I am Humanity's Last Hope?

"We meet again, my most adorable son."

Adam's eyes opened slowly, his vision initially blurred by the dense fog that enveloped his mind.

Gradually, he reconnected with his senses, and soon realized he was once again in the Kingdom of Pandora, a peculiar dimension situated between the boundary of Life and Immortality.

Adam's mind was still hazy, but his sense of smell caught something. An intoxicating floral aroma filled the air around him, a sweet and deep fragrance, reminiscent of freshly opened roses, but with something more. There was a subtle hint of lilac perfume, like an echo of something magical and mystical, which seemed to emanate from Pandora, from her ethereal and divine presence.

As his senses returned, Adam realized the back of his head was resting comfortably and softly on something soft and firm, with the sensation of two delicate and perfect thighs as welcoming pillows. The warmth of Pandora's body was there, conveying a sense of comfort, despite the strange environment that surrounded them.

"It's the lap pillow again," Adam thought with a touch of inattention, his mind wandering briefly, trying to understand what was happening. It was the third time he had killed a Heretic God, but this was the second time he found himself in this place, on the threshold of reality. The first time, he had awakened after a long time, feeling disoriented and weak, but now, the process had been faster. His mind was still recovering, but there was something new and urgent in his thoughts.

When he finally opened his eyes completely, his gaze fixed on her. Pandora. The goddess who had brought him back to life. Her slender and youthful appearance made her look like a girl of only twelve or thirteen years old, but her blue eyes shone with a wisdom that contradicted her innocent appearance. Her purple hair was vibrant, seeming almost to glow under its own light, and her pointed ears betrayed her divine nature. Her smile, though sweet and delicate, had something seductive about it, a strange mixture of vulnerability and cunning.

Adam didn't know if he should describe her as a young adolescent or something more enigmatic. Pandora emanated an almost ineffable energy, and at the same time, her innocent appearance contrasted with the cunning and wisdom of an adult woman.

Adam's gaze inevitably fell to Pandora's thin, red lips. The memory of the bitter and sweet taste of her kisses flashed through his mind, and a wave of anxiety enveloped him. Will she take revenge on me for this? Won't she perform the ritual again? Doubt consumed his emotions, but he knew that, somehow, Pandora liked him – or at least that's what he wanted to believe.

Pandora seemed to notice his unease and, with a sweet voice, yet laden with a possessive and maternal tone, spoke:

"Oh, you are eager for Mommy's kiss, aren't you? What a naughty boy."

"Truly an insatiable child, it isn't impossible to receive your mother's reward… but you are strange, my newest son."

Pandora's red lips parted slightly, and she said with a smile, her voice immature yet seductive.

There was a look of curiosity as she gazed into Adam's emerald eyes.

"It's amazing you retain the memory of this place even after leaving the ritual."

Adam's heart shuddered. Unexpectedly, Pandora had discovered this.

Adam was incredibly nervous inside, but his face betrayed nothing, as if he didn't understand her "strangeness."

It was possible Pandora was testing him.

As Adam thought about this, Pandora touched his lips with her fingers, with a delicacy that seemed characteristic of a mother, and continued, her tone now slightly confused, but with an undercurrent of genuine affection.

"....The only ones who can retain their memories from here are the 'Enlightened' among humans."

"But such a person is absolutely impossible to become a Campione. For they cannot embrace madness, as my little Adam did."

Pandora seemed to consider herself absolutely Adam's mother, even calling him a pet name.

The fingers that touched his lips fell onto Adam's forehead and circled there, as if wishing to probe his brain.

She placed her other hand on his cheek and said in a voice full of maternal love:

"...Well, these matters aren't important. It's a good thing you can keep your memories of this place, little Adam. Then I can inform you about one thing."

Adam didn't resist Pandora treating him like a son. His parents from his past life had passed away long ago, and he had no parents in this new world.

The only thing that left Adam confused was the Goddess who created the Campiones, whether she was truly naive or acting.

This woman was someone Adam couldn't decipher.

"What do you mean, Pand-"

"Mommy!"

Pandora seemed very interested in this mother and son game, and said in a dissatisfied voice as she lightly pinched Adam's nose.

At the same time, she adjusted her position to make Adam more comfortable in her lap.

"Well, Mother."

To some extent, Pandora is indeed his own mother, who gave him a new, strong, and powerful life, so he has no problem calling her mother.

"Hehe ~ My little Adam is indeed a smart and obedient boy."

