Apocalypse Forecast

I’m going to the moon!

Suddenly I’m going to the heavens, being sent to the moon!

This shocked Huai Shi for a whole year.

"Wait a minute, isn’t there something wrong with your itinerary?" he asked in confusion, "Why are we going to the moon? Can’t you just open a... portal?"

As he spoke, he made a circular gesture: "Can’t we just swipe and get to Helios?"

"I’m sorry, the current Helios Chariot is still outside of Earth-Moon Space and is not within the three lockdown coverage of Current Circumstances, neither Rainbow Bridge nor border movements can connect, we can only go through the most basic physical means to reach it." Marcus answered calmly: "The whole process is expected to take about four days, and then you can board the Helios Workshop."

Huai Shi’s jaw almost hit the ground.

Not only are they going to the moon.

Once they reach the moon, they have to fly out again?

This is damn thrilling.

Besides, the problem is, in the vastness of space, if something goes wrong, there’s no running away, what if the ship explodes!

He finally understood Luo Su’s strange look when he mentioned running away.

"This... talking about going to the heavens, I’m not mentally prepared at all!" Huai Shi hedged, "I get motion sickness!"

"No worries, we will provide seasickness medication."

"Mine is pretty severe."

"We have tranquilizers."

"..."

"..."

In silence, Huai Shi and Marcus stared at each other.

Bro, if you’re this bad at talking, we’re going to kill the conversation!

After a long time, Huai Shi first rubbed his face and sighed: "Seriously, can I back out and not go?"

He’s really a bit scared.

Marcus didn’t speak.

Calm as usual.

"Alright then."

Huai Shi shook his head, since he said he would go, there’s no point in going back on it, plus he’s also tempted by the Alchemy on Helios.

Isn’t it just taking a rocket to the sky?

It’s like no one has dreamed of going to the moon before...

"I only have one request," Huai Shi said.

"Please speak."

"First, a trip to the City of Rome," he said, "I have a friend there, and I promised her that if I ever went to Rome, I must meet her."

"Our time is tight."

"But there must always be room to squeeze it in, right?"

At this point, he couldn’t help scratching his head, looking at his office.

Where to find a small gift for her?

.

.

Pack clothes, organize luggage, pack up equipment.

Bid farewell to the Ravens in the Dream Cage.

Make arrangements for personnel following.

And most importantly, leaving enough homework for the two students for two months, Huai Shi cheerfully walked out the door with his saddlebag.

At two o’clock in the afternoon, he arrived at Rome’s capital, Rome—the so-called City of Gods, where all of the West’s Genealogy flows converge.

Although a country’s capital having the same name as the country is quite redundant, the exotic scenery quickly attracted Huai Shi’s attention.

There was so much to see.

Traveling alone is so good, do whatever you want, and no annoying nuisances following around...

"Where are we going next?" the Raven on his shoulder asked.

"Of course, to the Emp—"

Huai Shi subconsciously started answering but then suddenly realized, turning back in shock, his smile stiff on his face, when he saw the lively black-hearted creature on his shoulder.

"What are you doing here!"

"Why can’t I be here!" Tong Ji asked in confusion: "Aren’t you my Contractor?"

"No... how did you suddenly show up?" Huai Shi was dumbfounded: "Weren’t you always mysteriously disappearing recently?"

"A mature and wise elder sister always appears at the right time in the right place, isn’t that reasonable?" Tong Ji blinked her big eyes, "Moreover, I’ve been contemplating recently, whether I’m caring enough for my Contractor, whether I’m gentle enough, understanding enough, whether I’ve listened to my Contractor’s woes in time..."

Care, gentleness, understanding, listening to woes...

Huai Shi’s mouth twitched, sincerely doubting: Do those words have anything to do with you?

"Anyway, I’ve changed my ways!" Tong Ji raised her little wings, wrapped them around his neck, and assured him: "See, to make up for my shortcomings, I’ve resolutely decided to drop multi-billion dollar work to accompany you on a joyful journey!"

Alright, since you put it that way, let’s just pray for Helios next...

No, gotta pray for the space shuttle first.

Hope Rome is okay.

Huai Shi only saw darkness before him, glimpsing his darkened future, filled with arrangements.

As Huai Shi stood petrified, Tong Ji gleefully perched atop his head, spreading her wings, feeling the exotic breeze blowing against her face.

As if embracing the upcoming relaxed, joyful, warm vacation.

"By the way, you said where to earlier?" She asked, seemingly unintentionally.

Huai Shi rolled his eyes, got into a taxi, and told the driver their destination:

"—Empire University!"

.

.

"Name?"

In front of Empire University, an elderly guard stood on the steps, leaning on a scepter, peering down at the backpacker before him: "Young man, Empire University’s open day is on Wednesday, you’ve come at the wrong time."

