Chapter 121

Chapter 121

From Cosmic Rascal to Professor.

Episode 121: The Last Of Yours (3).

“Have you ever heard of a non-resonant laser?”

“I’ve only heard of it.”

It’s a laser that traps light in a structure resembling a fish trap. It’s not exactly mainstream—more of a hipster invention.

“But why do you ask?”

“That’s one way we could trap an Outer God. Gravitational waves are waves, just like light.”

I pondered this for a moment.

“It’s incomparable to the resonant method, which has various limitations in size and angle. The production difficulty will be high, but if successful, it could solve our problem.”

In essence, it meant they could confine more Outer Gods.

Cautiously, I ventured, sensing the direction of the conversation.

“So, aside from the current resonator research, you’re suggesting we create a new trap for the Outer Gods?”

“That’s correct, student.”

“And for that, we’ll need an expert in condensed matter physics.”

Beyond that, several other components were necessary: capital, manpower, a proposal to submit to the government, patent applications, securing raw material routes, laboratory expansion, and equipment rental. Above all, we needed to confirm the business feasibility. If money is poured in without results, the higher-ups will be furious.

But so what? Theoretical physicist special: throw away common sense and focus solely on whether it works or not. And the conclusion? Possible. Absolutely possible.

“In my view, even with a few drawbacks, it will be more cost-effective than a resonator.”

“It can be miniaturized and mass-produced if we find the right materials, right?”

There were many more details to discuss with Professor Feynman. It felt a bit like wishful thinking, but that’s the nature of theoretical physicists. It’s through such ambitious pursuits that breakthroughs occur.

Professor Feynman and I exchanged smiles, but Professor Stranov’s expression darkened.

“What? Why are you two discussing something only you understand?”

“Professor Stranov.”

“…Yes, what?”

“We still have a lot to discuss.”

“What? Oh, yes.”

“Can I borrow your husband for a moment?”

“?”

Your husband is quite impressive.

I know someone who’s making waves in the fields of condensed matter physics and Outer God biology.

What kind of work do they do? They experiment with metamaterials and Darwin crystals by torturing Incarnates. There are only a handful of professionals in the Outer God biology field who can make a living from their writings, and this person is one of them.

What’s her name? Angela Whiritia, head of the Southern Life Research Institute.

Whiritia. The surname sounds familiar.

“She must be the mother of Miss Whiritia, who was my classmate at Academia.”

Sonia tidied my hair with mousse while firing off a flurry of questions.

“Are you expanding your research again? So, you’re going to meet someone right now?”

It had taken three days to receive a response after I sent the email, which was unusual given how obsessively researchers check their inboxes.

“How about Zelnya?”

“She has returned to school.”

“Is the semester already starting?”

Time flies. After the second semester, Rustila, Ceti, and the other kids will move up to college next year. That’s when the main story begins.

After enduring Zelnya’s tricks, it will soon be Ceti’s turn. The battle for the family head will erupt, and Ceti will go mad when she finds herself ousted from the family. The eldest brother, an intelligent bastard, takes pleasure in tormenting his half-sibling and her mother. What a messed-up family.

Now, let’s say I managed to stop this. How is that even possible? Next, Descartes’ second-in-command invades from the Eastern Front. At this point, two Great Omega ranks are decapitated and reduced to mere vegetables.

Let’s say we manage to stop this too. Then, the head of the Darwin Legion invades from the south. Damn. This bitch tears apart the Ether Belt. Naier and Rustila die at her hands, while Reinhardt and Whiritia’s families are also annihilated in the chaos.

Hmm, let’s say we manage to stop this as well. Next comes the head of Descartes, Cartesia’s father. The invasion is coming from the east, west, south, and north.

The ‘Surviving Outer Gods’ story I read ends there because the original author kills off the protagonist at that point, and the Laplace Legion doesn’t even get a chance to appear. I remember closing the page back then, thinking, ‘Wow, this is cosmic horror!’ But damn, why did I get possessed, and why is all of this happening?

Anyway, now I am facing the author.

“How’s your body?”

“……”

“Is there anywhere that hurts?”

No response. I sat down in the chair without thinking. I heard a sigh—uncertain whose it was.

“I can’t do this anymore.”

The protagonist finally spoke up.

“Just lying here, helpless.”

One month? Two months? I had lost track of how long it had been since we kidnapped, imprisoned, and interrogated the original author who had given us this wretched ending. It’s July now, and she came here in February. So, ah. She’s been tied up for five months. Unable to do anything. Without ever seeing the sunlight.

“I’m really just living because I can’t die. Even biting a capsule to end it all feels too painful and scary; I only consider it when I’m about to see those bastards’ balls.”

“……”

“Honestly, if I die now, it’s over. Those Outer God bastards don’t seem to have the power to turn back time here.”

“……”

“This time, I’m stuck here listening to some weird pervert’s physics lecture. I want to go out, do something, use my abilities, break everything to pieces. But I can’t.”

Hmm.

“Ha, yeah.”

She sighed again.

“I know you’re someone else, and I know something is different. Even so, I don’t know who you are, and I’ve been betrayed too many times to trust anyone… You get what I’m saying, right?”

“Sure.”

