I Come From the Abyss to Save Humanity Today

Chapter 1: Awoken from the Abyss

“Hey, Chen Yuxuan. Say… If I could give you a chance to start a new life, what would you choose?”

The chilliness of the night permeated the air, making it feel as cold as water.

The distant buildings tainted by corruption and debauchery were not exempted by the phenomenon, as the glow of moonlight washed over them.

On the rooftop of a particular building, a man sat on the edge of the guardrail, conversing on the phone while feeling the embrace of the wind.

The voice of a man, which carried a somewhat captivating allure, resounded on the other side of the phone.

“Why the sudden question?”

I lowered my head; An endless stretch of cliffs and abyss laid beneath my dangling feet. For some inexplicable reason, they seemed somewhat enchanting at this moment.    

“Just playing a game, that’s all. Come on, tell me.”

The voice in the call sounded somewhat impatient. I rolled my eyes in annoyance before lifting the bottle of Jägermeister to my lips and taking several generous gulps.

“What did you say? You aren’t making sense… Even if it’s merely a matter of choosing between a red and blue button, you have to give me all the options first, don’t you think so?”

“Mhm… That’s true. Let me think… How are those typical transmigration novels written… Ancient Xianxia? Urban Fantasy? Or maybe just a world with swords and magic? I don’t really read much, so that’s all I know. What would you choose?”  

“I’d opt for a world solely populated by lolis.”

“…How could such a world exist?”

“Sigh, then what’s the purpose of transmigration then—”

I heaved a light sigh.

“Hey, I’m trying to have a serious conversation with you. Can you stop giving me such a perfunctory answer, alright?”

“Alright, alright. Let’s settle for a world that features swords and magic then… They are all aesthetically monotonous and boring anyway.”  

“Sword and magic, I see… These worlds tend to have demon lords and heroes, right? In that case, you’ll have to choose between one of those roles. Do you want to be a demon lord, or a hero?”  

“Of course the demon lord.” I replied nonchalantly.

The wind turned harsh, whipping against the cloak on my body and making rustling sounds as a result.  

“Why?”

“Because only a fool would choose to be the hero. After all, they are beings that are destined to be saddled with troublesome tasks, like defeating the demon lord or saving the world. In reality, they are nothing more than mere pawns manipulated by those in power. Those at the top entice them with notions of righteousness and get them to risk their lives for the greater good. If they succeed, they share the rewards; if they die, they would get another unsuspecting fool to take their place. Either way, anyone who enjoys that role is welcome to take it. As for me, I’m good.”

“…So only as a demon lord do you have a bit more freedom.” The voice on the other end of the phone expressed in a somewhat emotional tone. “Okay then, a demon lord it is. Last question, would you prefer to remain as a guy, or embrace a change of pace and try living as a woman for once?”

“Of course, I’d be a guy-… Hold on.”

I knitted my brows as I realized that things weren’t as simple as they seemed.  

If I were to become a demon lord… in other words, an existence that people would rally against in a crusade. No matter how mighty my strength might be, there would inevitably emerge a more formidable fool. Charging towards me, wielding a holy sword, he would shout ‘Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!’ before taking my lowly life.

Now that I think of it, demon lords without the protagonist halo were often extremely pitiful beings in many novels and anime. Their debut had always served as a forewarning to their readers about their inevitable downfall.

In that case, what sort of demon lord could thrive on over time?

Of course, it was the demon lord that possessed the ability to act coy, coquettish and cute.

It had the best effect if the demon lord in question was a loli; It didn’t matter if they possessed a generously-sized chest, elven features or beast-like ears. 

If they were to possess silver hair, scarlet eyes and punctuate each sentence with a “nyaa” sound at the end, they could strut around without a care in the world, even if they had accumulated a large number of flags in the process. 

In fact, I would willingly present you with my severed head if you told me that she would still meet her demise in the end. 

After all, in the event she encountered someone else she couldn’t defeat, she could still act cute and beg for mercy!

“Please let me be a woman!!!” 

“Eeeh —I’ve never expected you for someone with such inclinations.” 

“After all, it’s an immensely difficult task to be a demon lord.” 

“Would you remain resolute in your decision, even if it meant shedding copious amounts of blood every month?”  

“Eh…” 

That question truly left me at a loss of words.

After a brief moment of contemplation, I let out another sigh.

“What exactly are we talking about…” 

“Just having some small talk.”

“In that case, let me ask you a question instead.” I shifted my butt forward and settled into a more comfortable sitting position. 

After shaking the bottle whose bottom was nearly exposed, I swiftly downed its content in one single cup. 

The faint strands of warmth in my stomach were completely incapable of rekindling my ice-cold body. 

“Seriously, how does it feel when your little sister is no longer with you?” 

After uttering those words, a momentary silence fell on the other end of the phone. 

“… Are you looking for a beating by asking such a question now? How does it feel when your fiancée is no longer with you?  

