These people are not normal

[Location: Dr. Stone - The remnants of Japan - Near Ishigami Village - Chrome's House.]

The sun dipped toward the horizon, painting the sky a gentle orange, as a group gathered around Chrome, who eagerly displayed his collection of materials to Senku Ishigami.

"These are the materials I collected from various caves! There must be something here that can withstand heat!" exclaimed Chrome, brimming with the enthusiasm of an amateur scientist full of passion.

The group leaned in, inspecting the collection of rocks and minerals with curiosity. To most of them, they were nothing more than colorful stones.

"Wow, this looks like a gem!" Ruby commented, holding up something shiny.

"That's a dead bug called Scutiphora pedicellata," Senku replied dryly.

"Eek!" Ruby shrieked, dropping it instantly.

"And this stone? It's super light and black," Ginro asked, trying to garner attention.

"That's raccoon poop," Senku said flatly.

"Ugh!" Ginro instinctively crushed it.

Despite their efforts, none of the samples were what Senku needed.

The problem was clear: they needed a material capable of withstanding high temperatures to build a functional vacuum tube. Bamboo filaments simply weren't strong enough.

But why go through all this trouble? Wouldn't it be easier to just buy one? The answer was simple: they couldn't. There was nowhere to buy one.

More than 5,000 years ago, humanity's achievements were abandoned. This happened because all humans were petrified, turned to stone.

Over millennia, the great structures, advancements, and technologies that defined human civilization were destroyed by time.

However, not everything was completely erased. Some things endured, as did certain individuals who, through sheer luck, avoided petrification.

Then there was Senku, who, after thousands of years of petrification, finally regained his freedom.

With a brilliant mind and unyielding determination, he spent nearly a year rebuilding the essentials for survival. Using tools he crafted from stone, wood, and iron, he managed to develop incandescent light bulbs, cotton candy, hydraulic energy, batteries, and even automated oxygen flow in a furnace to forge iron.

These achievements, though impressive, were just a fraction of his endless list of innovations.

Now, however, he faced a new challenge: the need to create scientific weapons.

The reason? An inevitable confrontation with a powerful, charismatic, and dangerous man, just a few years older than him.

Thus arose the need to craft a vacuum tube—a crucial step toward his ultimate goal: constructing a long-range communication device.

Kukuku... Is this checkmate? Senku suppressed an ironic smile. After coming this far...

For the first time in a long while, a sense of helplessness crept over him. He had overcome countless obstacles up to this point, but this one seemed insurmountable.

Giving up was not an option. All the work and sacrifices made so far would be for nothing. Yet, for the first time, the thought of surrendering briefly crossed his mind.

Ding!

[Guess that's it. A shame. It was really fun.]

A strange sound broke the silence, resembling a notification.

In front of Senku appeared a holographic text window, floating in the air and partially obstructing his vision.

Senku froze, his eyes narrowing slightly as he processed what he saw.

"Is this...?" he murmured, his voice barely audible. His brain worked at lightning speed, yet he couldn't determine the phenomenon's origin.

Am I hallucinating? he wondered, rubbing his eyes. But the window remained. He reached out to touch it, but his fingers passed right through.

His analytical mind soon conjured an alarming thought. Could this be related to the petrification?!

Though his face remained impassive, his mind was a whirlwind of ideas.

If this hologram was connected to the event that petrified the entire world, the implications were chilling.

However, he quickly dismissed irrational emotions, forcing his brain to focus.

He scanned his surroundings, noting that the voices around him had fallen silent. Turning his head, he saw expressions of astonishment and fear among the others.

"Isn't that...?"

"It's sorcery! It's sorcery!"

"How terrifying!"

"Senku, get away quickly!"

"Whoa! Sorcery is amazing!"

"Ahh, so scary!"

"Woah, what is that? So cool!"

"Calm down, it's just a hologram! There's no danger," Gen reassured the others. Though he maintained a façade of calm, his mind was filled with questions.

Senku, meanwhile, confirmed it wasn't a personal illusion. The others could see the window too, ruling out at least one possibility. Additionally, the pain from his self-inflicted pinch persisted, proving he was conscious.

"Stop being so noisy. It's just a hologram," Senku declared in his usual tone, helping to settle the group.

Ding!

[So. Do you want more materials?] 

[Yes. / No.]

A new window appeared, overlaying the first. This time, the message was clear.

The text floated before Senku's eyes, which read it attentively as the others watched the strange window without understanding its contents.

Senku's outward calm belied a mind racing through countless possibilities per second. 'Materials? If this is real, it could solve the filament problem once and for all. But... at what cost?'

The young scientist knew that accepting something so mysterious and potentially advantageous without investigating would be irresponsible. Yet he also couldn't ignore the chance to advance toward his goal.

"Gen, what do you think of this?" he asked, shifting attention to the mentalist, whose expression remained carefully neutral.

