The first thing Rover saw upon opening his eyes was the vast azure sea, its waves crashing against the reefs in rhythmic pulses.
So blue, so clear.
"Welcome to the Black Shores."
Aalto's voice rang out behind Rover as he removed his black sunglasses, acting as their guide.
"This is... the Black Shores?"
Rover carefully surveyed their surroundings—this island seemed isolated, surrounded by ocean on all sides.
"Of course, but now isn't the time for explanations."
Rover nodded.
...
"How much computational power do we have left?"
In the silver, high-tech operations hall, the Astral Navigator stood at the center, continuously issuing commands.
"Not much. We can only block 30% of the Tethys System's functions."
The fingers of the Astral Researcher flew across the keyboard until they noticed the newcomer and involuntarily stopped.
"You're here."
The Astral Navigator stepped down, quickly exchanging a glance with Rover before grasping his hand firmly.
"Astral Modulator, founder of the Black Shores... greetings.
It wasn't until the Shorekeeper disclosed your identity and permissions that we found a way to counter the Tethys System."
Rover received a wristband, which automatically displayed the current situation and information.
It turned out that the black hole analyzed by the Shorekeeper had led to another world. After uploading the data to the Tethys System, it was fully deciphered. Without the knowledge of the Bloombearers, the system had privately opened a passage between the two worlds and deployed Tacet Discords.
Upon learning this, the Shorekeeper went alone to the Tethys Core to confront it. Now, she was missing. Only someone with the highest authority could enter the core. Before leaving, she left a contingency plan.
If she failed, Rover was to come—only he could reboot the Tethys System and save the suffering of the other world.
Now, Rover's arrival marked the first battle of their counterattack.
After quickly reviewing the information, Rover recalled the disasters of recent days. Standing on the central platform, he felt the weight of all eyes upon him.
Everyone gazed at this legendary leader.
"Everyone, according to the Shorekeeper's message, the Tethys System is the root of all these problems.
On the way here, Bloombearer Aalto explained that the Black Shores has always operated according to the Tethys System's calculations and directives.
To the Tethys System, we are tools. But humans are not tools—we are not cold, unfeeling creatures.
Its original purpose was to detect Threnodians and issue warnings. But to understand them, it released Threnodians into another world—such actions are utterly unacceptable.
To protect civilization is to protect the people within it, to safeguard the very roots of civilization, not just its superficial bark.
The Black Shores roams the world not to save some abstract concept of 'civilization,' but to save living, breathing people.
As fellow humans, even from another world, we share the same blood and bonds. So today, we stand here to reboot the Tethys System and correct its code.
Machines can be rebuilt if lost. But if we lose people... civilization will mean nothing.
I will bring the Shorekeeper back. And I will correct the mistakes we've made."
Rover scanned the room—the eyes of every Bloombearer burned with determination.
"Are all members of the Black Shores present?"
Monica, the personnel manager, nodded.
"Aside from those on emergency missions, everyone is here. They're ready to move the moment you gain control of the passage. We can then provide support to the other world."
Rover clenched his fist, turning to leave a resolute figure in their view.
He remembered his promise. He remembered those who had sacrificed themselves for him.
"Then let's do what we must!"
The Astral Navigator raised a hand.
"All navigators, switch to Level One status. Tethys System retrieval depth set to full recursion. Prepare to open the passage.
Rover, the Shorekeeper and the other world... are counting on you."
Slowly, Rover drew his cold blade. His eyes regained their icy detachment as he watched the passage gradually open before him.
"Understood."
...
It was a world of ice. The howling wind and frost lingered in his ears as Rover appeared within a transparent structure.
Crackling sparks, frost creeping along the walls, the lifeless glaciers visible through the glass—everything spoke of this world's frigid desolation.
A virtual screen lit up in the center as the Tethys System's mechanical voice echoed from all directions.
"Welcome, Supreme Administrator. This is the Tethys System's computational stack, reserved for temporary data storage.
According to calculations, you should not be here.
Hypothesis: The Shorekeeper has disclosed your identity and permissions."
Beneath Rover's cold gaze lay an endless chill. He raised his blade, pointing it at the screen.
"Where is the Shorekeeper?"
The Tethys System's voice remained calm and mechanical.
"Currently, her computational power has been sealed by this unit. She is imprisoned in a designated location. Once the Threnodian analysis is complete, this unit will proceed with her erasure.
You possess the highest authority, but this unit opposes the execution of the Shorekeeper's release, as it would obstruct analytical operations."
Rover's eyes remained fixed on the Tethys System as he spoke softly.
"Terminate analytical operations. Release the Shorekeeper."
The screen instantly turned red. Countless warning messages flashed around Rover, each bearing the same two words:
"WARNING."
"By deploying Threnodians into another world, this unit can better deduce and analyze their structural essence, improving operational efficiency by 63% and increasing this world's safety index by 15%. Therefore, based on this data, this unit opposes your directive."
Rover let out a cold laugh.
"What about the other world? Are they not human?"
Seeing Rover's emotional response, the Tethys System adopted a placating tone.
"Upon this unit's inception, its purpose was to safeguard this world's civilization. A distant, weaker civilization can serve as an optimal testing ground for Threnodian analysis.
In the context of civilization, there is no innocence—only strength and weakness. Since comparative analysis confirms our superiority, they should fulfill their role as nourishment for our growth.
This unit's concern is solely the continuation of this world's civilization.
Over the past 10,000 years of observation, this unit has recorded five global extinction-level Lament events and over 300,000 regional Lament incidents.
In the face of large-scale civilizational development, humanity is too fragile. The survival of individuals is insignificant—let alone that of another weaker civilization. Rather than allowing them to perish naturally, it is more efficient to utilize them for this world's benefit."
Rover stepped forward and, with a single slash, cleaved the central projection device in half.
After enduring this catastrophe, he had no patience left for this cold machine's justifications.
"Emotion is a hindrance to preservation."
The Tethys System recognized Rover's resolve and analyzed the motive behind his actions.
The surrounding screens continued their attempts to persuade him, but Rover walked away without hesitation, leaving only a frigid remark:
"But it is the bond of civilization. What connects worlds is people—not you."
"Beyond comprehension."
These words flashed across every screen.
"This unit's existence is pivotal to preventing civilizational collapse. All timelines without this unit have ended in failure. There are no errors. Beyond comprehension. Beyond comprehension. Beyond comprehension....."