In reality, by the time Kevin awoke from his prolonged state of unconsciousness, the scene that greeted his eyes was akin to the icy hell described in myths.
Countless monsters of bizarre shapes roamed the frozen plains. From time to time, one could even see humanoid ice sculptures that were clearly frozen alive. If this wasn't hell, then what place could be more fitting?
Although his last conscious thought had been the moment he completely entrusted the [Power of Finality] to future generations, Kevin had not been entirely without thoughts about what kind of scene he would face after death.
Would it be pure consciousness returning to nothingness? Or did a world for souls after death truly exist... However, he was not at all surprised by the possibility that he might descend into hell.
If saving one person, or one group, requires goodness, then saving a civilization, saving the world, requires pure rationality.
Just like the trolley problem, the choice for "saving the world" inevitably involves sacrificing the smaller number, rather than believing in miracles, because miracles precisely come at the gamble of sacrificing even more people.
Fortunately, all the sin needed to be borne by him alone. But this was "saving the world." "Saving the world leaves no other choice."
The only pity was that the trivial, naive, and laughable wish of reuniting with his companions after death could not be realized.
After all, his companions would rightfully be in a more beautiful scene elsewhere, wouldn't they?
Having sorted everything out with this line of thinking, Kevin closed his eyes and stood still on the spot, attempting to enjoy this rare—or perhaps permanent—peace... After all, this frost, fatal to ordinary people, had little effect on his body, which had undergone countless modifications.
He couldn't imagine why his body was almost identical to how it was before his death, and he couldn't be bothered to think about it.
But this peace did not last long. Suddenly, voices in conversation and shouts reached his senses... They were human voices, simultaneously shattering his conjecture that this place was so-called hell.
After observing for a short while, Kevin chose to intervene and save these people. Then, as a matter of course, he followed them on their journey back to Belobog.
According to their account, seven hundred years ago, this planet was turned into an icy wasteland due to an invasion by the Antimatter Legion. Belobog was a sanctuary built long ago by the Architects as a precaution.
However, compared to this verbally obtained information, what actually gave Kevin the most clues was the girl herself, who was strikingly similar to the Herrscher of Reason.
Kevin was absolutely certain they were not the same person. This place also couldn't be something like a parallel world or a bubble universe. So, was this actually another world beyond the constraints of the Cocoon of Finality, at an immeasurable distance away...?
Indeed, he hadn't detected any Honkai Energy in this world. Instead, he could faintly sense a special energy that seemed to come from another dimension... It was just a pity he wasn't a specialized scholar like Su or Mei, and he currently had no leisure to study such things.
With just a moment's observation, Kevin had figured out many key points. He simply always had his own stubbornness and opinions; he wasn't some rigid blockhead.
But the girl who had been under his gaze might not necessarily think the same way.
"Hmm... Ah..."
Strangely enough, such an affected posture was quite rare for the girl. Ever since stepping onto the battlefield, even when facing her own mother, she spoke her mind directly and seldom felt this kind of peculiar awkwardness.
But she was ultimately a battle-hardened warrior. After taking a light breath, the girl finally spoke formally to Kevin: "Allow me to formally introduce myself. I am Bronya Rand, heir to Belobog's 'Supreme Guardian' and acting commander of the Silvermane Guards."
"Although your actions just now demonstrated ample goodwill... over all these years, we have never seen anyone emerge from the ice and snow. Other cities that once watched over each other on the frozen plains have long since fallen silent."
"Before we fully reach Belobog, I need to clarify your stance."
These words might not be very friendly. But if it weren't for the fact that the other party likely possessed the strength to easily take down all of them, Bronya's gun would almost be poking his nose.
Essentially, he had just saved them, but that couldn't be her reason for letting things slide. Precisely because he possessed extraordinary strength, she needed to be even stricter.
This approach was straightforward and a bit foolish, but also... not bad?
At least that's what Kevin thought.
And about himself...
"Kevin Kaslana," he stated calmly and evenly.
His original mission had ended. Human civilization would naturally be written by humans themselves from now on. And in this world so distant that direction couldn't be seen and distance couldn't be counted, he suddenly wanted to shoulder this surname that carried so much weight again.
Although strictly speaking, he was the origin... but this was also proof that he and they had existed.
"As for the reason... probably a wanderer who drifted here from another world, with nowhere to return."
Why was he still alive when everything should have ended? Kevin wouldn't use such reasoning to pressure himself. Because as long as a person is alive, there must be meaning to their existence.
"Another world? Some historical texts do seem to record similar events..."
Bronya lowered her head slightly and murmured to herself for a moment before quickly looking up and saying seriously: "I apologize that I cannot promise anything. Your coming and going will naturally be decided by the 'Supreme Guardian.' But until then, you are still the benefactor who saved all of us."
"Please allow me here to express my highest respects to you."
For Bronya, saving her many comrades-in-arms was an act of grace possibly even more precious than saving herself.
"Gratitude holds no meaning for me. If possible, I would rather you learn something from this and grow. Because there won't always be a babysitter coming to save the day."
Kevin himself felt that after shedding the burden of fifty thousand years, he seemed to be talking more. But indeed, he could see in the girl a shadow of his own youth from a very, very long time ago.
It was nostalgic and also sorrowful because no one gives you anything for free. Growth always comes with a price.
"Thank you... I will seriously accept and consider your suggestion."
So what exactly was going on? Why was this guy constantly lecturing from the perspective of someone who's been through it all? And why did it make her feel deep down... that she really was the one who deserved to be lectured?!
And so, driven by some inevitable factor, Kevin Kaslana embarked on a journey in a new world.
Unfortunately, no one noticed that at the very spot where Kevin first awoke, within the ice spike beneath his feet, a small pink object remained sealed.
Even though her limbs couldn't move, she strained to roll her eyes, using her azure-blue eyes to vigorously portray what could only be called... utter despair?
(There is an accompanying image here; it can be viewed after updating to the latest version.)