Shadows of the Past

What now? It's almost time to head to the mine, but we still haven't found a suitable candidate.

Miss Taoqi has already got so much on her plate. I shouldn't be troubling her with this...

Rover, long time no see. Something the matter?

Oh, did I? I was kind of troubled by the work, so maybe I raised the voice unconsciously.

By the way, Rover, you have been in Jinzhou for a while. I think you are aware of the things around.

I have a favor to ask of you, on behalf of the Ministry of Development.

Here, take a look at this.

These are samples of a mineral called Lampylumen, which, after being smelted, can be used as a semiconductor material in various industrial components.

And that may be only one aspect of its value.

Right now, my colleagues from the Ordnance and Defense Divisions are working together to explore its potential for other uses.

However, because Lampylumen has such a complex structure, the experiments and processing are very tricky.

This small bottle of samples we have here is the result of countless tedious steps.

Luckily, our researchers have found a new direction. Liquefaction. This will help us explore some of the mineral's unknown properties.

The only problem is that the equipment in our labs cannot provide the condition for appropriate liquefaction. Carrying out the processing there will probably destroy the material's structure.

But then we learned that the Tiger's Maw Mine, where the mineral originates, might have the methods and equipment we need.

So we made an appointment with the Mine today to test the samples, but an emergency meeting came up. Everyone's tied up right now!

No. We don't put off what can be done today. Things will only get trickier if we deal with it tomorrow.

Could you send the samples to the Tiger's Maw Mine for me, if possible? Of course, the Ministry of Development will reward you.

Great. I knew you'd help.

Oh no. The meeting is about to begin. I have to hurry up.

Take this. That's the sample you are delivering. And this is the Ministry's ID. We're counting on you.

Doctor Huayu, have you found him?

Nope. Been everywhere he would show up. Didn't find him. Just like you.

Uncle Hong is getting older and has become more unpredictable. It's hard to pin him down, even on a normal day.

Let's keep looking. We can't afford to have the Refinery Tower offline for too long.

A travelling salesman? The mine is closed for business today. Please come back another day.

Jinzhou is not far from here. You can take some rest there.

You should stop rushing before the guest even says anything. Let {Male=him;Female=her} finish.

Oh, a guest from the Ministry. Let me introduce myself. I'm the doctor of the Mine, Huayu.

The tall guy next to me is Lei'li, the foreman here, and this is Modee, a mineral expert from the Academy.

A few days ago, I heard about the sample agreement between the Mine and the Ministry. Please, how should I address you?

Ah, Rover, I see. But in the photo attached to the Ministry's request, the person in charge is a young, nervous-looking girl. How come...

I got the message and the photo from Uncle Hong, the senior officer-in-chief here. Look, this is the photo.

Hm, the ID is indeed from the Ministry of Development. Let's overlook the minor details, then. To be blunt, the Mine is facing some issues fulfilling the Ministry's request.

Modee has more details.

The Refinery Tower at the center of the Mine is offline, but some minerals require it for processing.

So do the Ministry's samples. Right now, we're working on a solution to reboot the Refinery Tower.

Incidents like this have happened before, but our on-site engineer was always quick to fix it and get things back on track.

But he injured himself a while back while working on some other equipment. He's in Jinzhou recovering now.

That left Uncle Hong to take over. He used to be in charge of the Refinery Tower when he was younger, so he's more than qualified.

Whenever something went wrong in the past, Uncle Hong was always the one on the front lines, fixing things and coordinating repairs.

But this time, Uncle Hong hasn't shown up, and we can't seem to find him anywhere in the Mine.

With his absence, the Mine is having all kinds of difficulties dealing with the Refinery Tower.

If you ask me, I think the old man's just taking it easy. Maintenance work like that has got to wear on his old bones.

Maybe he's hiding somewhere, watching us, muttering, "Damn kids, can't you let me have a little peace and quiet?"

I propose we all go back to our places and carry on with our jobs. The Mine has to keep functioning even with the Refinery Tower offline.

He'll show once he gets his rest.

Clues... The miners said they saw Uncle Hong around the transport lorries. We are sending more people to check if he's still there.

More people mean greater possibility. Thank you.

Where could Uncle Hong be? Rover, you're back.

