Welcome to Rewind World Game-Chapter 1421 - 72: Can Strawberry Crisp Fly into the Sky?
——Do you think strawberry crisps can fly to the sky?
...
If you ask others, they would most likely hope "yes," because if strawberry crisps could fly, wouldn’t that be a marvelous thing?
But if you ask me, I hope not.
My name is Ran Bo.
An ordinary, inconspicuous sacrifice washed away in the tide of the era. A... scientist whose life’s blood was nothing more than a few careless alterations by Olivius, angry, powerless...
The Second Epoch, the Creation Era. Just by hearing the name, you know whose era it is.
The tide of creation surged, overthrowing the edifice of science, with wondrous creations born from the wild and romantic imaginations of artists. Rigid and dull formulas have become colors that can be freely doodled upon.
Why,
Why do I live in such a time!?
...
Watching people rejoice, a dim figure in a white lab coat slowly left the room from the corner.
He followed the stairs up to a rooftop. The blazing crimson sunlight hung high above, with only six hours left until destruction.
He sat down silently, looking up at the dazzling sun. Red clouds spread, dusk covering the sky.
The entire Experimental City was in a frenzy; this was the excitement of crossing 3029 resets, yet as a member of Experimental City, there was no smile on his face.
He seemed to hear many voices around him.
...
"I want to become the best and most amazing scientist when I grow up! Invent lots of magical things, explore the whole universe! I want to help everyone, answer all their questions!"
...
"Ran Bo, when you grow up, you will definitely be a genius of this era."
...
"This is Ran Bo, right? At such a young age, he can understand such complex formulas. Really a smart child."
...
"Researcher Ran Bo, welcome to join the Queqiu Research Institute, becoming our youngest member. Truly a youth with promise! I want to ask, what’s your reason for persisting in scientific research?"
"I... I want to fulfill my childhood wish. Also, I am here to find someone, his name is Xiao Que... no, his name is Olivius. When I was a child, he injured himself and fell into the garden of my house. He made a promise with me that if I could get into Queqiu Research Institute, I could see him again."
"Oh, you want to see Mr. Olivius, that’s not easy. Now he’s a big deal in the World Tree, even with your talent, he might not have time to see you."
"This, is that so... alright, it’s okay, then I’ll keep working hard, maybe then I can..."
...
"Ran Bo! Want to go out for dinner?"
"No, I still have projects to do."
...
"Ran Bo, the girl from yesterday wants your contact information!"
"No, I’m working on a paper, don’t have time for socializing."
...
"Ran Bo, happy birthday! Can you take a day off today?"
"Thank you, but I still want to figure out a piece of data, you guys rest first..."
...
"This, this is clearly my research result, why should it be under his name!"
"Sigh, Xiao Ran, I’m not saying anything bad here. Burying your head in research is fine, provided it produces results. The investors no longer intend to invest in your project unless you’re willing to add their names..."
"...Alright, I understand."
"I have to say, Xiao Ran, attending some banquets and making some connections can be more useful than months of head-down research. If you always focus on projects that don’t bring economic benefits... well, you’re still a newcomer. Without the backing of senior figures, investors might..."
"..."
"Sigh, Xiao Ran, doing academia is also about dealing with human relations! Otherwise, why are there so many fights over academic achievements? The academic circle is still a circle!"
...
"Professor Ran Bo, I see your peers are all married, aren’t you going to..."
"No. I’m waiting for someone, and before I see that person, I can’t let anything hold me back. I have to reach a high enough point for him to notice me..."
...
"Old Ran, let me show you my son’s wedding photos, he’s so handsome!"
"Mm."
"Old Ran, you’re still single, huh? Decades have passed, Olivius is now the most famous Creator in Luowasha! Even with all your hard work, you won’t get to see him!"
"...Mm."
"I heard he’s now quite close with the Dragon Emperor, Elf King, and Lord of the Undead, he must have long forgotten you. Besides, seeing Olivius now, what would it change?"
"This is my obsession. And besides, I’ve already decided... scientific research is my passion. Whether or not I see Xiao Que, I will dedicate my life to this career until I grow old."
...
"Brother, brother!"
"What’s wrong, Zer?"