Pandora gave a happy giggle, and then Adam was 'rewarded' by her.

Pandora lowered her head and gave a light kiss on Adam's forehead, then her face suddenly became serious.

"Mommy really likes you, this cute little child!"

"My dear son, Mommy doesn't want you to be in danger. So, she's going to tell you some important things about the Heretic Gods, so you can prepare in advance."

"Listen carefully, what I want to talk about is the source of the Gods and their specific nature."

"In ancient times, ancient society was based on the principle of matriarchal society. At that time, in the matrilineal descent system, it was considered that an individual belonged to the same descent group as their mother."

"At that time, women were the main ones in the leadership of humanity, as they had the ability to reproduce. Which made the status of women higher than that of men."

"At that time, when humans were fighting for survival, reproduction was necessary to replenish new blood in the tribes, so women were the rulers."

"Because of this, the Gods born of faith were mostly women, and those who possessed high status were all Goddesses."

Adam didn't speak, just listening to Pandora's words. Lying on the cozy thighs of his mother, who looked like a thirteen-year-old loli.

He felt comfortable listening to the 'Bedtime Story,' with a soft pillow beneath his head.

"With the development of human civilization, humans learned to make tools to aid them in their battles."

"Especially when the use of metal was discovered by human civilization, it marked the condemnation of the goddesses."

"With the discovery of smelting, humans began to smelt metals for their uses, humanity had Steel weapons, the threat of beasts was reduced, survival became easier."

"Men have an advantage in physical strength and fighting ability. In order to survive and develop, humanity adapted, matriarchal society gradually became patriarchal society."

"...In the Realm of Immortality, the place where the Gods who did not rebel against their myths reside, the status of the Goddesses began to decline."

"The status of male gods increased. The Goddesses who were at the top of mythology gradually became wives, daughters, and priestesses of male gods."

"Among them, the most miserable were the Goddesses who degenerated as monsters; dragons and serpents."

"And why? Because in the fight between the two groups, both blasphemed each other's faith, Goddesses became evil snakes and dragons, and Gods became demons and evil beasts."

"Unfortunately, the matriarchal society was the one that lost, the Goddesses became the evil dragons and snakes killed and conquered by the male gods in human myths."

"When a Goddess was assimilated into a new area or religion, she would be transformed into a monster, which would be killed, and her Priestess would marry the priest of the male God to make her subordinate to the ruling Gods."

"Little Adam, you must have heard of many myths where Gods kill evil snakes and dragons that terrorized the common people."

"Marduk killed Tiamat; Susanoo killed Yamata no Orochi; Perseus killed Medusa; Indra killed Vitra; Thor killed Jormungandr; Siegfried killed Fafnir and even Seth killed Apophis."

"These myths symbolized the dominance of male power. With 'Steel' in their hands, the heroes defeated and suppressed the noble Goddesses of the past, becoming the [Heroes of Steel]."

"The Gods are generally divided into three categories."

"Earth Gods, they embody nature like the sky, sea, land, Underworld, darkness, the cycle of life, death, rebirths, and the dragons."

"Steel Gods, those who embody the concept of the sword, their myths contain veiled references to sword forging."

"And finally, the Sun Gods, who are Gods of Light."

Pandora's fingertips gently caressed Adam's cheeks, with all the affection of a mother, showing concern for her son.

The sadness and worry on her face became more and more intense.

"I created the [Circle of Usurpation] ritual that could give rise to the Campiones, humans capable of fighting against the Gods."

"However, the Gods would not let the Devil Kings be so presumptuous."

"So, under the arrangement of Fate, the 'King who Manifests at the End of the World' was chosen. The 'King who Manifests at the End of the World' is the title given to the Hero who took on the Fate of exterminating the GodSlayers."

"The 'Fate' responsible for electing the God bearer of the Divine Sword of Salvation selected the Strongest Steel."

"...He is the [King of the End] and the [Strongest Steel], the enemy of all dragons and snakes and Devil Kings."

"Whenever the number of Campiones increases to a certain number, the [King of the End] must awaken, and he will absorb the essence of the [Earth Mother Goddesses], by which the [King of the End] can elevate himself as a Sword God to become the strongest blade."

"The [Strongest Steel] has great power to destroy all Devil Kings. Many Campiones were born in these thousands of years, but none of the ancient Campiones survived."

"They were all annihilated by the [King of the End]!"

