[HSRGSS] Chapter 89: New Genius Friends

Reviving an Emanator of Propagation?

As soon as Lucian heard the name 'Propagation,' he felt disgusted.

Ruan Mei actually wanted to revive an Emanator of Propagation.

He knew that Ruan Mei considered Emanators mysterious and unfathomable, which drove her to study what made them so much closer to Aeons than ordinary living beings, so she could reach the essence of life itself.

For that reason, she chose the most primitive and purest Emanator—Starcrusher Swarm King, Skaracabaz, an Emanator of Propagation, wanting to create a replica to study.

In fact, the current experiment to revive an ancient beast was meant to pave the way for replicating Skaracabaz.

"I advise you not to mess with Propagation. You can't handle the consequences." Lucian stared into Ruan Mei's eyes, speaking seriously. "If you want to resurrect other creatures, I'll go along with you—but not Propagation."

Tayzzyronth, as the Aeon of Propagation, had personally made Skaracabaz into THEIR Emanator—a powerful existence among the swarm, and one of the most terrifying forces during the Swarm Disaster.

With its mouthparts, Skaracabaz could gather and unleash a death beam capable of splitting planets with ease, turning the shattered remains into a cradle for its offspring.

If one didn’t kill it in a single blow, it could unleash an insect plague at any moment.

Knowing that, Lucian definitely didn’t want to deal with something like that.

If even a single piece of its remains were left, resurrecting an Emanator of Propagation with Lucian’s Godly Bandage would take only a few minutes.

Let alone an Emanator—maybe he could even revive the Aeon of Propagation.

At this thought, Lucian suddenly remembered how, in the original story, there was a blonde man carrying around a fragment of Tayzzyronth’s divine body, and he was in contact with Ruan Mei.

If Ruan Mei asked him to resurrect an Emanator of Propagation now, would she one day ask him to resurrect the Aeon of Propagation itself?

Of course, such a thing must never happen.

It was not without reason that beings of Propagation were even more hated than Abominations of Abundance.

"Don't worry, dear, I'm just joking."

Ruan Mei watched Lucian with a half-smile, as if she were admiring some rare treasure.

Lucian, on the other hand, felt he had to bring Ruan Mei back to the right path and keep her away from Propagation.

Just listen to her—even calling him 'dear' now.

It was obvious Ruan Mei was truly interested in him.

"What are you two chattering about over there? Get that thing out of here! Don't mess up my lab!"

Herta yelled at the two, who were having a close conversation.

If the ancient beast hadn't been so tame and cautious, just standing there without moving, the lab would have been destroyed, or the place would have been drenched in ancient beast blood.

Ruan Mei immediately got to work and sealed the ten-meter-tall ancient beast into a crystal.

"Hmm, this really was a great experiment. Question: Mr. Lucian, what is the principle behind your bandage? I'd like to discuss this with you."

Screwllum asked Lucian in a curious tone.

"Well, that's a secret." Lucian replied with a faint smile. "When we become good enough friends to share everything, I'll tell you."

Hearing this, Screwllum didn’t press further and simply nodded politely.

"Of course, that's very reasonable. Conclusion: I'd be happy to be the kind of friend who can share everything with you."

Seeing how Screwllum's eyes seemed to light up, Lucian quickly gave a perfunctory nod.

Lucian had to admit, these geniuses sure had their quirks.

Now, not only Herta, but even Screwllum and Ruan Mei had some kind of connection with him.

With three members of the Genius Society backing him, he no longer had to worry about getting ganged up on.

One should know that back then, when the IPC wanted to wipe out all intellitron life, it was only after Screwllum joined the Genius Society and became a deterrent that the IPC chose to play nice.

Impressive, right?

Becoming Screwllum's friend was undoubtedly a good thing.

"Becoming friends with three geniuses at once—you're the first. Next time, I might as well introduce Stephen to you too."

Herta teased, seeing Lucian getting all this attention from Screwllum and Ruan Mei.

"If you weren't such a beautiful genius, I wouldn't even bother to know you."

Lucian joked with a chuckle.

"Heh." Herta was amused. "Since you're so good at talking, I'll set you up with a super firewall this time—about the same as the one at the IPC headquarters."

In a good mood after being complimented, she asked Screwllum to help create a super network defense.

Ruan Mei was a genius in biology, but a little weaker in this area, so she didn't participate.

At this moment, she just sat across from Lucian, trying to talk him into becoming her research partner.

"If you're interested, you can come to my lab and take a look. I created a strange creature that can do a backflip."

"Sure, I'll check it out when I have time."

Lucian never imagined that this cold beauty, who never socialized, would be the one to invite him to her home.

Just like that, the two of them chatted through the night.

By the next day, with Screwllum's help, Herta had completed the latest network defense program.

"I really put in the effort this time, so you'd better remember it."

Herta handed a chip to Lucian.

"So you're saying you were just being half-assed last time?" Lucian raised his eyebrows, asking speechlessly.

"Ugh, I'm hungry, my ears are ringing, I can't hear you." Herta pretended not to hear and turned away before muttering to herself, "Why isn't that little hacker here yet? Got cold feet? And that mysterious hacker helping her—afraid of getting ganged up on?"

Hearing Herta's mutter, Lucian felt pity for her.

'Sorry, but that so-called mysterious hacker is already mixed in with your top organization.'

Just then, Screwllum walked over.

"Mr. Lucian, I'd like to visit your hometown. Would that be a problem for you?"

"Heh, why would that be a problem? Go ahead." Lucian laughed heartily. "Honestly, I'm always happy to have guests."

"If you don't mind, I'd like to come along as well."

Ruan Mei, who was snacking on pastries nearby, heard their conversation and chimed in softly.

"Of course you should go!" Herta stood with her hands on her hips, looking like she wouldn't rest until she got her revenge. "In the first place, the reason I called you here is to deal with that mysterious hacker."

Lucian, of course, had no objections.

It was a good thing for three geniuses to go out and spread some knowledge to the locals.

===

Meanwhile, out in the wilds of Jarilo-VI, a spaceship was parked in an open field.

A group of soldiers in alloy armor disembarked in formation, followed by a voluptuous woman in an elegant dress and a hat.

It was none other than Jade.

"Hmm, there's only one city on this whole planet?" Jade gazed at the distant city and remarked casually. "Looks like the Stellaron really did a number on Jarilo-VI, huh..."

Nearby was another unfamiliar planet with a far more advanced civilization, though it had yet to become part of the IPC's economic system.

"Not bad... While we're at it, let's bring that other planet into the IPC's influence as well."

Compared to Jarilo-VI, Jade was even more interested in taking over that other planet.

"Lady Jade, should we begin the surface sonic survey?"

A skinny employee holding a strange-looking machine stepped forward to ask.

"Start it."

As Jade gave the order, someone brought over a sofa.

Jade slowly sat down and admired the scenery while waiting.

'Really unexpected... A planet nearly destroyed by a Stellaron is now bursting with life...'

'Who exactly saved this civilization when it was on the brink of extinction?'

'Honestly, this place is dirt poor, the civilization is backward, the cost of support is high, and the returns are low... If they don't have any true leader worth mentioning, it would be much more efficient to just annex this civilization directly.'