Sigh. Running around without an aim only brings more trouble to the Mine.

Though the Refinery Tower is offline, most of our production is still running as usual.

To keep the rest of the mine's operations running, Lei'li, Modee, and the others had to return to their posts.

However, the Refinery Tower's issue must be addressed.

Did you find anything around the transport lorries?

Maybe written by the miners. Though the Tiger's Maw Mine is not far from Jinzhou, they are constantly kept from going home due to the work.

People who visit me out of sickness often talk about the pancakes their mothers make.

Hey, are you Rover? My brother told me everything about you.

Huh? Don't look down on me! I know this Mine better than anyone!

Before we go, let's talk about my compensation, {Male=mister;Female=lady}.

That's why I always find you grown-ups cynical. I don't want money. Hm... Can you tell stories?

All the grown-ups in the Mine are great storytellers. I like them. And they say, there are more stories that are more interesting from afar.

I'm collecting stories now, so you should pay me with a story.

Then pay me later. One day I'll leave here and travel to the farthest town. I hope I'll be able to tell a decent story to everyone when I'm back.

Dad always teaches me and brother to say things out loud.

If you have an interesting story, you must tell it to me. Let’s go.

The graph here says, “The reboot of the Refinery Tower takes a certain amount of time. First, secure a sufficient power supply during the rebooting...”

Stop, stop. English, please. Whatever, something about power supply, right? I know who to turn to. Follow me.

These lazy new guys. I told them to hand in the work log before their shifts ended.

Pft, in one ear and out the other. Now who's going to clean up the mess if there's an accident?

Oh, Rover. What brings you here? And Huaxi?

Did Doctor Huayu send you as peacemakers? Did he find out about my fight with Modee?

What are you talking about, Uncle Lei'li? My brother asked me to work with Rover to reboot the Refinery Tower.

Refinery Tower reboot? So you found Uncle Hong?

Ah, so that's what's going on. Uncle Hong is always so sharp and on top of things. It's hard to imagine him being anything less.

I work alongside him all the time, and I never noticed. Alright, what do you need help with?

Yes, rebooting the Refinery Tower requires sufficient power. Uncle Lei'li, you know the best about the power equipment. What's your advice?

Well, it's not as hard as you might imagine. We have a double circuit power system at the bottom of the Mine. Either one can sustain its normal functioning.

However, the two circuits can't run in parallel. If we force them, it could cause the breakers around the Mine to trip.

What we can do is bring in extra external power and shut down some internal systems to focus the energy on the Refinery Tower.

Alright, I'll handle shutting down the systems. The backup mobile power sources are there at the base.

You'll need to install them at the Refinery Tower. I'll let you know when everything's ready, okay?

Ugh, it's nothing big. Modee and I argue all the time. I'm used to it.

I just can't stand his attitude. Everything he does, it's all some fantasy in his head.

He's always going around the Mine, bragging about his grand philosophy of coexisting with Tacet Discords.

He says it's a key evolutionary skill to coexist with new life forms, that we should consider developing alongside Tacet Discords.

He can think about it all he wants, but just thinking won't get us anywhere. Honestly, he's just a dreamer, locked up in his ivory tower, completely out of touch with reality.

Every time I say something, he gets all worked up.

Forget it. Just talking about it is making my blood boil. Let's focus on the Refinery Tower.

Refinery Tower offline. Uncle Hong missing. And these troublemaking new guys. Sigh, what has happened to the Mine.

Besides, it's getting so cold in the bottom area of the Mine. Can it be some errors of a condensation device somewhere?

Rover, is the additional power set up?

Yes. All ready and set. What about your part?

Just one more step. The shutdown switches come in pairs, so I need you to turn off the other one at the same time.

Are you there? Okay, then let's do this. Remember, we need to sync up our timing.

I'll count three. You'll count two, then we'll count one together.

Ready? I'll starting counting. Three...

...Two

It's working. The devices are being shut down. The power supply for the Refinery Tower should be sufficient now.

Thanks for your help. If everything's good here, I'll get back to my duties.

Got a whole lot of things to do. Please carry on with the good work with the Refinery Tower.

...Hm, so it is...

I'm not snooping! I just thought of a really smart way to find Grandpa Hong.

I read a story once about a detective who didn't talk much, and his friend, a doctor, helped him solve all sorts of mysteries.