"Kukuku! I'm glad you asked," Gen replied, pressing a finger to his lips as his mind analyzed the situation. "I'd say this is like a market deal: too good to be true. But if the question is 'should we take the risk?' I'd say it depends on how much you're willing to lose, Senku-chan."

Senku smirked at Gen's response. It was exactly what he expected: a surface-level analysis that left the decision in his hands.

The others began murmuring, but Senku ignored their chatter. He observed the holographic window again, his mind working quickly. If I accept, what does "more materials" mean? Will they appear magically...? Is it a trade...? Or perhaps something more complex...?

Meanwhile, Chrome, restless at not understanding what was happening, leaned toward Gen and whispered, "What's that thing saying, Gen?"

"Oh! It's something like, 'Do you want more science stuff? Yes or no.' Kukuku!" Gen replied with exaggerated theatrics, enjoying the group's bewilderment.

"That sounds awesome! Accept it, Senku!" Chrome exclaimed, his eyes shining with excitement.

"It's not that simple, Chrome," Senku replied calmly. "We don't know what accepting this entails or who's behind it." As he spoke, his mind continued exploring the implications of the message. Such a specific and useful offer for his situation couldn't be a coincidence.

"Kukuku... Fine. We don't have many options left anyway..." Senku shrugged, smirking ironically. "If this thing can give us what we need to move forward, ignoring it would be foolish. But..."

Finally, with a determined look, Senku extended his hand toward the holographic window and selected "Yes."

"... Whoever you are, I'll make sure to figure you out."

[Yes (Selected). / No.]

The group held their breath, waiting for something to happen.

[Great! Welcome to the "Part-Time Workers Group!"]

[Before we continue, you may change your attire if you wish.] 

Suddenly, a set of clothes appeared mid-air, perfectly folded, before falling to the ground with a soft thud. 

At a glance, it was a meticulously designed school uniform: polished black shoes, immaculate black trousers, a crisp white shirt, a sleek black belt, and a red tie adding a splash of color. Most striking of all was a high-collared lab coat, lending a scientific and distinguished air to the ensemble. 

Senku observed the uniform closely, his scrutinizing gaze inspecting every detail. It was unmistakable—the design, the texture, even the peculiar fold of the red tie was identical to those he remembered from his life before petrification. 

"Well, well..." he murmured with a faintly sarcastic smile. "Seems someone's gone full creepy here." 

"Eh?! What does this mean, Senku?" Chrome asked, staring wide-eyed at the uniform. 

"Clothes?! Could this be some kind of transformation spell?" Ginro exclaimed, taking a step back. 

"Kukuku, how dramatic you all are," Gen interjected, resting a hand on his chin as he examined the clothes with interest. "Who would've thought modern science could be so theatrical? Still, I must say, that lab coat has a flair that sends chills down my spine—in a good way, of course." 

Senku ignored their remarks and bent down to pick up the uniform. The material felt exactly as he remembered, authentic enough for his scientific mind to start spinning with questions. 

How the hell did they replicate this with such precision? This isn't just some hologram...' he thought, running his fingers over the fabric. 'It's real. Too real...

"Senku, what exactly is that?" Kohaku asked warily, her hand resting on her sword's hilt as she eyed the clothes. 

"Something that defies logic," Senku replied, his tone neutral though his mind was a whirlwind of theories. 

"It's so strange! It appears out of nowhere, but it feels real. Could this be... magic?" Suika asked, tilting her head. 

"Magic, huh..." Senku let out a short laugh. "Hate to break it to you, Suika, but if something like this exists, there's a scientific explanation for it. We just haven't found it yet." 

Then, with a mocking gesture, he added, "Besides, if you think I'd accept something this convenient without understanding it first, you're underestimating me." 

As the group continued to chatter, Gen stepped forward with a mischievous grin. "Senku-chan, I must say, this outfit is quite peculiar. If someone's offering such high-quality clothing, why not take advantage? It might even make you look more trustworthy to the villagers." 

"Trustworthy, huh? More like a uniform for workers," Senku retorted, half-joking. 

However, the words "Part-Time Workers' Group" displayed in the holographic window reminded him that this wasn't just about clothes. 

Holding the uniform in his hands, he raised an eyebrow and muttered, "Part-Time Workers? Who the hell comes up with this stuff?" 

Unable to contain himself, Chrome exclaimed, "C'mon, Senku! This looks so cool! Maybe it's magic to help us with the filament!" 

"I already told you magic doesn't exist," Senku replied, his eyes fixed on the message. "This is science, albeit highly advanced. If someone can materialize a hologram and clothes out of thin air, we're talking about a technological level that makes even the phone I mentioned look like a wooden toy." 

Frowning slightly, Senku thought, *A uniform, an ambiguous name, and an offer of materials. This has to be part of something bigger. Someone's playing games with me, and I don't like being anyone's pawn.* 

Gen smirked slightly, leaning toward Senku. "Kukuku... So, what will you do, Senku-chan? This seems like one of those offers you can't refuse, though there's always a catch. Speaking as a mentalist, of course." 

