Witch, Fireball and Steam Evil God

Chapter 354 Lights Out
Am I really that awesome?
Ethan was stunned by the resume his boss pulled out: two PhDs in Mochi and Engineering. With that background, what couldn't he do to succeed?
However, he did not get lost in the praise and quickly readjusted his mindset.

Is this a dream, or a dream dominated by his memories? He had heard that people subconsciously embellish their past, for example, turning an ordinary undergraduate degree into a double doctoral degree from the world's top university in the most prestigious major. Otherwise, why would people always say that anything can happen in a dream?

"So, your girlfriend is also your schoolmate?"

After praising Ethan's outstanding achievements during his doctoral studies, the big boss then turned his attention to Winter.

"A PhD in Chemistry".

Ethan replied without hesitation that he felt elemental reactions should be classified under chemistry, and given Winter's achievements in elemental energy manipulation, this was hardly an exaggeration—she was an outstanding graduate of the world's number one elemental energy manipulation academy, the only saint of that era, and stayed on as a professor for several years after graduation, even promoting teaching reforms. Moreover, she also entered politics and worked in the empire's former highest power institution.

According to this system, Winter should simultaneously possess the dual identities of "academician" and "senator".

Even someone like Ethan, who doesn't usually pay much attention to politics, could imagine the significance of a member of parliament in his early twenties.

"She's the real academic star. Compared to her, I barely managed to get a degree."

Then, Ethan steered the conversation to the main point, which seemed to be the real reason why the big boss of Pioneer Technologies had to meet with them that night: "Let's talk about the multiverse theory you mentioned earlier."

"of course."

The big boss nodded, "In your field, many great scientists have proposed similar concepts, and I tend to summarize their theories as the 'portal theory'."

On the LCD TV in the living room was a PowerPoint presentation he had prepared in advance. It seemed that the boss of Pioneer Technology was not the kind of investor who was foolish and had too much money, and who would throw money at a concept after hearing about it. He had done a very in-depth study of his proposed "portal theory", and many of the key theories on the PowerPoint presentation were based on relevant academic and scientific evidence.

This theory is full of science fiction elements, but it is not difficult to understand.

The big boss believes that there are still many universes and civilizations in the world that are unknown to humankind at present. They may be located in a galaxy that is currently inaccessible to modern technology. The inspiration for the "portal theory" comes from the wormhole theory, which proposes to open a short passage at a designated location in an artificial way to serve as a bridge between the two.

This sounds exactly like the direction the guild is exploring. Although the technology on the other side seems far inferior to modern technology, they have found these "bridges" first.

However, based on the guild's existing information, it seems more like a discovery than a creation.

However, the research direction of Pioneer Technology has changed. In Crimson's memory, their research direction is the study of the "dream" world. The entire project team uses the boss's comatose daughter as an anchor point and creates a complete world centered on her mental world.

Therefore, Ethan was not in a hurry to dismiss the big boss's wild ideas. Both were cutting-edge technologies that only existed in science fiction novels. In "another timeline," they had already achieved success once and created epoch-making technology.

Ethan couldn't be sure whether the big boss of Pioneer Technology, whom he was facing at this moment, also had a daughter who lost consciousness in an accident in her early years and needed medical equipment to prolong her life, and whether the entire portal technology was related to his daughter.

The good news is that the atmosphere of the conversation tonight was relatively harmonious. Although they felt like they had been caught up in a kidnapping incident, the outcome was good. During the conversation, the big boss thoughtfully prepared exquisite snacks and champagne for them, and the entire conversation revolved around the "portal theory".

In a lively academic seminar, although Ethan still believed that his dual PhD in Mochi and Engineering was a result of self-beautification in a dream, the big boss's theory hit him right in the head. He spoke eloquently, not only without showing any weakness in theoretical knowledge, but also put forward many new viewpoints that impressed the big boss.

It is not difficult to propose a scientific hypothesis; the difficulty lies in the process of transforming theory into reality.

In this world that reveres science and objective matter, the big boss believes they need to discover a substance that has not yet been discovered. It may come from minerals or be some element that exists in nature. The key is that it can create a small teleportation matrix after fission through a specific chemical reaction.

Meanwhile, Ethan's doubts about the big boss's identity deepened.

He didn't seem like a businessman at all, but more like a mad scientist who spent all his time in the laboratory. When he talked about matter and elements, the focus and enthusiasm that came out of his mouth did not seem to be faked.

In the Empire, however, the answer to this question is much simpler.

Ethan believes that the "Old Gods" are the answer. Theoretically, they all exist in another dimension, and the contaminated areas they created are the bridges connecting different dimensions in the "portal theory." They implemented the theory proposed by the Big Boss in a way that is full of mysticism.

However, these two things may not be contradictory.

If this phenomenon were to occur in the world of dreams, with the current scientific system, people might be able to find a scientific explanation for it, and even make use of it.

As the conversation drew to a close, the sky outside the mansion was beginning to lighten, and the black cat, who had grown bored, had already dozed off several times.

"I have one more question."

Ethan spoke up.

"Please say."

"Why is your company so fixated on research into the 'portal theory'... I mean, it doesn't sound like a project that will yield returns in the short term."

He had already put it very tactfully, which is why Ethan felt the big boss didn't seem like a businessman.

The big boss was full of enthusiasm and wanted to invest a lot of money in a project that might not bring him any return at all. Now it seems that the "portal theory" is just a castle in the air, and they may never be able to turn the theory into reality.

"Isn't that what science is all about—exploring the unknown and satisfying curiosity?"

"The big boss said, but after noticing Ethan's suspicious look, he toned down his enthusiasm and restrained himself from being too eager," the boss said.

