"Let's go, Elysia. Let's see what the world looks like after who knows how many years."
Taking Elysia's hand, it felt just like old times.
Suddenly, Chang Yuan remembered something and pulled out two bracelets—one blue and one pink.
The pink one was worn by Elysia on her left hand, while the blue one was worn by Chang Yuan on his right.
Stepping out of the underground hibernation area, Chang Yuan and Elysia emerged into the outside world.
But what they saw left Chang Yuan dumbfounded.
What was this scene that seemed so out of place with the world?
People holding stone tools but dressed in 18th-century clothing—had the tech tree gone sideways?
"Chang Yuan, you're awake—!"
As Chang Yuan's close friend, "Friend" Vill-V had prepared for this moment after hearing Skadi's report.
However, Skadi hadn't mentioned that Elysia was also here.
Wait, no. Elysia's death had been witnessed by everyone. She couldn't possibly be alive.
"Vill-V, why do you look so surprised to see me? Did I scare you~?"
Gulp~
Swallowing hard, "Friend" Vill-V instinctively took a step back.
After a brief moment of thought and calculation, "Friend" Vill-V roughly guessed what was going on.
But she didn't point it out.
"Friend" Vill-V's thoughts aligned with Skadi's.
"Long time no see. But to be fair, I woke up a few years before you all. However, I remember that the Cocoon of Finality is always watching the surface civilization, so I didn't dare let them progress too quickly.
So, while this civilization is technically in the Stone Age, I've brought their fashion sense up to the 18th century."
As she said this, "Friend" Vill-V proudly placed her hands on her hips.
This was the right approach. After all, the development of clothing is also a part of civilization, and it wouldn't overly accelerate technological progress, thus avoiding provoking the Cocoon of Finality.
"What about the others? Is it just you here?"
Looking around, Chang Yuan noticed that the only familiar face was Vill-V. The rest were basic MANTIS soldiers and some individuals responsible for preserving the flame of civilization.
But it was a gradual process. They couldn't leap straight into modern technology.
"They've gone to other places to spread the flame, trying to rebuild civilization as quickly as possible without drawing the Cocoon's attention.
From what I know, Su went to the west, Kevin and MEI's whereabouts are unknown, Aponia and Kalpas went north, and Sakura and her sister went to the far east.
They've each taken a number of combat personnel and researchers. Based on estimates, it'll take at most 3,000 years to rebuild civilization to modern levels."
"That fast?"
Wow, that's 2,000 years faster than the original timeline.
Wait, if they do this, will Otto and the others disappear? Or will they be born in accordance with the era?
Chang Yuan wasn't too concerned about this.
Vill-V and the others, who were already familiar with the entire story, would definitely be able to defeat the Cocoon of Finality after the reset.
Even if they couldn't, they could still follow the original plan and create a Herrscher of Finality for humanity.
"It is fast. It's all thanks to the large number of survivors from the Previous Era. Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy. Oh, and Hua is also here. In fact, she was one of the first to wake up.
And, she's been called the 'Immortal Phoenix' by many tribes here. Do you know how embarrassed she was when she first heard that title?"
"Hmph~, Hua must have been super shy, right~?"
Snapping her fingers, "Friend" Vill-V laughed. "Exactly, she was super shy."
After a brief reunion, "Friend" Vill-V led the group to the center of the tribe.
"Hey, Hua, I told you, I'll make it bigger. Why don't you want it? It'll look more aesthetically pleasing, won't it?"
"Nuwa, can't you make it more normal? This is so... ugh."
Before they even entered the tent, Chang Yuan and the others overheard the argument inside.
Pulling back the tent flap, Chang Yuan walked in. "What are you talking about? Can I join?"
"Ah, you're awake! Great! Now we're safe."
But before Nuwa could celebrate for too long, her sister Fuxi slapped her on the back of the head. "We were already safe. With so many MANTIS soldiers around, do you really think we two weak researchers couldn't be protected?"
"I didn't mean it like that." Pouting, Nuwa looked pitifully at her sister. "It's just that he's really strong, and he even has Elysia's Stigmata. Even if a Herrscher appears unexpectedly, we'll be safe."
"My Stigmata? I think it's pretty amazing too~?"
"Ahhh—! A ghost!" x2
The two sisters screamed almost simultaneously.
After all, they had also witnessed that night.
The original Elysia was dead, so the Elysia before them now must be a ghost, right?
"Hey, even if you say that, I'll still be upset. Have you ever seen a ghost as dazzling and cute as me~?"
As she spoke, Elysia winked at Nuwa and Fuxi.
But the two were trembling, too scared to speak, and could only shift their gaze to Chang Yuan and "Friend" Vill-V.
"She's Elysia, the real Elysia."
"Chang Yuan's right."
"Friend" Vill-V echoed Chang Yuan's words.
Hearing this, the two sisters finally relaxed a little.
Since both of them said so, how could the sisters not believe it?
In their minds, Elysia must have been resurrected through some special means.
"Phew, as long as it's not a ghost. Oh, by the way, take a look at this."
Picking up a clay figurine, Nuwa proudly showed it off to the group. "Look at this figure. Doesn't it look exactly like Hua?"
"...Uh, I'll refrain from commenting."
Though she said this, "Friend" Vill-V's eyes kept darting between Hua's chest and the figure's chest.
The same? More like three Huas combined couldn't match the size of the figure's chest.
Is this what they call artistic exaggeration? Noted, noted.
"Dr. Vill-V, your eyes are betraying you! Maybe I shouldn't have been so reckless and undergone the MANTIS surgery so early."
Because of this, Hua, who was already somewhat reserved, became even more so.
She couldn't compare to her peers, and even...
Hua glanced at Nuwa and Fuxi.
Hmph, they were just a little bigger than her.
Noticing Hua's gaze, Nuwa proudly puffed out her chest.