"I finally know why mom and dad were burned to death—decades ago, it must have been Olivius who leaked the news to the gods, causing mom and dad’s research to be discovered, and that’s why they were burned alive by the believers... look, these are the proofs..."
"Ha, hahaha, hahahaha..."
"Brother, why are you laughing..."
"So that’s how it is... that’s how it is!! Olivius! Haha, hahahaha! The childhood friend I chased for a lifetime, turned out to be the culprit for my parents’ death! That’s right! Back then, only Olivius transformed into a little magpie and entered my parents’ laboratory with me. He saw it was the experiment forbidden by the goddess! Only him! Only him!"
"Brother... there’s no mom or dad to give me love anymore, will you give me love?"
"Zer, you are my only family, of course I will always take care of you... The experiment our parents left behind, I’ve always been continuing it. Now that the goddess no longer forbids it, I will surely complete the ’Memory Clip Biomaterialization (Artificial Rin Clan)’ project!"
...
"Old Ran, congratulations!"
"Old Ran, congratulations, after half a lifetime of hard work, you finally solved this world problem!"
"Artificial Rin Clan! Truly an outstanding achievement! Although right now it’s just on paper, creating it is only a matter of time!"
"The highest honor for a scientist—the Virdodo Research Award, undoubtedly belongs to Professor Ran Bo! Professor Ran Bo, we’ll be counting on you in the future!"
"Professor Ran Bo, I toast to you!"
"Professor Ran Bo, more than seventy companies have sent investment applications to us..."
"Professor Ran Bo, the award ceremony will be attended by prominent figures including Queen Aisudani, you finally made it through the clouds to see the bright moon!"
Flushed from drinking, the middle-aged Ran Bo lay drunkenly on the bed, gazing at the incandescent lamp on the ceiling.
...Olivius, Xiao Que.
I have finally reached the pinnacle of the world.
Back then it was me who took care of you when you were injured, watching you transform from a magpie into human form, seeing you off. Now, you should be able to see me...
Why did you cause my parents’ death? When I see you, I will demand an explanation...
With a satisfied smile, Ran Bo fell into a deep sleep.
...
"Professor Ran Bo! Something terrible has happened!"
"What happened? Did something go wrong with the chariot heading to the award ceremony? It’s alright, I’ve already changed into my attire, no rush."
"No! It’s not that! Professor, one of the equations in the answer we just got yesterday, was altered by Olivius with just one stroke! Now the answer can no longer be proved, everything has to be overturned and done again! You... also don’t need to go to the award ceremony anymore..."
"What... this... no... no!! No!!!!"
...
"Professor Ran Bo, over seventy companies have withdrawn their investment!"
"Professor Ran Bo, the Virdodo Research Award has been given to someone else..."
"Old Ran... I understand the situation now. Sigh, you have to accept reality. It truly is the era of the Creators now. We researchers are like the waves that crash and die on the beach. With just a slight change, a lifetime of our research becomes worthless in an instant..."
"Personal effort cannot compete with the overarching trends of the times. Once the tides of the era pass through, degrees devalue, the economy declines, and even the most outstanding individuals will lose their worth..."
...
"I refuse to accept this, I’m taking my thousands of pages of useless research to the World Tree to question Olivius! By what right!"
"Sigh, Old Ran, don’t be impulsive! Olivius is the child of the era, the darling of the world, a genius blessed by Inspiration. How can you contend against a Protagonist of the era?"
"I’m already over forty, have spent most of my life on this project, my body is exhausted, riddled with diseases, and I won’t live many more years! But Olivius is as long-lived as the heavens, enjoying eternal pleasure! I must, must get an answer, even if I die before him!"
...
"Have you heard? A researcher whose findings were altered by Olivius is going to question Olivius!"
"No, no, it’s a researcher dissatisfied with Olivius who is going to question him!"
"No, no, it’s an extreme anti-Olivius activist looking to retaliate, maybe even assassinate Olivius!"
"He dares to question Olivius! That’s opposing the World Tree! Let’s blast him! Expose him! Spill the tea! Open the box!"
"This Ran Bo, so old and still not married, could he be involved with female students in secret?"
"Could it be some kind of special perversion?"
"I’ve heard he secretly appropriates others’ research findings. Hush... insider info, don’t spread it."
