Story Reader / Main Story / 33 Wither to Shine / Story
The Galactic Research Institute has reportedly made a groundbreaking discovery of the Code Virtual Particle substance!
In efforts to simplify communication, the Galactic Research Institute has officially named this substance "Substance-0" following extensive research!
Now, please join me in welcoming the Director of the Galactic Research Institute to unveil this extraordinary discovery to us!
Ahem... Hello everyone, I am Silton, Director of the Galactic Research Institute.
The Code Virtual Particle substance has been officially designated by us as "Substance-0".
This special substance was discovered by a team led by our researcher Ishmael. We're currently running multiple verification tests on it, while our leading research team delves into its specific properties.
But first, what we can confirm is—it genuinely can replicate atomic-level "life".
It's like a large and stable... Haha, well, in simpler terms, it's like those holographic simulation game consoles that are popular among teenagers these days. Eventually, Substance-0 will be used to store our entire civilization—
The audience below erupts into thunderous applause, celebrating both the Galactic Research Institute's discovery and the new voyage they're about to embark on—
Hmm... Director's using Substance-0 to hustle for funding again.
...
Sure, we've made progress with our research, but is this really gonna be fine?
...
Hey—Ishmael! Are you even listening to me?!
Ah... sorry, I was just thinking about something else...
What's with you today...
Etha stands up from the table, studying Ishmael with concern.
You've been completely out of it ever since Professor Raheleh left.
I know you're worried about her, but aren't we all doing our best here?
You were totally out of it when the project kicked off, and you're still the same even after you found Substance-0—
What's really going on with you? You've never been like this before...
I don't know, I just feel... uneasy...
Ishmael stares at the constantly streaming data on the terminal, anxiously twisting the hem of her clothes.
Didn't the director already announce the conclusion? Substance-0 is enough to help us survive the heat death, so what's there to worry about?
You did an amazing job, finding the solution in just 5 standard years...
Etha tries to comfort Ishmael.
You really should take a break.
You've been staring at the terminal for days now. Are you waiting for the results from the first batch of life replication?
Well, I get it. It's actual life we're talking about here, after all...
Etha rests her chin on her hand, her face filled with admiration.
Sigh, such a profound proposition... I'd love to join your project team, but my instructor absolutely refuses to let me go...
Beyond the window, the sun has already dipped below the horizon. The sparse natural stars above flicker faintly, while the timekeeping star looms heavily, methodically announcing the present hour.
...That star is glowing.
?
There... that one, the last main sequence star.
In the dim light, the final naturally formed star suspended in the sky flickers languidly.
Hmm... they're probably using the final bits of energy from the main sequence star to make more asteroids. They've been at it for like, forever.
But that is the last star...
Ishmael lets out a sigh.
She has tried to stop the director and others from continuing the experiments on Substance-0. She has even attempted to hide its discovery.
But the planetary computer has faithfully recorded everything, with all experiment data being accurately synchronized and reported to the central system of the institute.
When Substance-0's ability to "replicate" information was discovered, the director was overwhelmed with joy. He immediately organized press conferences of all scales to announce this momentous news to the entire galaxy—
Director, I still think there's something off with Substance-0...
Hmm? I've already informed them to process your contribution bonus for this standard year...
It's not about my bonus, Director.
The characteristics that Substance-0 has shown are totally chaotic by nature. It's really dangerous...
Hah... Of course I know that chaos is dangerous, Ishmael.
The director finally looks up from the complex tasks on his terminal.
But the world needs hope, and our civilization needs to be preserved. We only have 5 standard years left, Ishmael.
Besides, we've already tested it. It indeed can replicate everything from our civilization.
Whether it's inorganic matter or organic matter, from buildings to plants, and even—"life" itself.
But so far, all the information has been reproducing chaotically...
How is chaos not a form of order in itself? Perhaps we just haven't discovered its patterns yet. It is, after all, a new form of matter. We need to give it enough time...
Alright, I have an interview coming up. How about you come along and provide some commentary...?
...
I'd rather not. Thank you, Director.
In resignation, she gently closes the door from outside.
Ever since then, the director has subtly marginalized her, excluding her from Substance-0's core research circle and restricting her to synchronized experiment data access only.
