The abrupt arrival of an apocalypse left the Scolla members stunned and unable to hide their confusion. Among them, Member Number 3, Dr. Swalon, cautiously asked,

“Can’t we just close it?”
“I tried… but it didn’t work. It’s as if it has its own will and is actively invading this side…”
“Then how about we try this—”

While the two genius scientists exchanged ideas, I turned my gaze back to the monitor. The black background, where bits of junk floated aimlessly, depicted the frozen universe of Big Freeze—a world that had succumbed to thermal death.

The world that this genius from our side had discovered stirred something deep within me. Every word spoken by the old man with a beard now entirely white, or the woman who looked well past her thirties, hit me harder than I cared to admit.

‘What kind of world… what kind of ridiculous world is that…?’

A universe where all motion had ceased, and even heat was stolen from neighboring universes to force them to stop as well? It was absurd—a world that reminded me of the wild imaginings I had scribbled in secret during my middle school years.

The idea of such a world, hastily cobbled together with the juvenile imagination of a middle-schooler’s "8th-grade syndrome" and incomplete knowledge, had resurfaced now in the words of others. Every mention of it made me feel a deep shame, so intense that I wanted to bite my tongue and end it all.

“Dr. Eight.”
“…”
“Dr. Eight?”
“Ah, yes? What is it?”

Dr. Swalon, who had been discussing the matter with Dr. A.A., had wrapped up their talk and was now asking for my opinion. Frankly, I was too embarrassed to even comment on this world.

This was a physically impossible world. Even when I had proven its theoretical existence ten years ago, it required implausible leaps in logic and an array of supernatural phenomena to make it work.

Now, with more experience and knowledge than I had back then, I could confidently deny such a world’s existence.

But still…

“…I don’t think the world Dr. A.A. described is fake.”

This world contains superpowers.
Demons that feed on human faith.
Monsters like fairy queens that manipulate perceptions at will.
Transcendental beings that manipulate probabilities as a single entity.
And just days ago, we faced an ice age created by humanity’s collective unconscious.

In a world like this, why would the existence of a universe straight out of a middle-school notebook be strange?

“In that case, we’ll need to stop it, no matter what.”

Even though this is a fantastical world that directly challenges science, science itself cannot be defeated. After all, we are the ones who have killed gods and harnessed magic.

Because we are scientists.

The frozen universe discovered by Dr. A.A., the Big Freeze, was nicknamed “Bif.”

The reason was simple—it was too long and cumbersome to call it otherwise, and the public panic that could arise from knowing the truth had to be avoided at all costs.

Humanity was already reeling from a planet-wide weather anomaly. The revelation of how humanity’s unconscious mind could swallow civilization whole had shown us the destructive power of fear. This made it critical to keep anything that could incite terror top-secret.

Of course, while the public could be deceived, the ruling elite couldn’t be kept in the dark.

[…Scientist, I’ve heard something strange.]
“Most likely, it’s true.”
[No… what is this? Can it be stopped?]
“I can’t guarantee it, but I will do everything I can to stop it.”
[I understand that researchers always speak cautiously, but at a time like this, I’d appreciate a little certainty…]

Regalia’s voice was heavy with unease. Her words made me chuckle. The cautious tone of researchers, she said. In a world where 100% certainty doesn’t exist in science, anyone throwing around absolutes is a fraud.

In a place like Evilus Corporation, filled with elite engineers, she likely hadn’t encountered many such frauds. Smiling reassuringly, I added,

“In that case, I’ll make sure to succeed—for the boss.”

[Really… you should save that kind of line for your lover.]
“I don’t have one. Care to introduce me to someone?”
[…Are you serious?]
“Of course not. Who in their right mind asks their boss to set them up?”

Regalia let out a sigh of bewilderment. I couldn’t quite figure out why, no matter how much I pondered it.

After a brief silence, the boss spoke again, carefully.

[Then I’ll trust you and proceed with my original plans. If it looks like you’re going to fail, let me know ahead of time.]
“Understood, boss.”
[Do your best. I never thought I’d say this, but… the fate of this world is in your hands.]

Click.

As the call ended, I reflected on Regalia’s last words: the fate of the world rested in my hands.

It was far too grandiose a statement for a mere villain scientist to bear. A villain saving the world?

‘Seriously, what is this, a hero or an evil scientist…?’

Grumbling to myself, I returned to Scolla’s research facility. Watching the busy people scurrying around, I steeled my resolve. The real battle was about to begin—a fight to save the planet, waged with pens and computers rather than swords and shields.

“Astrophysics team, over here!”
“Where’s the precognitive specialist? Someone find them!”
“Artificial intelligence experts—where are they!?”

These people were all assistants summoned by Scolla members. No matter how brilliant the members were, even geniuses couldn’t handle everything alone.

Even Superman needed allies. While the members handled major tasks, they couldn’t manage every minor detail themselves, even with AI support.

Even I had called for help. Scanning the area, I searched for the two individuals I had summoned.

“Wow… what is this place?”
“Hmm—so there’s a facility like this?”

I spotted Meister and Steelstone marveling at the machinery, their eyes sparkling. Approaching them quickly, I decided to explain things before they accidentally caused trouble amid the bustling crowd.

“Welcome, Mr. Steelstone, Meister.”

“Dr. Eight. What is this place? Why are the security measures here worse than P City?”
“Yeah, Professor, explain already.”

“Oh, come on. They dragged you here without a word of explanation?”

Seeing the two nod, I realized just how chaotic things had become for Scolla’s support staff.

But then again, with the planet on the brink of destruction, it made sense to prioritize action over lengthy explanations. A group like Scolla had the means to coerce, bribe, or persuade anyone they brought in.

Leading the two to my private lab, I explained the current crisis threatening the planet. Their expressions grew increasingly grim as they listened, until they chuckled incredulously.

“The planet is on the verge of collapse…?”
“The Big Freeze? A universe where all motion stops…?”

“You don’t have to understand. I didn’t invite you here to grasp the concept. Frankly, even I don’t fully understand why such a universe exists.”

“…That’s a serious problem. If even you don’t understand…”

“It doesn’t matter. Humanity has used tools without fully understanding how they work for centuries.”

I hadn’t summoned these two to analyze the Big Freeze. That wasn’t the point.

What mattered were their abilities—to control machines and craft devices with functions they envisioned.

“From now on, things will get hectic. Especially you, Meister. You’re the key player here. Get ready for an intense workload.”
“Ugh… why me…?”
“Because this plan revolves around you.”

I smiled at Meister.

I would design the tools.
Steelstone would build them.
But without Meister’s abilities, we couldn’t control them.

The machines we were about to create weren’t meant for individual operation; they required the combined efforts of tens of thousands of people.

“You can’t stay under my wing forever. It’s time for you to stand on your own.”
“…Stand on my own?”
“That’s right. Independence.”

I dangled an irresistible offer—the kind no assistant or graduate student could refuse.

Though Meister wasn’t technically either, I knew he wouldn’t turn down the proposal.

Every caged bird dreams of the day it escapes its confines.