NOVEL NEXT Chapter 142
In the midst of the sudden apocalypse, the Scholar members couldn’t hide their shock when Member Number 3, Dr. Swallon, carefully asked.
“Isn’t it just a matter of closing it?”
“I’ve tried… but it was useless… It seems to be invading us with a will of its own…”
“Then, like this—”
As the two genius scientists exchanged opinions, I turned my head once more to the monitor. A dark background filled with junk floating around. The big freeze of the universe where everything had come to a halt. A world facing thermal death.
The genius from this world had stumbled upon that realm, igniting a fire in my chest. Every word that those bearded old men and women, who looked well past their thirties, casually uttered, struck deep with seriousness.
It made my heart ache immensely.
‘What kind of ridiculous world even exists…?’
A world where all motion in the universe had stopped, even leeching heat from other touching universes? Such a nonsensical realm reminded me of some fanciful daydreams I’d scrawled in my notebook around the time I was in middle school.
The memories of my adolescent, delusional, and under-informed brain struggling to establish the possibility of such a world resurfaced. Every time their words echoed those daydreams, my embarrassment swelled to the point where I wanted to bite my tongue and end it all.
“Dr. Eight.”
“…….”
“Dr. Eight?”
“─Ah, yes. What can I do for you?”
Dr. Swallon, who had been talking to Dr. Eight, had now wrapped up the discussion and turned to ask my opinion. Honestly, it was embarrassing to even mention that realm.
Isn’t it a world that couldn’t physically exist? Even ten years ago, when I had proven it, I had used nonsensical logical leaps and the intervention of supernatural phenomena.
Now that I’ve broadened my knowledge to levels incomparable to those times, it would be natural to deny its existence.
However.
“…I don’t think the world Dr. Eight mentioned is fake.”
This world is one where superpowers exist.
Demons that feed off the faith of people exist.
Monsters like the Fairy Queen that can alter perceptions exist.
And transcendent beings like divine spirits that manipulate probabilities also exist.
Just a few days ago, an ice age born from humanity’s unconsciousness had even arrived.
In this world, what’s so strange about a fantastical universe appearing on a middle school kid’s notebook?
“Then we must stop it. By any means necessary.”
It’s a fantastical world that directly challenges science.
After all, we are beings who can slay gods and unleash magic.
Because we are scientists.
* * *
Thus, the universe Dr. Eight discovered, where the Big Freeze had arrived and brought thermal death, was nicknamed “Bif.”
The reason was simple: it was annoying to call it long, and there was a cautious fear that if the general public found out, it might cause a great panic.
Just recently, a weather anomaly had covered the entire planet, right? Given that the terrifying truth of humanity’s unconsciousness gripping humanity was exposed, it was best to keep anything that might provoke their fear a secret.
Of course, while it could be hidden from the public, it wasn’t so easy to keep it from those in power.
[…Scientist, I heard you said something strange.]
“That’s probably true.”
[No, what is… can we stop it…?]
“I cannot give a definitive answer, but I will definitely try.”
[I know that tone is typical for researchers, but I wish you’d speak with a little more confidence in this case…]
Regalia muttered with a tone full of anxiety. I chuckled at her words. A tone typical of researchers, indeed. After all, one who uses ‘absolute’ so casually in a world where 100% doesn’t exist is a fraud.
In the elite engineering company Evilus Corporation, she likely wouldn’t encounter such a fraud often. I added with a smile, as if to reassure her.
“Then for the Boss, I will definitely make it happen.”
[Honestly… that sort of thing is better suited for your girlfriend.]
“I don’t have one. Want to introduce me?”
[…Are you serious?]
“Come on, who asks their workplace superior to set them up with women?”
At that, Regalia let out a bewildered noise. Why? Even after pondering for a moment, no answers came to me.
A moment later, the Boss, breaking free from her thoughts, cautiously spoke.
[Then I will trust you and allow you to proceed with your usual duties… You’ll need mental preparation, so let me know in advance if you fail.]
“Understood. Boss.”
[Do your best. I never thought I’d say something like this, but… the fate of this world rests on you.]
Thud-.
Ending the call, I chewed over the Boss’s final words. The fate of the world rests on me.
That felt too tremendous a burden for a mere scientist, not a hero or even a Superman. Asking a villain to save the world?
‘Really, am I a hero or an evil scientist…?’
Grumbling to myself, I returned to the research facility of the Scholar and steadied my heart as I saw countless people bustling about. From now on, it was a battlefield. A fight to protect the planet. A war waged not with swords, but with pens and computers.
“Astrophysics majors this way!”
“Precognitive ability users! Where are the precognitive ability users?”
“Artificial intelligence specialists—!?”
These were all assistants called in by the Scholar members. Assistants summoned to tackle the threat of Bif. Even if every Scholar member was a genius, even the greatest genius couldn’t handle everything alone.
Even Superman needed companions. While important tasks would be shouldered by the members, they still couldn’t handle every mundane task. Even with the help of artificial intelligence.
Even I needed assistance and had called for two myself. I looked around, scanning for the two people I had summoned here.
“Wow… what is this place?”
“Hmm— never knew such a place existed…”
There they were, Maestro and Steelstone, eyes sparkling as they marveled at various mechanical devices. I quickly approached the two to prevent any accidents amidst the flurry of busy people.
Upon spotting me, they blinked with expressions that seemed to ask for an explanation.
“Welcome, Steelstone and Maestro.”
“Dr. Eight! What is this place? What kind of security procedure is worse than what we faced in City P…?”
“Yeah, Professor. Please, do explain.”
“Oh, what? You were dragged here without any explanation at all?”
Seeing them nod at my question, I suddenly became aware that even the agents backing the Scholar were flustered.
Well, it makes sense; the planet is on the brink of destruction. It’s far more logical to whisk them away before explaining in detail. If it were the Scholar, they could use any means—money, power, or even threats—to convince anyone they’d summoned.
Together with the two, I headed to my designated laboratory and explained the crisis that had befallen this planet. Upon hearing my words, their expressions turned serious, and they chuckled in disbelief.
“Wait, Terra is facing annihilation…?”
“Big Freeze…? Everything has come to a halt…?”
“It’s fine if you don’t understand. I didn’t invite you here to seek your understanding. Honestly, I don’t even understand why that universe exists.”
“…Then isn’t that a big problem? That you can’t comprehend it?”
“You don’t need to understand. Just like how humanity hasn’t perfectly grasped the principles of the things they use.”
The mere fact that I had called them, who are not professional scientists, had different motives. It wasn’t important whether they understood the Big Freeze or not.
I had summoned them because of their abilities. I needed the prowess to control machines as the ’God of Machines’ and the capability to craft machines with the desired functions.
“Alright, from now on, things are going to get busy. Especially you, Maestro. You’re most important. I’ll be cramming knowledge into your head, so brace yourself.”
“Eh… why just me…?”
“Because you’re the main player in this operation.”
I smiled at Maestro.
I design the tools.
Even if Steelstone succeeds in creating those tools—.
Without Maestro’s ability, those machines cannot be controlled. The machines we’re about to create are not designed for one person to handle; they will require the cooperation of thousands.
“You can’t keep living under a professor forever. Don’t you need to break free?”
“…Break free?”
“Exactly. Break free.”
I made an offer that no teaching assistant or graduate student could refuse.
Though he wasn’t a full-fledged assistant or an actual graduate student, now, seeing the brightly burning determination in Maestro’s eyes, I knew he wouldn’t turn down this offer.
Every slave dreams of the day they escape their cage.