The detective would sometimes look at the bad guy's past to find clues.

After all, a person's past usually tells you why they do things now!

That's why I think though focusing on today's entry is definitely the right direction, earlier entries are still important resources.

Hee hee. Now you know!

Most of his entries are pretty short. He just sums up his day and how he felt in a few sentences.

But I did find some longer, more detailed entries. I think they're important, like this one.

What's your take? Doesn't this story feel weird?

I feel the same. Plus, the lower half of the page is left blank.

Either way, this story feels like it's only half done.

You know, it starts by saying it's a dream being recorded. Could that be why it feels this way?

Right. Let's move on to the next step of the instructions.

The graph indicates that we have to reconfigure the Refinery Tower with the console.

Let's find someone to talk to first.

Hydrogen plus oxygen equals hydrogen oxide...

...And which beaker did I put the product in again? Aw, gotta run the reaction over.

What is she mumbling about to herself?

Ha? That's amazing. Then we should leave her be. Let's go quietly.

*Yawn... Hm? Why am I here? Wasn't I running an experiment just now?

How did I fall asleep while standing...?

Hmph. So adults act just as silly when they wake up too. Big brother totally tricked me.

A {Male=young man;Female=young lady} in black, and a... kid? Who are... Am I still in a dream?

Aw! That hurts!

Wait, the pain feels so real, so I'm not dreaming... I remember!

Because the Refinery Tower is offline, the experiment has to stop, so I've come here to refresh myself.

But I guess I fell asleep. Must've been too exhausted from conducting experiments all night.

So this isn't a dream, huh? Then you guys are…

I didn't expect so many things to go wrong while I was stuck in the lab!

Oh, and if you need a console, there's one just outside the Academy.

Well, I've rested enough. Time for me to get back to work. Good luck!

<<

Big {Male=brother;Female=sister}, is this what we should do?

<<

A verification is required...

Now you have mastered it. Now just put in the parameters as per the digits shown in the graph.

So complicated... We would screw up if Uncle Modee wasn't here to help.

Just a small move. When the pararmeter reset is successful, the system will adjust the Refinery Tower and it'll reboot automatically.

Now the reboot can take some time. All we need is wait. Thank you for your effort.

We don't have any information about Grandpa Hong's whereabouts, though.

Hm... I did find a pattern in the previous entries. Though the events are various...

... They all happen at a few limited places.

For example, Grandpa Hong often visits my brother's clinic: “Went to the clinic today and had a routine examination as per Doctor Huayu's instructions.”

“Went to the clinic today. The medication is getting so bitter. Lucky Doctor Huayu didn't find out I hid candy in my palm.”

Also, Grandpa Hong's always telling the lorry drivers in the transport area to pick up the supplies the Mine needs.

Their conversations are also kept here.

It's like the routes are already set, and Hong just keeps walking them over and over.

So, if his memory's off, would he still end up at these places in the journal just out of habit?

But these spots are spread all over the site. Finding him would take a lot of manpower we don't have.

Have you come up with something, Rover?

I have one at the Mine's institute. Just a few moments. Meet me at the gate in a while.

The entry is mostly about an argument with a researcher. No information about a passcode.

If nothing else works, maybe we'll just have to try guessing...

You'd better hold off on that. If you fail the verification too many times, the console will lock, and the system will shut down automatically.

If that happens, we'll only waste more time in the rebooting.

Just follow the steps to unlock the console and everything should go smoothly. Good to see you again, Rover.

I heard from a co-worker about what you're up to, and I thought you might find difficulties in passing the verification, so I came.

Looks like I'm right on time.

You, you... Aren't you that researcher who was fighting with Grandpa Hong, in the journal?

A fight? The journal? Haha, may I see the journal myself?

This feels like what would happen between me and Lei'li, but that researcher isn't me.

Uncle Hong is like a mentor to me, so I would never have an argument like that with him.

In fact, I have always respected him because he taught me an important lesson.

In science, it's not just about cold, hard numbers. There's also room for imagination.

Like when we come across infinity in our research. To some scholars, that infinity symbol might look like radio waves moving through space.

It was even shown in a Jinzhou sci-fi play not long ago, symbolizing a twist in the dimensions of life.

