Chapter 63 Chapter 63 The Fourth Wish
The number of applicants for spacecraft boarding quickly surpassed 50,000. System 05 and Chen Mu conducted a series of checks and finalized the list. Aside from those who initially participated in the spacecraft program, the remaining applicants would have to draw lots to determine whether they were allowed on board.
"There are no more spots left, yet applications keep pouring in," Chen Mu said. "It's beyond my expectations. I thought if they didn't believe in spacecraft, they wouldn't apply."
"The desire to live is the instinct of life. When death is approaching, no matter how small the chance is, they will try their best to grab it."
Chen Mu said, "There are too many applicants. I have a bad feeling. When are we leaving?"
System 05 said: "The last group of people are queuing up to board the spacecraft, waiting for everything to be ready..."
At this time, someone came in and said to System 05, "The leader of the First Base is outside. He wants to see you."
System 05 and Chen Mu exchanged glances and said, "Let him in."
They were currently in a newly constructed shelter near the spaceship, allowing them to monitor its status at all times. After Ai entered, he glanced between System 05 and Chen Mu. "I'd like to speak to you privately."
"We've already discussed this last time, and we've said everything we need to." System 05 smiled. "If you need anything else, it's best to contact our leader."
"I see...it seems your relationship is different from what I imagined."
Ai didn't want to face the two of them alone; it would put him at a disadvantage in the conversation. "In my opinion, you are the one who really has the final say."
Chen Mu shook his head. "That's not the way to say it. He's in charge of internal affairs, and I'm in charge of external affairs. He takes care of the big things, and I take care of the small things. If you want to talk about the small things about the spacecraft, you really have to come to me."
Ai looked at the two of them again. System 05 was sitting on a chair, wearing a tight protective suit, with a calm expression, while Chen Mu was standing next to the chair, his hands lightly resting on the chair, his posture relaxed, with a smile on his lips. There was a unique atmosphere in the actions and communication between the two, which clearly isolated the third party.
They must have many secrets in common, so that they can understand each other's thoughts and the implied meanings with just a glance or a gesture.
"I want to get on the spaceship too." Ai said directly.
System 05 was not surprised, or rather, Ai had revealed this tendency the last time he discussed with her.
System 05 shook his head. "You must apply through official channels."
"I've already applied." Ai frowned, "but I wasn't accepted."
Chen Mu explained: "Except for the list that was decided in advance, the rest of the selected list was decided by drawing lots. It's a pity that you were not selected."
"Is there not even a spare seat?"
"The spacecraft's carrying capacity has reached its limit. It can only carry so many people, and some people will always be left out."
Ai: "Then change your seat for me."
Chen Mu refused decisively: "Impossible."
Ai raised his chin slightly and said, "After selling so many virtual cabins, I have a huge fortune. I can give it all to you. It's not too much to exchange my position."
Chen Mu still shook his head: "This has nothing to do with money. The spaceship ticket is free."
Ai sneered: "Why? Is it because I wasn't selected?"
Chen Mu smiled faintly and was about to explain when System 05 suddenly said, "You, the one who single-handedly devised the spiritual immortality plan, also want to board the spaceship? I wonder if this would be considered a betrayal to those who purchased the virtual cabin."
Ai's face darkened. This sentence seemed familiar. It was exactly what he had used to mock System 05 before.
Suddenly, a commotion erupted outside. The three of them looked out simultaneously. From the window of this room, they could see the spaceship outside. Many people were queuing to enter, and a large number of staff were maintaining order. The commotion had been caused by someone trying to enter the spaceship, but they didn't have the qualifications and didn't have a ticket. The staff grabbed them and dragged them out.
"There will always be people who don't have tickets." Chen Mu sighed.
Ai snorted coldly: "You have abandoned all the remaining people. What's the difference between you and killing them yourself?"
System 05 said nothing.
Silence enveloped the small room. The three of them were still staring out the window, watching as order was restored. They all had blank expressions on their faces, seeing the future through this scene, but their inner thoughts were completely different.
Ai was the first to speak, breaking the silence. "Just tell me, why aren't you letting me on board? And don't even mention drawing lots. Do you think I'd believe that?"
"That's the truth." Chen Mu spread his hands. "Sir, even though you submitted your application first, if you weren't selected, you weren't selected. We don't have the right to decide who stays, so we believe this is the fairest approach. This is fate's guidance, and we will never interfere with fate."
System 05 interface said: "You should accept your fate calmly."
Ai stood up suddenly: "Enough, are you willing to accept death calmly?!"
The negotiation was completely beyond his expectations. The attitudes of System 05 and Chen Mu were firmer than he had expected. If Chen Mu had said that his presence would affect the stability inside the spacecraft, or for other reasons, he could have accepted it. However, the statement about fate seemed absurd to him.
Why should his fate be decided by drawing lots together with those of the lower class?