"In today's era, there are already Six Campiones, more than in any previous era, and I suspect the number will increase. The awakening of the [King of the End] is inevitable."

"My little Adam, soon you will have to face the [Strongest Steel]."

"Even if it's me, there's no way to help you. All I can do is wave the flag and cheer you on from behind the curtains."

"You must be careful of 'The One Who Manifests at the End of the World'. Although I know being careful has no effect, I had to convey this."

Pandora looked like she was looking at her son who was about to suffer a horrible fate, the tone of her voice was extremely miserable.

At this moment, Adam was thinking about Pandora's myths and legends. Perhaps Pandora was also an [Earth Mother Goddess], one that symbolized dragons and snakes.

She hated the Heroes of Steel, perhaps even hated all the Gods. And so she created the existence on par with them, the Campiones.

"Why do you care so much about my well-being?"

Adam blatantly asked the question that bothered him, Pandora seemed very worried about him.

"Because you are my son."

Pandora said with a maternal tone.

"You have many children, there are five other Campiones in this era, and in the past millennia there must have been dozens of them, right?"

"That's different. A child who is smart, cute, obedient, and not clumsy like you is a first for a mother."

"Let's close our eyes and leave the rest to your dear mother. What I said must be kept in your mind. Since you listened so attentively, Mommy must reward you."

Pandora spoke softly and full of maternal love, then embraced Adam's head and lowered hers.

Her lips moved towards his.

The ritual of Usurpation of a God was beginning!

...

..

.

Adam awoke lying on the rough, charred ground of the destroyed forest, the soft morning light filtering through the lingering smoke that hung in the air. He blinked slowly, trying to clear his blurred vision while feeling the weight of the previous battle still on his body, though he felt even stronger, he could feel the usurped power of Baldur flowing through him.

He had managed to gain a single authority, but its power compensated for the lack of quantity.

He rose with difficulty, each movement a reminder of the exhaustion that still lingered in his muscles. He imagined he would be in this state for a while due to the use of his strongest authority. Breathing deeply, the morning air was fresh, but laden with the smell of burning and destruction. He took a few stumbling steps, observing the remains of the forest around him.

Trees once robust and imposing were now reduced to piles of charred wood and ash. The ground was covered in debris, and the few remaining animals had fled, leaving the place deserted and silent.

Sensing something connected to magic, he walked on.

He headed towards the mansion that had once been hidden in the heart of the forest, now nothing more than a smoldering ruin. The walls, once raised with majesty, were crumbled, and the roof had caved in, exposing the interior to the open sky. What remained of the mansion seemed to cry out in silent agony, a silent testament to the chaos Baldur had brought.

Adam walked among the debris, his footsteps echoing in the desolate quiet. Each fragment of stone, each piece of burnt wood, told the story of a place that had been a haven of knowledge and power, now destroyed by a god who had come seeking something specific. As he explored the remains of the structure, the events of the battle returned to his mind, the intensity of the fight against Baldur and the overwhelming sensation of using his authorities to their limit.

Something caught his attention as he walked through the rubble. A faint, almost imperceptible glow emanated from beneath a pile of debris. Carefully, he removed the debris, revealing an ancient book, its leather covers worn but still intact. The pages, filled with runes and symbols, glowed faintly with an arcane energy. It was a grimoire, but not just any grimoire. On the cover was a small signature of a Norse God.

"Loki," Adam murmured, the name escaping his lips like a whisper laden with meaning. He immediately understood why Baldur had descended to this part of the world. The grimoire was connected to Loki, the trickster god, the betrayer.

Holding the grimoire in his hands, he felt a surge of energy course through his body, as if the book recognized his presence.

With the grimoire in hand, Adam walked away from the destroyed mansion, his thoughts revolving around the battle he had just faced and what it meant. Baldur hadn't come down to this place by chance. The Heretic God had been drawn by the presence of the grimoire, perhaps seeking to destroy or take the power it contained — he understood his reason for descending to the mortal world now....

He paused for a moment, looking at the horizon where the sun was beginning to rise, its light bathing the destroyed land in a soft glow. His vibrant green eyes reflected the sky, and he felt a new determination grow within him. Though he was exhausted, though his body cried out for rest, he knew he couldn't allow himself to stop.

He could feel something stirring within himself as he gazed at the horizon.

It wasn't good.

His sense of smell picked it up, his body tensed, his pupils dilated. His entire body entered a hypersensitive state, he felt it — there was a Heretic God nearby.