Chapter 478: If Death Comes

You also want to eat dessert, human!

Xiao Jiu's eyes sparkled as she stared at Zhang Jie; could it be that humans finally understand her?

Uh.... no.... yes....

Zhang Jie told Xiao Jiu his idea; the small ship girl listened, stunned, but ultimately she followed your words and went to her favorite shop to buy dessert.

Soon after.... inside the laboratory....

Mmm, delicious.

Where did you buy this, little thing?

Yuan looked very satisfied, narrowing her eyes like a fox's, chewing the dessert Xiao Jiu brought her.

Seeing her, Zhang Jie let out a relieved sigh; it seemed his guess was correct—Yuan, like Xiao Jiu, loves sweet things.

This might be due to her heavy mental use, or perhaps it's just her hobby; in any case, Yuan's impression on Zhang Jie doesn't feel like that of a lofty being.

Inventing ship life and laying the foundation for the Iron Law Star Alliance, it seems these contributions came from an ordinary woman.

It's... it's, it's on the floating city above the B7 area!

Near that entrance, there's a cake shop with a yellow sign!

Hmm~

You did well, little thing.

She casually ruffled Xiao Jiu's head; Xiao Jiu looked at this woman, the inventor of ship life, and in a sense, she could be considered her mother.

Hmm, she is also a ship girl with a mother; I just don't know if the other party would agree with this view.

Zhang Jie didn't know what Xiao Jiu was thinking now, but he had specially asked her to buy her favorite dessert; as a seasoned eater, Zhang Jie still approved of her taste.

Speak, my dear student, what do you want me to do?

Hmm, offering help for no reason is either treachery or theft; Yuan's reaction was exactly within Zhang Jie's expectation.

Hehe, nothing big, just my little thing wants to come to the lab to keep me company.

Huh? Just that?

Yuan looked dubiously at Zhang Jie, then glanced at Xiao Jiu, who was staring blankly at her.

I... am I like some stubborn old fogey?

As long as she doesn't mischievously break things in the lab, you can bring her here without needing my permission.

As the project's leader, you fully have this right.

Well, I was overthinking things; Yuan really is... approachable.

Alright, if it's just this, you can decide for yourself; now I'm merely the project's 'assistant'.

Ah? I should do the research myself?

Otherwise? If you want to add my name to your paper too, congratulations—then this paper has nothing to do with you.

Zhang Jie:......

Damn, that makes sense! As long as Yuan's name is placed here, no matter how valuable the paper, no one will think it's his own.

Alright, I got it.

Hmm, you first research with Huang Luo, and I'll go out with your little ship girl to eat something good.

Huh?

The dazed Xiao Jiu was pulled away by Yuan; Zhang Jie watched their backs, feeling only that something was off....

Senior brother, you say....

Instructor Yuan, how many bodies do you have running in sync?

Hmm.... as far as I know, about a hundred or so.

Although I don't know how the teacher maintains unity of will across so many bodies.

But she is Yuan; just having that name is enough to prove everything.

Amazing....

Zhang Jie once again began his research on the Nightmare; this time, the poor fellow in his mind finally doesn't have to suffer.

As for this research project, Zhang Jie originally didn't intend to set the goal too high, but Yuan was not happy about it.

"As my student Yuan, how can such a small goal suffice? If you're going to set one, set it far-reaching!"

"You! Go research how to eradicate the Nightmare Disaster, so they completely disappear from the universe!"

Zhang Jie still can't forget the moment he pointed at his own clueless self—him eradicating the Nightmare Disaster? What a joke!

What kind of capable person is he! Something many can't do, he can manage a trade!

But there's no choice; the teacher's assigned goal, Zhang Jie can only grit his teeth and start working; first they need to figure out how to turn the confinement of the Nightmare into a regular project.

The research process was dull and boring, so idle chats during breaks became Zhang Jie and Huang Luo's only pastime.

OK, the second trial of the lure device begins.

Just leave it like that.

Zhang Jie looked at the little old man working seriously nearby; this person, about to seek death, is optimistic, carefree, speaks interestingly, completely a lovable old scamp.

So the question arises: why does he want to seek death?

Zhang Jie posed this question.

Good question, because death is not the end of life.

The more you understand, the clearer it becomes that death is merely part of a cycle.

Zhang Jie:?

Could you please explain a bit more clearly....

"Well.... In short, the teacher's research has proven that life is a conscious cycle of rebirth."

"You can understand it as, in the game of life, reloading a save."

"As for me, I'm merely a scholar whose will isn't that firm."

"Watching the people around me die one by one, probably only the teacher can endure such loneliness."

Zhang Jie:......

"Alright."

"Although I understood Huang Luo's thoughts, I did not excessively interfere with their choice; the only thing I felt was regret."

"He is an outstanding scholar; his professional skills leave you in awe; his death must be a huge loss to the Iron Law Star Alliance."

"Xiao Jiu obtained permission to enter and exit the lab; well-behaved, she never caused you any trouble, and instead would help you solve various daily hassles—especially when buying desserts that Yuan likes, she was especially busy."

"The experiment's progress is increasing at an extremely fast speed; it seems that the conceptual goal of eliminating all natural disasters is no longer so out of reach."

"You thought you were already fast enough, but when Yuan saw your experimental process, they did not praise you."

"'Still too slow; many of these processes are unnecessary; if this is the level, don't call yourself a genius.'"

"Alright, you admit, that statement is indeed too true; but it's obvious that Huang Luo has long been accustomed to Yuan's way of speaking, and still in the mood to smile and retort to your small talk."

"'Don't mind it; the teacher is just like that.'"

"Seeing that your mood was still somewhat low, Huang Luo pondered for a moment, then smiled and asked you a question."

"'If death were to come, what form would you wish it to take?'"