Haha. It's just an example that just crossed my mind. You can have a look yourself at the Jinzhou Theater if you're interested.

The play was about a catastrophe. Humanity had to send their home planet on a journey through space. It used the symbol to hint at the connection between digital life and reality.

A single symbol can be used in different ways to create colorful worlds. Might be a bit hard to grasp now, though.

But so many truths come from these wild, imaginative ideas. Just thinking about it gets me all fired up.

But Lei'li? He just responds with "That's all nonsense" and completely ignores anything that seems unlikely.

So you've heard about it? Yes. Even if the probability is as small as 0.0001%, it still makes sense to me.

Hahaha, you do know a lot, Rover. Now let's get on with the issue with the Refinery Tower.

The console's verification is done by line drawing. When you start the verification process, random images will be generated on a grid.

You have to put your hand on the grid, and the system will draw a line to connect the coordinates you touch. Repeated coordinates will not be recorded.

Only when the order and the direction of the line you draw is right, the verification is passed. All right, let's have a try.

You're here. Rover, this is the map you asked for.

For an old man, he sure gets around! But looks like it's mostly just three different areas.

Ah yes! A triangulation approach.

By drawing three circles with the regions as centers, the overlapping area is where Hong is most likely to be.

That really narrows things down. Great idea!

No idea what you two are talking about, but you sure sound smart. You're pretty cool, Rover!

The overlapping area is a small corner in the upper living quarter. Let's go take a look!

Oh, by the way, you can hand me the samples now, Rover. When the reboot is finished, we will start the procedures.

However, it can't be done today, as the reboot can take some time.

Bye, Uncle Hong. Take care when you go back, eh?

Okay, okay. Tastes just like the old days, but I just can't help feeling empty.

What was I going to do?

Look, Rover. That's Grandpa Hong.

We finally found you, Grandpa Hong. Everyone's been looking for you.

You are... Huaxi. Why look for me?

Great. Grandpa Hong remembers me.

What are you talking about? I think you lost me.

Ah, that's why. I thought Uncle Hong came here after the maintenance work of the Refinery Tower, as usual.

Let me tell you, my cooking skills were passed down from my grandfather's generation.

Back then, every time Uncle Hong finished work, he'd come here for a warm bowl of Jinzhou Stew.

My grandfather always said that food shortens the distance from home, and also brings people closer together.

Jinzhou Stew isn't just a simple dish. It's a bond that connects people.

And for Uncle Hong, it's probably even more meaningful, since the people sitting with him here have changed since his day.

He's the only one left.

Eating alone always feels a bit lonely. No wonder Grandpa Hong seems so down.

Journal. That's it. I feel much settled now.

Grandpa Hong...

Right. Grandpa Hong, we found your lost journal, and fixed the reboot issue of the Refinery Tower.

Anyway, the guest from the Ministry is here with the samples like they promised. That's this {Male=mister;Female=lady} beside me.

Yes... I do. Everything feels familiar again with the presence of this journal. I'm sorry for the fuss.

Grandpa Hong still looks a bit strange. Let's take him to my brother.

It's kind of late now, Rover. Like Uncle Modee said, the samples can't be tested as of now. Why don't you come here another day?

You're back, Rover. Everything well?

Sounds like a lot of twists and turns. I guess we'll have to collect the samples another day.

So they've been arguing about whether to coexist with the Tacet Discords... I see they did treat you as a member of the Ministry.

Now they've accidentally let you in on the Mine’s secret.

There was a Tacet Discord crisis there years ago... Hold on, I'm getting a message.

Ugh, some follow-up work to do regarding the meeting just now. I wanted to chat to you a little longer.

Maybe next time. Take this, it's the reward from the Ministry. I'll see you.

Rover, do you have time to continue our unfinished conversation from last time?

If you do, I'll be waiting for you at the Ministry of Development.

You're here, Rover. It's a pity we didn't finish the story about the Mine's crisis.

I didn't know the truth of it all before some time since I joined the Ministry.

There is a colossal Tacet Discord under the ground surface of the Tiger's Maw Mine. A serious conflict was incurred among the Mine staff when it was discovered.

Then, one of the heads of the Mine, Chengwen acted on impulse and speeded up the aggravation of the TD, which finally led to a grave crisis over the whole Mine.

