The dead city slumbered under a yellowish-gray sunset, and the radioactive fallout obscured the sunset.

The rows of high-rise buildings are like tombstones, and the empty windows do not see a trace of life, nor can you see the traffic and neon flashes of the past.

The exhaled white mist condensed into hoarfrost on the mirrored surface of the suit.

At this moment, Yule finally understood why before he went to the surface, his predecessors told him to wear protective equipment, and finally understood why the 1,000 cubic meters of nuclear fuel sent was prepared.

His Adam's apple moved, squeezing out a few words with difficulty.

“…… Nuclear winter? ”

Zhao Feiyu glanced at the sky.

"It's not just radioactive fallout that covers us, but also the wreckage in orbit...... Just half a year ago, our space elevator disintegrated, and I didn't know about it until yesterday. ”

Radioactive fallout at the edge of the atmosphere and debris scattered in low-Earth orbit block large amounts of visible light reaching the surface.

Not only that, but the scale of industry, the use of energy, the methods of production, and everything else has returned to the era of prosperity or even earlier.

It's not a simple matter of adding or subtracting calorific value, the planet's ecosystem has adapted to the productive activities of the prosperous era, and now everything has changed rudely.

No one knows when the planet will have to adapt again, especially when the planet is almost buried in dust.

Perhaps humanity should take the initiative to adapt to this drastic change.

Interestingly, the life activities of the slime mold variant were not affected by radiation, but were reduced by global cooling.

Thanks to this, the People's Federation was able to deploy more military forces to the front line, and the war finally ushered in the dawn of victory.

Zhao Feiyu briefly recounted what he knew and what was happening in Geumha.

"The Federation is planning to build a more efficient rehabilitation and reconstruction agency in order to resume production in the shortest possible time, while at the same time starting to deal with the people caused by the climate problem. Taoist catastrophe. ”

"The refugee settlement in Geumha, which will be converted into a settlement, will be rebuilt by researchers and engineers who are stranded and unable to access shelter facilities...... Our jurisdiction has also been transferred from the Central Wartime Research Institute to the local administrative body, and we will probably do some work on disease prevention and control and the improvement of drug production methods. ”

"While I personally think this is a good thing, I am afraid that it also means that reconstruction will be a long-term work over a period of 10 or 20 years...... It's hard. ”

Zhao Feiyu smiled, wanting to ease the heavy atmosphere, but seeing that there was no smile behind the protective mask, he immediately restrained his smile.

“…… It's difficult, but I believe everything will be fine. ”

Seeing that Yule was still silent, he paused, looked into the distance and said.

"I've got a couple of tickets to the future here — well, no more sales, a fifty-year hibernation pod. The People's Union is grateful for our continuous work, and the formula of the anti-radiation agent has saved many people, and the radiation dissipator is also ...... Our work is done, and we can go to the future to enjoy our blessings. ”

Yule smiled bitterly.

"What if you go?"

Zhao Feiyu's expression froze slightly, and then said with a smile.

"Went to ...... It won't be good, but after fifty years everything is back to normal, as long as you get a good night's sleep, all the unpleasantness is over, don't you think it's great? Of course, it's not all good, three years is a generation now, and when you communicate with young men after a dozen generations, I'm afraid the generation gap is bigger than that of people and dogs-"

"Do you believe it?" Yule looked at him, interrupting his fantasies.

Zhao Feiyu fell silent.

There is no need to answer this question at all.

No one has counted the number of people who died directly or indirectly in the war, but just looking at the abandoned high-rise buildings is not difficult to guess that must be an astronomical number.

Back to the era of prosperity.

If so, why is there a shelter in the evacuation plan that hibernates over a hundred years?

Seeing that the senior fell silent, Yule continued to ask.

"What are you going to do?"

Zhao Feiyu sighed.

"I'm going to stay......"

Yule didn't speak, but listened quietly as he continued.