He is still young...If he were forty years old this year, maybe he could accept his fate, but he is only twenty years old and he doesn't want to die!
However, after Ai said this, System 05 immediately looked at Chen Mu, who shrugged with a wry smile, a look of guilt on his face. Ai knew they had just had another silent conversation, and System 05 turned and said to him, "Sir, you still have the virtual cabin. You can live in it for decades."
Ai gritted his teeth.
"Or rather, you can't live long in the virtual cabin." System 05 said lightly.
Ai was stunned and his face turned pale. These words came down lightly, but they shattered his lie to pieces.
"you……"
"The virtual cabin requires energy to operate. You can't solve the energy problem," System 05 said slowly. "Furthermore, once you enter the virtual cabin, you can't open it from the inside. When the energy is exhausted, the virtual cabin becomes a cage."
Chen Mu: "This is why I say the spiritual immortality project is a collective suicide."
However, on the spacecraft, because there is a micro energy station, Bai Xiaochun's virtual cabin can always operate, and she can never leave there again.
After learning that System 05 had sent Bai Xiaochun into the virtual cabin, Chen Mu came to him. After a long silence, he said, "I now understand what you think of the tools used to complete the mission."
This is what System 05 said to Chen Mu before leaving Chen Mu's world. However, it was not until now that Chen Mu knew the meaning of this sentence.
Ai calmed down and asked, "Now that you know, aren't you going to tell others?"
"I always respect other people's choices. You're mistaken. I don't place that much importance on human life or the survival of civilization," System 05 said calmly. "I didn't come to this world to be a savior. I can't bear the fate of everyone, nor do I want to."
"I'm only responsible for one person."
Ai thought that this person was referring to the leader of Base No. 59, but only Chen Mu knew that System 05 was only responsible for the host, and the only thing he wanted to fulfill was Bai Daqiu's wish.
He once again understood more deeply the meaning of wish system number 05.
Ai was stunned, then burst into laughter. "You want to use the virtual cabin to stabilize those who weren't selected so they don't affect the spacecraft's takeoff. It won't be that easy. We'll see."
He strode out of the room.
Chen Mu said: "He was one of the first people to submit an application."
System 05: "Didn't he win?"
"Yes, no." Chen Mu asked: "If he wins the lottery, will you let him get on the spaceship?"
System 05 asked back, "What about you?"
Chen Mu stared at his expression and said, "His presence will affect the internal stability of the spacecraft, but most importantly, it may affect Bai Xiaochun's virtual cabin."
System 05: "I don't make assumptions if they don't make sense."
Chen Mu didn't say anything.
System 05 raised his eyes: "Are you unhappy? Why?"
Chen Mu just realized once again that what System 05 did to him was also just because of the host's identity, and he was nothing special to System 05.
But it only slightly upset him for a second.
At least he is the only host who can chase System 05.
"Where do you want to go next?"
System 05 looked at him in surprise. This world was indeed about to end, but Chen Mu was now asking so calmly about the next world.
"We'll see when the time comes." System 05 said vaguely.
Chen Mu then asked, "Did you decide which world to go to?"
System 05: "It's within the rules. It was indeed my choice."
"Hope is an interesting world." Chen Mu put his hands together and made a prayer gesture.
…
System 05 and Chen Mu knew that Ai would attack the spacecraft next, and there had indeed been small-scale harassment since then, but the impact was not significant.
System 05 speculated that Ai should be preparing a large-scale attack when the spaceship took off, so as to throw the spaceship into chaos.
Ai Yi judged the timing of the spacecraft's takeoff based on the status of System 05 and Chen Mu. If they entered the spacecraft, it meant that everything was ready.
Ai sat in the car, his arms folded across his chest, his eyes closed, pretending to sleep. Outwardly, he appeared calm, but inwardly, he was terribly anxious. He had someone closely monitoring System 05's movements, waiting for the right moment to act.
However, the attacks on the spacecraft became more frequent and more intense.
These actions were not instigated by Ai, but were organized by the unselected people to attack the spacecraft. Since they could not get on board, they destroyed the spacecraft so that no one could leave.
Aiyi didn't want to destroy the spaceship. He wanted to get in, preferably to replace Chen Mu and System 05. If those people made too much noise, it would be troublesome...
At this moment, his men ran towards him. Ai immediately opened his eyes and asked, "Are they on the spaceship?"
"No, no, they're still outside, both of them."
Ai said irritably, "What happened?"
"Many people were heading towards the spaceship, holding torches and weapons," the subordinate said with difficulty. "They seemed to have decided to destroy the spaceship this time."
Ai sat up straight suddenly, ignoring the subordinate, stepped on the accelerator hard, and the car flew out.
What a bunch of idiots, he thought angrily, this is not what he wants.
After only a dozen minutes of driving, he saw the spaceship and the crowd rushing towards it, holding torches and weapons, with crazy and desperate expressions, they fired at the spaceship.