It was Uncle Hong who rebuilt the Mine piece by piece, and put it back to order the way it had been.

Though Chengwen died protecting the Mine in the crisis, his name was still linked to wrongdoing...

...and deliberately omitted in all the documents related to the Mine.

Similar discussions were provoked for times within the Ministry on the handling of this TD.

It was Uncle Hong who insisted that coexistence was in the interest of the Mine. And the crisis finally quieted down.

It is said that Uncle Hong was able to produce a reasonable plan and persuade people, but I don't have the details.

Rover, I think your Terminal has been ringing for a while now.

Is it Rover? Now, it might be a sudden call, but the Mine is in a crisis now, and I don't think the signals are stable.

I don't have time, but we do need your help, please...

Seems like the Communication is cut off.

He sounded urgent. Maybe the Mine is facing some problem again.

Let's go take a look. Maybe we'll find more about the Mine's secret from the witnesses.

Hey, I was almost frozen to death. I told you that thing underground is a ticking bomb.

Sigh, the detectors are not responding from the bottom of the Mine. The data they recorded is probably lost. All those efforts in vain.

Have you heard about it? The shutdown of the Mine wasn't a simple accident. It's because...

What are they talking about? Are they Lei'li and Modee?

I should go and ask them what happened to the Mine.

Is everyone evacuated from the bottom? I want no one trapped down there.

But the chill can't be stopped now. Not before long the upper parts of the Mine will be affected.

Oh, Rover, why are you here?

Oh? So the help that Doctor Huayu mentioned is you. We just had a fight.

In the meantime, as an outsider, you are the perfect judge for the two of us.

As you can see, the reboot wasn't successful, and there is even a strange chill invading from the bottom.

Now that Doctor Huayu has called for your help, I won't hide anything from you.

Responsible to this all is the Tacet Discord under the ground of the Mine, Lampylumen Myriad.

But it's not geographical location that made the Tiger's Maw Mine a deposit of so many unique, special minerals...

...but this special ecological relationship between the Mine and the TD.

Though both the Ministry and the Mine claim that this TD is in a stable dormancy, and that we should look for a balanced way of coexistence...

...we only feel dread and terror, as its most immediate neighbor.

This talk about balance and development.

Since their birth, TDs are representatives of catastrophe. This kind of unknow, dangerous things should be exterminated.

I was telling what the miners and me really think just now...

...when Modee suddenly got mad and started to argue with me.

Tell me, Rover, is what I said wrong? Aren't the facts clear enough?

Isn't this TD to blame for everything that has happened to the Mine?

You can say that again. I just wonder why Modee can't see this.

...Hmm. I would say Uncle Hong is in favor of Modee, because I gather he was the one that put forward the idea of coexistence.

And when we were fighting just now, he... Forget it, Rover. I'll keep on counting heads.

Judging from the trend of the diffusion of the chill, the time it reaches the upper level will be only earlier. Before that, we will have to...

Oh? Rover, you're here. I heard it when Doctor Huayu asked you for help. Do you need any assistance?

So he told you all that. Then he must have told you the secret about the Tacet Discord under the ground.

I have always had a different view with him about the coexistence with it.

It's only that the event this time ignite our dissension.

The reason why I insist on coexistence is simple. Do you know the TD's name, Rover?

That's right. This common name implies the reason of my insistence.

Lampylumen is a fairly rare mineral. The conditions of its formation is so critical that even manual interference can hardly control them.

However, it can naturally crystalize and deposit and solidify as raw ore in the Tiger's Maw Mine.

It was until the discovery of Lampylumen Myriad, which lies dormant underground and creates a chilling atmosphere, that we understand the source of the unique underground cave here, a product of the chill and the geography here.

The cave is the optimal environment for the mineral to grow. That's why we should find a way to coexist with it.

You can say that again. I just wonder why Lei'li can't see this.

Uncle Hong should be a supporter of mine, but something strange happened at the fight just now...

Rover, I was caring for frostbitten miners and couldn't reach you in time. Thank you for coming and helping us.

Actually, this is also Uncle Hong's request. He looked at the information recorded in the journal about you and insisted that you help.

Finally you guys from Ministry of Development caught up. We don't have much time, let's get moving, and don't get lost.

