On the pitch-black canvas of space, various colors of light shimmered.
We called this the universe.

The A.A. team, which had discovered a new universe, marveled at its unprecedented beauty.

“This is… a universe.”
“It feels like we’re submerged in a sea of stars…”

Compared to Bif, the thermally dead universe where no light escaped, this new discovery was a profound reminder of nature’s wonders.

Excitement overtook the researchers as they continued to investigate the new universe.

“─Thermal motion confirmed!”
“The stars’ lifespans are stable!”
“No signs of life detected!”

Using a combination of science, superpowers, and mysterious forces, the A.A. team confirmed the safety of the new universe and began searching for a planet suitable for humanity.

After all, moving billions of humans to another planet was immeasurably easier than relocating an entire planet or solar system.

With AI taking over their tasks, the researchers finally had a moment to relax. They shared their joy, their faces alight with satisfaction.

“That wrapped up quicker than expected.”
“Well, we’d already discovered one universe. Finding another wasn’t an impossible feat…”
“We’ll go down in history as the ones who discovered a new world!”

The discovery of the new universe brought a ray of hope for humanity’s salvation. The team began to act as though all the problems were resolved. They took previously forbidden breaks, ventured outside, and even spent time with their families—all while adhering to strict confidentiality protocols.

“─Looks like they’re throwing a party over there.”
“Seems that way.”
“Guess someone else has to work harder.”

As one side reveled in their success, the other side naturally struggled. Such was the way of the world.

The Eight team, which had been planning the Reignition Project, was still building the machinery required for the task. By comparison, they were merely taking their first steps.

This was inevitable. With no substantial support from Scolla—and even if they had it, the task wouldn’t be solved overnight—the machinery they envisioned was far too complex to be completed in a day.

Even when you know the solution, you can’t write the answers to a highly advanced multi-page problem in just one or two minutes. Similarly, though the theory was clear, the construction of the machinery required trial and error, and plenty of it.

“Steelstone, you seem to be getting the hang of it now. It’s just a matter of time.”
“…But are we sure this’ll work, Professor? It feels ridiculously far-fetched.”
“Would I ask you to do something pointless? You’ve seen it yourself—the theory checks out.”
“And that’s what’s scary… why does it work? It’s even more terrifying that the theory is flawless.”

Meister muttered as he read through the paper in his hands. It contained the knowledge required to operate the machinery necessary for reignition—a paper detailing the theoretical foundation of the machine.

It was cutting-edge knowledge, created by Earth’s scientists with the aid of advanced AI. It was practically error-free, and even if errors existed, they would be imperceptible to humans.

“Why does it work, you ask? Honestly, I’m more afraid of you all.”
“Excuse me? What’s that supposed to mean?”
“At least this has a theory behind it. But you guys…”

To Eight, the situation was the opposite.

A complicated thesis that couldn’t be understood by human brains was far less unsettling than superpowers—abilities whose underlying structure and mechanisms were a complete mystery.

With a bitter smile, Eight thought about how absurd it was for him to rely on those very superpowers.

The members of Scolla tried to hide the impending apocalypse.

As the world’s largest secret organization, backed by numerous multinational corporations, Scolla had enough power to successfully conceal the nature of the apocalypse, Bif, and the reasons for its emergence—at least to some extent.

But human curiosity and desire are uncontrollable forces. Moreover, the world is full of people who act solely out of a desire to see others despair.

[–Humanity, behold! This is the doom brought upon you by your own desires!]
[The world is ending! A catastrophe summoned by humanity itself!]

Villains worked tirelessly to uncover Scolla’s research. They kidnapped scholars entering and leaving Scolla, launched guerrilla attacks on the organization, and stole data by any means necessary—all to reveal what Scolla was hiding.

Of course, villains being villains, Eight deployed AI to ensure their mouths were silenced. Controlling the internet and media, he ensured that anything they discovered wouldn’t spread among the public.

Yet, even with these measures—covering eyes and sealing mouths—there was one thing that couldn’t be stopped: people themselves.

[We have foreseen humanity’s end…]
[This is an unregulated city, but currently—]
[Starting today, cherish the time you have with your loved ones.]

It wasn’t just villains. Religious groups, prophets with precognitive abilities, cities frozen under Bif’s influence, and even opportunistic politicians detonating chaos to save their own skins—all contributed to exposing what Scolla had tried so desperately to conceal.

The apocalypse and the truth about Bif became public knowledge, throwing the world into chaos.

“It’s the end of the world!”
“Damn it! Those corrupt elites are planning to escape alone!”
“Kill them all!”

Riots erupted, protests surged, and villains used the commotion to further their agendas. Heroes scrambled to keep up, running themselves ragged to manage the escalating crises.

Amidst this turmoil, a heavy silence fell over Scolla.

“Should… we disclose the truth?”
“It’s not complete yet. You know exactly what kind of backlash we’d face if we did.”

Dr. Swalon’s objection silenced Dr. A.A., who nodded meekly and shrank back.

Her Great Escape plan had seen partial success. A new universe had been discovered, and they had determined it lacked any significant threats.

However, critical issues remained. For one, there was still no feasible way to evacuate all of humanity.

The initial proposal to move the entire planet and solar system into the new universe had long been discarded. The idea of relocating humanity to a new planet was also proving complicated.

Revealing Dr. A.A.’s Great Escape plan under these circumstances would inevitably lead to one conclusion.

“The public will believe the elites are abandoning them to save themselves. Fear will spread even further.”
“Then… I’ll just let it go for now…”
“Instead, Dr. Eight—how is your plan coming along?”

Eight, who had been lost in thought, snapped out of it and looked at Dr. Swalon. His expression said, Why are you calling on me now? Swalon cleared his throat and repeated the question.

Realizing the reason for his summons, Eight shared the results of his calculations, which had been turning over in his mind.

“It should be completed in about a week.”
“Oh, really? Honestly, your plan seemed the most far-fetched…”
“I didn’t think it would work either.”

Eight chuckled bitterly. He hadn’t expected it would be possible to build the machine using even Earth’s advanced technology.

His plan, the Reignition Project, aimed to reignite the frozen Bif universe.
In simpler terms, it sought to summon the light of a new Big Bang—an act that would seemingly require more energy than the entire universe could provide.

Creating such a machine, once thought to be purely theoretical, now seemed within reach.

“But this plan had the highest chance of success.”

As absurd as the technology was, it was still more practical than relocating billions of humans to another planet or transporting Earth itself to another universe.

Building a planet-sized gate? That was impossible even for Earth’s most advanced technology—it was too costly and impractical. Controlling billions of fragmented humans scattered across dozens of nations? Equally ludicrous.

“Honestly, sometimes I wonder if you’re a superpowered individual,” Swalon remarked.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Eight asked.
“You know, like someone with access to that mythical Library of All Knowledge. It’s as if you’re connected to some universal repository of knowledge, pulling these absurd ideas out of thin air.”
“…Ah, haha.”

Eight scratched his cheek, feeling slightly exposed.
The Akashic Records…
Yes, from the perspective of this world, Earth’s scientific knowledge might well seem like something out of a myth.