Elegy from Another World

I pressed the final start command for the control core.

hum-

The "Network Beacon" positioned at the core of the Derek was instantly activated, its eerie blue light blazing brightly. A solid stream of energy shot out like an arrow, rapidly outlining and expanding in the open space ahead, ultimately forming a massive and magnificent "gate" shimmering with a water-like halo. On the other side of the gate, there remained the same deep darkness and the white node network scattered throughout.

"Prepare to enter!" I immediately gave the order to Xiaobei, preparing to drive the entire Drew into that gate of hope.

However, just as the base was slowly moving forward and about to touch the door, a sudden change occurred! The magnificent light gate suddenly began to flicker violently, its light flashing erratically, like a faulty light bulb. It lasted for less than seven seconds before "poof," like a candle flame being extinguished, completely disappearing into the air, leaving only an empty space and a chaotic aftershock of energy.

"What happened?!" My heart sank, and I asked hurriedly.

Xiao Bei's thoughts quickly returned, tinged with seriousness: [Energy consumption far exceeds expectations! Maintaining such a massive 'gate' and propelling the entire base through interdimensional travel requires an astronomical amount of energy. Even combined, our existing pleasure converters and the base's energy reserves are far from sufficient.]

"What's the solution?" I forced myself to calm down.

"Two options," Xiao Bei analyzed. "First, recharge, but that takes time, and even if fully charged, it might only sustain the portal for a very short time. Second, structurally optimize the base. Your Majesty, do you remember? The Utopia... no, the Dreil was originally designed to accommodate about two hundred crew members. Later, due to taking in four thousand refugees, we undertook several expansions at any cost, resulting in a dramatic increase in size and weight, and energy consumption also increased exponentially. I strongly suggest restoring the base to its original state, a compact sphere with a diameter of about four hundred meters. This would greatly reduce energy consumption and significantly increase the probability of a successful jump."

I looked out the window at the site structure, the residential areas and warehouses that were added later... They were once symbols of hope, but now they have become stumbling blocks to leaving.

"Alright!" I made a decisive decision. "Dismantle! Everyone, get to work and dismantle all the non-core structures, leaving only the original core area and the necessary life support and drive modules!"

For the next three days, the Drei became a massive construction site. We were all involved in this "slimming down" operation—me, Edseysis, Noreljun (who did the heavy lifting with his robotic arm), Kawi (who made precise cuts with chains), Yisen (responsible for planning and resource allocation), and even Zoimem, who had just acquired human form (and possessed incredible strength). We carefully dismantled the later-added structures, recycling useful materials and properly disposing of the useless parts. It was a demanding and meticulous task, but for the common goal, no one complained.

Three days later, a more compact and streamlined sphere appeared in the original spot, about 400 meters in diameter. This was the original form of the Drei.

"Regarding energy," Xiao Pei reported, "the regular reserves and pleasure converter are fully charged, but to ensure everything goes perfectly, Zoimem poured her vast magical power entirely into the energy core."

We looked at Zoimem, who was pale from exhaustion and resting against the side. "I'm fine..." she forced a smile, "I just need to sleep and recover. Let's set off again when I wake up."

"Okay, you get some rest." I told Zoemem to go to the lounge. At that moment, Edseysis, Norrelljohn, Kavey, and Yisen, perhaps to relax after days of tension, were sitting together playing some kind of game from this world with cards they'd found somewhere. As for me, I stayed in the command room, monitoring the base system while waiting for Zoemem to wake up.

Just then, that familiar figure appeared silently once again in the center of the command room—it was Fang again.

"Are you really sure you want to leave here?" its thoughts transmitted directly to you.

"Yes," I answered without hesitation.

"You need to know," Fang's tone carried a hint of warning, "that you, and the Derek, are already being watched by 'those above.' Otherwise, why do you think those player representatives would be so 'enthusiastically' providing 'Network Beacons'? They'd love for you, the biggest 'destabilizing factor,' to voluntarily leave this already highly watched world, and then... cleanly and efficiently eliminate you in some unregulated 'outside' environment."

I smiled, a smile that held a complex meaning: "I know. And I believe everyone who's been with me is also aware of this unspoken rule."

Zhao Fang seemed somewhat surprised: "Then why are you still willing to embark on this path that seems to lead to a trap?"

I remained silent for a moment, my gaze sweeping over my companions playing cards on the screen, over the sleeping Zoemem, and finally towards the meticulously crafted, "perfect" world outside the window.

"Because staying here is the real trap," I said slowly. "This world has been repaired, 'ordered'. It looks safe, harmonious, and beautiful. But this 'beauty' is fake, it's pre-programmed. Tia chose her 'truth,' and I respect her choice. But we are different."

My tone hardened: "Noriljohn no longer wants to be the Demon King trapped in reincarnation, Kawi seeks justice beyond the established order, Zoimem wants to escape the guardian's fate, Yisen yearns for truly limitless business opportunities, Edseysis and Xiaobai... they have already bound their destinies to mine. And I..."

I paused, recalling the regrets of my past life, and the struggles and pursuits along the way.

"My initial wish was to travel to another world and see a wider world. If this world is fake, then I will pursue the truth! If there are traps ahead, then I will brave them!"

"Even if destruction ultimately awaits us, it will be the ending we choose on our path to self-definition! It will not be a slow, eroded escape from our edges and courage within this gentle cage of false comfort, ultimately turning us into just another compliant, numb 'NPC'!"

Fang listened quietly, his scorpion-like brain seeming to stir slightly. After a long while, he let out a barely audible sigh:

Sigh... okay.

It didn't try to persuade it anymore, but slowly walked to the "Network Beacon" control panel. A black, palm-sized square object separated from its main body and precisely inserted into a hidden interface of the beacon.

The next moment, the black cube melted like mercury, quickly permeating and merging into the complex structure of the "Network Beacon," with a barely perceptible dark light flowing across the surface of the device.

"What are you doing?" I asked.

[A parting gift.] The other's thoughts seemed to soften slightly. [This is a 'warp and camouflage device.' It will automatically activate once your base enters the 'gate,' highly encrypting your warp trajectory and executing eleven consecutive, random space jumps, enough to disrupt and evade most possible tracking and surveillance. This will maximize your chances of survival.]

My heart skipped a beat, and a complex feeling of gratitude welled up within me: "Thank you, Fang."

"No need to thank me." The figure began to blur again. "We... probably won't see each other again. Take care..."

As soon as it finished speaking, its figure vanished completely from the command room, like dissipating smoke.

A few hours later, Zoimem awoke, her complexion regained its rosy hue, and her eyes were clear and full of strength. "I'm ready, Lady Liscia."

I nodded, took a deep breath, and placed my hand on the start button again. All my comrades gathered in the command room, their eyes fixed firmly ahead.

"start up!"

The deep blue light shone again, and the magnificent "gate" reappeared, swaying steadily in front of the Drei.

"Well then, goodbye, world."

I pushed the control stick, and the 400-meter-diameter sphere—the Dresden—slowly and steadily sailed into that darkness and starlight that shimmered with countless possibilities, embarking on a truly unique and unknown journey of our own.