Hey, what is this noise? You brief {Male=him;Female=her} about what happened. I'll see the reason of the noise.

Did they tell you about Uncle Hong?

Blame him for it. Just when Uncle Hong was about to speak during the fight, he suddenly let out a lot of words and choked Uncle Hong.

Don't you rat on me. It was you who raised your voice and covered Uncle Hong's.

What? You wanna continue? Can't you open your eyes and see if it's the right time?

In the argument just now, Uncle Hong was suddenly transformed and accused them. He even referred to them with wrong names.

Uncle Hong took Lei'li for himself and called him Hong. He accused the latter of caring only for his own ideas and never others'.

He questioned whether it was absolutely right to exterminate anything that was unknown and frightening...

...and whether it was possible to find the substitute for Lampylumen when Lampylumen Myriad is taken out.

And when facing Modee, Uncle Hong called him Chengwen.

He asked whether, though coexistence was a good idea, preparations were made if the coexistence were to bring another disaster.

Unconventional thinking always returns to quietness in the end.

He was one of the previous heads of the Mine, and a close friend of Uncle Hong's.

However, his ruthless actions dragged the Mine into a crisis, and himself to death.

No. I would say a certain scenario during that fight excited his memory.

And what Uncle Hong just said to you also proves my theory.

Exactly. The past crisis was partly due to Ministry of Development and time.

Back then, the route connecting the Mine and Jinzhou wasn't clearly defined, so the Ministry's rescue took a lot of time on their trip.

When a scenario from the past collides with the present, maybe Uncle Hong mistook them for one another.

In that crisis, maybe Uncle Hong and Chengwen had a similar fight, just Modee and Lei'li.

That's half true. I think Uncle Hong mixed now with the past and went through a strange yet familiar crisis.

Maybe an onlooking miner, or a common old man. His tone was just like one.

Now all we can do is follow Uncle Hong's ideas. The stimulating memories can help relive a story.

A story that meant so much to him.

Rover, we'd have to ask you to work with Uncle Hong to solve the crisis this time.

I already have the plan. The reason for the failure of the reboot lies in the temperature monitoring system of the Refinery Tower.

This system detects the current temperature and adjust the parameters accordingly to ensure the normal running of the Tower.

Now, the influence of the chill has disabled this system, so the whole Tower went paralyzed.

We must put the temperature back to the normal range before we can successfully reboot the Refinery Tower.

And when the Tower is online, as the greatest source of heat in the Mine, it will control the chill.

Yes, but since our power is limited, we have to ask the Ministry for help.

Lampylumen Myriad isn't an easy foe. Take good care.

Cut the trifles. Follow me, Rover.

The temperature went down so fast.

How's it going, Rover. Can you hold on?

By the way, this feels the same as what I saw in the dream. Only in that dream, I was Uncle Hong.

Let's go. We have to find the entrance to the bottom of the cave first.

The entrance is blocked by ice.

Yes, maybe due to the Ice Chrysalises. It is a product of the awakening of Lampylumen Myriad.

Defeat it to remove the block of the entrance.

Maybe the miners left it here. They did learn a lot of crafts during their off time.

Huge fish... Haha, it reminds me of that whale in my dream.

Due to Lampylumen Myriad, Chengwen and I had an argument. We sat in one corner of the square table.

He pushed piles of research materials in front of me in an effort to persuade me, and all I did was hitting the surface of the table and yelled with a voice louder than the noise of the table.

After that, he visited me again with my favorite food, and he suddenly brought up this story about human's relationship with whales.

And he stopped in the middle, said the other half wasn't written yet.

He asked for my view on the half of the story, but I was able to find where he was really getting at.

The first encounter with whale was kind of similar to the then situation of the Mine. He wasn't asking for my opinion about the story, but my attitude towards the events.

This Ice Chrysalises looks different from the last one.

Maybe due to the chill. It feels even colder here than just now.

This makes me nostalgic. The Mine in my dreams were so simple.

After work, Chengwen and I were sitting right at that corner, and the box was filled with hot and steaming Jinzhou Stew.

I didn't know that meals only taste better when they are shared.

Sorry for the blabbering. Let's move on.

The Ice Chrysalises is clear.

The entrance is open now. Let's go, Rover.

