Ch.1212. Technique.

# 12. Technology.

Throughout history, all technology has evolved to address the direct and indirect discomforts experienced by humans.

Space and time, resources and processes.

Humans, who easily adapt and become accustomed to things only to quickly grow dissatisfied, have advanced technology without a moment’s pause.

Now, even someone like me who lived in a relatively advanced era would be astonished by how remarkable objects roll around like pebbles.

“…You know what? They say the first computer was so large it filled an entire room, and so heavy it was like having five full-grown elephants in one place.”

Nearly a thousand years have passed since the first computer was created.

A millennium is an unimaginably long time for humans whose lifespans barely reach 200 years.

Yet compared to the time since Earth has existed and life first appeared on it, a thousand years is merely a fleeting moment.

“But that huge, heavy computer could only perform simple calculations at best.”

However, just as a rabbit and a turtle traveling the same path for the same amount of time won’t cover the same distance.

Humanity, who didn’t waste their given time and raced forward madly, made the world their own in that short period.

Not just by absorbing external information, but by sharing self-generated information and changes with everyone through constant contemplation.

“The people from a thousand years ago couldn’t have dreamed their technology would develop this far, right? Just like how people from two thousand years ago couldn’t have predicted their descendants would build massive computers and reach the moon a thousand years later.”

Hanging from the ladder, I grabbed one of the many cubes rolling around on the shelf.

This cube, small enough to fit entirely in my palm, which isn’t particularly large, was surprisingly a complete computer.

Dozens of cores and storage capable of handling exabytes, all contained in something smaller than a 3×3 cube.

“Plus, it seems they no longer needed peripherals like keyboards or mice. Apparently, if you stick this sticker on the back of your forehead, you can control it with your mind. Isn’t that amazing? I wish we had computers like this in my time.”

Humanity built a kingdom for themselves on the naturally equal earth and laid rails connecting these kingdoms.

Instead of evolving their own bodies, humans changed the world through technological advancement and enjoyed a more splendid and abundant life than any other living being.

It must have been incredibly comfortable and enjoyable.

Even if they suffered from not reaching their ideals, they probably didn’t tremble with fundamental fears like hunger or cold.

Just like I did.

“But now, they’re all meaningless objects.”

Technological advancement inevitably causes disconnection from previous eras.

Humanity, believing that progress meant discarding the old, failed to consider what would happen when that technology stopped working.

Electricity and machinery. Many tools that broke free from the fixed idea that power supply required wires or batteries became unusable to me.

I dropped the computer I was holding.

Falling from the three-story high shelf, the computer met its demise with a cracking sound, revealing its complex components.

People from the era who actually used these computers would probably scold me for such a waste and lament over the broken device.

But to my eyes, that computer was no different from scrap metal or stones rolling on the street.

“I wish there was at least one useful machine somewhere.”

In the past, there was a clear distinction between products using batteries and those receiving external power.

The former had visible battery compartments if you looked around a bit.

The latter had attached power cords, making it easy to identify how the machine operated at a glance.

But—people who succeeded in simplifying most objects wouldn’t have left such traces.

As mentioned earlier, technological advancement causes disconnection from old objects and technologies.

A world where machines could operate without inserting batteries, charging, or even connecting power cords erased traces of the old era, just as it had always done.

Because of this, most tools except for time-honored survival items like flashlights and gas torches became useless junk that I couldn’t use.

“I already have essential survival supplies like measuring tapes, gloves, knives, and tools, so I was hoping to find special situation equipment like heaters… but I’m not having much luck.”

Finding items that use portable chargers or batteries that I have is like finding a needle in a haystack.

Even when I find something that works that way, most don’t function properly after being abandoned for so long.

And if something does work, it’s usually too big or heavy, making it unsuitable for a wanderer like me.

“Why didn’t people consider what would happen when the power supply was cut off and all these items became unusable?”

Or did they consider it but couldn’t come up with a suitable solution?

“The world didn’t suddenly become like this, there must have been signs.”

People of an era who could predict volcanic eruptions and earthquakes years in advance probably weren’t completely unaware that the world was heading toward an end.

Unless nuclear bombs and other weapons suddenly covered the entire world.

“Despite that, not preparing for the end… perhaps they turned a blind eye, believing the inevitable end wouldn’t come during their generation.”

The continuous line of human civilization was about to collapse, making all the technology and science they had taken for granted unusable.

In that situation, technicians or scientists willing to cleanly give up everything they had enjoyed and return to the beginning to revive old technology and objects… probably weren’t many.

After all, it would be more rewarding and enjoyable to develop existing technology and machines to provide a happier life for their families, rather than rummaging through old documents considering the worst-case scenario where they would cease to exist and civilization would end.

Eating canned food when hungry, climbing up on shelves for short naps when tired.

Since there aren’t many places with intact supplies like this, I spent a long time exploring the superstore to make the most of my visit.

“Wow, a hill of scrap metal has formed among the mountains of corpses. This world is really unfriendly to wanderers like me.”

I’ve moved the position of the ladder, which is heavy due to its length and drains my energy each time, more than ten times already.

Climbing the three-story shelves without any safety measures, examining boxes and items on the shaky ladder took half a day.

I grumbled each time I found useless items after all that effort, throwing them onto the relatively empty floor to relieve stress, and before I knew it, they had formed a high mountain.

“Even though I know most of these are just scrap metal, I can’t help but have expectations, which is a bad habit…”

For me, who can no longer perceive causal relationships and can only recognize direct forms visible to the eye, all these objects and technologies have become worthless.

I don’t know much about monetary value, but I pass by many machines that probably weren’t cheap here and instead put a glow-in-the-dark toy ball, which was probably sold for almost nothing, into my bag.

And instead of a ring-shaped display that supposedly shows desired information anywhere anytime, I pick up paper and pencil, relics of a bygone era.

“Sigh, if I had a sturdy vehicle or an exoskeleton, I could take more than just these. What a waste.”

So far, I’ve been talking as if all the items in this superstore are completely unusable, but that’s not exactly true.

With a superstore this large, there must be some usable items.

But those items either overlap in purpose with what I already have, or are too large and heavy to be worth carrying.

For example, weapons like baseball bats or guns are commonly found on the streets, so I can pick them up when needed.

I already keep a handgun in the side pocket of my bag for emergencies anyway.

Also, a tent that unfolds when thrown and shrinks when the cord is pulled seemed very useful and I wanted to take it.

But it was heavier than expected, not something I could easily carry around alone without tools.

As for things like flamethrowers that operate on oil… even if they’re usable and practical, they’re not exactly convenient to carry around.

“Hmm… I don’t think I’ll find much more even if I keep looking around, so should I end my exploration here? I’ve had decent results—and gathered plenty of food too.”

A fluorescent ball, dog treats, a gas torch.

And an automatic rope that fixes itself when thrown to high places and pulls you up automatically at the push of a button.

It’s a somewhat disappointing result for someone looking for something to replace a dying heater, but overall, I’ve gained quite a bit.

“Now let’s go outside and explore the city again. I could stay here for a few days since there’s plenty of food in the superstore and look around more, but in a world where anything can happen at any time, I want to move as much as possible while I’m in good condition.”

The two days of exploration brought me many things.

From small items to food that would last a long time.

And even the hope of meeting living people.

Now it was time to carry these on my back and walk forward.