It is nothing different from stripping away all her authority within the project. Fortunately, Ishmael has already lost interest in continuing that part of the research.
She immerses herself in Raheleh's previous research on the time travel mainframe, beginning a self-imposed exile of repetitive, dry information experiments.
***Authorization Verification Successful***
***Standard Time 7873/15/05***
Substance-0**Experiment**Replication of ▅▅ Substance**Replication Successful***
***Standard Time 7873/17/25***
Substance-0**Experiment**Replication of ▅▅ Substance**Replication Successful***
***Standard Time 7873/21/25***
Substance-0**Experiment**Replication of Test Subject A21S5**Replication Successful***
...
Regularly perusing the Substance-0 experiment reports relayed by the terminal, Ishmael watches everything unfold with deep concern.
She has repeatedly calculated the properties of Substance-0, but never managed to verify the "result".
The countdown within the "cosmic regression model" steadily diminishes. Despite utilizing the time mainframe multiple times to project subjects into the "future", the results remain unchanged.
Is the emergence of Substance-0... truly the solution to the heat death of the universe?
***Standard Time 7875/21/25***
Substance-0**Experiment**Replication of Test Subject C65B8**Replication Successful***
***Standard Time 7875/21/25***
Substance-0**Experiment**Replication of Test Subject C94C3**Replication Successful***
The terminal stoically persists in generating streams of successfully replicated data. This experiment has almost never failed.
Guided by the leading research team, they continue to delve deeper into the properties of Substance-0, exploring its capabilities in replication, storage, and manifestation...
The first batch of life replicated by Substance-0 has successfully entered its core. Having reappeared from Substance-0 in a mist-like "form", these entities demonstrate the ability to engage in regular communication and perform all physiological functions.
According to the living beings that have entered Substance-0, within it they exist as "mind" rather than body—as consciousness, not flesh.
Substance-0 can replicate the true essence of life. They will follow Substance-0 into the depths of space, leaving their useless physical shells behind on the planets.
After entering Substance-0, their mind can extend throughout the entire galaxy. They can see all points of light in the universe, having become a new, higher form of "life".
After repeated verification by the Galactic Research Institute, they have determined that Substance-0 is the "solution" to surviving the heat death.
They believe this is the "sign" that can elevate their civilization to the next level—and they have already run out of time.
The countdown in the "cosmic model" shows only a mere 3 standard years remaining.
After volunteers entered Substance-0 in batches without experiencing any rejection phenomena, the galactic government decides to mobilize and encourage living beings to enter Substance-0 on the largest possible scale.
Ishmael—
Why are you still standing here? Isn't your name on this batch's evolution list?
Etha pushes open the door, rushing in while waving two application forms.
...I crossed my name off the list.
What?! Why would you do that?!
I thought you weren't on the list, so I grabbed the application form from the institute's special access just for you...
Etha furrows her brow, looking at Ishmael with confusion.
Tell me, what are you worried about this time? Is it Professor Raheleh? Or your... last star?
I'm sorry, Etha, I sent you a mail about it—
But I still want to hear it from you in person.
...I'm sorry, but I still believe that Substance-0 shouldn't be the final solution. I don't want you to "evolve".
The terminal transmits replication data to me every day, and I've been calculating its patterns, but... but it has never shown any kind of "pattern" that we recognize.
It's completely chaotic—
Ishmael anxiously brings up all records from the terminal and transfers them to Etha, looking at her hopefully, desperate for her understanding.
The director did say that they still haven't discovered any patterns in Substance-0, but...
But the leading research team has already verified that the replicated "life" exhibits biological characteristics—they just exist in a different form.
I believe... this is indeed a form of life evolution. The director taught this in theoretical class before, right?
When life enters a higher dimension, it may enter cosmic magnetic fields, becoming mechanical life existing as wave forms, or it may find new ways to exist—
Why won't you accept that Substance-0 might be the right direction?
...
With trembling fingers, Ishmael lowers her head in dejection.
No one would ever listen to a mere researcher's doubt, even if she can produce 153 papers to validate her ideas, even if she has countless pieces of information proving the dangers of Substance-0.
It's just like... no one would choose a dying star over the catastrophe of civilization's doom.
No one will believe her.
So, are you also preparing to... enter Substance-0?
...Yes, I'm sorry.