“My head hurts. The Constellation says it’s fine, but I keep crying anyway. It feels like all kinds of screams are scratching at my body, and there’s a mountain of incidents I need to stop. Why, why was I born with this constitution?”

There’s no guarantee that the protagonist has to be strong. In this genre, they often appear weak. They must constantly break down, go mad, and yet be revered; that’s the essence of it. But to ensure the novel continues for a long time, you must take care of your mental state. It’s a contradictory strength.

“In the end, being tied up in a place like this, I’ve even forgotten what day it is.”

“……”

She lifted her head, her eyes pleading.

“I’m exhausted now.”

She spat the words out like a desperate plea: Save me.

“I don’t care what happens from now on.”

Save me.

“Just… end it here.”

Save me.

“If you are ‘Aidel,’ not that trash, you can show some mercy.”

Save me.

“Please, kill me.”

Please, save me.

The original author, the protagonist, shouted. Average lifespan: 15 years, repeated 880,000 times. She begged for an end to the 13.2 million years of lonely passage. The resonator research and all—it all felt like chasing a mirage.

No. Just. Because I just want to run away irresponsibly. From the beginning, I never wanted to take on such responsibilities, and there’s no need to since I’m a weak human.

However, it’s a request that cannot be granted with a sword, medicine, or money.

“Alright.”

Only. A pen. A request that can only be fulfilled by someone holding a pen.

“From now on, count exactly 600,000 seconds.”

I murmured, placing my finger on Ire’s forehead.

“When you finish counting, I’ll make sure it’s over.”

“Whew.”

As I sat in the lobby, engrossed in a paper on non-resonant lasers, a crisp whistle tickled my ear. A petite woman with light green hair trotted in, goggles perched on her forehead, and an ill-fitting lab coat draped over her shoulders. Her collar fluttered as she stopped gracefully, like a butterfly landing.

I lowered my head slightly and exchanged greetings with her.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Director.”

“Hello! You must be Aidel?”

Her distinctive appearance was familiar to me, though only indirectly. She was the mother of one of the main characters, Merlin Whiritia, and the director of the Southern Outer God Biology Research Institute. Standing at just 150 cm, she was the matriarch of the Whiritia family, a master in Outer God biology, and a wild card for the next stage of my plans. I intended to exploit every opportunity she presented.

“I’ve heard a lot about you from my daughter. They say you’re an incredible genius?”

“I’m not a genius.”

“Such humility! A university student with two first-author papers in ?”

“Ahaha…”

I awkwardly chuckled as we walked toward the director’s office. Director Whiritia swiftly turned and opened the door as if gliding through it. Inside, a large mountain of minerals came into view—a vibrant array of jewels emitting various colors, each one more alluring than the last.

“Trapezohedron…”

“The priority chiral of it.”

This material hadn’t appeared in the original work; it was something the protagonist had never encountered. The director walked over with purpose and lifted a fragment of the irregular polyhedron. Remarkably, there was no sign of infection from the Outer Gods or anything similar.

The Outer Gods in your mind widen their eyes.

The God of ‘Wisdom and Curiosity’ sparkles with interest.

As I pondered the implications, Director Whiritia began her explanation.

“Even the same compound can be polarized in opposite directions when exposed to light. For example, ketamine.”

“Ketamine? That’s a drug.”

“That’s right. One form is used as an anesthetic, while the other, the mirror image, is a toxic substance that induces anxiety symptoms. Do you know what these are called?”

Optical isomers, in physics terms, are substances that exhibit parity symmetry—left-handed and right-handed, just like how a right hand becomes a left hand in a mirror. Asymmetric polyhedrons affect humans differently depending on their handedness, according to her argument.

“Left-handed asymmetric polyhedrons are associated with the Outer Gods. They are dangerous and should never be touched.”

“That’s right.”

“On the other hand, the foremost asymmetric polyhedron is a remarkable new material. You can alter its permittivity and permeability at will. By stacking its structure regularly, you can create metamaterials with diverse properties. It even possesses topological characteristics, allowing it to function as a semiconductor, insulator, or superconductor. With this, you could even fabricate the ‘trap’ you mentioned in your email.”

Her claims were backed by established theory and experimental evidence, teetering on the brink of patent approval. Yet, it had been blocked at the last moment.

“The Outer God Management Bureau will never approve it. They say, ‘How can we use unverified dangerous materials in the industrial field?’”

“…I would probably do the same.”

From the beginning, the manufacturing process was suspicious. The asymmetric polyhedron originated from a more outer dimension, making it impossible to obtain in its natural state. After acquiring the original scalene polyhedron, one would need to manipulate it to alter its parity. However, anyone who encountered the scalene polyhedron would inevitably become infected. Once infected, they would descend into madness, rendering them incapable of conducting research.

“It’s a contradiction… That’s what you’re thinking, right?”

Director Whiritia perched herself on the edge of the desk, a slight smile playing on her lips.

“There is a way.”

Her implication was clear: You don’t need to know.

“As a scientist, shouldn’t you always explore new possibilities? It may be daunting at first, but sometimes, you need the courage to take bold steps. That’s how you pioneer knowledge.”

“Director.”

“Yes, what?”

“Are you toying with people?”