"Although the current situation is terrible, there are many people who need my research, and there are my family and friends in this era, and I can't always pull everyone to the future together. People only have that long life, and I want to spend the rest of my time with them. ”

After a pause, he looked at Yule.

"It's a bit selfish to say that, but I still hope you'll go."

Yule said bluntly.

"Because I'm more withdrawn?"

"No, it's not that kind of reason," Zhao Feiyu said with a wry smile, "Okay, I'll tell you the truth, the Human Federation wants us to arrange a few researchers to go to the future, because as you can see, this is not a crisis that can end immediately, if everything is over in fifty years, of course everyone will be happy, if not...... At least someone has to carry us on. ”

Yule was silent for a long time and sighed.

"Then I'll take you to that beautiful new world."

……

In the end, Yule chose to go to the future.

He himself had no idea why he had made that decision.

It may be that there is still a glimmer of illusion in the heart of the world fifty years from now, or it may simply be despair of the status quo.

It doesn't matter what era you go to, as long as it's not now.

Since people in the future may need him, and people in the present also need someone to help their children in the future.

Let's go to the future.

He has no descendants anyway.

The relationship with his parents is also very indifferent.

The young people of his generation were like this, who cared more about the realization of self-worth and the soul that could resonate spiritually than blood and tradition.

Mentally prepared, he calmly lay down in the sleep pod, and like countless expeditions to the future, he began this journey of time with no return.

However, even though he was mentally prepared, things still turned out unexpectedly.

It was also unexpected by Chu Guang, who was standing on the side and watching quietly.

When Yule woke up again, he was faced not with the wasteland fifty years later, but nearly two centuries later.

"2320 ......" Xiao Qi, who was sitting on Chu Guang's shoulder, opened his eyes wide and exclaimed in a low voice, "That is to say...... He slept for a full 191 years?! Astound! ”

"191 years of the Wasteland Era...... Wasn't it not long after the torch came out of Vault 117," Chu Guang glanced at Xiao Qi as he spoke, "Anyway, haven't you already read the entire memory, why are you still surprised?" ”

Xiao Qi's expression froze, and he subtly looked away.

"Hey...... It's more vibe. ”

Chu Guang: "......"

There's a hammer vibe here......

"Alright, alright, don't worry about these details, it's almost over...... Woo woo, I really want to stay with the owner a little longer. ”

"Don't you follow me every day?"

"How can that be the same!"

"Is there a difference?"

"Absolutely! One is on the outside and one is on the inside...... Hmm, how do you describe it? After thinking for a while, Xiao Qi's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said with a shy smile, "It's as if the master has entered Xiao Qi's body...... Hey. ”

Chu Guang: "......?" ”

The stillness continued to flow.

Xiao Qi pressed the button to continue playing without authorization, and Yur, who was sitting up from the sleeping pod, looked around blankly.

After a brief conversation with the staff standing by him, he learned that he had slept for nearly two hundred years, and the expression on his face was complicated.

Man is unable to fulfill his promise beyond his own lifespan.

A group of people is even more unlikely.

He should have expected this to be the case, but the current situation was still beyond his expectations.

Fifty years of freezing, a promised pension and honors...... Everything disappeared with the disappearance of the Human Union.

They have entered a new era,

The people who were born in this era called it the Wasteland Age.

In fact, after the People's Federation, an organization called the Post-War Reconstruction Committee was born, and his predecessors worked for that organization for a time.

The staff of this institute brought him the notes of his predecessors, and on them he found the letters that his predecessors had left for him.

“…… Mr. Yule, I'm sorry to have you sleep for so long. I've been hesitating to unfreeze you on your 80th birthday, but I'm reminded of what you said, you want to go to a beautiful new world, and you may have to wait......"