My family and instructor are all preparing to enter Substance-0. We'll be in the second batch. I noticed your name isn't on the list...
...
Etha heaves a deep sigh, placing the application form on the table.
I'll leave the form here. I hope... you take some time reconsidering it.
Noticing that Ishmael has started staring blankly out the window again, Etha shakes her head and walks out of the room.
The second batch of life to be "evolved" has entered Substance-0 as scheduled.
***Standard Time 7879/21/25***
Substance-0**Execute**Replication D15B03*Name*Ma##ell**Replication Successful***
***Standard Time 7879/21/28***
Substance-0**Execute**Replication D32J12*Name*Etha**Replication Successful***
...
After a brief "adaptation period", the Galactic Research Institute soon allows others to visit them.
Through multiple steps of approval, Ishmael finally secures the opportunity to speak with Etha, who now resides in Substance-0.
Etha... Etha...?
Facing a mass of dense white mist, Ishmael finds herself at a loss for where to begin.
...
The hazy mist outlines a human form, vaguely resembling the familiar Etha she knows.
H... Hello?
Since when did you get so formal, Ishmael? Haha, someone might think we barely know each other.
The mist gently surged forward as if to offer a gentle embrace to Ishmael, only to restrain itself and retreat back into the glass container holding Substance-0, firmly avoiding even the slightest contact with Ishmael's clothes.
Is Substance-0... really the "right direction"?
Go ahead and send in your application to join us! I've told you all along that Substance-0 is definitely the correct evolutionary path...
Now that I'm here, I can totally see this is the most suitable place for life to exist.
Do not worry. There's no danger here, no threats... Heat death, entropy increase—none of these matter anymore.
Not to push you or anything, but you really should join us!
Come on, once you're here, we can be friends just like before...
...Etha.
?
She displays a look of "confusion", appearing exactly as she did when she still lived outside.
May... may your soul soar with the Four-Winged White Raven.
The mist-formed figure silently vanishes.
Visitation time is up. Substance-0 has just replicated a large number of living beings and now it needs to rest.
...
Substance-0 needs rest?
Of course. Substance-0 is a new form of matter. After it simultaneously replicates too many organisms into itself, it requires a certain period to recover.
The guard researcher explains in a rigid manner.
Ishmael furrows her brow and quickly departs from this unsettling place.
The countdown of the cosmic model continues. Meanwhile, the immigration into Substance-0 organized by the galactic government proceeds in an orderly fashion.
From the first batch of experiment subjects, to the second batch of scientific researchers.
After it's confirmed that some researchers could maintain mental clarity and continue their previous research and communications even within Substance-0, the third batch follows, then the fourth...
Nearly one-fifth of all life in the galaxy has already entered Substance-0.
Ishmael?
After a gentle knock on the door, Ta·3T-class enters Ishmael's office.
Are you... calculating the pattern of Substance-0?
I'm sorry, I'm sorry... but I can't... I just can't figure it out...
The floor is littered with crumpled drafts, evidence of the fierce "battle" that took place here. Ishmael sits dazed in the center, staring vacantly at the final sheet of paper.
On the paper lies still just a disordered sequence of numbers.
Substance-0 is an absolutely disordered substance. I've run calculations on the planetary computer numerous times, but obtained no results.
But the "evolution" continues nonetheless, doesn't it?
To one side, the terminal monitoring Substance-0 continues to endlessly print line after line of "data", as ordered living beings continuously enter the disordered cycle.
...
I don't approve of their reckless life replication into an unknown substance, but unfortunately...
She gently runs her hand over the time mainframe beside her, suddenly changing the subject.
Still nothing from Raheleh?
No...
I always keep the mainframe online, but I haven't received any location signal from Professor's terminal.
It's as if... she never existed at all.
She has examined countless time marks since then, sifting through intricate, overlapping information, but has never found any data transmitted from the one person she most wants to hear from.
Ta... are you planning to enter Substance-0 too?
...Not yet.
I've come to find you because the leading research team has discovered some new problems.
Substance-0 has begun extending beyond its containment.
At first, only a small patch of white mist extended from the edges of the container storing "Substance-0".
The leading research team immediately conducted extensive tests on it, ultimately determining it to be excess matter protruding from a minute section of Substance-0.
