They traveled through time at the same time, but the villainous scientist

Chapter 460 Awakening
TLT's research institute is located in the deepest part of the underground base.

Masaki Keigo sat alone in the center of the circular control panel.

Before him, dozens of holographic screens unfolded layer upon layer, with massive amounts of data flowing like a surging waterfall.

This is the gift of civilization from the visitors.

A race that was almost completely destroyed by alien beasts, but was able to survive thanks to the arrival of Noah, and finally created the "ultimate weapon" Zagi in despair and resentment, imitating the gods. Their understanding of these powers far exceeds the imagination of Earth's civilization.

First, there is the existence of alien beasts. These things are not cellular life in the traditional sense. Their form of existence is closer to a high-dimensional energy aggregate.

A similar concept is the [Magic Stone] in the world of Armor World.

They can easily possess any organic matter in the three-dimensional world, twisting and transforming it into an ugly container that carries their arrival—that is, a monster.

Even more frightening is that their existence is closely linked to the negative emotions of intelligent life.

Fear, despair, hatred, sadness... these emotions that humans regard as weakness and pain are the sweetest food for them, the source of their energy and their continuous growth.

Regarding the origins of Dark Zagi, the visitor's materials are filled with regret and self-deprecation.

Initially, they were filled with boundless reverence for Noah, the savior, and tried to replicate that miracle.

They poured the entire power of their civilization into perfectly replicating Noah's energy structure and physical form, creating a body that radiated light.

That should have become their new guardian.

However, they forged a perfect "form," but could not give it a heart.

That hollow, pure and pristine body of light was the perfect vessel for the omnipresent energy of the alien beasts.

In the repeated battles against the alien beasts, light and darkness collided and merged violently within that newborn body.

The pure light was contaminated, and the savagery and destructive instincts of the alien beasts, under the catalysis of the power of light, miraculously gave birth to an independent self-awareness filled with negative emotions.

It has gained a "heart".

A dark heart composed of hatred and a desire for destruction.

"I see……"

Masaki Keigo slowly opened his eyes, his fingertips lightly tapping on the cold control panel.

A knowing smile curved his lips; the rewards of this trip were far greater than he had anticipated.

Now that we understand the principles, all that's left is the enjoyable time for verification and practice.

And he happened to have the perfect experimental subject on hand—the girl, Riko Saida, who was influenced by Zagi's power and fell into darkness as Faust.

……

Inside the cold medical observation room, the lights were dimly lit, but they couldn't dispel the heavy, stagnant atmosphere.

Riko Saito lay quietly on the specially made hospital bed, her face serene and her breathing steady, as if she had simply fallen into a deep sleep.

But anyone with the ability to sense energy could perceive that within that beautiful body lurked a cold, deathly dark power, coiling around every inch of her life force like a spider web.

Kazuki Komon stood by the bed, his fists clenched so tightly that his knuckles turned white from the force.

His gaze never left Riko's face, his eyes filled with pain, regret, and a sliver of hope that he was unwilling to give up.

Himeya Jun stood not far behind him, arms crossed, silent.

He knew all too well this feeling of powerlessness, watching helplessly as his loved ones succumbed to darkness, while he was powerless to do anything about it.

"You've already seen the situation."

Masaki Keigo's voice broke the silence in the room.

He didn't look at anyone, but calmly stated a cruel fact:

"From a biological point of view, Ms. Riko Saida is dead."

The power that sustains this body now is, as you know, the power of Dark Faust.

"No! She's not dead! I can feel it, Riko is still here!"

Komon Kazuki's body trembled violently. He turned around abruptly, his eyes bloodshot.

“That’s right, her ‘consciousness’ is still intact.”

Masaki Keigo nodded, then his tone shifted, becoming even colder.
“But so what?

Her consciousness was trapped inside her own body, enveloped by layers of that dark power, like a drowning person sinking into a trench thousands of meters deep.

Every minute, every second, her soul was being eroded and assimilated by darkness. What you see now is merely a fading shadow heading towards utter annihilation.

"You called us over here for more than just this, didn't you?"

Himeya Jun took a deep breath, stepped forward, and stood in front of Komon, who was somewhat out of control.

"Solving her physical problem is simple; I can easily strip away that dark energy."

"But the result of doing that would be that the body would immediately face the death that it was destined to have long ago."

The real problem is how to save her 'heart'. Masaki Keigo's gaze swept over the two of them, finally settling on Komon.

"How to do?"

Gu Men quickly pressed for an answer.

Masaki Keigo did not answer immediately, but turned and walked to the other side of the room.

As he approached, the lights in that area automatically turned on, revealing a strangely shaped instrument.

“I can open a door, a door to her spiritual world.”

Masaki Keigo's hand gently stroked the cool armrest of the chair.

"Simply put, it's about linking another person's thoughts with Riko Saida's consciousness."

Enter her inner world, awaken her from that dark depths, and bring her back.

Komon Kazuki's eyes lit up instantly, a light of hope that he had found a way out of a desperate situation.

"but,"

Masaki Keigo emphasized his words, his gaze sharpening.

"I must remind you of the risks."

What you are about to face is the embodiment of the dark abyss that has corrupted her.

That darkness will also try to devour and assimilate those who enter.

The worst-case scenario is that both of your souls will be completely swallowed by darkness, forever lost in endless nothingness.

After he finished speaking, the room fell silent again.

Himeya Jun's gaze fell on Komon, his lips moved, but he ultimately uttered no sound.

In such a life-or-death decision, the words of others are pale and powerless.

All he could do was support his friend's decision...

Komon Kazuki's breathing became rapid. He looked at the ominous-looking machine and then at Riko's pale face on the hospital bed.

Countless fragments of memories flooded my mind.

When we first met, she had a slightly shy smile; at the amusement park, she laughed happily like a child.

And... in his arms, his body gradually grew cold, and finally, amidst his wails, he transformed into Faust...

Fear, like icy seawater, rose from the soles of his feet and instantly overwhelmed his heart.

He was afraid, afraid that he wasn't strong enough, afraid that he and Riko would fall into the abyss together.

However, the thought of Riko struggling alone in that cold, hopeless darkness, and the thought that she might never be able to open her eyes again, overwhelmed the fear with another, more powerful emotion.

What is it? It is love, it is responsibility, it is... the determination to never give up.

He slowly, very slowly, exhaled, and the rise and fall of his chest returned to normal.

When he raised his head again and looked at Masaki Keigo, his eyes, which had been filled with confusion and pain, were now filled with only clear and firm determination.

Fear remains, but it has been forged into fuel for progress.

Kazuki Komon bowed deeply to Keigo Masaki, using all his strength to give a solemn bow.

"Please, let me do it!"

Masaki Keigo looked at him, a hint of approval flashing in his eyes. Humans are not creatures that stop moving forward because of fear.

And so, in order to save his lover, Kazuki Komon sat on the machine.

"Remember, never give in to the darkness."

Before starting the instrument, Masaki Keigo gave one last instruction.

"Ah."

Kazuki Komon nodded, glanced one last time at his girlfriend on the hospital bed, and then lay down.

As soon as he finished speaking, Masaki Keigo pressed the start button on the control panel.

"Om-"

The black chair and the surrounding crystal conduits lit up simultaneously, emitting a deep resonance.

The light and shadow shifted rapidly across Gu Men's face, his vision began to blur, and the buzzing in his ears grew louder and louder.

The whole world seemed to be twisting and stretching, then peeling away piece by piece like a broken mirror.

As endless darkness surged in from all directions, it completely engulfed him...

(End of this chapter)