Senku let out a short laugh. "Of course there's a catch, Gen. What matters isn't avoiding the trap—it's using it to your advantage." 

Setting the uniform aside, Senku sighed and addressed the air, as though speaking directly to whoever was behind this: "Alright, I'll play your game for now." Turning his gaze to the uniform, he continued, "If this outfit has something special, there's only one way to find out." 

Without hesitation, he began changing in front of everyone. Ginro yelped in surprise, covering his eyes, while Kohaku turned away with a mix of irritation and embarrassment. 

"Senku, at least have some decency!" Chrome exclaimed, flustered by the scene. 

"Decency? Please. It's just clothes," Senku replied, utterly unfazed. 

Once he had donned the uniform, he adjusted the lab coat and crossed his arms in his trademark pose. "Well? How do I look?" 

"Kukuku! As incredible as always," Gen commented with a grin. 

"You look... like a supreme sorcerer," Ginro said, awestruck. 

"You look good, but that doesn't change how weird this is," Kohaku added seriously. 

Before anyone could say more, a new notification sound echoed in the air. 

Ding!

[Excellent. Let's begin.] 

As Senku finished reading the message, everything turned white. 

But to the others, it appeared as if Senku had vanished in an instant. 

They froze, processing what had just happened. 

"Senku?!!!" Their collective cry filled the air. 

Kohaku unsheathed her sword as Gen frowned deeply. 

"Kukuku... This just got more complicated," Gen murmured, his mind already calculating their next move. 

---

[Location: Blank World – Waiting Room] 

Senku observed the surroundings with a mix of surprise and barely concealed fascination. It was a setting that defied all logic, yet instead of frustration, his mind was already cycling through theories, discarding and reformulating them at a frenetic pace. 

Before him, a black glass table held an assortment of snacks, surrounded by armchairs occupied by three young men who watched his arrival intently. Each sat in a relaxed posture, but their sharp eyes betrayed their keen evaluations of the newcomer. 

The first to speak was Light. His tone was calm, though his evaluative gaze indicated he was already forming an opinion of the scientist. 

"A striking hairstyle, to say the least. I take it you're not an ordinary student. Am I wrong?" Light asked with a polite smile, fingers interlocked atop the table. 

Senku raised an eyebrow, slipping his hands into the pockets of his lab coat as he approached slowly. 

"I could say the same about you. It's not every day I meet three strangers in a place that defies all known laws of physics. But sure, my hair seems to be the highlight here, huh?" he replied with sarcasm. 

Lelouch, seated opposite Senku, offered a faint smile. He had been observing Senku's reactions to the situation, finding the scientist's response intriguing. 

"Curious. Someone with an analytical mindset might see this place as an interesting testing ground. Yet, instead of seeking answers, you seem more focused on responding to superficial comments. Is that a defense mechanism or a distraction?" Lelouch asked, his tone tinged with disdain but laced with interest. 

Senku dropped into the empty armchair facing Lelouch, resting one arm on the backrest. 

"Priorities, I guess. No point philosophizing about the inexplicable until you understand the basics. Though, judging by your faces, I'd say no one here is thinking about enjoying snacks. Am I wrong?" 

Kiyotaka, who had remained silent until now, leaned slightly against the armrest of his chair, his indifferent gaze betraying a glint of cunning. 

"A pragmatic response. Still, your initial reaction doesn't stray far from someone masking uncertainty with a confident facade. Am I wrong?" Kiyotaka commented in a neutral tone, as though testing the waters. 

Senku stared at him for a moment, a half-smile forming as he crossed his arms. 

"Interesting observation. But if we're playing the personality analysis game, I'd say you're the type who prefers watching from the shadows until the perfect moment to intervene. Am I right?" 

A charged silence filled the room as each measured the others, searching for weaknesses or patterns. Finally, Lelouch leaned forward slightly, breaking the tension. 

"It's evident none of us are ordinary. If we're here together, there must be a reason. Perhaps it's more productive to focus on that, don't you think?" His voice, imbued with authority, left little room for argument. 

Light nodded slowly, though his gaze remained fixed on Senku. 

"I agree. First and foremost, introductions might be in order. I'm Light Yagami. As you can see, I'm a student, though I doubt that information holds much weight here." 

Senku nodded. 

"Senku Ishigami. Scientist. I suppose that doesn't matter much here either, but it's always good to know who you're dealing with." 

Kiyotaka and Lelouch exchanged a brief glance before following suit. 

"Kiyotaka Ayanokouji," said the former, offering nothing more. 

"Lelouch Lamperouge," declared the latter, his words accompanied by a slight nod. 

Before they could delve further into the conversation, something caught their attention: new figures materializing a few meters away, each looking as bewildered as they had moments earlier.