"It's 2174, the 45th year of the Wasteland Era, and I'm not sure when you'll see this letter...... Maybe it's 2229? But I hope it's best that no one has ever slept that long. ”

"My body is getting worse and worse, even if I replace the biomimetic organs, the remaining parts are still aging, and things have been a mess lately. Fifty years ago, the group of idiots didn't fight enough, and recently they have been fighting again...... Not surprisingly, the War Construction Committee was disbanded, and now it is enterprises, academies and corps, and no one knows what the future will be. ”

"Ah, you're probably confused when you see this. Where do I start to explain it to you...... In short, the War Construction Committee is the Post-War Reconstruction Committee, the body I told you earlier about being set up for more efficient reconstruction, and you can think of it as a continuation of the People's Federation, because it has successfully inherited all the stinky problems of the People's Federation. Of course, there are good things about it, but it doesn't matter anymore, the best times are over, and once again. ”

"I didn't expect to be lucky enough to experience the apocalypse twice in my life, and now we are standing with the survivors of Singularity City, the refugee settlement next to the previous research institute, and now it is developing like this. We were joined by researchers who had fled here from the East Coast a few days ago, and I looked at their research...... Truth be told, their ideas are simply wild. ”

"I think the same as them, as long as people are still human, they will repeat countless mistakes that people are bound to make...... Solving all the problems once and for all can only turn people into another powerful, long-lived, intelligent, and docile new species, which they call the complete form of lifeforms! It's a rare opportunity, how about adding cat ears to a new human? Haha, just kidding, don't take it seriously. ”

"Those guys are brave enough to use the unstable experimental reagent directly on themselves. But the results are amazing, and now that we have a 'strong body', it's time to think about how to engrave more good qualities into our DNA. ”

"You may think I'm crazy, and I think so, but...... This is the only thing I can do as a researcher for my fellow citizens. ”

"Let's put aside the research and talk about the happy things, the unity shown by the residents of Singularity City gives me hope. It took them a short time to give up their illusions and decide to be their own saviors, and the winter was showing signs of improvement, and it might not be long before we could grow some food outside...... The situation is optimistic, maybe in another fifty years everything will be fine. ”

"I'm sorry I took the initiative to extend your dormancy, but trust me with good intentions. I've always felt guilty that I took you to Geumha, and you ended up staying in the lab until the last day before the end of the day. It's a pity that I can't go back to the old days, but at least in the future, I hope you can live in a beautiful new world...... I would like to apologize to you in person if I could, but after thinking about it, I decided to tell you these things in a letter. ”

"I'm too old to time travel, and this letter is probably the last message I'll leave in this world."

"I wish you a happy life in the new world."

"To my dear friend."

"—A friend who chose to stay in the past."

After reading the letter from the beginning to the end, Yule was silent for a long time, took a deep breath, and put the note and letter away together.

Now he is truly alone in this world.

The only umbilical cord left between him and this world is probably the letter in his hand, and the unfinished research of his predecessors.

Standing behind him, an old man whispered.

"Your friend is a respected scientist."

Yule turned to look at him.

"You ......"

The old man said softly.

"Luo Gan, from Vault 117."

Hearing this name, Chu Guang's face showed a surprised expression, but Yule's expression did not change at all, let alone any cordial emotions because of the word refuge.

More than 200 years later......

Even if there is no change in language, even if it is the same person, can it really be regarded as the same species?

"Do you know my seniors?"

The old man shook his head, but nodded again.

"I was born in a shelter and only escaped from that cage some time ago, so naturally it is impossible to know someone more than a century ago."

After a pause, he continued.

"But if I have the chance to meet, I think I'll be very good friends with him."

Yule gave him a strange look.

"Why do you think so?"

Luo Gan smiled softly.

"Thinking itself is a subjective act, and this is especially true of scientific research, and I learned about his research, and then about him as a person."

"Yes......"

Looking at the thoughtful Yule, Luo Gan slowly opened his mouth and continued.

"As long as people are still human, they will repeat the same mistakes...... We couldn't agree with him more, and we've seen too much hopeless stupidity along the way, either eating people alive or eating people in a different way. ”

Yule didn't have any surprise on his face, just said lightly.

"Is this already the case out there?"

He wasn't surprised at all.

Rather, when he learned that it was now two hundred years later, he already knew what was going on outside.

