I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 216: The Evolution of Zero

Chapter 216: The Evolution of Zero

Chapter: A Resourceful Plan

Adam carefully placed the hand bands on the table, their faint hum of energy filling the room. He turned to his allies, his voice steady and firm. "Now that we have these countermeasures, it’s time to focus on our real target—the power holder we plan to attack tonight. Failure is not an option."

His words carried a weight that silenced everyone in the room.

Ninja sat cross-legged on the floor in a meditative stance, his masked face unreadable.

Sona and Tayo perched lightly on the edge of the bed, their wings fluttering as they exchanged uncertain glances. Meanwhile, Pratham’s glowing avatar on the monitor addressed Adam.

"Lord Adam," Pratham began, his tone inquisitive, "what is your plan? How do you intend to approach this?"

Adam leaned back in his chair, running a hand through his hair. "I believe we need more intel before a direct attack. But the problem is, we’re short on time." His frustration was evident, and for a moment, silence hung in the air.

Breaking the quiet, Zero raised its glowing blue hand. The motion caught everyone’s attention, and Adam’s gaze locked onto his newest creation. "Zero," Adam said, intrigued, "do you have an idea?"

Zero lowered its hand and stepped forward, its voice calm yet confident. "Lord Adam, I believe I can create something that will give us the edge we need. But I’ll require specific equipment to do so."

Adam turned to Pratham. "Do we have more machines or resources available in the manufacturing unit?"

Pratham hesitated, lowering his gaze. "Unfortunately, Lord Adam, my resources are extremely limited. Most of my mechanisms are in early developmental stages, and I lack the necessary equipment to produce more."

Adam frowned, the limitations gnawing at his patience. He turned back to Zero, his tone apologetic. "We’re short on both funding and machinery right now. I’m afraid our options are limited."

Zero’s blue glow intensified momentarily as it raised its hand again. "Lord Adam, if you have access to even broken or discarded machines, I can use my nanotech capabilities to repurpose and adapt them for our needs."

Adam’s eyes lit up as inspiration struck. "Broken machines? That might just work." He stood abruptly, excitement surging through him. "There’s a place nearby that might be perfect for this."

Sona fluttered closer, tilting her head curiously. "What place, Lord Adam?"

Adam turned to Pratham. "Locate the nearest dumping ground. Specifically one that deals with discarded electronics."

Pratham closed his virtual eyes, his network scanning the area through satellite feeds and the vast expanse of the internet. After a moment, his avatar reappeared.

"Lord Adam, there’s an electronics dumping ground just a few kilometers away. I’ve sent the coordinates to your phone."

Adam glanced at the notification on his screen, then turned to Zero. "Perfect. Let’s head there immediately. Zero, this is your chance to show us what you can really do."

The group prepared to leave. Ninja placed a hand on Zero’s shoulder while Adam allowed Sona and Tayo to perch on his.

Pratham and Mikasa vanished from the monitor, their presence transferring to Adam’s mobile device to stay connected.

With a nod, Ninja activated his teleportation ability. In a blink, the room disappeared, replaced by the dim and cluttered expanse of the dumping ground.

It was nearly nightfall, the orange hues of the setting sun fading into darkness. The dumping ground was a chaotic sea of discarded electronics—old televisions, broken washing machines, outdated toys, and tangled wires formed towering piles that loomed over the group.

In the center of this mechanical graveyard was a relatively clear space where Adam and his team materialized. Zero’s glowing eyes scanned the surroundings, and its patterns pulsed with excitement.

"This is perfect," Zero said, its voice brimming with enthusiasm. "Lord Adam, I won’t disappoint you. Just give me some time."

Adam crossed his arms, nodding in approval. "You have everything you need here, Zero. Show us what you’re capable of."

Without hesitation, Zero approached a nearby pile of discarded electronics. Its glowing hand reached out to a broken toy car, a high-tech model equipped with night vision and a small surveillance camera.

As Zero’s nanotech particles seeped into the toy, the car’s outer shell disintegrated, leaving behind the valuable internal components.

The night vision camera and other functional parts were absorbed into Zero’s body, while the remaining scraps were discarded.

Adam and his allies watched in fascination as Zero’s form began to change.

The once-simple lenses of Zero’s eyes now transformed, covered by a thin, dark blue layer that shifted like liquid.

Beneath the surface, faint violet hues and intricate lenses became visible, indicating its newly acquired night vision capabilities.

Zero turned back to Adam, its eyes glowing faintly. "Lord Adam, this is just the beginning. With the resources here, I can create something far more advanced."

Adam nodded, a faint smile playing on his lips. "Good. Take your time. We’re counting on you."

As Zero continued its work, dismantling and absorbing parts from the piles of discarded electronics, the group watched with growing anticipation.

For Adam, this was not just an opportunity to enhance Zero’s capabilities—it was a chance to turn discarded scraps into a weapon against their greatest threat.

The dumping ground was alive with faint metallic hums and the occasional creak of shifting machinery.

