Tokyo: My Superpower Refreshes Every Week-Chapter 410 - 408 The Chain Reaction Caused by Changing Fate_1
The information age provides people with a massive amount of data. However, this sheer volume can overwhelm their ability to discern truth from falsehood. Especially since many are solely chasing online traffic, all sorts of rumors and sensational topics can be disseminated. When receiving information, many people cannot be sure whether what they receive is true or false. As a result, the attitude most people adopt is that if they want to believe certain information, it is deemed true and freely spread within their circles. This makes it increasingly difficult to differentiate truth from lies in the messages being spread.
For example, building bridges and paving roads is considered a great act of charity. Most people do not care about the truth; they just want to vent all their frustrations at once. The official clarifications that come afterward about the actual situation—that it was a case of road monopolization—are irrelevant. They attract no traffic, and it’s impressive if the comments section even exceeds a hundred entries.
Fox’s street interviews were gimmicky enough to quickly rise to the top of trending searches. A Cerberus, an African-American man bestowed with Divine Power, saves a white mother and daughter, transforming from "garbage" to abandoning evil and choosing good. The image of the Lord is that of a white person. Any one of these elements alone would garner some traffic; combined, they caused traffic to explode.
However, the focus of American netizens wasn’t on the Cerberus. In their eyes, with today’s technology, creating a fake video like that was far too simple. Those willing to believe would choose to believe in the Cerberus’s existence. Those unwilling to believe would see it merely as a prank by the production team to chase traffic; it wouldn’t be the first time Fox had spread false information.
The discussion of this incident mainly revolved around the black versus white controversy. Why should God be white? This statement, particularly coming from an African-American man, was provocative. It inevitably led many African-Americans to feel it was a naked betrayal, one that must be underpinned by dirty money transactions and discrimination.
White people were equally angry. There was no issue with God being white, but why would a white God grant Divine Power to an African-American instead of them? Even in movies, if God was portrayed by an African-American, Divine Power would still be bestowed upon a white male protagonist. Did this mean a white God doesn’t empower white people?
Suddenly, both sides furiously attacked Fox, the opposing faction, and even silent bystanders online. If support is not absolute, then it is absolute non-support.
Amidst this online war, the FBI also took notice of the case. They resolved it with record speed and delivered the file to Nett’s desk. The old man was agonizing over how to suppress his own issues to the greatest extent possible. Admitting to the world the existence of Monsters from a Different World, or being diagnosed as senile—neither was a good look. Faced with two evils, which was the lesser? His staff and campaign team were incessantly discussing it.
The FBI handed over the report, which Nett accepted. It contained information on David and the forensic autopsy results for the Cerberus. He ignored the arguing staff and carefully examined the Cerberus’s autopsy results. Its anatomy was unlike any known creature; its three heads were genuinely, naturally formed, without any trace of technological grafting. Computer simulations of its musculature indicated the Cerberus possessed enough strength to kill an elephant. Furthermore, the mysterious saliva secreted from its mouth was highly corrosive, almost like strong acid; one bite could melt flesh and blood.
These features were enough to prove that the Cerberus was a low-level Monster. Why would such a low-level Monster appear on the streets of New York City? Nett couldn’t comprehend it, but he knew clearly which path he had to choose. As time went on and more Monsters arrived from the Different World, he knew he could no longer hide the truth. It was better to disclose it proactively. To protect his secret of occasionally being mentally unfocused, he had to sacrifice a pawn to save the king.
Nett spoke, "Quiet. Fire Karin immediately. Afterward, arrange a position for her at Citibank." His words instantaneously silenced the room; everyone quieted down to listen. "Hasn’t the public always suspected we have a deep state, right?
"Then let’s say Karin is a controller within the deep state. She attempted to conceal information about the Different World and Monsters.
"But I, prioritizing the safety of the American people, resisted pressure from the deep state and insisted on disclosing matters related to the Different World and Monsters to the public."
After speaking so much in one breath, Nett felt his thoughts growing clearer. "Let the Cerberus be our exhibit, proving that Monsters truly exist. As for David, he claims to have met the Lord, and he’s African-American. Arrange for him to meet me on Air Force One and disseminate this news. Inform the current Mayor of New York that he is to resign voluntarily and cede the mayoral position to David. After my reelection, I will fully support him as the next President. Upon his resignation, he can take charge of the Noah’s Ark project."
The words Nett spoke left the aides in the room deep in thought, exchanging glances. They felt that such a move could indeed enhance Nett’s image to some degree. In the face of the Monster crisis from the Different World, the American people preferred political stability. Even a dim-witted individual had been reelected using such methods before.
"Mr. President, you are right. I’ll start arranging everything now," one of the staff responded.