Luo Gan nodded lightly and continued.

"We don't want to be pessimistic that this is a curse engraved in our genes, but most of my friends and I are tired too."

"Ever since we left the Vault, we've been looking for the seeds that will hatch miracles, first at Boulder and then at other settlements...... However, we walked more than 800 kilometers, and we did not see even the slightest shadow of hope, but lost many excellent people. ”

"Singularity City is the last stop, and we agreed to give up if it doesn't work here."

Yule asked.

"Did you give up?"

Luo Gan smiled and said.

"Almost...... We had already given up when we saw those green-skinned monsters, and even if those old priests still had a little bit of human conscience and respect for knowledge, and let us go alone, it would not change the fact that they had fallen. ”

"Outside the institute are man-eaters......" Yule looked at the envelope in his hand and touched his chin, "that is...... Did the seniors' research fail? ”

I don't know why.

He didn't have any regrets in his heart, but ...... Somewhat happy.

In this way, it is not meaningless for him to gamble on the choices he has made in life, although it is not a beautiful new world, but at least there is something he can do.

Just like now.

This "meaning" is in the palm of his hand.

"I don't think it's a failure, it's just not done," Luo Gan continued, "he has created a strong physique for the new humans, but he has also planted the seeds of violence in their genes, and he intends to solve this problem in the future, but unfortunately this seed germinated before he can solve the problem...... If only we had woken up earlier, we would have met him earlier. ”

"That coward with the key always persuaded us to wait a little longer, to make us believe in a human union that we can't even save ourselves, as if we can solve all problems if we just follow the orders and leave everything to our children."

"Then we watched as the flames went out little by little, until the endless night swallowed up the land, and no miracle could happen even if we went farther...... Whether it's light years away or decades later. ”

As he said this, Luo Gan looked at Yule.

"We intend to end this pointless trip and continue his research, and if you can, we hope you can help us."

"Finish that unfinished completed lifeform?" Yur pondered for a moment, then said dryly, "Understood, I'll help." ”

Luo Gan looked at him in surprise, and then a smile appeared on his wrinkled face.

Putting away his smile, he solemnly stretched out his right hand.

"Thank you for joining us, and there's one more great crew member on board the ship to the New World."

"You're welcome."

Yule took his right hand and shook it.

"I think the same as you, if I can't wait for the new world after sleeping for more than two hundred years, it will be the same if I wait for another two hundred years."

"If I had to be the oars of this ship, I would do it."

After this handshake, Luo Gan said goodbye to Yule and followed the rest of the torch to the south. Torch made a deal with the local mutants, and the "Champion" biopharma would help them research on prosthetics that would make the mutants stronger, and the mutants would have to fulfill their obligation to assist them in their experiments.

The old priests of the Odd Tribe, all of whom are survivors of Singularity City, are led by the Ancestor Sect with an extraordinary respect for knowledge and scholars, and this is one of the traditions that has been carried over from Singularity City - a group of technicians helped them a long time ago.

Although the new generation of mutants of the secular sect are superstitious that the brains of smart people are more delicious, after seeing the power of the modified prosthetics, it is also rare to reach a consensus with the old guys of the ancestor sect - at least not to eat those researchers.

The experiment continued in an orderly manner.

When Luo Gan came back again, it was already 19 years later—that is, 2339, the 210th year of the Wasteland Era, and the year before Chu Guang woke up.

Feeling the vicissitudes of time, Chu Guang suddenly sighed.

With the tip of his elbow on his knee, Xiao Qi, who was sitting on his shoulder, turned his face to look at him.

"What's wrong, master?"

Chu Guangyan said succinctly.

"It's nothing, it's just a little emotional, I actually saw the vicissitudes of this land in the memory of a little person."

The image continued to flow.

In this meeting, Luo Gan had uploaded his thoughts to the circuit board, and the meeting place had changed from reality to a "holy area" existing in the virtual world.

At the same time, Luo Gan also brought new news.