Yes, my fiancée and also his little sister. She passed away a week ago as a result of an illness.  

That was why we found ourselves engaged in a mundane phone conversation, on a night when neither of us had someone eagerly awaiting our arrival. 

“I don’t really have much of a feeling.” I spoke. 

“…What?” 

There was a moment of astonishment in the other party’s voice. 

“Don’t be mistaken, brother-in-law. What I mean is… I don’t know what to truly feel at this moment. Deep down in my heart, I still can’t believe that this had happened. Because my heart still holds onto hope that she might suddenly appear before me in the next moment and give me a fright like she used to in the past.” 

“…Don’t think too much. There’s a lot of people in the company depending on you to put food on their tables. Why don’t we talk about the problems we need to solve tomorrow?” 

Despite what he was saying was fact, I didn’t respond to his words. 

Three years ago, I chose the path of an entrepreneur and foolishly attempted to alter my destiny. Knowing I couldn’t measure up to those privileged second generations who had the support of their parents and seniors behind them, I decided to compensate by investing more time. Relying on my unwavering determination and relentless spirit, I forcibly kept the company afloat for three years, only to fall short of achieving profitability. 

In actuality, I deeply regretted venturing this path. 

I regretted being too consumed by work and not treating my fiancée better when she was still alive.

I felt like I was constantly making mistakes and never getting anything right on this journey called life. 

I was truly tired. 

“Say, have you wondered what the world after death looks like…” 

The person who had asked such a question before was a girl named Xiao Xi. She had already embarked into the world that awaits in the afterlife. 

“I don’t know how to answer that question… Even though Xiao Xi is no longer with us, we must continue to live our lives to the fullest, shouldn’t we? After all, you still have your parents… Have you discussed this matter with them?” 

“Not yet.” 

As for the reason why I still hadn’t done so…

It was because some elders were incapable of understanding your feelings. Sometimes, they were inferior to children who, despite their ignorance about the world, still carried a great deal of hope for life.

“As the saying goes, life is often a disgustingly protracted battle. This is one of my favorite quotes.”  

“Hey, Yu Xuan…”

“Thank you, buddy. Good night.” I hung up. 

Tossing my phone away, I climbed up the railing and plunged down. 

Fierce wind howled beside my ears. 

I recalled the criticism my parents directed at me during dinner, their countless words eventually converging into a single sentence. 

“Why don’t you just die!” 

But if I fail to die, please let me soar through the skies.  

……

I was dreaming. 

In the dream, I found myself sitting at a dining table adorned with a variety of delectable dishes. My mother emerged from the kitchen, untied her apron, and greeted me with a smile. She said, “Come, sit down and eat. Doing business is akin to waging a war, setbacks and defeats are inevitable. Don’t be disheartened; you’re still young, and there will be countless opportunities for you to start anew. Take some time to rest at home, and remember that your father and I will always have your back.

Sitting on the sofa, my father set his phone aside. He approached me, gently patted my shoulder and nodded at me.

I felt a surge of vulnerable emotions welling up in my heart, as I forcefully suppressed my sadness and responded to their kindness with a faint smile. However, my vision had already become blurry with tears. 

“Dad, Mom. Do you know Xiao Xi, she… is no longer here… I can’t see her anymore…” 

The silhouettes of my parents slowly faded away into the distance. I turned my head to the side, and saw a vibrant girl dressed in white standing nearby.

“Don’t be sad.” She said, “I will always be by your side.” 

She walked towards me and extended her pale hand. Her fingers caressed my cheeks as she helped me wipe away the tears on my face. 

“I’m tired, Xiao Xi…” I firmly stared at her face, and there it was— the smile that haunted me with yearning for days and night.

“It’s not time to rest yet~” She said, raising my tear-stained face and kissing my eyes. “Wake up, I’ll always be by your side.” 

“Wake up, I’ll always be by your side…” She said.  

“Wake up…” 

“Wake up wake up wake up wake up…” 

That voice no longer had the sweetness that Xiao Xi always possessed. Instead, it took on a heavy and ear-piercing tone, resembling the muttering of a devil. 

[Abyssic] “Wake up, Silvija Lavyhemos.” 

……

I suddenly jolted awake. 

My mind was still foggy, and I couldn’t immediately grasp my surroundings. It took quite some time for my blank mind to slowly re-establish a connection with the world around me.

I found myself immersed in some cold and sticky substance. My surroundings were clad in utter darkness and my vision completely obscured.

Wha… What was happening to me?! 

I think I remember… jumping down from a rooftop. 

That was a 24 storey building, so shouldn’t I be thoroughly dead by now? 

Then why was I still conscious?  

Could it be that I’m actually alive? How is that possible? 

If that was the case, could I… have transmigrated?

Was this some kind of joke? Did I really transmigrate?! 

