Chapter 61: I Dream, Come to My Room Tonight

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"The GEO Base has already recovered the fragments of the celestial machine," Ishimuro said, glancing at Joze before turning his gaze to Atsuko. "Contact Chief Higuchi."

GEO Base is a terrestrial facility, located beneath Tokyo Bay and spanning over a thousand meters underground in a hexagonal pillar formation. Generally, it is responsible for scientific research. The remains of monsters after their demise are always brought back to GEO Base for preservation. If XIG's aerial base is humanity's front line for attack and defense, then GEO Base is the brain center.

As Atsuko connected with Chief Higuchi, a bespectacled man appeared on the main screen after the video call was established. Likely due to frequent late nights spent on scientific research, he looked somewhat middle-aged. Dressed in a research coat, Higuchi had clearly just left the laboratory. "That fragment with red paint isn't something from Earth."

"According to the current information, if it was blown out of the typhoon, it's likely a piece of script from the celestial machine, much like the fragments from the Yan Mountain machine."

"It seems my guess was correct," Joze feigned confidence, then looked to Atsuko. "Lightning Team collected atmospheric samples swept by the typhoon. What does Alchemy Star say?"

He had no real scientific expertise, merely deduced the correct outcome from the known information. When he notified Ishimuro and the others, Joze had suggested Lightning Team collect data.

"I'll contact them right away," Atsuko said, initiating communications with Alchemy Star.

Watching Joze, who was steering the situation, Yum felt somewhat superfluous. Recalling Joze's perception-based abilities, he sensed a deep 'malice.'

"Superpowers! That's cheating!"

Unable to join the discussion, Yum stared blankly, struggling to keep up with Joze's pace.

Higuchi from GEO Base went offline, and Daniel's video appeared on the main screen.

"We've analyzed the atmospheric samples collected by Lightning Team and discovered something incredible!"

"As the typhoon passes, all harmful pollutants in the atmosphere are decreasing rapidly!"

"If this typhoon continues, in another six months, Earth's atmosphere will be completely purified!"

Alchemy Star's analysis diagram was now displayed on XIG's main screen.

Fujimiya stood beside Daniel, his voice coming through the channel. "Joze, Yum, I trust you're both watching."

"I have something to inform you."

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He had intended to call Joze, but Fujimiya decided to keep Joze's identity concealed.

"Finish dealing with your current troubles and come to Prolong Kalamos."

"Fujimiya?" Yum barely had time to ask what was happening before Fujimiya cut the connection.

The familiar name triggered Ishimuro's memory. "Yum, was that Hiroya Fujimiya?"

"Yes, the speaker was Fujimiya," Yum replied honestly, unaware of anything unusual.

Sakurai pondered aloud, "Hiroya Fujimiya is a top scientist. I remember he developed Crisis."

Ishimuro looked at Joze and Yum, a suspicion forming in his mind. "So, you two know each other?"

Joze's expression didn't change. Seeing the others' questioning looks, he ended the topic before Yum could answer.

"Don't worry about him. For now, let's deal with the celestial machine sent by future humanity."

If Yum answered Ishimuro's questions, all their secrets would soon be uncovered.

"Though the typhoon can purify the atmosphere, if it continues, human cities will suffer immense disaster."

Joze turned to Atsuko as he spoke.

"Transmit Lightning Team's recorded footage to the main screen and instruct them to report to the command room."

Ishimuro felt as though Joze had usurped his command, but he didn't comment, merely fell silent.

With the tacit consent of the commanders, Atsuko transmitted the footage to the main screen and notified Lightning Team.

Joze approached the screen, raising his hand to direct everyone's attention. "Look at the eye of this storm, shrouded in dark clouds."

"Normally, the typhoon's eye reveals clear skies, but this one is filled with black clouds, brimming with immense energy!"

"I believe the celestial machine is hidden in the eye of this storm."

"Wait, I have a question," Staff Officer Chiba said, his face puzzled, seizing the moment after Joze finished speaking. "What do you mean by 'future humanity?'"

"Humans from the future? Why would they send the celestial machine here?"

This was also a point of confusion for Ishimuro and the others.

There was an obvious connection between the celestial machine and the Yan Mountain machine.

"I know this!" Yum hurried to speak up.

Ever since Joze entered the command room, Yum had felt a deep 'malice.' At this rate, he might as well let Joze be the scientific analyst!

The key was that, after becoming familiar with Joze, Yum realized he wasn't actually a scientist.

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Now, Joze could speak with such authority only because he used his abilities to access information.

This left Yum feeling deeply frustrated.

Under the others' expectant gazes, Yum explained, "We're now facing the invasion of the Annihilation Summoning Entity. The future is constantly changing."

"It's like this cup."

Yum picked up a cup from the table. Under everyone's gaze, he let it drop to the floor.

With a sharp crack, the cup shattered. Yum gestured to the fragments on the ground. "Future humanity is like this cup—after Earth is conquered by the Annihilation Summoning Entity, they are the humans living under its rule."

"In their despair, they sent natural control machines to this Earth. The celestial machine purifies all, the Yan Mountain machine melts ice and snow, and I believe there is another responsible for sowing seeds!"

Sakurai looked at the shattered cup, his expression caught between words. That was his new cup—he hadn't even made coffee with it yet!

Seeing Yum's eagerness to perform, Joze didn't interrupt.

He had already discussed the future humans with Yum before.

Staff Officer Chiba spoke up, "Doesn't that mean Earth will be conquered by the Annihilation Summoning Entity?"

"Not necessarily," Yum replied, picking up another cup, intending to demonstrate.

Ishimuro grabbed his arm, returning his own cup to the table. "I understand your point."

"If we change the cup's fate before it hits the ground, it won't break."

"When we defeat the Annihilation Summoning Entity, Earth will remain humanity's planet."

Yum nodded vigorously. "That's right, Commander, you're brilliant!"

Ishimuro merely acknowledged this, reminding Yum, "The cup you just broke was Sakurai's new one."

"Ah?" Yum froze at the words.

He turned to Sakurai, whose face was visibly dark.

At that moment, the command room door opened, and Lightning Team's three members—Kajio and the others—entered.