We Have No Choice

"World Tree..." an official overseeing agriculture and technology rasped, his face filled with shock.

"A single tree is an entire city with its own self-sustaining ecosystem!"

"If we could transplant it... no, even if we only got its seeds, half the problem of building an underground city's ecosystem would be solved."

"More than half," another official in charge of industry interjected, speaking rapidly.

"A new world, all kinds of new metals-our energy systems and materials science could both see revolutionary breakthroughs."

"That would be much faster than fumbling along on our own!"

Silence fell.

Only heavy breathing could be heard in the conference room.

"What about the risk assessment?" the leader asked, turning his gaze toward one of them.

"The risks are immense," an official who had analyzed the intelligence said gravely.

"An entirely new world. A world currently being invaded by the 'Demon Clan.'"

"We know nothing about it. That young man named Lin Mo is our only window into it, and our only vulnerability."

He tapped his fingers against the table.

"If he dies, the connection is lost. If he's captured, our existence could be exposed."

"If he's turned against us... the consequences would be unthinkable."

"More importantly, we're dealing with a world on the brink of destruction. One careless move could bring that disaster down on us."

"Those members of the 'Demon Clan' can destroy a civilization that possesses magic. Could they... follow this connection and find us?"

The question seemed to lower the temperature in the conference room another few degrees. Everyone fell silent.

Humanity on Blue Star was already desperately fragile, like a tightrope walker high above the ground, racing against death.

If another world invaded them now, it would all be over.

"But we have no choice!"

At that moment, a steady, forceful voice rang out.

Everyone looked up.

The speaker wore an immaculate military uniform and a solemn expression.

He was Zhao Gang, head of the national security department and the national director of the "Ark" project.

His features were resolute, his eyes sharp. He was like a sword drawn from its sheath.

His gaze swept across the faces of the five leaders before he declared with absolute conviction:

"Comrades, the word 'choice' no longer exists in Blue Star's future."

"Our planet is dying. The 'Ark' project is merely a race against death, and we're falling behind."

"Every day, Blue Star loses more of its atmosphere. Temperatures rise, earthquakes shake the ground, and volcanoes erupt."

"Our food supplies will no longer meet our needs. All our resources are running dry."

"We can either wait in despair for the end, or... seize that world!"

"This is the only chance of survival for Great Xia, and for all humanity!"

Zhao Gang's words struck like lightning, tearing away the veil covering human civilization and exposing the naked truth beneath.

"Yes. Humanity really has no choice," the third-ranking leader sighed, lowering his eyes slightly.

The leader swept his gaze over everyone and asked gravely:

"What are your views?"

The other leaders exchanged glances.

"Zhao is right. We have no choice."

"I concur."

At that moment, everyone at the meeting reached a consensus.

Compared with the survival of their civilization, every risk was a minor concern.

The leader made the final decision.

"Then, at any cost, support Lin Mo in establishing cooperation with the other world as soon as possible!"

Soon, an entirely new S-class classified project, ranked above even the "Ark" project, was born!

Once all the discussions were concluded, the leader rose and fixed his gaze on Zhao Gang.

"You'll lead this project. Whatever you need, we'll provide."

"Yes, sir! What's the code name?"

The leader fell silent for a moment, looking at the image of Blue Star hanging on the wall. The once-blue planet was now scarred and battered.

"Call it... New Hope."

Zhao Gang snapped to attention and delivered a crisp military salute.

"Yes, sir!"

Two hours later, having selected his team, Zhao Gang boarded an unmarked aircraft with the others and their luggage. They took off from a secret military airfield in New Capital City, bound for Bell City.

Inside the cabin, he looked through the window at the land below, shrouded in gray smog.

Mountains, rivers, cities... he knew this planet was dying.

In his hands was Lin Mo's complete file, covering every detail of his life from birth to yesterday.

An ordinary man whose parents had died young, burdened with debt and struggling at the bottom of society.

He was laid-back and a little clever, but beneath it all, he still had courage and kindness.

Zhao Gang frowned slightly.

Placing an entire civilization's hopes on a young man like this was an enormous gamble in itself.

It was not Lin Mo's loyalty that worried him, but his mental resilience.

To rise from the dust to become the pillar that would save his country-the immense pressure could crush any normal person.

He hoped this one and only "key" would not snap under the strain.

Nighttime in Bell City finally offered a little of the everyday warmth so rare in this age of catastrophe.

Standing beneath the familiar, dilapidated apartment building, Lin Mo felt as though a lifetime had passed.

Two days ago, he had still been at the very bottom of the food chain here, lying awake all night over the pitiful three-digit balance in his account.

Now, a burly, expressionless guard stood on either side of him, both radiating an icy air that warned strangers to keep their distance.

Every neighbor passing by cast curious, awed glances at him, whispering among themselves.

"Isn't that young Lin from upstairs? Did he strike it rich or get himself into trouble?"

"Look at that escort. Good grief, could he be a serial killer?"

"Doesn't look like it. Seems more like a spy from the movies to me."

Lin Mo: "..."

"Let's go."

Lin Mo stepped into the dim stairwell.

He had come back only to collect a few personal belongings and, while he was at it... make a clean break with the frustrated, downtrodden man he used to be.

He entered his apartment, packed a few old clothes with sentimental value, and removed the hard drive from his computer.

After one last look around his bare home, he turned and left.

Back at the underground base.

Lin Mo had already moved into his new quarters.

It was a fully equipped suite that could even be called comfortable.

A soft, spacious bed, a private bathroom, and even a computer connected to the internal network.

Now, dressed in clean casual clothes, he sat at the computer and installed his hard drive, which held several terabytes of his private collection.

There was a document on the computer containing a basic introduction to the base and some guidelines for daily life.

He opened his long-neglected "study materials," ready to celebrate his fresh start.

Knock, knock!

Someone suddenly knocked on the door.