The crew members who had been responsible for maintaining order had disappeared. No one stopped them, but those weapons had no effect on the ship. Where were the crew members? Why didn't they stop them? All the hatches were closed, and the ship was like a giant sleeping monster, unconcerned with the chaos outside.
Ai suddenly felt uneasy, and at this moment, he saw System 05 and Chen Mu coming out of the room.
He breathed a sigh of relief. Since the two men hadn't boarded the spaceship yet, it meant it wasn't time to launch. However, a sense of unease still lingered. He saw the leader of Base 59 raise his hand to his forehead, then point at the spaceship, tilt his head and say something. The two of them exchanged glances, and then...
The spacecraft suddenly made a buzzing sound.
Ai's heart was suddenly shocked.
The beast awakened, and the ship trembled slightly. A sudden burst of flames erupted in all directions, and those closest to it bore the brunt of the impact, letting out shrill screams. The crowd behind them was instantly shocked and retreated continuously, but the ground was shaking, and the escape was in chaos. Through the hot, distorted air, System 05 saw the ship leave the warehouse and rise slowly and steadily.
"Didn't you say I can stay here alone?" System 05 put his hands behind his back and looked up at the rising spaceship. This position was safe, but he could still feel the vibration under his feet and the huge pressure squeezing his heart.
"With Jin Zhuan and the others here, I'm not needed on the spaceship, and there's an extra spot for someone else." Chen Mu moved a little closer to him.
System 05 raised the corner of his mouth: "But you haven't had the experience of riding a spaceship yet."
Chen Mu: "I haven't had the experience of watching a spaceship take off with you either. I think this is more important."
System 05 lowered his eyes and smiled. At this moment, hurried footsteps came from the side. Ai rushed out of the car without even wearing protective clothing. He reached out to grab System 05, but was stopped by Chen Mu.
"The spaceship has started!" Ai's voice was sharp: "Why, you haven't boarded the spaceship yet!"
Chen Mu said, "It's just to delay your actions."
Now these people are just a mob and they can't do anything, but if Ai acts in an organized manner, they may really be able to prevent the spacecraft from launching.
Ai asked in disbelief: "What about you?!"
System 05: "We don't need to board the ship. The AI is more than capable of maneuvering the ship to its destination."
Ai: "Aren't you afraid of death?!"
System 05 smiled mysteriously and said nothing. Chen Mu took his hand and said, "Let's find a beautiful place to die together."
"Madmen...you two are the crazy ones." Ai stepped back step by step. He looked at the spaceship. At this time, the spaceship had risen high into the sky and only a small shadow could be seen. The people left behind raised their heads blankly, with their mouths wide open, like pale, solidified statues.
Ai did not return to the car. He just kept walking and disappeared from their sight.
Chen Mu had just said that casually, but after he finished speaking, he felt something in his heart. He looked at System 05 and asked, "Where are we going?"
System 05 smiled faintly: "Want to find a place with beautiful scenery?"
Chen Mu thought about it seriously. They had actually been to many places in this world, but when it came to choosing where to die together, none of them seemed to be satisfied.
"Why don't we just walk and watch."
System 05 and Chen Mu simply got into Ai's car. They had no destination in mind; they simply changed directions based on which road seemed easier to navigate or which scenery seemed more interesting. On the surface, they saw many people: people attacking each other, people singing and dancing, people shedding layers of protective clothing and running. Even more people were hiding underground, entering virtual pods, uploading their consciousnesses, and gradually forgetting reality in the virtual world.
Half a month later, the world's virus concentration reached 100%, and the overall threshold reached 99%. They began to encounter large numbers of zombies on the ground.
Chen Mu and System 05's bodies could no longer hold on, so they stopped.
It was an ordinary hillside, in a corner of the world, with lush vegetation and blooming flowers.
Chen Mu took System 05's hand and climbed up the hillside, then sat down next to him. System 05 did not refuse.
Chen Mu asked: "How is it, I did not do badly this time."
System 05 rested his hands on the ground, feeling the grass gently caressing his hands. "Not bad."
Chen Mu stared ahead: "I've asked, the owner of this body doesn't want to leave this planet, he wants to die here."
"Um."
"We have been in this world for almost two years."
"yes."
"There's never been a time to be so leisurely."
"Um."
System 05 felt his body gradually becoming stiff. He looked at the data and saw that the virus concentration in his body was as high as 97% and was rising rapidly.
The same was true for Chen Mu, so he didn't hear the next sentence clearly.
System 05 turned his head and leaned closer, wanting to hear clearly. Chen Mu suddenly stretched out his hand, and the distance between the two of them suddenly became very close, pressing against each other.
Chen Mu gave him a hug.
"See you in the next world."
System 05 turned his head slightly, and Chen Mu's arms were stiffly wrapped around him with a smile on his face.
"Okay...see you in the next world."
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
