Saiyan stowaways on the Ark

"...Not at the moment."

Ash answered cautiously, and the others shifted their focus from the weapons to Tomat.

“Then I want to hire you. I hope you can help me—specifically, Operator Okfin—guard this place and protect these infected people so that they are no longer threatened by those thugs and monsters. As for the reward, you will be paid. You can also take the supplies in the safe house as you like.”

The claim that he was a mercenary was just a fabricated identity for the convenience of communication.

The other party should have some understanding of this, but now, Thomas is directly using this status to make hiring requests to them.

Tomat offered the people present a deal that was quite tempting for their current situation.

Lacking supplies, communication with the locals, and running out of ammunition, their desperate situation in this incomprehensible and unfamiliar world was undoubtedly eroding their will little by little.

Even if they knew that there were seemingly civilized areas further away, being trapped here and living with the indigenous people in a chaotic environment for a long time could not give them a chance to leave.

In reality, they originally came to Longspring from an even more desolate part of the Sargon region—a town whose buildings were constructed entirely of sand and earth, which already met the local standard of "prosperity."

The members of Rainbow Squad desperately need a way to connect with civilized areas, which is also for their survival.

It's also for the sake of "going home".

"They say we can use it as we please, but putting aside the caliber issue, what's inside? It's like those household appliances, with a black rock stuffed inside..."

While Ash was still considering whether to accept the commission and questioning the illogical parts of it, the tank had already returned to the ammunition box. When people looked at him because of his words, he was already holding a disassembled ammunition in his hand.

It didn't contain the explosive charge they were used to; it was just an object carved with various patterns and called a "black stone"—that is, Originium.

“Hey, Alex… cough cough, Tank! We haven’t even agreed yet, and you’ve already started dismantling it? And how did you manage to dismantle the bullets with your bare hands…” Blitzkrieg looked at the ammunition in Tank’s hand and continued, “It’s probably filled with that ‘Originium’ stuff, isn’t it?”

They easily revealed their lack of understanding of Originium through their words and actions.

But rather than being "scarce," it's more like feeling "indifferent" to it.

Just like how they never showed any taboo towards patients with Oripathy from the very beginning.

They know these things, but only "know" them; they don't consider them common sense.

To outsiders, most people simply suspect that these people come from some slightly remote place, such as a rainforest region that is said to be more ecologically pristine than Sargon.

The people there really don't understand Oripathy and Originium.

But in Tomat's eyes, these people's behavior only made him feel a stronger sense of déjà vu.

"That's true. Terra's firearms and ammunition operate on completely different principles from Earth's, relying entirely on Originium Arts. To put it simply, they're like staves shaped like firearms, firing bullets when you cast spells. But where did you get these firearms? They're practically identical to those on Earth!"

At this moment, Okfin was still checking on the wounded with Miarro, at a distance from them.

Right now, only Tomat and a few members of the Rainbow Squad are communicating in this weapons storage area.

But no one interrupted Tomat when he tentatively uttered those words.

For half a minute after Tomat finished speaking, no one spoke again.

Finally, it was Ash who slowly asked:

"You just said... 'Earth'?"

[Event] Originium Dust Operation: Chapter 5 This Man Comes from Earth

When was the last time I heard this word?

It's been so long, so long that it seems like it only comes out of their mouths when their companions complain or question their current situation.

And they definitely didn't mention it to any of the local people they had contact with.

Everyone uses "this land" to refer to the world.

But now, just when everyone else had given up on the matter, it came out of nowhere from a slightly eccentric local.

They simply considered Tomat to be just another local in this Terran world, like many others who frequently create magical sights with their bare hands, only with a slightly higher potential.

This is why they weren't too surprised when they saw Thomas catch the bullet with his bare hands; their only concern was for themselves. After all, their past experiences had already shattered and rebuilt their worldview.

They would only think, "So those horned mercenaries who used their bodies to block bullets weren't the strongest among the locals," and wouldn't think, "How is this guy who shoots projectiles with his bare hands any different from the others?"

These people are all equally incredible, only this one is even more so.

—Until Tomat uttered those two words.

Without needing to communicate verbally, the four members of the Rainbow Team tacitly realized that the person in front of them was the most important chance encounter they had had since arriving in Tailai.

"Let's talk outside."

Thomas didn't rush to answer Ash's question, and the others who heard the request didn't refuse either.

Both sides understood that the following topic might not be suitable for the locals to hear, and they became even more curious about each other's identities.

After greeting Okfin and Miyalo, the group went to a simple shed not far from the safe house, avoiding the scorching midday sun of Sargon, and sat facing each other on a long bench made of bricks and stones under the shed.

"You did mention 'Earth' just now. What exactly do you know?"

Ash continued the topic, suppressing the urge to blurt out all her questions, and methodically asked Thomas.

“I only suspected your true identities, which is why I emphasized that word. Judging from your reactions, I think I guessed right.” Tomat crossed his arms, as if to allay their concerns about losing their intelligence source, and continued, “Don’t be nervous, ask us all your questions at once.”

