The First Story: The Steel Earth, a Star Turned Dead!

Luo Shu opened his computer.

He created a new folder.

But as he prepared to start typing, his delicate hand froze in mid-air.

Luo Shu suddenly realized he seemed unable to write an original story about the apocalypse.

He had forgotten even the well-known apocalyptic novels from his past life.

After a moment of silence, he acknowledged that he wasn't a creative genius and decided to cheat a bit.

He materialized the NTZ-48 pill and reduced its side effects.

This substance, originating from the movie Limitless, was a super stimulant.

It could unlock potential in the brain, stimulating the nerve endings within thirty seconds.

Using NTZ-48 not only allowed for photographic memory, enhanced language skills, boundless energy, and clear thinking, but also enabled the quick reorganization and synthesis of details and information that one might usually overlook.

In simple terms, it turned drug use into divine inspiration, transforming a nobody into a genius in art, science, language, combat, and literature.

To summon it, Luo Shu spent 7.4 Divine Authority Crystals, his heart aching at the cost.

"Void, this stuff is safe, right?"

"Buzzing... (No problem)!"

Watching the silver ripples quiver on the left side of his vision, Luo Shu smiled with reassurance.

Then he looked down at the blue pill in his palm, his gaze resolute.

"Gulp—."

The NTZ-48 was swallowed calmly by Luo Shu; the pill dissolved instantly in his throat, releasing a refreshing sensation.

"Boom... boom..."

This feeling...

Each heartbeat thundered like a storm, overflowing with vibrant energy.

Luo Shu gasped, his eyes wide in shock as he sensed the changes in his body; his metabolism had accelerated a thousandfold.

It felt as if he had shattered the invisible shackles binding him, and the world around him brightened.

Not only were his senses heightened, but his brain's processing speed had also increased a hundredfold.

He felt like a supercomputer; concepts like calculus and geometry were mere child's play for him now, any data easily processed by his enhanced mind.

Luo Shu was astonished at how terrifyingly calm he felt.

More so than in a sage mode, his mind was like still water, undisturbed.

Achieving such tranquility as a naturally desiring being was immensely difficult; for most, absolute calm is merely a metaphor. Few can ever truly reach complete serenity...

Yes, to be completely calm is nearly impossible.

Yet he had accomplished it, as effortless as breathing, ingrained in his very being.

Just as a newborn instinctively knows to nurse, this absolute calm was now part of him.

Luo Shu quickly sat down at the computer, his gaze steady.

After considerable thought, he decided to write a localized short story titled "The Steel Earth," enhancing the reader's sense of immersion.

The Steel Earth, as the name suggests, refers to a land as hard as steel, metaphorically depicting a desolate world, colorless and lifeless due to humanity's relentless consumption and exploitation, leading the Earth toward death.

Food could no longer be grown; the atmosphere was no longer suitable for animal life.

Most of the land was cracked wasteland, with a sky shrouded in gray and murky clouds.

The Earth was nearing its end, becoming a dying planet.

This story, set against an apocalyptic backdrop, was more grounded than many other end-of-the-world narratives.

Existing doomsday theories often stem from Christian beliefs about the "Great Flood," or "comet impact theories," and even "zombie apocalypse theories"...

Given that billions of people worldwide adhere to Christianity, the flood narrative holds significant market appeal.

This also connects to genetics; ancient peoples lived near rivers, bearing deep memories of floods destroying everything. Every culture has its own tales of world-ending disasters, a fear that has persisted into modern times.

However, popular apocalyptic theories often seem overly dramatic.

Thus, Luo Shu decided to craft a more compelling apocalypse, one that would send chills down readers' spines, making them worry about its potential reality.

At the same time, he wanted to write "The Steel Earth" because he cherished this grand work of humanity.

The world has died?

No worries, humanity can endure!

Did the world find our existence unbearable and wish to eliminate us?

No problem; we'll fight back—humans have cut down even the strongest foes!

Even if this survival relies on "species modification," it's enough to fill people with pride, the indomitable spirit shining bright like gold, illuminating the long night ahead!

Especially the concept of the "Slayer Emperor," who protects humanity, leading to the world's downfall—this is the attitude humanity should have toward the world.

There's never been a savior; we don't rely on gods!

To create human happiness, we must dig it out with our own hands!

Luo Shu took a deep breath.

He opened Twitter, registered an account under a pseudonym, "Merlin," and concealed his identity using the Divine Authority Crystals.

He clicked in.

Writing section.

Gender: Confidential

Age: Confidential

Occupation: Confidential.

Hometown: Confidential.

Luo Shu slowly closed his eyes, as countless sparks of inspiration exploded in his mind, ultimately weaving together a masterpiece from the fabric of memory.

Accompanied by the rhythmic tapping of keys, lines of dark text began to appear on the screen.

The Final Fate of Humanity: Part One – The Steel Earth.

Chapter One.

Scene One – The Death of Gaia.

On that day, the auroras shone brilliantly.

On that day, the apocalypse arrived.

Profound despair, suffocating sorrow—at the brink of resource depletion, where does humanity turn?

Before him lay a modern city, vibrant and bustling, with laughter and chatter filling the air.

It seemed a picture of harmony.

Yet beneath this polished surface, humanity had burned away its own future.

Moments later, the azure sky twisted into a dark vortex.

In 2012, a magical ritual was performed, extracting vast amounts of magical energy from the atmosphere, causing the Earth to be drained of its essence, leading to its obliteration and the extinction of all life upon it.

The consciousness of Earth, Gaia, accepted her fate with calm resignation, knowing she had been slain by her own children.

Having given birth to them, she was now to perish alongside humanity. Gaia saw this as just, accepting her fate without regret.

The Earth, born from silence, must return to silence—this is the inevitable conclusion.

Luo Shu narrated the story, a profound sense of ancient sorrow washing over him.

Yet as he gazed at the words on the screen, a frown creased his brow; something felt lacking.

Suddenly, enlightenment struck him. Drawing upon his extraordinary artistic and musical skills, he swiftly absorbed the knowledge flooding his mind, fueled by the effects of NTZ-48.

Then, Luo Shu began to craft the illustrations that satisfied his vision, his right hand moving with the agility of an octopus across the mousepad. Simple lines quickly filled the screen, followed by vivid colors...

Before long, a dynamic image sprang to life, the oppressive atmosphere amplified to its zenith.

It felt not like fiction but rather a captured moment from a real world.

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