I am the creator of New Life on the Earth
Chapter 286: A Grand Welcome

Chapter 286: A Grand Welcome

Chapter: A Grand Welcome

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The Chapter opens with Ani stepping into the shop alongside Adam.

The space is compact but meticulously organized.

The walls on either side are lined with polished wooden shelves, their surfaces gleaming under the soft yellow light.

These shelves hold a variety of electronics, ranging from everyday items like headphones and speakers to advanced-looking gadgets that seem years ahead of their time.

Ani’s eyes wander over the shelves, curiosity flickering across her face. She notices a small, sleek device that emits a faint blue glow and wonders what it could be. Adam, walking slightly ahead of her, notices her fascination and taps her gently on the shoulder.

"This isn’t the base," he says with a small smile. "This is just for show—a front to keep prying eyes away."

Hearing this, Ani’s lips curl into a smile. "I should’ve guessed," she says, her voice tinged with excitement. "So, what’s behind the curtain?"

Adam grins but says nothing, motioning for her to follow him further into the shop.

As they move toward the back of the shop, Ani spots a figure standing near the rear wall—a tall, imposing man dressed in sleek, black armor.

His face is partially concealed by a mask, but his sharp eyes glint in the low light. It’s Ninja, one of Adam’s most loyal creations.

The moment Ninja notices their arrival, he drops to one knee in a gesture of deep respect, bowing his head low. "Lord Adam, Lady Ani," he says in a formal tone. "Welcome."

Ani blinks in surprise, caught off guard by Ninja’s reverence. She glances at Adam, her eyebrows raised in curiosity. Adam simply smiles, offering her no explanation.

Though she’s slightly flustered, Ani finds herself returning Ninja’s greeting with a polite nod. "Um, thank you," she says, unsure of how to respond.

As she looks past Ninja, she notices a corridor stretching ahead, dimly lit and leading upward. The polished metal walls and the faint hum of machinery give the space a futuristic feel, a stark contrast to the shop’s rustic exterior.

Before Ani can ask any questions, Ninja rises to his feet and motions toward the corridor with a graceful sweep of his arm. "This way, please," he says, his voice calm and composed.

Ninja takes the lead, his footsteps nearly silent on the smooth floor. Adam and Ani follow closely behind, their pace unhurried.

The corridor’s design becomes more sophisticated the further they walk, with glowing blue panels embedded into the walls and soft lights illuminating their path.

After a few moments, they reach a set of sleek, metallic stairs that spiral upward. Ani looks up, noting how the staircase seems to lead to another level entirely.

"Is this it?" she asks, her voice filled with anticipation.

Adam smiles but remains cryptic. "You’ll see."

As they ascend the stairs, Ani notices an automatic door at the top. The door is seamless, blending perfectly with the surrounding walls, but as Ninja approaches it, a faint beep sounds, and the door slides open with a soft hiss.

Ani’s eyes widen in surprise. "How does it know to open for him?" she asks, glancing at Adam.

"It’s programmed to recognize us," Adam explains casually. "Only authorized individuals can enter."

Hearing this, Ani nods, impressed by the security measures. Together, they step through the doorway, entering a spacious, high-tech room.

The room Ani enters is unlike anything she’s seen before. It’s expansive, with polished metallic floors and walls that shimmer with a faint, futuristic glow.

The ceiling is high, with intricate patterns of light forming a geometric design overhead. At the center of the room stands a holographic screen, its display flickering with various data points and images.

As Ani takes in her surroundings, she notices several figures waiting for them.

Zero, the middle-aged engineer, is kneeling on one knee in the center of the room, his head bowed low in respect.

Phantom, a graceful figure with a translucent, ethereal appearance, hovers just above the ground. Her hand rests on her chest, and her head is tilted downward in a gesture of deference.

Emily, a stoic and composed woman, stands to one side with her head slightly bowed.

Ninja, having led them to the room, stands to Ani’s right, his posture rigid and his head lowered.

Above them, the holographic screen displays the faces of Pratham, Adam’s AI companion, and Mikasa, another member of The Union. Both figures smile warmly as they greet Ani.

"Welcome, Lady Ani," Pratham says, his voice smooth and reassuring. "It’s an honor to finally have you here."

"Welcome," Mikasa adds, her tone warm but formal. "We’ve been eagerly awaiting your arrival."

Ani stands frozen for a moment, overwhelmed by the sight before her. She hadn’t expected such a formal reception, nor had she anticipated the sheer scale of the base hidden behind the unassuming shop.

She turns to Adam, her eyes wide with wonder. "This... this is incredible," she says, her voice barely above a whisper. "I had no idea you had something like this."

Adam chuckles, his hands slipping into his pockets. "This is just the beginning," he says. "There’s a lot more to see."