"You might think I'm crazy, but if you want to know the truth, I would say that I believe our world is going to be destroyed soon."

Seemingly to avoid further questioning from Ethan, he proactively explained, "There's no basis for it; it's just my personal prediction and conjecture."

……

Meanwhile, Zhuang Xiao had an unforgettable evening.

She didn't sleep a wink all night, immersing herself in a nightclub, indulging in the raucous music and alcohol. This was a way for her to regulate her emotions. She had been suppressing herself for too long in the shelter, and if this continued, she might become tainted by the dark and despairing atmosphere of the shelter.

This is definitely not the life she wants.

Even a thought arose deep within her heart.

If she had known she would wake up in the shelter and face the destroyed world with the people there, she would have preferred to remain asleep in her dream.

Her dimensional canopy, the place she had poured her heart and soul into for thousands of years, was far more pleasing to the eye than the shelter from every angle. Over those long millennia, her sense of identity as a resident of the shelter had long been worn away. This might be a side effect of pioneering, but it was the truth.

She was starting to regret it.

But life goes on.

Zhuang Xiao left the nightclub and took a few hangover pills.

Daylight had broken, the sun was rising above the horizon, and the early-shift workers had begun their busy day.

Don't get too caught up in it.

Merlin's words echoed in her ears. Zhuang Xiao formulated a plan in her mind: today she would meet with Ethan and investigate the principles governing the existence of this world as quickly as possible.

As she walked down the street, blending into the flow of people heading to their jobs, a self-deprecating bitter smile appeared on her face.

Perhaps life in the shelter was too bleak, because she was actually persuaded by Merlin's inspirational words—they had a chance to completely escape their suffering, and the key to the future was in their hands.

Zhuang Xiao pondered the interview questions and many other points to note, as she needed to present herself in the same way she did when she first met Ethan.

and also--

Her thoughts came to an abrupt halt.

Zhuang Xiao suddenly noticed something unusual on the street.

All the sounds on the street vanished in an instant—the sounds of people talking, footsteps, and cars driving by. In a moment, all sounds were ripped from this world, and when she looked up, the scene that greeted her eyes horrified her.

Everyone on the street froze in their tracks; they were all immobilized, some even standing still in bizarre poses.

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

The scene became an absolutely still painting, and Zhuang Xiao became the only special existence who could look around. But soon this still painting discovered her as an "outlier." She felt something crashing towards her, an unbearable weight, followed by an irresistible stinging pain that invaded her brain.

In extreme pain, her vision was plunged into eternal darkness.

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

When Zhuang Xiao opened her eyes in a daze, she knew that she had been in Merlin's office for too long, long enough that the shelter's management had discovered their actions. Security personnel in riot gear cordoned off the entire area. The moment her vision cleared, she saw the old man who often walked with Merlin.

Of course, there was also Chen Qi, the head of the entire department, whose relationship with Merlin was extremely strained. He stood in the crowd with a gloating smile on his face.

The old man sat silently in his chair, carefully reviewing the plan that Merlin had presented to him. His face was gloomy, and it was impossible to see through his thoughts. Not far from the old man was a middle-aged man who had fallen asleep. Zhuang Xiao recognized him; he was Minister Chen Qi's right-hand man.

Although she and Merlin returned to their posts, they were both marginal figures in the department. Chen Qi would not entrust them with important tasks, nor would he allow them to participate in important departmental decisions.

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

He was pale and didn't look well.

"The meeting has been completed."

Ignoring his dizziness, the middle-aged man, relying on his willpower, reported to the old man, "He's very interested in our theory; perhaps this is an opportunity..."

No, this is not it.

Merlin argued, "Every idea we try to implant must be rigorously examined and cannot have any flaws! You should be well aware of the consequences if he discovers any flaws!"

"We're cleaning up your mess."

Chen Qi snorted coldly, "Since you know the seriousness of the matter, you should know the consequences of contacting him without authorization!"

Upon hearing this, Merlin was speechless for a moment.

The old man stopped flipping through the documents, raised his head, and gave Merlin a deep look.

"Let's keep going."

Merlin's little schemes were exposed to him, and then he changed the subject, saying, "But the entire operation will be under Chen Qi's full responsibility."

Zhuang Xiao's mind was still blank. Amidst the intense ringing in her ears, she watched people leave Merlin's office until only the two of them remained.

"you do this delibrately."

Even the most obtuse person could see through Merlin's thoughts at this moment: "You used me."

She was forced to contact Ethan in an illegal manner, and after the matter was exposed, the activity was forced to continue.

No answer was needed; Merlin's expression said it all.

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

He deliberately allowed himself to be discovered by the shelter's higher-ups.

"Thank you for your hard work, Colonel Zhuang Xiao."

Merlin didn't deny it either, saying, "You should go back and get some sleep now."

Why Ethan?

Zhuang Xiao looked directly into Merlin's eyes, her brain began to work at lightning speed, the hangover actually making her mind much clearer.

The implantation of ideas, the contact in the dream, and almost all the actions revolve around Ethan alone.

Throughout the entire process, another extremely important person seemed to have disappeared and was never mentioned.

—The goddess they worshipped was the one who gave them power.

In another carefully crafted story, she is the center of everything, and everything revolves around her. This is the concept they want to instill in Ethan.

But ever since she returned to the shelter, neither Merlin, Song Xian, nor Chen Qi's faction has ever mentioned the existence of the goddess.

She was right next to Ethan.

Zhuang Xiao was quite certain that she had reported this information on the very first day she woke up.

The answer... seems to be obvious.

The goddess they worshipped, and the winter she had become at this moment.

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

(End of this chapter)