This statement received no response. Those present were accustomed to Nett’s behavior; he was like a buggy program that occasionally froze, but it didn’t matter. As long as the program could continue to run, no one wanted to try fixing the BUG. The press conference could be handled by The White House spokesperson, who would attend and provide explanations on Nett’s behalf. As for the conversation with the Mayor of New York, there was no need for concern. They were all on the same side. Provided the incentives were sufficient, the Mayor of New York could be persuaded to resign. Then, insiders would be mobilized to ensure David, through democratic elections, would overwhelmingly defeat his opponents in the first round and become the new mayor. Others would handle these matters; Nett just had to wait for news.
「...」
Aozawa discovered that the ability of Fate Weaving was incredibly powerful. Simply because he had written that short plotline—David saving the white mother and daughter from the Cerberus’s jaws—the Book of Destiny had materialized a Cerberus out of nothing. It wasn’t a piecemeal Cerberus like those associated with Moonlight Moria. Aozawa examined its skin closely; there were no signs of stitching or patchwork. It was a genuine Cerberus. Even its mouth contained a corrosive liquid like sulfuric acid. Aozawa hadn’t written this detail; he had merely written "Cerberus" without specifying its appearance or abilities.
Furthermore, David was set to become the Mayor of New York in seven days. This indicated that the Book of Destiny could not distort certain established rules. For instance, if David wanted to become the Mayor of New York City, there was a specific procedure involved. The Book of Destiny could accelerate this process but couldn’t bypass it entirely. However, this applied to rules made by humans. The Book of Destiny could easily violate the laws of nature. In a place where earthquakes didn’t occur, he could create one at any time. Similarly, just as it had created the Cerberus, it could also bring into existence creatures that didn’t belong to this world.
What puzzled Aozawa was whether the text recorded in the Book of Destiny would still execute correctly after the next week. The Book of Destiny now recorded the fates of two individuals. On the same page, the destinies of the Avenger and David were both written. Aozawa wasn’t sure of the Avenger’s real name; he had chosen to use the title Avenger when writing about Codis Dupont’s death. It was unclear to him: did the Avenger appear only because he wrote about them? Or had such a person always existed, with his written fate merely giving them an indirect push?
If the Avenger only came into being because of his writing, it would mean the Book of Destiny could influence human history.
A past that never existed could be brought into being through his script.
This wasn’t impossible. If the Book of Destiny could create a Cerberus from nothing, it might very well be able to fabricate a genuine past.
This question merely flashed through his mind before Aozawa quickly dismissed it. Why should a thrill-seeker like him dwell on such matters?
He decided to orchestrate some shorter, amusing events. After some thought, he decided to return to Tokyo and find Emily. Unlike Ayatsuki and the others, Emily was the kind of "little potato" Aozawa knew who wouldn’t be psychologically burdened by his pranks.
「...」
Shinjuku, Kabukicho Ichi-chome.
The increasingly intense sunlight made the street appear dull, lacking the vibrant splendor of the night. Upstairs at the Big Fat Sheep Bar, Emily wore fluffy pajamas with bunny ears wobbling on her head. The seventeen-degree air conditioning allowed her to maintain this attire while feeling quite cool. She wore no stockings; her bare little feet were tucked beneath her.
Sitting cross-legged, Emily was scrolling through short videos of Nett’s speech, primarily focusing on the comment sections. It had to be said, the netizens in those comment sections were remarkably witty. The debates about whether Monsters existed or if Nett was senile never ceased. Then, discussion turned to Fox’s street interview.
A thoughtful expression appeared on Emily’s small face. Blonde hair, white... these characteristics fit Dio. But full of benevolence? Emily tried to picture Dio’s expression; no matter how she imagined it, she could only associate him with qualities that were either enchanting or dangerous. If Dio were to put on a benevolent expression... Emily imagined it for a moment and immediately burst out laughing. "HAHA, it definitely couldn’t be that guy!"
After she finished laughing, she shouted, "Katerina, is the black tea ready yet?"
"Coming." Katerina came over with the black tea, placing it on the table.
Emily reached for the teacup. As she lifted it to take a sip, the handle suddenly snapped, and the entire cup of black tea spilled onto her.
"WAH!" Emily cried out, jumping to her feet on the sofa, and said indignantly, "Darn it! The quality of this teacup is awful! Did the shop rip you off?"
"I don’t think so. My cup is fine," Katerina responded. "Maybe you just have bad luck."
Emily shot her a look. "What nonsense are you talking about? It must be the cup’s poor quality! Darn it, I need to change and go out to buy a new set of teacups."
"Alright, alright." Katerina didn’t argue with her; a stroll outside wouldn’t be so bad either.