Ani’s gaze shifts back to the figures before her, her initial surprise giving way to a sense of belonging. For the first time, she begins to understand the depth of Adam’s world—a world she’s now a part of.

Adam stepping forward, addressing his team with quiet authority. "Let’s get started," he says, his voice firm but calm. "There’s work to be done."

As the group straightens and prepares to move, Ani stands beside Adam, her heart swelling with a mix of pride and excitement.

The Chapter begins with Adam leading Ani deeper into the heart of the base. The advanced interior design immediately catches Ani’s attention.

Every surface gleams with a metallic sheen, illuminated by strips of soft blue light running along the walls and floors.

The air hums faintly with the sound of hidden machinery, giving the space a futuristic and slightly otherworldly feel.

Ani walks beside Adam, her eyes darting around as she takes in the details. Panels on the walls display various holographic interfaces, each showing streams of data or detailed maps.

The layout of the base feels labyrinthine, with corridors branching off in multiple directions.

"This place is... incredible," Ani murmurs, her voice filled with awe. "How did you even build something like this?"

Adam smiles, his tone light. "I didn’t do it alone. This is a collective effort—everyone you’ve met so far has contributed in some way. And there’s still more to see."

As they walk, Adam gestures toward the rooms they pass. Through the glass walls, Ani glimpses different sections of the base:

The Strategy Room: A large circular table occupies the center, surrounded by ergonomic chairs.

Holographic projectors display a 3D map of the surrounding area, complete with potential threat markers and detailed defense plans.

The Training Arena: A vast space equipped with advanced combat simulators.

The walls are lined with weapons racks, and robotic dummies stand ready for sparring sessions.

Ani notices Phantom hovering inside, practicing her ethereal movements against a series of floating orbs.

The Research Lab: A sterile, brightly lit room filled with intricate equipment and gadgets. Zero is inside, engrossed in his work as holograms and tools hover around him.

He glances up briefly, nodding in acknowledgment as Adam and Ani pass by.

Ani’s eyes linger on each room, her curiosity growing with every step. "This is like something out of a science fiction movie," she says, her tone a mix of amazement and disbelief.

Adam chuckles. "You haven’t even seen the best part yet."

Their final stop is the Core Room, located at the heart of the base. As Ninja leads them through a final automated door, Ani gasps audibly.

The room is vast and circular, with a glowing core suspended in the center. The core emits a soft, pulsating light, casting shifting patterns of blue and white across the walls.

Holographic screens float around the core, displaying streams of data and live feeds from the base’s surveillance systems. The energy in the room feels almost alive, vibrating faintly underfoot.

Pratham’s holographic avatar materializes beside the core, his expression calm and welcoming. "Welcome to the heart of the base, Lady Ani," he says, his voice smooth and professional. "This is where we monitor and manage all operations."

Ani steps forward cautiously, her gaze fixed on the core. "It’s... beautiful," she says softly. "What does it do?"

Pratham responds, "The core powers the entire base and serves as the central hub for all our systems. From here, we can oversee surveillance, communications, and even launch defensive protocols if needed."

Adam watches Ani closely, gauging her reaction. "What do you think?" he asks after a moment.

Ani turns to him, her face glowing with excitement. "It’s amazing," she says. "I can’t believe you’ve built something so incredible."

Adam’s smile widens. "It’s not just mine. This belongs to all of us now—including you."

As the group gathers around the core, the atmosphere shifts slightly. Pratham’s hologram turns to Adam, his expression more serious. "Lord Adam," he begins, "I’ve been monitoring unusual activity in the surrounding area. There’s a chance we might have been noticed."

Adam’s demeanor hardens, his playful attitude replaced with focus. "What kind of activity?" he asks.

Pratham gestures toward one of the holographic screens, which displays a map with several blinking red dots. "Small groups have been spotted moving near the outer perimeter. They haven’t breached our defenses, but their patterns suggest reconnaissance."

Ani steps closer, her brows furrowing. "Do you think they’re looking for us?" she asks.

"It’s possible," Pratham replies. "But we can’t be certain until we gather more information."

Adam nods, his mind already racing through potential strategies. "Keep monitoring the situation," he says. "If they get too close, alert me immediately."

Pratham inclines his head. "Understood."

As the conversation ends, Ani looks up at Adam, her expression serious. "Is this what your life is like?" she asks quietly. "Always watching, always preparing?"

Adam meets her gaze, his eyes softening. "It’s part of it," he admits. "But it’s worth it—to protect the people I care about."

Ani places a hand on his arm, her touch gentle but firm. "Then I want to help," she says. "Whatever it takes, I’ll do my part."

Adam’s eyes widen slightly, surprised by her resolve.

End of the Chapter.

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