00:59
The glowing numbers floated above the Administrator Crystal.
Every second that disappeared echoed across the endless void like the heartbeat of the universe itself.
No one moved.
No one dared to speak.
Linh stared at the countdown.
"What does 'Initial Contact' mean?"
The Creator answered without taking his eyes from the crystal.
"It means they have found us."
Professor Nguyen frowned.
"'They?'"
The old man's face had become frighteningly pale.
"The civilization that came after us."
Emily looked confused.
"But that message said..."
"'The Tenth Civilization has been detected.'"
"Doesn't that mean they were born after humanity?"
Hope slowly shook his head.
"No."
"It means they survived."
Silence spread once more.
The meaning struck them all at the same time.
Every
