This Game is Too Real

  The dead city sleeps under the yellow-gray sunset, and the diffuse fallout blurs the setting sun.

  The row upon row of high-rise buildings are like tombstones, and the empty windows can't see a trace of life, nor can you see the passing cars and flashing neon lights of the past.

  The exhaled white mist condensed into hoarfrost on the mirror surface of the protective clothing.

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

  His Adam's Apple moved, and he managed to squeeze out a few words.

   “…nuclear winter?”

  Zhao Feiyu glanced at the sky.

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

  The fallout scattered around the edge of the atmosphere and the debris scattered in low-Earth orbit block a large amount of visible light from reaching the surface.

   Not only that, but the industrial scale, energy use, production methods, etc., have all returned to the era of prosperity and even earlier.

   This is not a simple problem of adding or subtracting calorific value. The ecosystem of this planet has already adapted to the production activities in the era of prosperity, but now everything has changed back violently.

   No one knows when the planet will have to readjust, especially when the planet is nearly buried in dust.

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

  Interestingly, the life activities of the slime mold were not affected by the radiation, but the scale of activities was reduced due to global cooling.

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

  Zhao Feiyu briefly told the news he knew and what was happening in Jinhe City.

   "The People's Federation is planning to build a more efficient reconstruction and reconstruction agency, in order to resume production in the shortest possible time, and at the same time start dealing with humanitarian disasters caused by climate issues."

"The refugee settlements in Jinhe City will be converted into settlements, and some researchers and engineers will assist residents who are stranded there and cannot enter the refuge facilities to carry out reconstruction work... Our jurisdiction has also been transferred from the Central Wartime Research Institute to the The local management organization has been established, and the next step will probably be to do some work on disease prevention and drug production methods.”

   "Although I personally think this is a good thing, it may also mean that reconstruction will become a long-term work with a cycle of ten or even twenty years... difficult."

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

  “…even though it is difficult, I still believe that everything will be fine.”

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

"I have a few tickets to the future—well, it's not a secret, it's a dormant cabin with a 50-year limitation period. People's Federation thanks us for our continuous work. The anti-radiation agent formula has saved many people Radiation agents too... our work is done, we can go to the future to enjoy our blessings."

   Yule gave a wry smile.

   "So what if I go."

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

"Went...it won't matter, but fifty years later everything is back to normal, just sleep and all the unpleasantness is over, don't you think it's great? Of course, it's not all good things, now three years It’s just one generation, and communicating with young men after more than a dozen generations, the generation gap is probably bigger than humans and dogs—”

   "Do you believe it?" Yul looked at him, interrupting his fantasy.

  Zhao Feiyu fell into silence.

  This question does not need to be answered at all.

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

   Back to the era of prosperity.

  If it’s really that easy, why is there a hibernation shelter in units of a hundred years in the refuge plan?

   Seeing 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 very bad, there are many people who need my research, and there are my family and friends in this era. I can't take everyone to the future. A person's life is only so long, and I want to spend the rest of the time with They stay together."

   After a pause, he looked at Yule.

   "Although it is selfish to say so, I still hope you can go."

   Yule said bluntly.

   "Is it because I'm lonely?"

"No, it's not that kind of reason," Zhao Feiyu said with a wry smile, "Well, let me tell the truth, People's Federation wants us to arrange some researchers to go to the future, because as you can see, this will not end immediately Crisis, if everything is over in fifty years, of course everyone will be happy, if not... at least someone has to take us forward."

  Yul was silent for a long time and sighed.

   "Then I will go to that beautiful new world for you to see."

  …

  Yul finally chose to go to the future.

  He himself didn't know why he made this decision.

  It may be that there is still a slight illusion in my heart about the world fifty years later, or it may be that I am simply desperate for the status quo.

  It doesn’t matter which era you go to, as long as it’s not the present.

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

   Then go to the future.

   He has no offspring anyway.

The relationship between    and parents is also very indifferent.