They had established a theocratic kingdom to the south ruled by the Torch Church.

Under the rule of the Sanctuary, people don't have to quarrel over meaningless things, and everyone wholeheartedly becomes the oars of this ship to the new world.

Not only that, but he also brought with him the major research results of the Southside Lab – a fungal creature called Naguo.

"Thanks to the psychic intervention device and the Nago, we have succeeded in achieving a utopia free of strife within the confines of a province."

Yule asked casually.

"What about the Completed Lifeform project? Is there still a need to continue? ”

Luo Gan stared at him with blazing eyes.

"Of course we have to continue, the utopia of the old humans is only a phased achievement, to ensure that our experiments will not be hindered."

"And the other side we will eventually reach is harmony and co-prosperity that can be achieved without the intervention of the Nago and the mind, which means that we must break free from the shell that binds our souls and become a higher creature than human."

Yule nodded.

"I see, so what should I do next?"

Luo Gan continued.

"To solve the problem of the difficulty of living in a cold and dry environment, we need to spread it farther, not just on the borders of Haiya Province."

"I'll give you some samples...... Things are no longer the case, and the surrounding survivor colonies are slowly joining us. By the way, from now on, you are the apostle of the Church, and I am the forerunner who has entered the Holy Realm. ”

"I'm not interested in chanting, it takes up my precious research time." Yule said impatiently.

What he hates most is politics.

He didn't need any political rights, he just wanted to do what he thought was worthwhile.

Ironically, however, he never seemed to be free from this shackle in his life, and since a long, long time ago, he has been sinking and floating with the boat under his feet.

Luckily, the new boss knew him well.

Luo Gan laughed and said kindly.

"Don't worry, it's just in name, it won't take up much of your time."

"With this identity, our plans will go a lot smoother, and all the settlements in the entire diocese will cooperate with your experiments."

"No matter what kind of experiment it is."

This time, Yule's face finally had an expression of interest.

"Sounds interesting......"

At this moment, he suddenly understood why they would fail again and again.

Not because they didn't have the opportunity to do everything well, but because they chose the wrong way and tried to rebuild their civilization on a material level using human methods.

This line of thinking may have been wrong in the first place.

The Age of Prosperity is a unique example in the history of the Federation of People, and it is called a miracle precisely because it is not common.

If we use human methods to rebuild the kingdom of heaven, there is a high probability that we will repeat the mistakes made by people.

But God is different.

By substituting divinity for humanity, human error will not be committed.

Of course, he knew very well that the road must be full of thorns, and that people would die because of it, but even if he didn't, would he have fewer deaths?

Maybe more dead.

Rather than let those ignorant guys die for meaningless things, it is better to let them die meaningfully.

A hearty smile suddenly appeared on Yule's face.

"I see, leave it to me...... By the way, in a few years' time, I'll follow you to that sanctuary as well. ”

Luo Gan smiled kindly and nodded.

"Welcome."

Yule bowed slightly, and withdrew from the Sanctuary.

Looking down at his inner monologue, Chu Guang, who was standing aside, sighed softly.

"It's too extreme."

……

Pinecone Farm, the annex of Zhaofu Manor.

Quit smoking, holding a machine gun, yawned.

"How long do we have to stay here?"

Fang Chang, who had just gone offline and went to the official website forum to peep at the screen, said casually.

"The goblin corps seems to have taken care of all the work, and the mutant reinforcements probably won't be able to come, so it should be quiet tonight, but don't take it lightly."

Quit Smoking said with an uncomfortable face.

"Damn! Didn't you even leave a mouthful of soup for this dog? ”

The murderous dagger was raised.

"Huh? Who's calling me brother? ”

Good dog: "%¥#@!" ”

The lamb, who was huddled next to the fire to keep warm, reached for the fire with his little hand, explored the warm outline with his palms and fingertips, and amused himself to find the edge that was not too cold or too hot.

The flames lit her face red.

Although a lot has happened, her mood has stabilized.

