Cataclysmic Era: I can unlock the tech tree

To increase the efficiency of the investigation, [Time] and [Silk] began their investigation from two directions on the scroll.

Starships, artificial satellites, space elevators...

Planetary surface structures, soil, microorganisms, minerals...

Human appearance, internal organs, cellular structure...

All sorts of details appeared in the minds of the two dimensional beings.

The scene at the time of the two-dimensional transformation is gradually reconstructed.

"I see……"

After exchanging information, [Time] and [Silk] let out a long sigh: "They seem to want to study the two-dimensional fragments left behind by [Painting]."

"An unexpected event occurred during the research process, causing a two-dimensional fragment to explode and triggering a chain reaction."

Ultimately, this dragged the entire planet and its civilization into the abyss of destruction.

"As a Level 4 civilization, you actually dared to try and pry into the mysteries of dimensions? Serves you right!" The message from [Silk] was filled with disdain. "How could ordinary civilizations possibly fathom the secrets of dimensions?!"

"A pathetic civilization," [Time] said softly. "It's not their fault."

"A curiosity about the unknown is a necessity for every interstellar civilization."

"They're just too curious."

[Silk] paused for a moment, then spoke again: "The message sent by [Painting]..."

The shadow flickered slightly: "Human civilization is already extinct, what is there to be careful about?"

"I'm just worried..." [Silk] said cautiously, "Why don't you take another look?"

The shadows rippled more violently.

"As you've probably seen, these weak creatures had no idea that disaster was about to strike."

"Look at their movements, and the way those starships couldn't escape in time!"

"What's the point of investigating this?"

"Going through the timeline is exhausting."

"A mere level four civilization isn't worth me expending so much energy on."

"But, [Painting]..." [Silk] seemed to want to say something more, but was interrupted by the message sent by [Time].

"Alright, the cleaners' civility is about to arrive!"

"Ten thousand years ago, they obtained the bubbles."

"Ten thousand years from now, we absolutely cannot let them get their hands on the scroll!"

"Don't forget, the 'painting' itself is dead; through the scroll, we may also be able to grasp two dimensions!"

As soon as Shi finished speaking, a slight ripple came from outside the Heng star system.

One after another, spherical warships slowly emerged in the vast expanse of space.

……

Like the dimensional beings of the pastoral school.

After leaving the wormhole, Cleaner 9527's gaze unconsciously fell on that incredibly dim star.

The indicator light for the external memory storage device is flashing rapidly.

Soon, it recalled the information that had been buried in the deepest corner of its memory.

"This is the red dwarf star that was attacked by the planet-devouring device!"

Cleaner 9527 said softly, "I remember... um?"

Within the Heng galaxy, a tangled filament and a shadow instantly caught his attention.

"Damn pastoralism!"

"We set off first, so why are they already here?!"

The next moment, it noticed the enormous painting in the Heng galaxy!

"This is... a two-dimensional planet?!"

Cleaner 9527's eyes lit up, its previous anger dissipated, and it burst into laughter, its six tentacles trembling slowly: "It came so easily!"

"Although the painting is dead, with it, the mother civilization can still conduct research on two dimensions!"

"Sir, there's a problem."

Looking at the data on the screen, one of the subordinates said with some doubt, "There seems to be something else inside the two-dimensional fragment."

A screen of light appeared beside Cleaner 9527.

Looking at the colorful scene, it frowned deeply.

"Based on initial assessments, it appears to be a civilization," a subordinate whispered a reminder.

"Restore the relevant information immediately."

At the command of Cleaner 9527, the ship's onboard computer began to perform calculations.

With a special algorithm, a flat two-dimensional image is gradually restored into a three-dimensional image.

"Human civilization?"

Cleaner 9527 stared at the series of civilized features and stood there dumbfounded.

"No, there seem to be traces of another civilization."

Cleaner9527 had a sudden realization: "It must be a trace left by the indigenous civilization that was wiped out by the Star Devourer."

"But isn't human civilization just a pawn in the game of the pastoralists?"

Why was it made two-dimensional?

Like the otherworldly creatures, countless questions also arose in the mind of Cleaner 9527.

As the calculation progressed, Cleaner 9527 gradually learned the so-called "truth".

After experiencing two wars—the Cleaners civilization probe and the Bosa civilization—human civilization resolutely left the Gliese 555 star system.

Perhaps because they had experienced two major wars in succession, this fourth-level civilization was completely terrified, and they set their sights on some inconspicuous star systems.

The primary star Proxima Centauri is in its twilight years, and resources within the Centauri system are extremely scarce, making it unlikely to attract the attention of other civilizations...

After arriving in the Proxima Centauri system, human civilization began infrastructure construction on the foundation of the extinct indigenous civilization and embarked on a path of development once again.

Perhaps because they had witnessed the immense power of the two-dimensional fragments, and were in dire need of a powerful weapon, human civilization set its sights on the two-dimensional fragments left behind by the [painting].

Tragedy ensued.

The two-dimensional fragments went out of control, triggering a chain reaction.

The entire planet was reduced to two dimensions by the combined effect of dozens of two-dimensional fragments.

The process was so fast that even starships docked around the planet didn't have time to escape!

Looking at the amber-shaped fleshy blobs inside the starship that had formed due to acceleration, Cleaner 9527 shook his head with regret.

"They're actually trying to study two-dimensional fragments..."

Cleaner 9527 stared at the information on the light screen with a strange expression, muttering to himself, "Ignorance is bliss. Is dimensional technology something a Level 4 civilization can even dabble in?"

"Reporting to Mother Civilization." Looking at the folds that kept appearing at the edge of the scroll and the corners that were constantly rising in dimensionality, Cleaner 9527's tone suddenly became serious.

"We have discovered a massive two-dimensional fragment, codenamed 'Scroll,' which is currently in a standoff with the pastoral factions 'Time' and 'Silk.' We request reinforcements from our mother civilization!"

"Furthermore, human civilization has been confirmed to have been wiped out by the two-dimensional painting, and the warrant for the extinction of human civilization has been lifted."

……

War broke out again.

There was no warning whatsoever.

Unlike the battle at the edge of the Milky Way, both sides in this war are showing extreme restraint.

This war between advanced civilizations was contained within a range of one light-year.

Whether it was the idyllic dimensional creatures or the planetary fortresses of the Cleaners civilization, they all deliberately restrained their attacks, fearing that the aftershocks of war would destroy that precious picture.