They even became ecstatic about it, as Substance-0—which had always been incapable of self-replication or expansion—finally showed a sign of growth.
...But Substance-0 is chaotic...
...Yes, Substance-0 is chaotic, and its reproduction is equally so.
The once mild Substance-0 begins reproducing chaotically, growing with fanatical intensity.
From the initial glass petri dish, to an entire room, then to a corner of the research institute—
Like a giant beast finally baring its fangs, Substance-0 recklessly devours everything in its path.
Chaotic growth... It... Substance-0 has developed corrosive traits...
As long as... as long as it makes contact with even a small part of any living organism or matter, it will instantly engulf it...
This shouldn't be happening. Substance-0 is supposed to be the stairway to evolution...
Someone! Hurry! Help!! Pull him out...!
Chaotic development, chaotic traits, and it's "evolving" itself...
Wait—
The terminal that continuously monitors Substance-0's "replication" process slowly spits out new data.
***Standard Time 7880/23/03***
Substance-0**Birth****Successful***
It is... creating "new life".
The galactic government has arrested the director of the Galactic Research Institute who still persisted in advocating for Substance-0, urgently appointing Ta·3T-class as the new director of the institute to focus entirely on resolving the Substance-0 crisis.
But everyone is at a complete loss when facing a substance whose development trajectories are almost entirely "unknown".
Those successfully replicated living beings have never appeared in Substance-0's mist again. They seem to have all fallen dormant inside Substance-0, their biological signatures no longer detectable.
Meanwhile, a new will is silently born within Substance-0—
...We decided to call it the Punisher for now.
In the research institute, Ta massages her forehead, trying to relieve the fatigue from days of continuous work.
The Punisher...
Yeah...
Its appearance is like a "punishment" for our civilization, don't you think?
We thought we were climbing stairs to the next level, but all we have found is complete devastation...
...I'm sorry, I...
There's no need for you to apologize. If anything, we should be the ones apologizing.
You kept warning us back then, but even I didn't take your words seriously.
...
Ta lets out a heavy sigh.
The heat death has never come—Substance-0 has indeed successfully prevented its arrival.
The information doesn't develop further—most of it has been replicated into Substance-0 as previously theorized, but...
It seems to have heralded an entirely different form of catastrophe.
In the void, the pale doll folds her wings, her countenance devoid of emotion as she silently peruses the weighty tome adorned with the Four-Winged White Raven emblem.
The reading has taken far more time than initially anticipated.
The pink-haired woman silently appears beside Chaos, who is mechanically turning the pages. Her expression holds an indescribable mixture of emotions.
Instead of erupting in fury at having her civilization peeped, she simply remains quietly by Chaos' side.
Chaos breaks the deathly silence.
...
Yes.
In the civilization of the Four-Winged White Raven, what was named "Substance-0" is just another form of the Punishing Virus.
"The Punisher" is the Four-Winged White Raven's "Agent Zero".
...
From what I've observed, "Their"...
...Their so-called "filtering" has no clear rules.
A flicker of confusion shows in her translucent white pupils, only to quickly vanish.
The will of the world cannot be defied. Even something as magnificent as the Four-Winged White Raven will ultimately succumb to heat death.
Even if you could absorb all the information within the Hetero Tower, even if you could push back time to the point before its arrival...
Human civilization might simply be ended even sooner.
The universe will ultimately succumb to heat death. Even stars will eventually die out.
Everything will return to dust. Regardless of the struggle, the ending remains all the same...
...
According to the traits of Substance-0—or rather, the Punishing Virus on Earth—everything will be swept away by the Red Tide. Everything is bound to be devoured by the white mist.
Ishmael should have been buried within the white mist-like Substance-0 and carried beyond the "Gate".
But how... did she survive?
And why did she choose to use Substance-0 to preserve her entire civilization within the stellar ring?
...
The pink-haired woman lets out a gentle sigh.
Such a strong thirst for knowledge...
I suppose there's no harm in telling you about things that are already history...
She gently waves her hand at the heavy tome. The pages rustle as they turn to a section far ahead in the book.
On the weathered pages of the tome, light gray text mingles with blood-red stains.
The civilization of the Four-Winged White Raven did not escape the scythe of the Punisher.
During one operation to dispel the white mist of Substance-0, the mist took on a tangible form, and that "will" born from Substance-0 brandished its slaughter blade.
