Zero Subject Recovery Plan (5,000 Words)

The longer Xiao Xiao and Yang Jia's trip went on, the more speechless they became.

In the beginning, they could naturally have some conversations, discussing a phenomenon or an event, or subconsciously comforting each other when they saw something uncomfortable.

However, as they traveled through the world and saw more and more things, they became increasingly accustomed to silence.

Later on, they would go all day without saying a word, simply savoring the intense impact the world had on them.

Only when there is still a void in each other's hearts can they try to comfort each other and share their stress.

But when the repression in both parties' hearts has reached its limit and is overflowing, then they no longer have enough strength to share the burden with each other.

Xiao Xiao initially decided to take this trip because he knew that Patient Zero had been forced to feed the world's suffering. In addition, he also vaguely sensed that some of his decisions would affect the fate of the entire world.

But he felt he was not qualified to make decisions for the world, nor did he feel he could shoulder the responsibility, so he wanted to go out and explore.

He tried to understand the world more broadly and realistically so that he could make decisions.

But gradually, as he learned more and more about the world, he felt increasingly overwhelmed by pain, and became even more powerless to make these decisions.

Sensitive people cannot bear to see suffering, even if they themselves are not necessarily lucky.

Yang Jia noticed that Xiao Xiao was not in good condition. In fact, she had tried many times to persuade Xiao Xiao to end the trip and go back to Black Gate City to discuss it together, but she couldn't bring herself to say it.

At this moment, she herself began to have doubts. She even had the feeling that advising Xiao Xiao to go back now was like deserting in the face of battle.

She was once very determined, convinced that she must carry out the Noah Project and shut down the singularity.

This has nothing to do with where the singularity came from or what it went through; it's simply because the singularity threatens this world, because it's spreading and gradually devouring it, that's why she has to do this.

But gradually, she became less resolute.

She couldn't bring herself to say anything about how saving the world meant sacrificing certain people; she didn't want to portray herself as so noble, nor was she that shameless.

But if it's only for oneself, it seems a bit too selfish.

On this journey, she has witnessed too much tragedy and suffering, indifference and greed. It seems that there are too many similar colors in this world, and she cannot bear to add any more.

Fortunately, at this moment, Xiao Xiao quietly made a decision:

"This is the last city. We've seen it all, now we're going back!"

"..."

"At last?"

Yang Jia was somewhat surprised. She glanced into Xiao Xiao's eyes and slowly nodded.

But she didn't understand what was so special about this last city.

They've seen so much along the way.

Chaos, strict laws, bustling yet dilapidated, the streets are filled with numb crowds, the buildings are full of successful people who think they deserve what they have, and the corners are filled with monsters whose inner malice has been forced out by immense pressure.

She was already tired of seeing this kind of scene.

This seems to be the way the world will eventually develop.

In the past, the world was resource-scarce. The food grown in the ground could not possibly feed too many people, so wars were constant. Human beings appeared naive yet cruel, and people would always die in hunger and chaos. This was the law of society.

No one will say they're wrong, because there's not enough, there's just not enough.

But no one can explain why, even when the world is prosperous and resources are abundant, there are still people who go hungry.

This statement is not meant to blame anyone, because it is a problem for humanity as a whole.

These chaotic thoughts kept flashing through Yang Jia's mind, but she didn't know what Xiao Xiao wanted to see in this last city, until she followed his gaze and saw a little boy.

He looked only seven or eight years old, very thin, but his eyes were bright and sparkling.

He would always squat in front of the glass window of a video store on the street, watching a TV inside, which was always playing movies.

The owner of the video store likes to play movies to attract the attention of passersby.

However, the busy pedestrians on the street didn't like this kind of old-fashioned and fake stuff. In addition, the owner was a nostalgic person and always played some old-fashioned art films, so few people stopped to watch. Only this little boy, no one knew his name, where he came from, or why no one called him home for dinner. He was the video store owner's most loyal little audience member. Whenever these old-fashioned movies started playing, he would squat outside the window, rest his chin on his hand, and stare intently with his big, dark eyes.

The owner of the photo shop noticed him and chased him away a few times at first, but he always sneaked back, so the owner stopped chasing him.

They were one inside the store and the other outside, enjoying the movie together. Sometimes the owner would intentionally play some heartwarming films.

For example, there are homeless children and a warm-hearted uncle; there are people who are in dire straits but still yearn for hope; there are movies about people with superhuman strength who don't use it to make money or play around with women, but instead help the poor.

At this time, the little boy's eyes would become even brighter.

He squatted by the window, watching the sun set and the streets become deserted, with no pedestrians left.

