Chapter 056- Okabe joins the Project!

---With Makise Kurisu---

As Makise Kurisu had just finished informing about her decision to return to Japan in a few days, a sudden mechanical voice sounded inside her head.

[Ding! Congratulations, Makise Kurisu, for being chosen by the system. I am here to assist you on your path to success.]

[Ding! It has been detected that your main passion lies in the scientific field, especially time travel-related topics. This system will release missions related to those topics to increase your knowledge.]

[To learn more about missions and rewards, please click on the '!' icon.]

[Ding! The first mission is released: Join a research group related to time travel within a week.]

[Warning! This mission is a test for the host. Failing this mission will result in the erasure of memories and the removal of the system.]

Makise Kurisu found herself in a daze as lines after lines of text started appearing in front of her eyes, accompanied by a mechanical voice inside her head.

As a scientist, her initial thought was that she might be hallucinating, as something so absurd couldn't possibly happen in real life. However, she tried pinching herself and splashing water on her face to snap out of it, yet the floating text persisted before her eyes.

Confused and somewhat frightened, she couldn't help but wonder if she was experiencing some kind of haunting, despite not being a believer in ghosts.

She felt the urge to scream for help, to find someone who could rescue her from this seemingly absurd situation, but she forced herself to halt any such actions, as the 'system' had just issued her a warning.

[Warning! Any attempt to divulge the system's information to others without the system's consent will be met with severe punishment.]

Knowing that getting scared and emotional wouldn't be helpful, she made an effort to calm herself down. Gradually, after several minutes of deep breathing, her expression returned to a somewhat normal state.

Though the shock of the situation still lingered, she managed to control her fear better than a few minutes ago.

Once her emotions were in check, she directed her attention towards understanding this mysterious 'system.' Hours passed as she delved into various functions and features, and she couldn't help but feel amazed at what she was discovering.

'If all of this is true and not just my mind playing tricks on me, then with this 'system's' help, I might truly be able to make history by creating a time machine that has only existed in our wildest fantasies,' Makise Kurisu pondered.

Putting aside her doubts for the moment, she knew that taking this situation lightly could have serious consequences.

Whether the situation in front of her real or not, she decided to take on the system's mission without hesitation. Swiftly, she began packing all the necessary items she would need for her trip to Japan.

Initially planning to go three days later, she changed her mind now. The urgency of the mission pushed her to take immediate action, and she couldn't afford to delay any longer.

With a sense of urgency and determination, Makise Kurisu picked up her phone and dialed Maho Hiyajo's number.

"Maho, I've changed my plans due to some unforeseen reasons. I'll be catching today's flight to Japan."

"Since you also wanted to be part of this time machine project, if you still want to go, quickly get ready. I'll pick you up on my way to the airport," Makise quickly conveyed her message, her words rushed and filled with a sense of purpose.

Without waiting for Maho's reply, she ended the call abruptly.

It was unlike her to be so abrupt, but the surreal events that had just unfolded left her feeling stressed and preoccupied with the system's mission.

The weight of the opportunity before her was immense, and she needed to focus all her attention on preparing for the journey ahead.

...

---With Itaru Hashida---

Inside the future Gadget Laboratory-

"Hey, Okabe, remember that sensei I mentioned before? Rifat? Well, he's offered me a chance to be part of this wild project about time travel."

"Sure, it might sound like a far-fetched dream, and creating an actual time machine seems pretty impossible, but this opportunity could expand my knowledge beyond limits."

"I know how you're always intrigued by this stuff. So, if you're up for it, I can put in a good word for you with sensei Rifat."

Hashida proposed.

Okabe listened to Hashida's proposal as he replied in an overly dramatic fashion, "Hohoho! Hashida, my faithful lab member, you've truly outdone yourself this time!"

"A time travel project, you say? Well, it sounds like the stuff of science fiction, but I won't deny it piques my curiosity. As a self-proclaimed mad scientist, I must uphold the integrity of my mad ideals."

Okabe has no plan on stopping himself as he kept on saying-

"Can you feel the excitement in the air, Hashida? A clandestine organization attempting to unravel the very fabric of time itself has singled out the magnificent me to join their ranks!"

"I must say, it's no surprise they've recognized my brilliance. After all, my scientific prowess knows no bounds, and I am the self-proclaimed mad scientist extraordinaire, destined to bring chaos and order to the world!"

"However, we mustn't let our guard down, Hashida. Time travel, a concept so beguiling and dangerous, demands our utmost vigilance. We'll be treading on the edge of a singularity, where even the slightest misstep could plunge us into a maelstrom of unforeseen consequences."

"As your trusted lab member, I shall accept this challenge, for who else but the great Hououin Kyouma can handle such a venture?"

"But heed my words, my dear comrade, the path ahead is treacherous. We must be prepared for unforeseen adversities, and we must be resolute in our pursuit of Steins Gate."

"So buckle up, Hashida, for the road to temporal transcendence shall be a rollercoaster ride of paradoxes and dilemmas. We'll unravel the mysteries of time together, but remember, no matter how chaotic the journey becomes, I, the mad scientist, shall lead us to the truth! El Psy Kongroo!"

"Alright, alright, Okabe. I understand," Hashida responded, accustomed to Okabe's incessant chatter. "But seriously, do take the time to delve into every nook and cranny of research related to time travel. We need to be fully equipped with knowledge to face this enigmatic endeavor."

"While I can certainly put in a good word for you, gaining entry into Rifat sensei's project ultimately depends on his decision. So, be prepared. Show him your dedication and passion for this subject matter." Hashida said.

"El Psy Kongroo! Hashida, my dear friend, you have my word. I will scour every corner of time travel research, leaving no stone unturned. I'll unravel the deepest secrets of temporal mechanics, and my passion for the mad sciences shall guide me on this path!"

"I know Rifat sensei won't be an easy nut to crack, but fear not, for I, the great Hououin Kyouma, shall make a convincing case! My charisma and intellect will surely impress him, and the esteemed Mad Scientist Lab Member No. 001 shall become an indispensable asset to this enigmatic project!"