"That's right! If this keeps up, I'm going bald! That machine simply can't be mass-produced, okay?!"
"And this needs to be kept confidential... Ah, Lin Nai, when did you get here?"
The researchers all looked toward the doorway, where Lin Nai had just returned from the Support Zone.
"I came to ask about dreams... But you guys are really busy."
Lin Nai said this in surprise. He even saw several people slumped over their desks, already asleep, while their hands continued working as if they were machines.
This was the Herta Space Station, not some heartless corporation. How could this be happening here?
The white-haired department head sighed. "What else can we do? The Medical Bay wants us to make more machines that can detect brainwaves."
"Detect brainwaves?"
"Ah, Lin Nai, you don't know the details? It's actually like this."
A group of researchers gathered around Lin Nai, each of them complaining over the others.
It was as if they had found a tree hollow to pour all their troubles into.
The cause was this.
Someone in the Medical Bay had learned that the laboratory was researching dreams, so they came over and told them about Asta and the others falling unconscious.
With something this serious happening, of course the lab researchers had to help.
So they lent over the machine and helped test the patients' brainwaves one by one.
And the final result was...
"Just like you last time, Lin Nai, they weren't normal brainwaves at all." Cha Dao sighed. "There's absolutely nothing we can do about that situation."
"So they asked us to make more machines. The other functions aren't important—the brainwave detection is the main thing."
"But even making one was already a struggle for us. We don't have enough funding or materials. Those bastards are just like clients from hell!"
"There's an old saying: Xixi Wuzhe... No, not that one. If you want the horse to run, you have to feed it grass."
"But they can't provide funding or materials, so we're in a real bind too!"
The department head went on and on. Without money, what the hell were they supposed to build?
What was wrong with those people?!
Medical researchers: Hilarious. As if we had spare funding ourselves.
How should he put it?
Lin Nai could understand.
Making more of those machines would definitely require funding and materials.
And judging by the Medical Bay's needs, they would need quite a few.
But in this situation, approval was required.
Unfortunately, Black Tower was absent, and Stationmaster Asta had collapsed as well, leaving the process stuck there.
No approval meant no money.
As for the researchers paying out of pocket...
Even that wouldn't be enough!
"You've really had it hard..." Lin Nai sympathetically patted the other man's shoulder. "Don't worry. This will be over soon."
"Whew... That would be wonderful. Sorry, Lin Nai. I've made you listen to this old man ramble for so long."
"No, it's fine."
Only then did Lin Nai state his purpose. "By the way, I came to borrow a machine—the one I tried before. Is it still here?"
"Ah... That machine..." The department head opened his mouth, then let out a heavy sigh. "We dismantled it to make more."
"Now it only has the brainwave detection function left."
"I see. That's fine. Can I borrow it?"
"No problem. We can't make any more right now anyway." The department head nodded. "Hey, whoever! Take Lin Nai over there!"
"Oh! Coming!" Cha Dao jogged over. "Lin Nai, please follow me."
After that.
Carrying the instrument, Lin Nai returned to his room.
Come to think of it, Black Tower still hadn't replied to his message. He didn't know whether she simply hadn't seen it.
Forget it.
It was time to work.
Because of the Medical Bay's needs, this machine had become capable of detecting brainwaves only.
But what Lin Nai needed was the original machine.
Only then could he use the machine to digitize himself and enter Asta's dream.
But clearly now.
The laboratory couldn't help him anymore.
So...
He could only rely on himself.
Heh heh!
Don't underestimate him!
He had spent so many years on the Herta Space Station, investing so much time! Wasn't it all for the day he would finally be useful?!
Actually, Black Tower had simply found Lin Nai loafing around too irritating and deliberately taken the time to teach him.
Lin Nai: Please don't expose me. Thank you.
And so...
Lin Nai began improving the machine.
Lin Nai: I Will Sortie in Gundam Form!
Day Two.
After a long stretch of time, Lin Nai lay sprawled over a Sleep Pod in utter exhaustion.
It was the first time he had ever felt this mentally drained.
Not even watching three straight days of absurdly melodramatic idol dramas with Asta had exhausted him this badly.
He had crammed the knowledge Black Tower once taught him while building and modifying the machine at the same time.
After several tests.
The machine was now completely functional and ready for use.
It was just that while testing it, he had no idea how to set the wake-up time.
So he had specifically asked the system to hit him with something big a few times.
It was a little unpleasant.
But he hadn't expected this.
After only one night, he had to meet that Aeon of Elation again.
This time was different from the dream.
Digitizing himself was equivalent to having his true body face the Aeon directly.
Lin Nai felt that he might be in over his head.
Aha definitely wouldn't kill him, but the possibility of being played into ruin was actually rather high.
But this was no time to hesitate. Aha had come for him.
So he felt that he needed to settle this.
He couldn't run away at the last moment! Some things had to be done!
Wasn't Aha waiting for him? Then he would go and let Them have a good look!
Pushing the newly built Sleep Pod.
Lin Nai headed for the Medical Bay.
A few minutes later.
"Lin Nai? Why are you carrying a coffin?"
"Sorry, there's no time to explain! I'm in a hurry!!"
"Hey! Wait!"
Lin Nai became a human whirlwind, lifting the Sleep Pod one-handed as he charged into the Medical Bay.
And headed straight for Asta's room.
Joan reached out, then shook her head. "Forget it. Lin Nai wouldn't do anything bad anyway."
Although Lin Nai could be unreliable sometimes.
In this situation, he might have been the most dependable person present.
Judging by how frantic he looked, had he found a solution?
Forget it.
If he wanted to do something, then she would let him do it.
Oh.
She needed to remind everyone else not to go inside.
Joan nodded and took out her phone, starting to notify the other Medical Bay researchers in the group chat.
Still worried that someone might disturb Lin Nai, Joan simply stood outside to guard the door.
It definitely wasn't because she was a little tired from overtime and wanted to take a short break.
Inside the room.
Lin Nai didn't waste any time and calmly inspected the Sleep Pod.
After confirming that everything was in order, he reached out and carried Asta into the Sleep Pod.
He gently put the helmet on Asta, then slipped the Dolphin Ring onto her hand.
The Dolphin Ring could heal her.
It would prevent anything unexpected from happening while Lin Nai was away.
And next...
Lin Nai's body emitted a faint blue radiance, transforming into an energy form of light particles carrying streams of data.
Then, through the temporarily made brainwave imaging device and the data cable connected to Asta's helmet, he entered her dream.
Walking through the multicolored tunnel.
Lin Nai looked around with great interest. It was his first time entering someone else's dream.
"Hmm?"
A cloud of black mist swept in from all around.
Before you continue