Why do you think I can do it?"
Hearing their explanation, Chang Yuan felt a headache coming on.
He hadn't expected that the 'Expert' Vill-V's solution was to create clones, hoping to replicate Elysia's unique authority.
Chang Yuan laughed, but it was a bitter laugh.
These two were truly toxic friends.
Looking at the clone in the cultivation chamber, who was staring back at him, Chang Yuan felt as if she were looking at someone familiar, her eyes filled with a hint of recognition.
But he quickly shook off the thought.
No, the 'Expert' Vill-V had said this was a clone. How could she recognize him?
"Maybe we should cancel the plan? None of us can do it. Should we just tell Elysia the truth?"
Now, the 'Expert' Vill-V was considering canceling the plan.
Although this plan had the highest chance of success, none of them could bring themselves to terminate the clones that had developed consciousness.
They couldn't just keep raising these clones, could they? If the real Elysia found out one day,
she would definitely stop them from continuing the plan, forcing them to abandon it.
So, the only way to ensure the plan's success was to eliminate all unnecessary clones, removing any obstacles.
Thinking about how this plan was the most likely to succeed, Chang Yuan's gaze lingered on the clone.
He thought of Elysia, then met the clone's gaze again.
Chang Yuan fell into a long silence.
This decision was harder for him than facing the Herrscher of the End.
If he continued, it meant he would have to personally kill the clone of his beloved, a clone that had its own consciousness essentially killing a version of the person he loved most.
But if he didn't continue, the plan that could potentially save his beloved would be canceled.
At this moment, neither the 'Expert' Vill-V nor Prometheus dared to breathe too loudly.
The atmosphere in the room grew heavy.
"Which button is it?"
"...The fifth one from the right. But... are you sure about this?"
"...Yes."
Chang Yuan's clenched fist slowly relaxed, as if he had made peace with his decision.
"I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I have to kill you to save the real you. I'm sorry."
Inside the cultivation chamber, the clone didn't understand Chang Yuan's words.
But she could learn. She mimicked the first three words Chang Yuan had spoken.
"Sorry..."
Seeing this, Chang Yuan's hand, which had been poised over the termination button, froze.
But in the end, he gritted his teeth and pressed the button.
As the button was pressed, a needle in the cultivation chamber injected a special liquid into the clone.
The clone's bright eyes slowly closed, and after a while, her lips curled into a faint smile.
Five hours later, the clone died peacefully in her sleep, her brainwaves completely gone.
After making this decision, Chang Yuan collapsed to the ground, exhausted.
That decision had drained all his courage and strength.
The 'Expert' Vill-V and Prometheus looked at Chang Yuan with changed expressions.
Their eyes held pity, sorrow, reluctance, and admiration.
This man's love for Elysia surpassed all worldly love.
But now, that love had become too heavy, crushing the man who had once stood tall.
Meanwhile, Elysia, who had been resting with her eyes closed, suddenly opened them.
She opened her mouth but said nothing. Instead, she gently placed her hand on her chest.
"Sorry?"
...
"Are you okay?"
Seeing Chang Yuan still collapsed on the ground, the 'Expert' Vill-V moved to help him up.
"No, let's continue. But please, make sure it succeeds. I've already killed her. I can't lose her again."
Every word Chang Yuan spoke trembled with emotion.
He was afraid. Deciding the clone's death had shown him what it would be like to witness Elysia's death.
Even if it was just someone who resembled his beloved, witnessing her death was enough to break anyone.
"We'll do our best. We'll give it everything we have."
"Mm, I'm counting on you. If there are more clones, call me again. Since each one resembles her, let me, as the sinner, send them off."
"...Alright."
Hearing Chang Yuan's decision, the 'Expert' Vill-V nodded after a moment of silence.
She knew that this man was teetering on the edge of rational madness, but neither she nor Prometheus could stop him.