It has been recklessly harvesting everything that belongs to this civilization, declaring that the end of the universe is far beyond mere heat death—at least so for the Four-Winged White Raven.
Ishmael stands in the research institute, watching the researchers hurriedly carry the time mainframe that has been modified by her and Ta·3T-class.
Time to give it a new name.
The Raheleh Time Machine?
...That's not very funny, Ta.
Sigh, Raheleh was always worried about you, thought you were too rigid for someone so young...
Ta sighs and turns her head to look at the machine again.
Let's call it... the Temporal Plane Disruption and Spatial Positioning Restoration Terminal.
...That's too long.
Come on, it can still be simplified. The terminal can still be called travel terminal, and the mainframe still the time mainframe...
...
Well, let's just go with that for now.
I'll check on the first batch of the pioneer applicants. You keep an eye on the movement of Substance-0.
The institute needs a codename to refer to...
...
Ta's silhouette pauses momentarily before continuing to walk away. Her voice echoes from afar.
Let's call it... Shrike. The Shrike Research Institute.
Having exhausted all available weapons and strategies to no avail against Substance-0, the remaining survivors have gathered under Ta's leadership to use the time mainframe to return to the "past", intending to alter the course of events.
The time mainframe is hastily modified. Equipped with travel terminals, the first pioneer team embarks on their journey through time.
They call the time when Substance-0 appeared the "Genesis Year", and mark the time when the Four-Winged White Raven civilization falls into doom as the "Terminus Year". Disregarding their own safety, they travel back in time again and again to alter history, hoping to save their civilization.
But no one has succeeded.
The emergence of Substance-0 and the Punisher seems inevitable.
Their war only serves to taint the white mist shrouding the Punisher with the hue of blood.
The Four-Winged White Raven is destined to meet its end here.
Ta... I've received a message from 253.
...Any updates?
253... died one standard year ago.
...May his soul soar with the Four-Winged White Raven.
254 and 255 have already set off.
I'll also be departing in 3 standard days. If all goes well, I should return after about 7 standard days.
...Okay.
Watching as Pioneer 256 walks away, Ishmael lowers her gaze.
Another pioneer member... gone?
...Yes, it's 253...
His name was Iel·2·Hithe, an immigrant from planet Bola. He had a lover who was... Pioneer 142.
...
This is already the 253rd pioneer, and there aren't many time travelers left who can still carry out missions...
Ishmael opens the registry on her terminal and gently marks "deceased" next to Iel·2·Hithe's name.
Life in the galaxy is constantly dwindling...
The Punisher harvests everywhere, capable of appearing at any point in time after the birth of Substance-0.
Most of the pioneers have died at the hands of the Punishers. Now, across various time periods, there are fewer than one hundred time travelers remaining in the Shrike Research Institute.
As it absorbs more and more "information", the Punisher seems to have developed a semblance of consciousness, starting a calculated pursuit of these insects striving to shake the colossal tree.
I will enlist in the next pioneer team and become a time traveler.
...
Ta furrows her brows as she looks at Ishmael. Words hover on the edge of her lips, yet she restrains herself, choosing silence.
...I understand.
Let's have your information registered. You will be the... 367th time traveler.
The terminal screen reopens, and Ishmael's information is entered into the time traveling pioneer team roster.
There have been many attempts made to snuff out Substance-0 during the initial phase at the research institute, and they all failed.
As long as Substance-0 appears, someone will always begin advancing its research.
Replace the institute director, and other higher-ups will still push forward the emergence of Substance-0. Replace the research team, and other teams will take over this project.
Therefore, your mission is to return to the time before Substance-0 appeared, find Raheleh, and prevent her from initiating the research project on Substance-0.
...Prevent Professor Raheleh from initiating research on Substance-0?
Can you do it?
...I can.
Without further hesitation, Ishmael nods.
...
Ta looks at Ishmael with a complex expression.
There is likely no turning back, Ishmael. You still have one last chance to choose...
I have to do something.
I failed to stop the advancement of the Substance-0 research, and I couldn't prevent them from continuously replicating life into it.
With things having gone this far, I... I have to do something.
Instinctively, she looks toward the table, but the cup that Etha used to fill with sweet drinks for her is no longer there.