I attentively observed the sticky substance enveloping me and noticed it was slowly moving about in a wriggling motion. Surprisingly, despite the smooth and cold tactile sensation, it provided a peculiar sense of comfort. It was extremely difficult to put these feelings into words, as my senses clearly perceived the low temperature despite my body being perfectly adapted to it.

I started to closely examine the state of my body.

I lowered, raised and shook my head. Following which, I lifted my hand, clenched my fist and kicked my legs.

Mhm… It felt kind of strange, as if something had changed from before.

Firstly, there was my hand. When I clenched my fist, I realized that the proportions were different. Whether it was my arms or my fingers, they seemed to have grown somewhat.

I began to re-examine the changes in my muscle strength and realized that the subtle transformations weren’t limited to my arms, but extended to other areas as well. These alterations bestowed upon me an extraordinary sense of discomfort, as if the body I was controlling no longer belonged to me.  

A cacophony of voices, intermingled with human-like sounds, incessantly reached my ears. Someone was communicating in a language that was completely alien to me. It felt as if the source of those sounds was distant, perhaps thousands of miles away.

Upon reflection, would I really hear people talking from such a long distance away under normal circumstances?

Hmm? How did I ascertain that the voices were originating from a distance thousands of miles away…? 

Even though I couldn’t see, I felt my senses becoming increasingly sensitive. Gradually, I could perceive the squirming sound of the substance surrounding me and the distant clamor of human voices, which seemed to explode in my ears. Occasionally, there would be loud shouts and beast roars emanating from the latter. In the distance, a flock of birds flapped their wings, creating gusts of piercing wind that brushed against the vegetation, which rustled in accordance with their movements. Alongside that, I could discern the resonant noises of armor rubbing against each other and the orderly footsteps from an army, both of which were gradually growing louder in my ears…

The sudden influx of complex information flooded my consciousness, causing an excruciating headache that made my brain shut down instantaneously.

In the next moment, something began to slowly seep into my body from the liquid that enveloped me.

The black sticky substance instantly came to a boil. 

The liquid enveloping me swiftly flowed, enveloping my body as it exerted an uplifting force below my body. I could feel myself gradually ascending. 

The distant voices of the people grew even more clamorous. Though I couldn’t comprehend their words, I could sense the solemn atmosphere of anxiety and wariness emanating from them. Amidst the uproar of voices, occasional bursts of resolute determination could be heard, signaling the impending disaster that was about to befall on them and their unwavering resolve to overcome it.

What was the matter? Did something happen? 

The force pulling me up suddenly intensified, propelling me with greater speed and strength. In a state of panic, I flailed my hands, desperately trying to grasp onto something, but all I could do was recklessly agitate the viscous substance around me. There was no point that I could hold onto and counter the upward momentum.

In an instant, I was forcefully shot upwards, utterly powerless to resist. The entire process occurred in the blink of an eye, and then a sudden sensation of weightlessness engulfed my body. Blinded by a searing light, I involuntarily shut my eyes.

I’m out! This is my first thought. 

What a warm and pleasant sensation! The suffocating feeling that enveloped me while surrounded by the viscous substance vanished instantly. I inhaled deeply and was greeted by the refreshing scent of trees and plants that filled my nostrils, indicating the seemingly exceptional air quality in this place. This realization was the second impression of this world. 

Then, it suddenly occurred to me; Wasn’t I seemingly not breathing when I was engulfed in that substance earlier? 

Despite the multitude of thoughts repeatedly swirling in my mind, only a few minutes had elapsed in real time. I could only hear a powerful shout echoing in the distance before a sharp and swift object cut through the air with a resounding “whoosh”. I hastily opened my eyes, and after a flash of white light, the sight of a colossal fireball that seemed to darken the entire sky filled my vision.

Drats! 

There was hardly any time for me to feel surprised. I instinctively closed my eyes and swiftly raised my right hand to shield myself.

‘Whoosh—’ 

Ah—! It hurts!

A series of deafening explosions echoed in my ears, accompanied by an excruciating burning sensation that surged through my body. This caused me to jerk my head upwards and let out a loud roar.

“Roar—” The sound that emanated out of me was a suave and drawn-out roar, an unfamiliar sound that I couldn’t fathom producing myself. Like an ancient melody playing under the moonlight, it actually felt somewhat pleasant to my ears. However, it was evident that such a sound was beyond the capabilities of a human.

There was no time for me to delve into deeper thoughts as panic consumed me with the knowledge that I was about to be burnt to death. Hastily, I opened my eyes, only to find myself not being consumed by the fierce inferno, a sight which I had not expected. This made me heave a light sigh of relief.

Even though I had narrowly avoided the fate of being burnt to death, the scene unfolding before me failed to provide any sense of security. Instead of the inferno I had imagined, a pitch-black fog, seemingly emanating from the depths of hell, now surrounded my body. It pulsed and undulated like a raging flame, exuding an ominous aura. Within the smoke, greenish-blue objects occasionally materialized. 

—That was my arm.