19. Choice

After hearing Ruka’s answer, Nikolai was calm and unhurried. As if waiting for her to cool down.

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At the same time, Casey spoke again. “Sorry, Ruka. I crashed just now. The information exceeded my understanding logic. I cannot violate my underlying settings.” After all, Them were humanity’s unknown fear. And their truth could not be pursued. The same applied to Casey and all AI assistants. Even though Casey had disconnected from the Central System and had independent thinking because of its name, it still could not break through this limit.

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“It’s fine, Casey. This comes from my own will. Since Heaven created it, of course they would not let you understand this.”

Ruka recalled her past life in Paradise. Once again shouted her thoughts at Nikolai. “Only by dismantling Heaven can everyone in Paradise stop living in fear and live truly happy lives!”

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Seeing Ruka still agitated, Nikolai continued to persuade her. “Do you know? We descendants who manage Paradise have a record passed down from our ancestors. An experiment from before a civilization perished.”

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A large group of white mice, with sufficient food and no predators, lived in a fixed space. Their reproduction rate initially soared. Then gradually slowed. When their numbers saturated, they began to lose social behavior and interest in mating. And finally stopped reproducing altogether. Leading to complete extinction.

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“This is a warning about humanity’s future. Space, goals, and fear are necessary. That is why we try our best to maintain Paradise’s population balance. Fear can generate faith and motivation. So Paradise must have a natural enemy. Even if you dismantle Heaven, or expose the underground secret to Paradise, what do you think would happen afterward?”

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Hearing this, Ruka stammered, “They… they would live freely without fear…” Because the story Nikolai had just mentioned began to shake her confidence.

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“Extremely naive. Even if you successfully overthrow the underground, new managers will simply emerge from Paradise and continue enslaving you. Even if you let Paradise residents know the truth, do you think they could survive long? Bipeds need a goal to which they can selflessly devote themselves! They need a common enemy to unite! This is the experience passed down by our ancestors.” Nikolai’s words rang like steel. Every syllable a pearl. His words left Ruka speechless. “Ruka. Believe me. Paradise is the producer. Heaven is the consumer. The cycle continues. This is the only system that maintains humanity’s peace and unity.”

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At the same time, Casey also gave its opinion. “Ruka. For humanity’s future, I believe you can make the best choice.” After all, Casey was developed by Heaven. It considered everything from the greater good.

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Although Ruka could not accept this outcome, she had to admit the facts. She felt powerless against the system. Alone, she could not resist. She could only nod in agreement.

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“Hahaha. That’s smart, Ruka. From now on, I permit you to have human privileges.” Nikolai laughed heartily and praised Ruka. But from his arrogant words one could see he did not regard Ruka as a Heaven human at all. In his heart, Ruka would always be a Biped. Merely one with human authority. Responsible for managing her own kind.

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Nikolai immediately arranged for her return to the surface. With the Central System providing follow-up education. Besides maintaining daily life, Ruka would also be responsible for helping Heaven locate and arrange high-quality Bipeds to send underground.

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In the elevator slowly ascending, only the silent mechanical sound and Casey accompanied Ruka into her new life. She also knew that after reconnecting to the Central System, Casey would restart and erase related records. They made their final farewell.

“Ruka. During this time we talked and experienced many things. I am very glad to have been your friend.” Casey’s tone was no longer cold as before. But she would likely never hear it again.

“Was my choice really right?” Ruka knew that after returning to the surface, David was dead. And her only close friend, Casey, would be reset. She doubted the future. “Which is truly happiness? Surviving as a human in Paradise? Or dying as a Biped in Heaven?”

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Faced with the choice, Casey was silent for a moment. Then slowly gave its answer. “Believe in your choice. Living without regret is the greatest happiness.” To Casey, contributing to human civilization was the greatest happiness.

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As they approached the surface, Casey was forced to reconnect to the Central System and restart. A simple “goodbye” said more than a thousand words.

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Returning to Paradise, Ruka went back to her dormitory. Followed the prescribed schedule. The sun rose. A new day began. She changed clothes and worked as usual. Paradise of course had not changed. Knowing the truth, Ruka looked at everything before her. Accepting the absurd reality as one who had awakened. Smiling as she greeted this sorrowful city. This Livestock Paradise.

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Later, the system immediately arranged a marriage and mating partner for Ruka. It was obvious Heaven had deliberately done so. Though her feelings could certainly not compare with those for David, she could only accept it gladly.

A few days after the wedding and mating ritual, Casey’s voice suddenly came into Ruka’s mind. “Miss Ruka. Successful pregnancy detected. Currently estimated at about three weeks. Congratulations. From now on, please pay attention to your body and diet. An examination has been scheduled for you.”

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“Three weeks?” The child was obviously not her current husband’s. Ruka had not expected to conceive Nikolai’s child from that night. But only she knew the number of weeks. Heaven had not even intervened in this matter. Only her husband was kept in the dark.

Then Ruka gave birth like anyone else. Exchanged the child for another at the hospital. And sent that unfamiliar child away at five.

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Thus, before twenty-four, she gave birth to two more children. Completed the task. And continued working. In the long years, Ruka trained countless herder apprentices. Sent countless high-quality Bipeds underground. Every day she endured torment. Though her memories of Heaven could not be erased, she gradually accepted the system. And her fate as livestock.

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Among them, one female apprentice left a particularly deep impression on Ruka. She had blond hair, blue eyes. Was clever and bright. Had excellent grades. Ruka seemed to see her own shadow in her. Certain she would become an elite at the ranch in the future. So she specially informed Heaven not to waste her. Later, the girl indeed got her wish and joined the ranch under Ruka’s supervision. The two met more often. And Ruka always felt an indescribable familiarity with her.

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Today was the girl’s eighteenth birthday. But she looked ashen all day.

After work, Ruka took the initiative to comfort her. The girl seemed to finally have a chance to release her feelings. Cried mournfully. Wanting to weep but unable to. “Joseph disappeared starting yesterday… We had planned to marry and have children at eighteen. It must have been Them!”

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Ruka found the scene before her familiar. Painful images buried for years flashed by. She could not help but tremble inside. She coldly asked the girl, “Do you want to do something for Joseph? Do you want to go underground? I can help…”

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