The big brothers in the armor were very good people, not only drove the bad guys away, cured Yin Yin and the others, but also gave her a few very fragrant and sweet chocolates.

The corpses in the annex have been cleaned up, and although the blood on the walls and floors is a little scary, it is like that if you look at it too much.

She's safe now.

Safer than ever.

Yin Yin sat next to her, wrapped in a blanket, and when she woke up, she sat motionless, and no one responded to her words.

The lamb took the chocolate for her, and kept it for her.

Hopefully she'll get better soon.

At this time, the tall sister walked over.

Glancing at Yin Yin, who was shrunk into a ball and had no eyes in her eyes, Chen Yutong's face showed a trace of concern and worry, and he looked at Xiao Yang and asked.

"Is she better?"

The lamb shook his head slightly.

At this moment, Yin Yin suddenly raised her head.

"Daddy......"

"Huh?"

Although he didn't hear what the little girl was saying clearly, seeing that she finally reacted, Chen Yutong immediately squatted next to her.

"Are you feeling okay now? Is there anything wrong with it? ”

Yin Yin shook her head, continued to look at Chen Yutong, and whispered.

"My dad...... Is he okay. ”

Chen Yutong fell silent.

Vaguely guessing something from this sister's expression, Yin Yin's eyes oozed tears, and she continued to ask in a trembling voice.

"That'...... What about my brother? Sister...... And the housekeeper them. ”

That silent expression said it all.

Tears fell from her cheeks, and she hugged her knees tightly and sobbed uncontrollably.

“…… Why. ”

The lamb touched her head and whispered.

"Don't be upset......"

Yin Yin, whose eyes were full of tears, bit her lip tightly, unable to say a word, let alone how to face her friends.

She thought about helping her out of this cage, but it was out of sympathy, pity, or kindness, and never in this way.

My father is gone......

What should she do next?

Vaguely understanding the worry in Yin Yin's eyes, the little lamb whispered comfortingly.

“…… Well, although our family may not have such a big house, it should be quite big, and I will beg my father to take care of you. ”

Yin Yin looked at her.

The cold eyes made Xiao Yang feel that the friend in front of her suddenly became so strange, and the strangeness even made her feel a little scared.

"You're smug right now, aren't you...... You're finally free. ”

The lamb looked at her in astonishment, not understanding why she would say that.

Yin Yin obviously didn't understand why she would say such a thing, let alone why she would be angry with the lamb.

Obviously she is her best friend.

However, Yin Yin didn't want to apologize for this, and twisted her neck to the side.

Looking at this awkward child, Chen Yutong sighed.

Frankly.

The ghetto would become like this, and her father was at least ninety percent responsible, and it would not be too much to say that he was to blame.

He already had absolute power, but wanted more, and at this time, someone threw a very fragrant bait in front of him.

With an almost arrogant confidence in his own abilities, he almost didn't hesitate to bite the hook, and even fantasized about using the chips in his hand to intrigue with the church thousands of miles away.

But I didn't expect that people didn't even treat him as a person, and he didn't even deserve to leave a name on the experiment log, only a scribbled number.

But......

She still couldn't help but sympathize with the child.

Touching the little girl's head, Chen Yutong said softly.

"There are a lot of things in this world that we can't do anything about...... It doesn't really have anything to do with our efforts and choices, even if you don't stray into that basement today, even if you don't do anything, tonight will happen the same. ”

"I don't know if it will make you feel a little better by saying that, but ...... At least don't embarrass yourself or the people around you, you are all victims, and it is not you who are responsible for this. Your friend was brave enough to save you, and if it were me, I would say thank you to her. ”

As he spoke, Chen Yutong looked at the little sheep and said softly.

"Can you come with my sister? I may need your help. ”

Xiao Yang glanced at Yin Yin, who turned her face sideways and didn't speak, worriedly, and although she didn't want to leave her aside, she nodded sensibly.

"Hmm...... I'll help. ”

Chen Yutong bent the corners of his mouth and stood up on his knees.

"Follow me."