Magic? My Iron Torrent will sweep it all away!

Chapter 12 We Have No Other Choice

"The World Tree..." A high-ranking official in charge of agriculture and technology uttered the word in a hoarse voice, his face filled with shock.

"A single tree can be a city with its own ecological cycle!"

"If this thing could be transplanted... no, even if we only obtained its seed, the ecosystem problem of the 'Ark' project would be half solved."

"It's more than half," another official in charge of industry chimed in, speaking rapidly.

"The report mentions the dwarven runic technology. If we can decipher it, our energy systems and materials science could see revolutionary breakthroughs. This would be much faster than our efforts to streamline nuclear power!"

silence.

The only sound in the conference room was heavy breathing.

"What about the risk assessment?" the chief asked, looking at someone.

"The risk is extremely high," a high-ranking official who had conducted intelligence analysis said in a deep voice.

"A completely new world, a world being invaded by the 'Demon Race'."

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

He tapped his fingers on the table.

"If he dies, the thread will be broken. If he is captured, our existence may be exposed. If he is turned... the consequences will be unimaginable."

"More importantly, we are dealing with a world on the verge of destruction, and a slight misstep could backfire."

"Those 'demons' were capable of destroying a civilization with magic. Could they... find us along this trail?"

This question seemed to lower the temperature in the meeting room by several degrees, and everyone fell silent.

Humanity on Earth is now extremely vulnerable, like walking a tightrope high in the sky, racing against death.

If, under these circumstances, we are invaded by another world, then it's all over.

"But we have no other choice!"

At that moment, a steady and powerful voice rang out.

Everyone looked up.

The speaker was dressed in a crisp military uniform and had a serious expression.

He is Zhao Gang, the head of the national security department and also the national head of the "Ark" project.

His face was resolute, his eyes sharp, and his whole being was like a drawn sword.

His gaze swept across the faces of the five leaders one by one, and finally he said decisively:

"Comrades, the future of Earth no longer has the word 'choice'."

"Our planet is dying, and the 'Ark' project is nothing more than a race against death, and we are falling behind."

"Every day, the atmosphere on Earth is evaporating, the temperature is rising, the ground is experiencing earthquakes, and volcanoes are erupting."

"Our food supply will be insufficient to cover our expenses, and all resources are being depleted."

"Either wait for the end of the world in despair, or...go and seize that world!"

"This is our Great Xia, and the only hope for survival for all humankind!"

Zhao Gang's words were like a bolt of lightning, tearing away the fig leaf of human civilization and revealing the naked reality.

"Yes, humans really don't have a choice." The second leader lowered his eyes and sighed.

The chief surveyed the crowd and said in a deep voice:

"What are your opinions?"

The leaders exchanged glances.

"Old Zhao is right, we have no choice."

I second that.

At this moment, the meeting reached a consensus.

All risks are minor compared to the continuation of civilization.

The chief made the final decision.

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

Soon, a brand new S-class classified project, surpassing the "Ark" project, was born!

After all the discussions were completed, the chief stood up and stared at Zhao Gang.

"You'll be in charge of this project. Whatever you need, we'll provide."

"Yes! What's the code name?"

The leader paused for a moment, then looked at the image of Earth hanging on the wall. This once blue planet was now scarred and battered.

"Let's call it... New Hope."

Zhao Gang snapped to attention, giving a perfect military salute.

"yes!"

Two hours later, Zhao Gang, who had selected the team members, and the others with their luggage boarded an unmarked private plane and took off from the secret military airport in New Beijing, heading towards Bell City.

Inside the cabin, he looked down through the porthole at the land shrouded in gray smog.

Mountains, rivers, cities... He knew that this planet was dying.

In his hands was all of Lin Mo's information, from birth to yesterday, down to the smallest detail.

An ordinary person who lost his parents at a young age, is burdened with debt, and struggles at the bottom of society.

He is lazy and a little clever, but deep down he is passionate and kind.

Zhao Gang frowned slightly.

Placing the hopes of a civilization on such a young man is a huge gamble.

He wasn't worried about Lin Mo's loyalty, but rather his spirit.

From dust to pillars saving the nation, the immense pressure was enough to crush any normal person.

Hopefully, this one and only "key" won't break under pressure.

......

As night fell, Bell City finally revealed a rare glimpse of human warmth amidst the cataclysmic era.

Standing beneath that familiar, dilapidated residential building, Lin Mo felt a sense of disorientation, as if he were in another world.

Two days ago, he was at the very bottom of the food chain here, losing sleep over his pitiful three-digit balance in his account.

Now, he was flanked by two expressionless, burly guards who exuded a chilling aura that warned others to stay away.

The neighbors who passed by all cast curious and awe-inspiring glances at them, whispering among themselves in hushed tones.

"Isn't that Xiao Lin from upstairs? Has he struck it rich or gotten into trouble?"

"Judging by this setup, wow, could he be a serial killer?"

"No, he looks more like a spy from a movie."

Lin Mo: "..."

"Let's go."

Lin Mo stepped into the dark stairwell.

He came back this time only to take away a few personal belongings, and incidentally... to make a clean break with his past, repressed self.

He went inside, gathered up a few old clothes that held sentimental value, and pulled out his computer hard drive.

Finally, he looked around his bare home and turned to leave.

Back to the underground base.

Lin Mo has moved into his new residence.

A fully equipped, even comfortable suite.

A soft, large bed, a separate bathroom, and even a computer that can connect to the local area network.

At this moment, he was dressed in clean casual clothes, sitting in front of the computer installing his hard drive, which contained several terabytes of exclusive data.

The computer has no complicated interface, just a simple desktop with a single document lying there all by itself.

The document contains a basic introduction to the base, as well as some living guidelines.

He thought he would be eager to open the long-forgotten study materials and celebrate his newfound freedom.

But now, he doesn't want to do anything.

What kept replaying in my mind was the heroic battle between the elves and the demons, and the World Tree that stretched across the heavens and the earth.

Just a few days ago, he was still worrying about how to afford a meal.

Now, he has become a key figure in determining the fate of two worlds.

He became a unique individual, carefully protected by the entire state apparatus.

This feeling is absurd, unreal, yet exciting to think about.

"Knock knock!"

There was a sudden knock on the door.