Everything was similar just now, but it feels so different from here.

It was only a dream...

I was a coward in the dreams. Wasn't man enough to stand on this frost ground.

I rushed into this plan to eliminate Lampylumen Myriad in the dream, but it only made things even worse.

After I made the disaster happen, I wasn't held accountable in any form, but became the hero of the Mine.

Everyone I met said “well done”, “thank you”, “you're a hero” and so forth.

But it feels reassuring to be standing here. I don't, and won't run.

I won't be able to help further from here, so I'll wish you luck.

Lampylumen Myriad is closely associated with Ice Chrysalises. You have to take care doing this alone. Then I'm counting on you.

(Listen close. The chilling wind is mingled with slight sounds...)

(Wind, murmur, crushing ice... all mingled together, and closing in)

The communication returns normal, and the temperature is rising too. Rover, looks like you succeeded.

Uncle Hong is safely back too. The Mine is rebooting the Refinery Tower. Thank you for your efforts!

...

Oh, you're back, Rover. Thank you for lifting us through this crisis.

Keep on calling me Uncle Hong.

Yes, with the help of this plate, which I found when I left the cave.

Chengwen told me in my dream that this kind of plate is made of a special mineral, and that words inscibed on it won't be worn away after years.

Look, Rover. He didn't lie. His name is inscribed on it in a perfect condition.

It was all in my dream, but now it's here before our eyes.

I only understand now that the dreams were real things.

I don't know why, but it feels like I losing the ability to feel as I forget things. No matter it is sadness or regret.

What is left was only scenarios. They keep overwhelming me until I lose breath.

Rover, will you listen to the other half of my boring dream?

After Lampylumen Myriad was awakened, Chengwen and I walked the same path as we do today.

We broke Ice Chrysalises, removed the block at the entrance, and managed to suppress Lampylumen Myriad.

However, the Refinery Tower wasn't built in the dream. Suppressing Lampylumen Myriad could only buy time for the rescue from Jinzhou to arrive.

Chengwen was heavily injured in the combat, and he didn't make it on the way back to Jinzhou for healing.

Later, when the Ministry started to investigate the reason of the crisis at the Mine, I was ready for being held accountable.

But what met me was actually applause and medals, which I only found strange.

It was Chengwen, who took all the responsibilities himself on the way back to the Ministry.

It was only out of his simple belief that I could rebuild the Mine, and that the Mine couldn't afford to lose two heads.

Was it guilt?

After that I started to study the documents Chengwen left. I picked up the piles of research materials that I myself pushed to the ground.

And I found that we were both wrong. The coexistence wasn't a job to do at the two ends of a line, but one to do on the middle point.

I found the initial ideas of the Refinery Tower from his notes, and it became what it is now after iterations.

We managed the balance by suppressing Lampylumen Myriad's chill with the Refinery Tower's heat, so as to prevent it from awakening.

It was with this report that Ministry of Development agreed on the proposal that the Mine coexists with the TD.

This was the way of survival that he and I joined efforts to find, but his name was forever wiped from the Mine's documents, and marked as a sinner.

And now, even I am losing his memories. I want to write something down, but my brain is just blank.

I often go to the places he spent time at, but his traces are only disappearing, because the Mine is changing so fast.

Lucky I have some fragments that I can put down on the journal. These stories and arguments, and Jinzhou Stew that we both love.

Yes. What if one day I stop distinguishing the current from the past and forget myself?

What if I get swallowed in a woven world, just like today?

Walked out... Maybe. I don't want to be a coward anymore.

And I don't want the kids to walk down my path again.

Maybe this crisis is a chance for growth for them. It will correct their overdependence on the experience of previous generations.

The balance of our coexistence with TD is forever changing, and the Refinery Tower is only one part of it.

Interestingly, this is the first time I've seen Lei'li and Modee work together.

Thank you, Rover, for listening to this boring dream until the end.

You should be tired after all this, right? I already informed the food stall.

You must come and have a taste of the special Jinzhou Stew of the Mine.

The fights with Lei'li is making me sleepless. I always enjoy looking at the sky with my back lying on the grass when I can't sleep.

Look at the stars. When will we touch them?

Now, if we can push science to progress forward, one small step at a time, generation after generation, maybe one day...