  The young people of his generation are all like this. Compared with blood relationship and tradition, they care more about the realization of self-worth and the soul that can resonate spiritually.

  Having made all the psychological preparations, he calmly lay down in the hibernation cabin, and just like countless expeditioners going to the future, he started this time journey with no return.

  However, even though he was mentally prepared, the development of the matter still exceeded his expectations.

   It was also beyond the expectation of Chu Guang who was standing aside and watching quietly.

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

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

"191 of the Wasteland Era... not long after the torch came out of No. 117 shelter," Chu Guang glanced at Xiao Qi while talking, "By the way, haven't you read the entire memory? Why are you still surprised?"

  Xiao Qi's expression froze, and she subtly moved her eyes away to look aside.

   "Hey...it's more atmospheric."

  Chu Guang: "..."

  There is a hammer vibe here...

   "Okay, okay, don't worry about these details, it's almost over... Woohoo, I really want to stay with the master for a while longer."

   "Don't you follow me every day?"

   "How can it be the same!"

   "Is there a difference?"

"Of course! One is outside, the other is inside... Well, how to describe it?" After thinking for a while, Xiao Qi's eyes suddenly lit up, and she said with a shy smile, "It's as if the master entered Xiao Qi's room. Body...hehe."

  Chu Guang: "...?"

  The still picture continues to flow.

  Xiao Qi pressed the button to continue playing without authorization, and Yule, who sat up from the dormant cabin, looked around blankly.

  After a brief conversation with the staff who stood by, he learned that he had been asleep for nearly two hundred years, and the complex expression on his face seemed to have overturned all kinds of flavors.

  Man cannot keep promises beyond his own lifetime.

   A group of people is even more impossible.

  He should have expected this to happen, but the current situation is beyond his expectations.

  The 50-year freezing period, the promised pension and honor...all of them disappeared with the disappearance of the People's Federation.

   They entered a new era,

   People born in this era call it the Wasteland Era.

  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 while.

  The staff of this institute brought him the notes of his senior, and he found the letter left by his senior on it.

"...Mr Yule, I'm sorry to keep you asleep for so long. I've been debating whether to unfreeze you on your eightieth birthday, but then I remembered what you said, you want to go to Brave New World , then we may have to wait..."

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

"My body is getting worse and worse. Even if the bionic organs are replaced, the remaining parts will still age, and the recent things are really messed up. Fifty years ago, those idiots didn't fight enough, and recently they fought again Wake up... Not surprisingly, the War Construction Committee has been disbanded, and now there are companies, colleges and legions, and no one knows what the future will be."

"Ah, you may be at a loss after seeing this. Where do I start to explain to you... In short, the War Construction Committee is the post-war reconstruction committee, which is the organization I told you before for more efficient reconstruction. You can think of it as a continuation of Renlian, because it has successfully inherited all the stinks of Renlian. Of course, it also has good things, but it doesn't matter now, the best era is over, and again ended."

"I didn't expect to be lucky enough to experience the end of the world twice in this life. Now we stand with the survivors of Singularity City, which is the refugee settlement next to the previous research institute. Now it has developed into a decent shape. We were joined by researchers who fled here from the east coast a few days ago, and I looked at their research ... and honestly, their ideas are just wild."

"I think the same as them. As long as people are still human, they will repeat the mistakes that people will inevitably make countless times... If you want to solve all problems once and for all, you can only make people become another kind of powerful, long-lived, A smart and docile new species, they call it a Gestalt life form! It's a rare opportunity, how about adding cat ears to the new human? Haha, just kidding, don't take it seriously."

"Those guys are really brave enough to use unstable experimental reagents directly on themselves. But the effect is surprisingly amazing. Now that we have a 'strong physique', we should think about how to use more excellent Quality is inscribed in the DNA."

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

"Let's put aside the research, let's talk about something happy. The unity shown by the residents of Singularity City gave me hope. It only took a short time for them to give up their illusions and decided to be their own saviors. , There are also signs of improvement in winter, maybe we will be able to grow some food outside in a short time... The situation is optimistic, and maybe everything will be better in another fifty years."