The older man tried to invite him into the shop several times, but he always shook his head, too timid to go in. Sometimes, the owner would break off half of his own sandwich for dinner and give it to him, but he refused and ran away in a flash. A little while later, he would come back with half a hamburger that he had picked up from somewhere, and he and the owner would smile at each other. They would eat together through a glass window, facing the same TV, immersed in these heartwarming movies, as if the whole world had become warmer with the colors of the films.

But the world never seems to linger long in any heartwarming moment; the boss is getting older.

His memory became increasingly confused. He would often sit in one place for a long time, forgetting that he was running a shop, forgetting to change the videos, and even forgetting who he was.

He also couldn't see that the little boy's clothes were sometimes tattered and sometimes stained with blood.

The little boy wasn't upset because the boss ignored him; after all, he was used to it. He just liked watching movies and immersing himself in that world.

One day, the little boy arrived very late. The boss was dozing off all day, and it wasn't until evening that he was awakened by the cold wind. He seemed to be awake for a rare moment, glanced at the empty window, and a bitter smile appeared on his lips. He then took out the old movie from the cabinet.

He played the old movie, as if hoping to lure the boy over.

My Alzheimer's disease seems to be getting worse. Maybe I need a Xiao Xiao apprentice to help me manage it?

He thought about it and silently fell into a deep sleep, never to wake up again.

The movie continued for a long, long time. Near the end, the little boy appeared, clutching his head, blood gushing from it.

He walked down the street weakly and in a daze, not knowing where he was going. It was only the struggle for life that kept him walking, as if he were trying to reach a warm and safe place.

He stopped when he saw the movie playing behind the glass window.

He wiped away the bloodstains covering his eyes, staring wide-eyed at the child in the movie who was tugging at the uncle's clothes.

The movie stopped playing at some point.

The wind from the street blew up trash, and one of the pieces landed on the little boy. He didn't move. The old poster was then ripped off him by the wind, stained with a little blood, and flew into the distance. He still didn't move.

He didn't move, and neither did the boss.

As Yang Jia watched the scenes flash before her eyes, she suddenly couldn't help but shed tears.

She couldn't understand it, nor could she believe it.

If I weren't standing here right now, how could I believe that a little boy had died on this street full of his kind?

The little boy's dark eyes had already dimmed.

If it's true, as the rumors suggest, that a person can see their last moments before they die, then what they saw must have been that heartwarming movie ending, right?

"I really can't believe it..."

Suddenly, a colder wind blew from the street, swirling up piles of trash and paper bags. In the chaotic wind, a man in a suit appeared at the distant street corner.

He was carrying a silver case, wearing blue glasses, tall and straight, with a cold expression.

His voice, seemingly coming from the other side of the city, was cold and clear. "The dignified Subject Zero, the Noah Project executor once entrusted with great hopes by the Black Forest, is wasting your time here when the survival of the entire world awaits your help?"

Xiao Xiao was slightly lost in thought, his eyes shifting from the little boy in front of the glass window to the man who seemed both distant and close at hand.

His expression was calm, but something seemed to be surging in his eyes as he said, "Wasting time?"

"Certainly."

The man carrying a silver briefcase said calmly, "Wasting time on such meaningless things is, of course, a waste."

Xiao Xiao seemed unable to understand, his eyes filled with an unusual emptiness. After a long while, he slowly asked, "Why?"

"Call..."

The man shook his head, seemingly disdainful of answering his question. He simply stepped forward slowly and said indifferently, "I hate those who wallow in self-pity. They don't even understand the world, yet they're afraid others won't see their kindness."

"I also hate movies. They're just a beautiful illusion that makes people lose their ability to judge the cruelty of the world."

"You've reached this level, don't you understand?"

"This world has its own laws, which are independent of individual will."

"Therefore, in this world, there will always be pitiful people who have been deprived of everything. If this pitiful person were to sit in the position of the one who deprived them, they would also deprive others. This world is alive, it has a life, and in its life, naturally some things will be eliminated. Don't think that just because you see the people in power in this world, or the poor people in this world, you understand everything. This world needs the rich, it needs those in power, so as long as the world exists, they will always exist..."

"... How can someone who merely picks at withered weeds in the garden and feels sentimental about it truly appreciate the whole garden?"

"..."

As he spoke, he walked forward, his eyes even appearing somewhat cold. "We can pretend all the time and say things that move us, but when it comes to crucial moments, we have to make those useful decisions."

"Just like how people are always moved by the uncle who, in a moment of despair, gave the last piece of bread to the child."

"But in real life, the uncle would kick the child away and take all the bread without hesitation."

