Chapter 547: The Forest Sea Returns to Tranquility (5)

"As physicists, we have no choice but to succeed."

Xing left the depths of the laboratory, and time seemed to shift again; after overcoming the bottleneck, Zhadeweike's experiment proceeded unusually smoothly. Even a visitor entered the lab.

The visitor was Luosi Gumu.

"... We are honored that you could personally attend the test detonation; my team and I are deeply grateful. This lab never entertains guests... Fortunately, Mr. Luosi Gumu, your special status makes the Technical Development Department unable to decline."

"No need to thank me, Doctor. The achievements you and your colleagues have made here deeply impress me. Yet may I ask—a curiosity, like that of organic life, sometimes drives me to breach ceremonial bounds—why did you agree to develop the 【Imaginary Collapse Pulse】 weapon?"

Zhadeweike inhaled deeply and solemnly said, "Because Du Deli... my friend in the Technical Development Department, once said—this weapon can be used to strike the forces of 【Destruction】. What we are doing is the right thing."

Luosi Gumu remained silent for a while, then shook his head apologetically: "My sincere apologies, Dr. Zhadeweike. I should not have asked so abruptly, forcing you to give an insincere answer. I believe each of us has the right to choose our own way of life. We can abandon those 【Redundant Thinking】 that bewilder us, and focus only on what lies before us and our own expertise."

"But be careful, Doctor. For people like you and me, a moment's laxity can lead to the lament of countless lives. Wisdom is a blessing the universe bestows upon us, and also a burden it imposes."

——

A certain science's railgun.

"Mr. Luosi Gumu had long foreseen this step today."

Inside Tokiwadai Middle School, Yuban Meiqin couldn't help but sigh; from the moment she stepped into the lab, Dr. Zhadeweike was already beyond rescue, wasn't he? And his handling of Luosi Gumu's rhetoric was probably something even he couldn't smooth over.

"Sister, the 'Imaginary Collapse Pulse' they mentioned... can it destroy an entire planet?" Hei Zi looked at her anxiously.

After Zhadeweike fabricated the weapon, the usage rights were certainly handed to the corporation; if its power can easily annihilate a planet, that means any world or civilization could vanish in an instant.

Binding a planet's fate to the corporation's etiquette and morals would be nothing less than a colossal disaster for the galaxy.

"It probably can do more than destroy a single planet, right? The corporation has star‑annihilating ships; if it were only to wipe out one planet, I doubt they'd invest this much effort collaborating with someone from the 【Genius Club】."

Yuban Meiqin lowered her head, pondering briefly: "I would actually hope this weapon is controlled by the 【Planetary Train】—though that chance is minuscule; more reasonably, I think it wouldn't be bad for Luosi Gumu to wield it."

"Huh? Sister... why is that?"

"Consider, Hei Zi, Luosi Gumu, as the king of Screw Star, dares to declare war on his own clan; that implies he already possesses the power to destroy other civilizations. He wields a heavy weapon yet still adheres to rational limits—such a person holding a large‑scale lethal weapon is the most sensible choice."

"It's just..." Yuban Meiqin smiled awkwardly, "the corporation probably has a hundred who would refuse, maybe even turn against Luosi Gumu."

——

"Some words are now too late to convey. But we already know the magic box indeed contains a monster. May you keep it sealed, lest ignorant children open it casually."

Zhadeweike nodded: "... Thank you for your counsel, Mr. Luosi. I hope we may meet again someday."

…

After Luosi Gumu left, time in the lab seemed to shift again, and countless corporation members rushed in, indiscriminately rounding up researchers.

"Move quickly! Arrest anyone who dares resist! No one may delay the detonation!"

The scientists stared in terror at the crowd: "They... are they really planning to use the 【Pulse】? Dr. Zhadeweike... where is Dr. Zhadeweike? Only he, only he can stop this!"

Suddenly a soldier entered the lab, saluting the officer: "Sir! We've located Dr. Zhadeweike!"

The corporate official nodded: "Good, there's still time—bring him to the control room; I'll inform Director Du Deli. Move fast!"

Xing slowly walked deeper into the lab.

A faint whisper swirled at her ear—

"Luosi Gumu's words force me to examine my own heart."

"But moments of clarity always come too late."

"The moment from my nightmare has finally arrived..."

It was not any person's voice, but rather a cold, seeping stream directly into her mind. Was it Zhadeweike's memory? His lingering obsession? Or his inner resentment and regret?

The voice faltered until she stepped into the cabin door ahead and saw Zhadeweike standing in despair as Du Deli tried to intervene; then all the lingering whispers vanished.

"... It's regrettable, Zh. Your field is genius, yet you know nothing of power structures. You were too naive... which is why you couldn't see the bigger picture, even..."

Du Deli planted both hands on his hips, a smile curling his lips: "Weapons are made to strike enemies; is that hard to understand? Over a dozen legion vanguards are preparing to assault the United Trade Route, and their presence could directly threaten Birlpoint. The enemy is at our doorstep—now is the perfect moment to test the 【Imaginary Collapse Pulse】's power!"

Zhadeweike, grimacing, held his forehead: "One hundred ways... no, you have a thousand ways to stop them, and you can pay a smaller price, affecting fewer innocents!"

——

Marvel Universe.

"Is this what they call 【Preservation】? Killing under the guise of protection?"

Watching Dr. Zhadeweike's desperate face in the heavens, Steve Rogers' brows tightened, his fists clenched involuntarily, producing a "clack" sound. The corporate director Du Deli wore a consistently regretful, indifferent expression, utterly sickening.

These people were like participants in the 【Manhattan Project】, creating a 'monster' called the atomic bomb—except Dr. Zhadeweike was more talented, forging a 'atomic bomb' capable of destroying countless planets. Banner let out a heavy sigh; it was clear that the 'monster in the magic box' Mr. Luosi spoke of had already been released.

And the only one who truly grasped the monster's danger, Dr. Zhadeweike, wore only bone‑deep despair on his face, a helpless feeling of having to leap into an abyss he knew was there.