"I'm sorry that I prolong your dormant period on my own initiative, but please believe that I have good intentions. In fact, I have always been very guilty. I took you who just entered the society to Jinhe City, and the result was until the end before the end. You spent a day in the lab. It's a pity that the old days can't go back, but at least in the future I hope you can live in a brave new world... If I can, I want to apologize to you in person, but after thinking about it I still decided to tell you these things by writing a letter."

   "I am too old to time travel, and this letter may be the last piece of information I leave in this world."

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

   "To my dear friend."

   "—A friend who chooses 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 away the notes and the letter together.

  Now he is truly alone in this world.

  The only remaining umbilical cord 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 said softly.

   "Your friend is a respectable scientific researcher."

   Yule turned and looked at him.

"You are…"

  The old man said softly.

   "Luo Gan, from Vault 117."

  Hearing this name, Chu Guang showed a surprised expression on his face, but Yuer's expression did not change in any way, and he did not have any kind emotions because of the word refuge.

   After more than two hundred years...

  Even if there is no change in language, even if they are the same people, can they 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 refuge, and I escaped from that cage some time ago. Naturally, it is impossible to know someone from more than a century ago."

   Paused, he continued.

   "But if there is a chance to meet him, I think I will become very good friends with him."

   Yul gave him a strange look.

   "Why do you think so?"

  Luo Gan smiled lightly.

  “Thinking itself is a subjective behavior, and scientific research is even more so. I learned about his research, and then I got to know him.”

"Is it…"

  Looking at the pensive Yuer, Luo Gan slowly continued.

"As long as people are human, they will repeat the same mistakes... We agree with him very much. We have seen too many hopeless stupidities along the way, either eating people alive or eating people in different ways people."

   There was no surprise on Yuer's face, he just said something lightly.

   "Has the outside become like this?"

   He is not surprised at all.

   Rather, when he learned that it was two hundred years later, he already knew the situation outside.

  Luo Gan nodded slightly and continued.

   "We don't want to pessimistically think that this is a curse engraved in our genes, but most of my companions and I are also tired."

"Since we left the refuge, we have been looking for the seeds that can hatch miracles. The first stop was Boulder City, and then other settlements... However, we have traveled more than 800 kilometers, even if there is a little bit of hope I didn’t see it, but I lost a lot of outstanding people.”

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

   Yule asked.

   "Then have you given up?"

  Luo Gan smiled and said.

"Almost... We gave up when we saw those green-skinned monsters. Even if those old priests still have a little bit of human conscience and respect for knowledge, letting us go alone will not change the fact that they are depraved. .”

   "There are ogres outside the research institute..." Yule looked at the envelope in his hand and touched his chin, "That is to say... did the senior's research fail?"

Do not know why.

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

   In this way, the choice he made on his life is not meaningless. Although this is not a brave new world, at least there are things he can do.

   Like now.

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

"I don't think it's a failure, it's just that it hasn't been completed," Luo Gan continued. "He shaped the new human body into a strong body, but he also planted the seeds of violence in their genes. He intends to solve this problem in the future. But alas, the seed germinated before he could solve the problem...if only we had woken up earlier and met him sooner."

"The coward with the key, always telling us to wait, let us believe in a union that can't even save ourselves, as if we can solve everything if we obey the order step by step and leave everything to our children Same problem."

   "Then we watched the flames go out little by little, until the endless night swallowed up the land. No matter how far away we go, there will be no miracles... no matter it is a few light-years away, or decades later."

   Speaking of this, Luo Gan looked at Yuer.

   "We intend to end this meaningless trip and continue his research. If possible, I hope you can help us."

   "Complete that unfinished Gestalt life form?" Yule thought for a moment, then said simply, "Understood, I will help."

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

   Putting away his smile, he solemnly extended his right hand.

   "Thank you for joining, there is another excellent crew member on the ship leading to the new world."

"You're welcome."

   Yul took his right hand and shook it.

