Witch, Fireball and the Evil God of Steam-Chapter 701 - 87: Lights Out_2

However, these two things might not necessarily be contradictory.

If this phenomenon appeared in the world of dreams, with the current scientific system, people might be able to find a scientific explanation for it, or even utilize it.

As their discussion drew to a close, the sky outside the mansion already started to brighten, and the black cat, finding it dull, had dozed off several times in a haze.

"I have another question."

Ethan spoke up.

"Please, go ahead."

"Why is your company so persistent in researching the 'portal theory'... I mean, it doesn't sound like a project that could yield returns in the short term."

He was being very tactful, and this was also why Ethan felt the boss didn't seem like a businessman.

The boss was full of enthusiasm and wanted to invest a massive amount of money into a project that might not bring him any returns. Now, it seemed that the "portal theory" was a castle in the air, and they might eventually not be able to turn the theory into reality.

"For the exploration of the unknown, to satisfy curiosity — isn't that what science is about?"

The boss said, but noticing Ethan's skeptical gaze, he restrained himself, holding back his overly fervent side.

"Maybe you'll think I'm crazy, but if you want to know the truth, I'll say, I believe our world is not far from its demise."

Perhaps to avoid further questioning from Ethan, he took the initiative to explain, "There's no basis, just my personal predictions and conjectures."

...

On the other side, Zhuang Xiao had an unforgettable night.

She didn't shut her eyes all night, immersing herself in the nightclub, wantonly indulging in raucous music and alcohol. It was also a way of self-adjustment, having been oppressed for too long in the refuge. If things continued like this, she feared she would also catch the dark and hopeless hue of the place.

This is definitely not the life she wanted.

A thought even surfaced deep within her.

If she had known she would wake up in a refuge, facing a world already destroyed with its people, she would rather continue sleeping in her dreams.

Her plane's crown, a place into which she poured her heart and soul for a millennium, no matter the perspective, seemed much more pleasing than the refuge. Over the endless millennia, her sense of identity as a refuge resident had long been eroded, perhaps a side effect brought by the pioneering; but the fact is as it is.

She began to feel a bit of regret.

But, life must go on.

Zhuang Xiao walked out of the nightclub and took a few sobering pills.

The sky had already brightened. The sun was rising above the horizon, and those off to their morning shifts had already begun their busy day.

Don't get lost in it.

Merlin's reminder echoed in her ears.

Zhuang Xiao formulated a plan in her mind. Today she would meet with Ethan and investigate the principles of this world's existence as quickly as possible.

She walked down the street, blending in with the crowd rushing to work, a self-mocking bitter smile appearing on her face.

Maybe the refuge life was too bleak, she found herself persuaded by Merlin's motivational words — they had the chance to completely escape the suffering, holding the key to the future in their palm.

Zhuang Xiao contemplated the questions from the interview and the various precautions she had to project just like the first time she met Ethan.

Also —

Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Zhuang Xiao suddenly perceived the anomaly on the street.

The sound on the entire street vanished without a trace, the chatter, footsteps, the sounds of cars driving by; in a moment, all sounds were extracted from the world, and when she looked up, the sight she beheld was shocking.

Everyone's movements on the street were frozen, they had been struck by a spell of immobility, some even frozen in eerie postures.

The countdown on the traffic lights stopped, and the clouds overhead stopped floating.

This place turned into a perfectly still scene, Zhuang Xiao became the only being able to look around among this stasis, but quickly this still painting noticed her as the "anomaly", she just felt something rushing toward her, an unbearable weight of life, followed by an irresistible piercing pain invading her brain.

Amidst the extreme pain, her eyes sank into eternal darkness.

The flow of time in dreams and reality is the same.

When Zhuang Xiao, groggy, opened her eyes, she knew she had stayed too long in Merlin's office, long enough for the refuge's management to discover their activities. Security personnel clad in riot gear had sealed off the entire area, and when her vision cleared, she saw the old man often seen walking with Merlin.

Of course, there was also the head of the entire department, Chen Qi, who had a very close relationship with Merlin. He stood among the crowd, a gloating smile on his face.

The old man sat quietly in a chair, meticulously flipping through the plan submitted by Merlin, a somber expression shrouding his face, rendering his thoughts unreadable, not far from the old man was a middle-aged man slumped in sleep. Zhuang Xiao recognized him as Chen Qi's right-hand man.

Although Zhuang Xiao and Merlin had returned to their posts, they were both sidelined within the department. Chen Qi wouldn't entrust them with any significant tasks, naturally not involving them in crucial departmental decisions.

Before long, the middle-aged man also opened his eyes.

His face was pale, appearing in poor condition.

"The meeting has been completed."

The middle-aged man endured his dizziness, reporting to the old man with sheer willpower, "He is very interested in our proposed theory, maybe this is a chance..."

"No, it's not."

Merlin argued, "Every idea we attempt to implant must be thoroughly scrutinized, without a single flaw! You should be well aware of the consequence of him spotting any flaws!"

"We're cleaning up your mess."

Chen Qi sneered, "Since you know the gravity of the matter, you should understand the consequences of contacting him without approval!"

Hearing this, Merlin was momentarily speechless.

The old man ceased flipping through the documents, raising his head to gaze deeply at Merlin.

"Continue with the work."

Merlin's minor ploys were laid bare before him, and then changing the subject, he said, "But the entire operation will be fully entrusted to Chen Qi."

Zhuang Xiao's mind remained blank, amidst the ringing in her ears, watching the people leave Merlin's office, until eventually, only the two of them remained.

"You did it on purpose."

Even the most foolish person could now see through Merlin's intentions, "You used me."

Having her engage with Ethan through improper means, and upon exposure, forcing the continuation of this effort.

No answer was needed; Merlin's expression had revealed everything.

After everyone left the office, the anger and resentment on Merlin's face vanished in an instant, and he returned to his usual self.

He had deliberately let the refuge higher-ups catch wind of it.

"Good work, Colonel Zhuang Xiao."

Merlin did not deny this, "You should go home and get some sleep now."

"Why Ethan?"

Zhuang Xiao stared directly into Merlin's eyes, her brain beginning to spin faster, the hangover ironically clearing her thoughts considerably.

Implanting ideas, engaging in the dream world, nearly every action revolved around Ethan alone.

And during the entire process, another extremely important individual seemed invisible, never being mentioned.

—— The Goddess they believed in, the entity that granted them power.

In another orchestrated story, she was the core of everything, with all things revolving around her, while they aimed to instill this notion into Ethan.

Yet since she'd returned to the refuge, neither Merlin, Song Xian, nor Chen Qi's faction had mentioned the Goddess's existence.

She was right beside Ethan.

Zhuang Xiao was very sure she reported this intelligence on her very first day upon waking.

The answer...seemed ready to emerge.

The Goddess they worshiped and currently embodied by Lindong.

Zhuang Xiao said with certainty, "She is one of us too."