"I’m a student of his, and he loves flattery, has no heart for research, and the laboratory results are all done by his graduate students. The news is reliable, trust me.
...
"Ha... hahahaha... ahahahahaha...!!"
"Hahaha, hahahaha...!!"
...
"Since you want Olivius to shine brilliantly in this world—why was I, Ran Bo, even born into this world!?"
...
Ran Bo did not meet Sique.
Olivius’s supporters "united as one" to block him.
Bearing a full load of infamy, Ran Bo stood wearily outside the Creation Banquet and suddenly saw—a person being pushed out too.
That person resembled him, both somewhat shabby and dejected middle-aged men, faces filled with the anguish of being rejected by the times.
Ran Bo walked over and sat down with the man.
"What’s your name?"
"Ran Bo. How about you?"
"Lin Hejin."
After a brief conversation, they learned of each other’s predicament.
As it turned out, Lin Hejin was an obscure Creator, barely surviving on meager royalties. Because he tried to point out errors in Olivius’s "Goddess of Life Lotasha," security had thrown him out.
"...So you’re also just an insignificant nobody in this grand era." Ran Bo lowered his head.
"We’re all the same..."
He bowed down, showing a bitter, hopeless smile:
"We’re not blessed by this world..."
...
Olivius’s story is so legendary.
But what does all of it... have to do with these little people?
The tides of the era are terrifying,
so terrifying...
...
Ran Bo thought he would muddle through the rest of his days.
Unexpectedly, during his wandering, he met a person named "Su Wenjun."
That person was covered in pollution yet survived stubbornly. After learning of Ran Bo’s predicament, Su Wenjun taught him the method of soul transcription.
"This method can help you retain some memories during a reset," Su Wenjun stated indifferently. "You and I are both victims of Olivius. Out of sympathy, I’m teaching you this method."
"Thank you. But who are you?" Ran Bo asked.
"Me? I’m just a Ghost cast off from the Divine Mountain, a wandering Avenger, a waste," Su Wenjun replied coldly. "Even if I’m as weak as grass now, I will become the one who rules Luowasha! I will complete my revenge against Olivius for abandoning me from the Divine Mountain back then!" 𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎
After that, Ran Bo learned to preserve memories.
...
Ran Bo ended his recollection, looking up at the scorching Red Sun.
The cheers of Experimental City had nothing to do with him.
What does ending the reset even mean? Without a reset, with his frail body, he would have long since passed away.
He remembers, in countless resets, his own frustration and pain in the Fourth Epoch, rushing to the Divine Envoy selection ceremony of the Goddess of Life in the Undead Territory to question Olivius. He also recalls extending a helping hand in the Second Epoch to save Olivius, who was nearly killed by a Rin Clan brother.
But so what?
Who will mend the pain of small people like him?
...
[Just now, this man in a white coat suddenly rushed up, his face indifferent towards Sique.]
["—Sique. About the past, please give me an explanation." The man in the white coat spoke coldly.]
...
["...Hide in here." Ran Bo adjusted his glasses: "Follow me, this room won’t hold much longer."]
[He pressed against the wall, and an underground escape passage appeared on the floor.]
["With such cold words earlier, and now you’re here to save ’Miss Tianluo’?" Su Mingan deliberately used this tone, seemingly to improve favorability.]
...
"Tap, tap, tap."
At this moment, footsteps sounded from behind.
Ran Bo caught a scent... it was the fragrance of wisteria flowers mixed with red tea, the scent of Olivius.
"Is it Olivius...?" Ran Bo didn’t turn around.
The person stopped behind him.
"You are a great person; falling into my courtyard was purely accidental. We should have been casual acquaintances." Ran Bo muttered:
"But why did you sell out my parents to the goddess, letting them be burned alive? Then, you altered the scientific Rules, rendering a lifetime of my efforts void."
"Why? Little Que, what did I do to you? Or because you are someone blessed with inspiration, you can act recklessly?"
"You are the favored child of the heavens, and I am the struggling mud. With a light stroke, you made me lose everything."
"Why... why erase my research? Why leave nothing for me... why take away... father, mother, Little Que..."
Ran Bo’s emotions were on the verge of collapse.
And behind him, Su Mingan remained silent.