   "My thoughts are the same as yours. If you can't wait for the new world after sleeping for more than two hundred years, it will be the same for another two hundred years."

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

  After this handshake, Luo Gan said goodbye to Yuer, and followed the other people of the torch to the south. The Torch reached an agreement with the local mutants. "Champion" Biopharmaceuticals would help them research prosthetics that would make the mutants stronger, and the mutants would need to fulfill their obligation to assist them in their experiments.

The old priests of the Qi tribe were all survivors of the Singularity City. The Ancestor Sect led by them has extraordinary respect for knowledge and scholars, and this is one of the traditions that have continued from the Singularity City—a long time ago There was a group of technicians who helped them.

Although the new-generation mutants of the secular faction are superstitious that the brains of smart people are more delicious, after seeing the power of the modified prosthetic body, it is rare to reach a consensus with the old guys of the ancestor faction—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, 210 years of the Wasteland Era, and the year before Chu Guang woke up.

   Feeling the vicissitudes of this time, Chu Guang suddenly sighed.

  Holding her elbows on her knees, Xiao Qi, who was sitting on his shoulders, turned her face to look at him.

   "What's the matter, Master?"

  Chu Guang said concisely.

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

  The screen continues to flow.

   During this meeting, Luo Gan has already uploaded his thoughts to the circuit board, and the meeting place has changed from reality to a "sanctuary" existing in the virtual world.

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

  They have established a theocratic state ruled by the Church of the Torch in the south.

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

   Not only that, he also brought a major research result obtained by the South Laboratory - a fungal organism named Naguo.

   "Under the influence of the mind interference device and Nago, we have successfully realized a utopia without disputes within a province."

   Yule asked casually.

   "What about the Gestalt life project? Is there any need to continue?"

   Luo Gan stared at him with piercing eyes.

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

   "And the other shore we will eventually reach is harmony and co-prosperity that can be achieved without the intervention of Nago and the mind. This means that we must get rid of the body that binds our souls and become a higher creature than human beings."

   Yule nodded.

   "I see, what should I do next?"

  Luo Gan continued.

   "To solve the problem that Naguo is difficult to survive in a low-temperature and dry environment, we need to spread it to farther places, not just on the border of Haiya Province."

"I will provide you with some samples... The situation is different now, and the surrounding survivors will slowly join us. By the way, from now on, you are the apostle of the church, and I who have entered the sanctuary are forerunner."

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

   What he hates the most is politics.

  He doesn't need any political rights, he just wants to do what he thinks is worth it.

  However, the irony is that he didn't seem to get rid of this **** all his life. Since a long time ago, he has been sinking and sinking with the boat under his feet.

   Fortunately, 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 too much of your time."

   "With this identity, our plan will go much smoother, and all settlements in the entire parish will cooperate with your experiment."

   "No matter what kind of experiment it is."

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

   "Sounds interesting..."

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

   It's not because they don't have the opportunity to do everything well, but because they chose the wrong method, trying to use human methods to rebuild their civilization from the material level.

  This idea may be wrong from the beginning.

  The era of prosperity is a unique case in the history of the People's Federation, and because it does not happen often, it will be called a miracle.

  Using human methods to rebuild the kingdom of heaven, there is a high probability that the mistakes made by humans will be repeated.

   But God is different.

   Replace humanity with divinity, and you will not make human mistakes.

  Of course, he knew very well that this road must be full of thorns, and some people would die because of it, but even if he didn't do this, would he be able to save some people from dying?

   Maybe more people died.

  Instead of letting those ignorant guys die for meaningless things, it is better to let them die meaningfully.

   A cheerful smile suddenly appeared on Yule's face.

   "I understand, leave it to me... By the way, in a few years, I will follow you to that sanctuary."

  Luo Gan smiled kindly and nodded.

"welcome."

   Yule nodded slightly and exited the sanctuary.

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

   "This is too extreme."

  …

  Pine Fruit Farm, the annex of Zhao Manor.

  Qi Smoking, holding a machine gun, yawned.