"Where exactly is this place? No... I should say, 'where are we'?"

"Is this the future? Otherwise, why is there such a desolate scene everywhere, yet we can see things similar to the original Earth everywhere, such as writing, culture, and even festival customs?"

"And who are you? How do you know these things? Or is it just that the people here happen not to know?"

A barrage of questions came out of the four of them all at once.

Even after obtaining permission, the reserve that is generally maintained still disappears in the face of countless confusions.

Thomas listened intently until the Rainbow Team members felt a bit parched and needed a breather, then he asked:

"That's all?"

"I think it's all... I think it should be?"

Flash nodded, which reminded him of the disappointment he felt when he first arrived here, struggling to learn the language and finally being able to communicate normally and ask others various questions, only to be met with blank stares from the other party.

But now, mentioning Earthlings shouldn't disappoint him again.

Thomas closed his eyes, nodded solemnly in response, then suddenly adopted an embarrassed tone, scratching his head as he asked:

"Could you say 'slow down' and do it again? I didn't hear you."

"What!?"

"I was just kidding, I didn't want the atmosphere to be too serious, but your accents are really a mess."

Seeing that the others instinctively tightened their throats, Tomat smiled and, having eased the tension considerably, continued:

"Let me answer your questions to the best of my ability, but don't get too excited about what you hear."

Everyone calmed their emotions, and the sound of the wind and sand blowing around them was left behind.

And so, Thomas answered their questions based on "everything" he knew.

"First of all, this is Terra, a land ravaged by natural disasters and plagued by Oripathy. Civilizations are scattered due to these disasters, and their levels of development vary greatly. There seem to have been advanced civilizations in the past, but they have since disappeared. Occasionally, relics from previous eras can be unearthed and utilized. Originium is the primary energy source, and Originium Arts is a unique ability of the locals. Each race possesses characteristics of native Earth species and legendary creatures."

"It's really unlikely that it has nothing to do with Earth, but it's impossible to confirm whether it's Earth in the future or a parallel world. I personally think it's the latter, but it could also simply be a planet where a civilization 'just happens' to be similar to Earth, but has experienced extinction. In short, I don't have a definitive conclusion. Of course, none of that matters. What's important is getting used to the rules here."

"As for who I am, I can only say that my experience is similar to yours. I just came here inexplicably. During that time, I also met 'some' people similar to me—people who, like you, suddenly arrived in Terra from other places, or other 'worlds'."

At this point, Tomat's explanation was suddenly interrupted by Ash, who, like the others, raised the issues that were of common concern.

"Wait, you said 'similar'? Are there other Earthlings?"

This issue is naturally of utmost importance to them.

"No, as far as I know, there are no Earthlings, but there are my own kind."

Tomat wagged his tail in front of them, thus concretely demonstrating his difference in species from the Rainbow Squad.

Of course, even without his emphasis, after witnessing Tomat's various abilities, they were aware of their differences.

"...According to you, you're not from Earth either. But even if you came to Terra from another world, how do you know about Earth?"

Ash continued to ask.

"That's just because of my personal experience, and I want to know which Earth you're talking about, because I know at least about 'two Earths'."

Thomas also felt that it was not the right time to explain his identity and experiences too clearly.

Although they seem to have accepted their current situation of not being on Earth, it doesn't mean they can readily believe in more incredible things.

"Two Earths? What's going on...?"

Tomat's explanation actually got the group's thoughts in tangled circles. Although he had previously given a fairly detailed explanation of the question of "where they were," the content that Tomat brought up next left them feeling confused.

"First, let me ask, what calendar do you use? Is it the Common Era or the Gregorian calendar?"

"It's the Gregorian calendar."

"Oh... so we're practically from the same hometown now."

Although their physical origins may differ, their souls originate from the same world. Tomat's answer thus dispelled a doubt.

This irresponsible answer only made the Rainbow Team members more confused.

[Event] Originium Dust Operation: Chapter Six I Was Really Just Passing By

"You can disbelieve me and think you're just trapped by a mad scientist who will then use technology like the brain in a vat to create a world for you that's similar to Earth but also incredibly absurd."

"But if you choose to believe, then please accept the reality that 'this is not Earth.' Don't worry, you are not the only unlucky ones. I have even experienced two worlds, from your world to another dangerous world, and then came here. In between, I even changed my body—I don't know any tricks to steal bodies, so please rest assured."

"By the way, I got here in a similar way to you. We were all caught in the explosion and ended up here after we came to our senses."

Tomat's explanation is clear enough.

They were even given the option to not believe their own explanations.

And that choice wasn't particularly outrageous.

After all, both sides are incredibly incredible, so it doesn't really matter what you believe.

Why would you tell us something so important?

Ash's question seemed to imply that he had come to believe Tomat's explanations.

From a motivational standpoint, the other party also has no reason to lie to them.