...Your departure time is set for three days from now.
Shrike Research Institute
After seeing off another batch of time travelers, only a handful of staff members remain in the research institute.
Ta·3T-class stands by the time mainframe, personally helping Ishmael adjust the target coordinates.
Are you ready?
...Yeah.
The pink-haired girl calmly adjusts the time travel terminal.
...May the Four-Winged White Raven guide you back safely.
The time mainframe activates, and a ghostly blue light envelops Ishmael's body like liquid. Her vision sinks into a vast emptiness, and something seems to press against her chest, pushing her backward.
Urgh...
A wave of dizziness and unease courses through her nervous system. Instinctively, Ishmael takes hold of the terminal she's carrying, but in the next second, her eyes widen in terror.
Gradually, one after another, "carved markings" start materializing along the flank of her terminal...
▅Ishmary—
—Failure, cannot, be avoided.
Professor... Raheleh, Raheleh!!
In the boundless space-time tunnel, she seems to catch a glimpse of her professor's silhouette, yet also seems to see nothing at all.
Suddenly, she realizes it... understands it all.
Why her instructor transmitted back the concept of heat death, why she could only send messages through "the information-capturing machine"—
—▅▅▅, ▅:▅ : I see ▅▅▅universe▅▅▅ about to perish.
Why her instructor's time travel terminal completely lost connection, and why she has now completely vanished—
—▅▅▅, ▅:▅ : The data stream▅▅▅irreversible▅▅▅.
—▅▅▅, ▅:▅ : ▅▅▅▅▅it▅▅▅▅come▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅
Raheleh, her professor, has been banished to the endless void of space like a ghost.
Ishmary, the heat death hypothesis has become reality—
The latter half of the sentence, restricted by the universe's "rules", was never sent out.
Ishmary, do not, explore, heat death.
Failure, cannot, be avoided—
As Ishmael recounts all this, her expression remains impassive, as if none of it has anything to do with her.
Only in her eyes, no longer a vivid blue, crystallizes a trace of sorrow that cannot be swept away.
Chaos stares at the book, expressionless.
After that, well...
Substance-0 relentlessly pursued the footsteps of time travelers, while our civilization repeatedly endured the endless cycles of suffering.
Just like how the Red Tide spreads through the Hetero Tower, Substance-0 similarly attempts to corrupt the time mainframe of the Four-Winged White Raven.
After it mastered this rule, countless time travelers were hunted down from every temporal crevice, like helpless rats caught by a cat.
After that...
The girl named Ishmael survived within this nightmarish closed loop for an unknown duration.
She experienced thousands upon thousands of cycles, breaking free from countless cages.
Finally, before Substance-0 could devour everything, she at last ▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅▅... and obtained Substance-0's authority.
As you have seen...
I placed my "civilization" in the subspace, the world beyond that gate, allowing them to survive just as they did before.
While I... with the help of Substance-0's traits, became a Gatekeeper chosen by the will.
That's all I can tell you for now.
Ishmael smiles enigmatically, speaking with deliberate ambiguity.
No... this kind of "substance" isn't something that can be "created" by anyone.
Whether it's the Chaos Contamination, Punishing Virus, or heat death, these appear to be merely tools of the cosmic will... methods They use to recycle or filter.
If one can survive these calamities, they can progress further, getting closer to Them and gaining more knowledge. But if not, then one cannot obtain the ticket to advance into the stellar sea.
I've told you everything I can, [player name].
She smiles, gazing at the pale doll.
Even so, do you still insist on... saving your civilization?
Chaos never ceases gathering the endless threads of causality, or rather, from the moment this "story" began until now, Chaos has continuously repeated this "action".
Initially, I placed "Ishmael" here as a projection... simply for some entertainment.
It had been a long time since I saw such a complex little world. But then... I saw "you".
I believe you have the potential to become my companion.
It's dark in the forest, and in such circumstances, I could always use some allies... just as you humans often do.
...
Watching Chaos' movements, Ishmael responds with silence.
You've already made your decision long ago.
What humanity seeks has always been something simple, but the current circumstances have put that hope far beyond reach.
No matter what I become, no matter how much power I gain...
<phonetic=[player name]>I</phonetic> have never changed my mind.
I am going to... bring them home.