   "How long do we have to stay here?"

  Fang Chang, who had just logged off and went to the official website forum to spy on the screen, said casually.

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

   Quit smoking and said with a sad face.

   "Damn! Doesn't this dog even leave a mouthful of soup?"

  The murderous dagger was raised.

   "Huh? Who's calling me bro?"

  Good dog: "%￥#@!"

  The lamb huddled next to the fire to keep warm, stretched out his little hand to the fire, explored the warm outline with his palm and fingertips, and amuse himself looking for the edge that is neither too cold nor too hot.

  The flames made her face flushed red.

  Although many things happened, her emotions have stabilized.

  The big brothers in armor are very good people. They not only drove away the bad guys, but also healed Yinyin and everyone, and gave her a few pieces of very fragrant and sweet chocolate.

  The corpses in the annex have been cleaned up. Although the blood stains on the walls and floors are a bit scary, it’s okay to see too much.

   She is safe now.

   Safer than ever.

  Yin Yin sat next to her, wrapped in a blanket, and sat motionless after waking up, no one responded to anyone talking to her.

  The lamb took the chocolate for her, and kept it for her if he didn’t eat it.

  Hope she gets better soon.

  At this time, the tall sister came over.

  Looking at Yin Yin, who was huddled into a ball and had dull eyes, a trace of concern and worry appeared on Chen Yutong's face, and he looked at the lamb and asked.

   "Is she better?"

  The lamb shook his head lightly.

   At this moment, Yinyin suddenly raised her head.

"dad…"

"Um?"

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

   "Are you feeling okay? Is there anything wrong?"

  Yinyin shook her head, continued to look at Chen Yutong, and said in a low voice.

   "My dad...is he okay?"

   Chen Yutong fell silent.

  Guessing something vaguely from the sister's expression, Yinyin's eyes were filled with tears, and she continued to ask in a trembling voice.

   "What about... brother? Sister... and the housekeeper."

  That silent expression said it all.

  Big tears fell down her cheeks, she hugged her knees tightly, sobbing uncontrollably.

"…why."

   The lamb touched her head and whispered.

"do not be upset…"

   With tears in her eyes, Yinyin clenched her lips tightly, unable to speak a word, let alone how to face her friend.

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

  Father is gone...

  What will she do next?

   Faintly understanding the worry in Yinyin's eyes, Xiao Yang comforted in a low voice.

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

   Yinyin looked at her.

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

   "You are very proud now, aren't you... you are finally free."

   Lamb looked at her in astonishment, not understanding why she said that.

  Yinyin obviously didn't understand why she said such words, let alone why she vented her anger on the lamb.

   Obviously she is my best friend.

  But Yinyin didn't want to apologize for this, so she turned her neck aside.

  Looking at this awkward child, Chen Yutong sighed.

  Honestly.

   Her father was at least 90% responsible for how this settlement became like this, and it would not be too much to say that it was her own fault.

  He already has absolute power, but wants to have more, and at this time someone just threw a very fragrant bait in front of him.

  Having almost arrogant confidence in his abilities, he bit the bait almost without hesitation, and even fantasized about using the chips in his hand to intrigue with the church thousands of miles away.

   But he didn't expect that people didn't even treat him as a human being, and he didn't even deserve to leave a name in the experiment log, only a line of scribbled numbers.

but…

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

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

   "There are many things we can't do in this world... It has nothing to do with our efforts and choices. Even if you didn't enter the basement by mistake today, even if you didn't do anything, what happened tonight will still happen."

"I don't know if saying this will make you feel better, but...at least don't embarrass yourself or the people around you. You are all victims, and you are not responsible for this. Your friend was very brave and saved you. , if it were me, I would say thank you to her."

   While talking, Chen Yutong looked at the lamb and said softly.

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

  Xiaoyang glanced worriedly at Yin Yin who turned her face away and said nothing. Although she didn't want to leave her aside, she still nodded sensiblely.

   "Hmm...I'll help."

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

"follow me."