"Even children will become his food..."

"..."

"Call..."

Yang Jia listened to his words, she suddenly felt an indescribable resentment, a sense of anger caused by his words striking a chord with something real.

She almost instinctively wanted to refute it.

However, she sensed that Xiao Xiao was blocking her way and also obstructing his view of her. This made her vaguely understand something, so she could only suppress her emotions and hold back for the time being.

Xiao Xiao did not refute the man's words, but instead took a deep breath and said, "I don't really like what you're saying."

"Who are you?"

"..."

"I?"

When Xiao Xiao asked the question, the person carrying the silver briefcase gradually revealed a cold, ruthless smile and nodded slightly to Xiao Xiao.

"I came from the island to discuss with you the fourth phase of the Noah Project."

"..."

"Noah?"

Xiao Xiao frowned slightly and said, "That's our plan."

"No, you are merely an executor chosen by us."

The person carrying the silver briefcase couldn't help but laugh and explained softly, "The Noah Project has never belonged to you, or even to Kuang Juemin raised this question."

"He proposed this plan because he was influenced by us."

"Of course, he himself doesn't know it. After all, you can't expect too much from a madman living in a hallucination."

"..."

"Old Chairman..."

Xiao Xiao let out a soft sigh. He didn't know why, but he wasn't surprised to hear this secret.

The Noah Project and the Black Forest World Upgrade Project do indeed overlap too much.

Even back then, the Shepherds had said that he and the Old Chairman had devised the Noah Project together. However, based on his observations of the Shepherds at that time, he did not think that the shepherd had the ability to completely control the Old Chairman.

Now it seems that perhaps even the Shepherds was not the real planner?

I already had a rough guess about the answer when Yang Jia told me about the Lost Island with great concern.

"The Lost Island?"

Behind Xiao Xiao, Yang Jia heard him introduce himself as being from the island, and then heard him casually remark about the words that had once influenced the Old Chairman. Her expression immediately turned cold.

Are they from that island?

They deliberately erased all traces of their existence, and even the Mysterious Source exists in a state of fear.

This answer almost made her lose control immediately, and she wanted to make a move, but Xiao Xiao was still blocking her. His silent background seemed to be hinting at something, which made Yang Jia force herself not to act impulsively.

Xiao Xiao once said that he was a bit reckless.

But I wasn't being reckless. When I saw this guy appear, I only almost made a move twice.

"But I have always been the one carrying out the Noah Project."

Xiao Xiao looked up at the person carrying the silver briefcase, his expression still calm. "The parts needed in the early stages, and the route in the later stages, are all in my mind."

"What do you want now?"

"Replace me?"

"..."

No, don't worry.

The man carrying the briefcase suddenly smiled and said, "We have no intention of replacing the executor."

"Besides, there are indeed some things that only you can handle."

"However, neither Dante Organization nor Hell Organization are behaving themselves these days, and we need to deal with some things quickly. Believe me, we've waited on the island for many years and know the importance of opportunity."

"You acted very negatively at such a crucial time, which is why we came out."

"We hope you can face your identity squarely, seize the opportunity, and move forward with the subsequent plans as quickly as possible. Also, discipline is very important. Your previous performance was not very good, and the people on the island are not very satisfied with you."

"..."

"Is that so..."

Xiao Xiao nodded thoughtfully and slowly said, "What if I'm still not satisfied with the follow-up plan?"

The man carrying the suitcase had a slightly tense expression, but after a long while, he suddenly smiled again and said, "Then, I need to adjust you properly."

"Call..."

Just as he uttered those words, a sudden, cold wind arose, as if some enormous, unusual wind had swept through the city, which was littered with garbage, scattering trash everywhere and almost obscuring people's vision. As the garbage slowly settled to the ground, a woman's figure appeared in front of the man carrying the silver briefcase. It was none other than the Rabbit Boss. She was barefoot, her head tilted to one side, and her body was leaning and wooden, like a puppet on strings.

Only on that tilted head, a pair of eyes were still looking at Xiao Xiao, seemingly revealing a hint of pleading for help.

Splash...

A rustling sound arose around him, and one strange figure after another appeared. They were all people Xiao Xiao had seen before, the lovely guests from the Iceberg Bar.

But now, their state is very strange. They appear out of nowhere and stare at him from all directions.

"Really, you've been living in illusions for too long, causing each of you to be unable to recognize your true identities..."

The man carrying the briefcase shook his head helplessly, adjusted his headset, and said calmly, "All units, prepare yourselves. We will now begin the retrieval of Subject Zero."

"Minor damage is permissible!"