"You can study it at your leisure later, and it's okay to disassemble it. Now, look at this..." Lance pulled out a gleaming golden apple and placed it on the cluttered table, studded with bolts and wires.
"An apple?" Several people in the room approached, eyeing the fruit with a mixture of curiosity and wariness. The apple seemed to glow softly, as if radiating light from within.
"Yes, an apple." Lance nodded slowly, his answer short but meaningful. "But this is no ordinary apple. This is the Golden Apple of the Norse Gods' Palace, a sacred fruit cultivated by the goddess of spring, Idunn. Eating it can keep you young and prolong your life. Let's see if it helps with Maxie's... and Zack's genetic disease?"
"The mythical golden apple?" Tony's eyes widened, his pupils glinting with disbelief. His tone was hesitant, as if his mind were torn between science and legend. "Is that myth real? Or... just a rumor, just an evolution of a story in your magical world?"
Redrick's expression remained cool and unwavering, as always. He stepped closer, his posture firm yet cautious. He lowered his head, carefully examining the golden apple, as if trying to capture every particle of light reflecting off its softly shining golden skin. Meanwhile, Maxie and Zack stared intently at Lance's face, their gazes a mixture of hope, anxiety, and a hint of disbelief.
After all, although people often talk about gods, demons, and ghosts in this world, the truth is that not many are 100% certain that these entities actually exist. Believing in them is like believing in the wind—unseen, but sometimes felt.
Most people only consider gods and goddesses to be representations of spiritual forces, not actual beings. A source of hope, not fact.
But Lance only smiled slightly, a smile that wasn't mocking, but rather one that held something inexplicable. "If the magical world can exist, why don't gods and goddesses exist?"
Zack couldn't contain his curiosity. Zack narrowed his eyes, his voice low but heavy with pressure. "Gods and Goddesses... do they really exist?"
"Whether or not Gods and Goddesses exist has nothing to do with you," Lance said lightly, his voice like a piercing breeze. "The Gods and Goddesses have left Earth. You have little chance of contacting them, and even more impossible to interact directly. Oh, there's still one loophole—a small chance of contacting the Gods and Goddesses of Norse mythology, as Earth is nominally Asgard's domain. Occasionally, the Norse gods will descend to perform certain duties. Perhaps, if your fate is strange enough, you'll meet them one day."
Tony looked uneasy. His brows were furrowed deeply, and his eyes narrowed, filled with anxiety. Tony held his breath before asking in a low voice, "You said the gods left Earth. Are they all aliens?"
Lance shook his head slowly, as if he had already said the answer several times in his mind. "Actually, the gods and goddesses are native to Earth. They are advanced life forms that evolved from the Earth's own vitality. They once ruled this planet in ancient times—a time when heaven and earth were young—and left behind myths and legends that we now consider mere stories. But... something happened. Something big. They had to leave Earth and live in another dimension. The void they left behind... created space for human civilization to be born and thrive."
Tony wanted to open his mouth again, but Lance interrupted in a firm tone, his voice heavier this time: "Tony, you'll find out later. But Maxie's problem is too close. Please help me resolve this one first!"
Tony smacked his lips, then let out a short sigh, as if he were suppressing dozens of questions. Tony finally reached out and took the golden apple, staring at it for a moment before saying, "Okay. I'll take this thing for testing now!"
Redrick interrupted quickly, almost reflexively: "I'll go with you!"
"Whatever you want," Tony muttered reluctantly. Tony pursed his lips, then turned and lifted his chin toward Maxie and Zack, then glanced at Lance. "By the way, you still have to solve their problem."
Lance turned his gaze toward the two of them, his gaze sharp but non-judgmental. "What's wrong?"
Maxie stood up from her seat, her movements steady, but her hands clenched tightly at her sides. She pursed her lips, as if she were holding back something she couldn't quite put into words. "Lance, we want to... continue what we did before!"
Zack immediately chimed in, his expression serious and his tone firm: "Mr. White, our genetic collapse hasn't officially begun. There's still a safe window. So, Maxie and I have discussed it... and we want to take this opportunity to rescue our brothers and sisters who are still being held captive!"
Lance narrowed his eyes, his mind racing. He turned to Tony and Redrick, his tone sharp, "How long can they maintain this state?"
Redrick answered quickly, his tone professional: "At least a week, a month and a half at most. During that time, their genes won't undergo any significant changes. But after that... there's no guarantee. The damage could start at any time."
"A month," Lance murmured, nodding slowly. Lance looked back at Max and Zack, his gaze soft but still filled with pressure. "I wanted to force you to stay, but I know that would only make you anxious and prevent you from focusing on your recovery. So... I'll give you one month. Whether you manage to save everyone or not, you must return for treatment. And one more thing—even if you want to leave now, you must wait until Tony finishes analyzing this golden apple. If it can halt your genetic collapse... then you'll have more time. More hope."
"Okay!" This time, both men agreed immediately, without the slightest hesitation. Their gazes locked for a moment—serious, steady, as if there was something unspoken yet completely understood.
Lance nodded lightly, smiled faintly, then glanced at Zack with unconcealed curiosity. Lance asked in a calm yet compelling tone, "Okay... Zack, how effective is the Berserker Staff?"
------------------------------
[Announcement: A New Novel Has Been Added!
The Puppet Maker in the World of Naruto
A man who is a scientist, researcher, and expert mechanic in robotics dies in a massive explosion that occurs in his laboratory while developing an advanced robot project. However, instead of experiencing death as he thought, the man awakens in another world—a strange place with vast stretches of desert.
There, the man is surrounded by people who can jump high, calling themselves ninjas. The confusion he initially felt grows as he realizes that this world is not unfamiliar to him. This is the world of Naruto! However, there is one thing that surprises him.
"Isn't this Sunagakure? Why am I not in Konoha? This poorest village... Oh my God, this is serious!"
Now, in the midst of a new life filled with danger and uncertainty, the scientist must find a way to survive in Sunagakure, a harsh place full of limitations. With his robotic knowledge, can the man change his fate in this ninja world, or will he fall along with the village?]
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