The group stood amidst piles of discarded electronics as Zero moved methodically, absorbing components with precision and efficiency.

Adam, Tayo, Sona, and Ninja watched from a distance, giving Zero the space it needed to complete its transformation.

Zero, now equipped with sharper vision and new capabilities, began dismantling a drone it had discovered.

As its nanotech spread over the device, parts of the drone were integrated into Zero’s body. Two small appendages emerged on its shoulders, their exact purpose unclear but brimming with potential.

Adam observed silently, his arms crossed. He could see the transformation taking shape, piece by piece, as Zero added more components to its form.

Sona fluttered forward, breaking the silence. "Lord Adam, how long do you think this will take?"

Adam glanced at Zero, who was now examining a pile of circuits with deliberate focus. "I’m not sure," Adam admitted. "It looks like Zero is collecting everything it needs. This could take a while."

Tayo, seated nearby, tilted her head thoughtfully. "Lord Adam, since we have some time, shouldn’t we finalize our plans for tonight’s mission?"

Adam nodded. "Good idea. But first, let’s discuss something important." He turned to Sona and Tayo. "What’s the status of the funds I asked you to gather?"

Sona folded her hands together, a small spark of guilt flashing across her face. "Lord Adam, we’ve managed to collect an initial amount of 150k. But I don’t think it’s enough to sustain the Union’s long-term needs."

Adam raised an eyebrow. "150k? That’s a substantial amount."

Before Sona could respond, Mikasa’s voice echoed telepathically through Sona.

"Lord Adam, this amount is far from sufficient. If we consider the Union’s ongoing needs and future developments—especially with new equipment—we’ll need much more."

Adam exhaled deeply, pinching the bridge of his nose. "I forgot about that," he muttered, half-smiling. "Sorry, I should have realized sooner."

Tayo stepped in, her voice cheerful. "Don’t worry, Lord Adam. We’ve already devised a plan to increase our resources significantly. Soon, the Union will have enough funding to cover all our needs."

Adam looked at them both with pride. "I don’t know what you’re planning, but I trust you completely. I’m proud to have you by my side."

Sona and Tayo exchanged smiles, their wings fluttering lightly. Ninja, standing silently nearby, finally spoke. "Lord Adam, I’ve also found the perfect location for the Union’s new base."

Adam turned to Ninja, intrigued. "Where is it?"

Ninja glanced at Pratham, who spoke through Adam’s phone. "Lord Adam, the location is an abandoned building within the city of Florin. It’s spacious, secure, and has been unused for years."

Adam’s eyes lit up. "That’s perfect. Once this mission is done, we’ll secure that location." He placed a hand on Ninja’s shoulder. "Thank you for your efforts. I couldn’t ask for a better team."

The group exchanged looks of satisfaction and camaraderie, their morale high despite the challenges ahead.

A faint mechanical whir echoed from the distance, drawing everyone’s attention. Adam turned toward the sound, his expression shifting to one of shock as Zero stepped forward from the piles of discarded electronics.

Zero’s transformation was nothing short of extraordinary. The once-robotic figure now stood at Adam’s height, its form significantly more human-like.

The dark blue surface of its body had lightened to a shimmering shade of blue, and the glowing lines that traced its structure had thickened, glowing with an intense brilliance.

Its features had changed as well. What was once a purely mechanical shell now resembled human skin, albeit with a faint metallic sheen.

Zero’s head, previously featureless, now sported distinct facial features, complete with eyes, a nose, and even hair-like projections. It wore what appeared to be clothing—a dark suit-like ensemble made of flexible, fibers.

Adam stepped forward, his jaw slightly agape. "Zero... is that really you?"

Zero nodded, its voice now smoother and more resonant. "Yes, Lord Adam. I’ve completed my initial transformation. The resources here were more than sufficient to enhance my abilities and appearance."

Sona flew closer, inspecting Zero with wide eyes. "You look... almost human," she said, awe in her voice.

Tayo chimed in, her gaze fixed on Zero’s glowing blue lines. "But you still have features that are clearly not human. It’s incredible."

Adam took a step back, taking in Zero’s new form. "You’ve integrated so much. What exactly have you added?"

Zero raised an arm, flexing it as if testing its movements. "I’ve integrated advanced sensory capabilities, including high-resolution vision, night vision, and thermal imaging. My mobility and durability have also been enhanced significantly. Additionally, I now have several tools and weapons integrated into my structure, though they remain inactive for now."

Adam nodded, impressed. "Good. You’ll need those upgrades for tonight’s mission."

Zero bowed slightly, its glowing eyes fixed on Adam. "I exist to serve you, Lord Adam. Whatever you command, I will execute to the best of my abilities."

As the group stood in the center of the dumping ground, surrounded by the remnants of discarded technology, Adam felt a surge of confidence. Zero’s transformation was more than just an upgrade—it was a testament to the potential of their combined efforts.

The Chapter ended with Adam and his team preparing to return to their base, their resolve stronger than ever as they geared up for the challenges ahead.