Why does everyone like to pull the same trick everywhere!

Is there something wrong with you!

"... Not touring, it’s a visit."

Huai Shi raised his hand and pulled out the work ID for the Ivory Tower, along with a passport stamped with the seal of the Rome Genealogy.

Actually, he also had an ID as a registered military officer from the Astronomical Society that would let him walk sideways in the Current Circumstances, but he didn’t take it out. After all, military officer IDs usually don’t need to be shown.

Because when military officers are needed, people typically get straight to action, and once they turn into corpses, they don’t know how to ask for credentials.

Thus, the reputation of military officers is generally not good...

In some ways, even more hated than the border inspector snakes.

So, to avoid causing unnecessary accidents, Huai Shi decided to exercise restraint for the time being.

Hmm, three seconds.

If this old man doesn’t know what’s good for him, I can just give a crooked smile.

But the expected scene didn’t happen.

After taking the ID, although the old man doubted Huai Shi’s age, he still took out his reading glasses from his pocket, perched them on his nose, and carefully opened the ID to examine it.

His eyebrows furrowed.

He looked down at the ID and then at the young man in front of him.

The furrowed brows quirked upward in a strange expression, as if he’d seen something unbelievable.

"Huai Shi?" He confirmed again: "You?"

"...Yes, me." Huai Shi asked in confusion: "Is there a problem?"

"No, no problem, please come in, please come in."

The old man hurriedly assumed a serious demeanor, made way for Huai Shi, and gestured for him to enter.

But when Huai Shi went inside, he saw the old man running to a corner, slapping the wall, and laughing uncontrollably.

What the heck?

Huai Shi scratched his head in confusion.

But immediately afterward, voices of excitement sounded from ahead.

Nearly breaking with enthusiasm.

"Huai Shi!"

A girl in the square screamed: "Look, Huai Shi is here!"

"Oh my god, is it really Huai Shi!"

"He really showed up, I thought it was just a rumor..."

"Oh my gosh!"

Huai Shi stood stunned for a moment, looking around.

The originally walking passersby suddenly stopped, dumbfounded, turning their gaze toward him. Then, they couldn’t help but smile, showing undeniable excitement.

Some bold girls waved energetically at him, calling out warmly: "Huai Shi, come over here!"

"Let big sister give you a hug!"

"Come to mama here!"

"Let me touch you, okay!"

Huai Shi was shocked, instinctively taking a step back.

He covered his chest in alarm.

Across half the Earth, could he be this popular in Rome? Why are the fans still so enthusiastic! This is getting a bit too spirited!

Meeting involves hugs and embraces, and they want to steal his innocence! This is too... exciting!

For a moment, he didn’t know whether to solemnly refuse or coyly yield, but in any case, he had to respond to the fans’ enthusiasm.

Just as he revealed a gentle smile, extending his arms, ready to welcome the whirlwind of female fans, he felt a push from behind.

Seeing that he didn’t react, there was another push.

Hey, brother, move over.

—You’re in the way.

Huai Shi impatiently waved his hand back, I’m having a fan meeting here, don’t interrupt.

But then, he touched fur.

Fur.

When he turned around in confusion, he saw a giant dog standing behind him at some unknown time.

With classic black and white coloring, a defiant look in its eyes, and a pair of blue, watery eyes, panting, giving him a crooked, mischievous smile.

Then, it proudly held its head high, nudged him aside, and with elegant little steps walked forward, soon surrounded by the enthusiastic big sisters amidst the cheers.

Screams of delight sounded.

"It’s really Huai Shi!" someone exclaimed excitedly: "I touched Huai Shi! Huai Shi’s fur is so soft..."

"His belly is so soft too!"

"His paws are great to squeeze!"

Countless hands covered the giant dog that stood as tall as a person.

Amidst the embrace of several broad chests, the large dog happily howled, rolled over from the big sisters’ arms, revealing its soft white belly.

Ecstatically rolling its eyes.

"..."

In the midst of the multitude of flowers, it turned its head, disdainfully looking at the stunned Huai Shi from afar, teasingly grinning.

Feeling foolish?

Cool off and stay aside, outsider little brother?

This is the master’s special stage!

Huai Shi was in a bad mood.

Looking at that familiar face, incredulous, unable to comprehend, struck as if by lightning—his popularity wasn’t even close to a dog?!

No one even noticed him...

"Hey, does anyone recognize me? I’m also Huai Shi... I can give autographs..."

The more Huai Shi spoke, the more melancholic he felt.

Like a fading idol watching a dog make the headlines.

What kind of world is this, damn it!

Then looking at the distant end of the square, on the marble base, a golden giant dog sculpture, vividly dumb-looking expression, and that signature mischievous smile...

Is there something wrong with you, Empire University!