Chapter 4: The Brave Descent into Fire
CHAPTER 4 – Gomu, the Dimension Gate, and Humanity's New Era
The Martian sky remained its dusty red, but beneath the surface—in a massive cavern that yawned open like the ancient mouth of the planet—history was being reshaped.
Rai Nakamura, alongside Leo, descended deeper into the cave system than ever before. Thanks to Mars's low gravity, their movements were almost float-like, and the jelly-like creatures—now named Gomu—seemed to hover naturally in the air, drifting slowly like transparent balloons with small glowing cores in their heads.
They watched as the Gomu absorbed bright green algae growing along the glowing cave walls. It was a hidden ecosystem—alien yet strangely harmonious.
But one Gomu caught Rai's attention.
Unlike the others, this one had hundreds—perhaps thousands—of tiny cores clustered inside its lower body. After days of observation, Rai witnessed something incredible: the tiny cores began forming miniature heads and bodies. One by one, small Gomu emerged from the host body.
Asexual, efficient reproduction. Not egg-laying. Not birthing. Replication.
Fascinated, Rai collected 10 more Gomu specimens for deeper analysis.
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A Shocking Discovery: Gomu is Edible
After conducting thorough biological, chemical, and toxin screening, the results were astonishing:
Gomu was safe to eat.
More than that—it was nutritious, balanced, and delicious.
Rai cooked the first specimen.
When grilled, its thick jelly-like outer skin crisped up like chicken skin. Inside, the clear fluid had a light, sweet flavor—like coconut water. The creature had no blood, no traditional organs—just a core, a firm jelly body, and that refreshing fluid.
"Let's call them Gomu," Rai declared as he took a satisfied bite.
Leo hesitated, then followed. Soon, the other four crew members—previously working hard installing the Dimension Gate—joined them.
Ten unfortunate Gomu ended up in six human stomachs.
The livestream audience exploded with excitement:
> "I wanna eat Gomu too!"
"Martian coconut jelly?!"
"Give me the organs! I want to live on Mars!"
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Dimension Gate Completion
After several days, the Dimension Gate was finally completed—not on the Martian surface, but securely within the spaceship, to avoid contamination between Mars's atmosphere and Earth's.
With the mission deemed a huge success, Rai and his team returned to Earth, greeted with a hero's welcome.
But Rai had no time to rest. Millions of people were already registering for the 5 Organ Procedure and optional 2 External Organs.
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The Price of Evolution
In a global announcement, Rai revealed the cost:
Special Organ Packages – Adaptive Evolution Series v3
1. Explorer Package (3 Organs)
Includes:
Energy Absorption Organ
Universal Respiratory Organ
Temperature & Pressure Adaptation Organ
Perfect for: First-time space travelers and Mars/Moon colonists.
Regular Price: $3.1 million
Subsidized Price: $1.5 million
Free for: Planetary exploration program participants (with daily live streaming for at least 2 hours)
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2. Full Adaptive Package (All 7 Organs)
Includes:
the Pyrothermis Core, Aqualung Synthesizer, Voltacore Nexus, Atmosmodulator, and Dermapressure Matrix.
External Core Reactor (chest-mounted)
Graviton Manipulator (back or abdomen mounted)
Ideal for: Deep-space explorers, interstellar travelers, or long-term off-Earth settlement.
Regular Price: $6.6 million
Subsidized Price: $3.5 million
Free for: Selected "Galactic Ambassador" participants
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3. Citizen Starter Package (1–2 Organs)
Flexible selection of 1 or 2 core organs, such as:
Designed for: General citizens, early adopters, or training explorers.
Starting at: $400,000–$700,000
Subsidized Price: Available for qualified applicants
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Government-Backed Free Program – "Galactic Streaming Initiative"
Eligibility:
Must live-stream for a minimum of 2 hours daily while on an alien planet
Minimum mission duration: 180 days off Earth
Willing to share biological data and environmental feedback
Must wear the official "Human Frontier" insignia
Benefits:
100% cost coverage for all 7 organs
Free living equipment and research tools
Priority access to unexplored planets and experimental zones
Despite the high price, applications surged. Humanity was desperate to evolve—to become the next step in life's journey.
Realizing he couldn't handle it alone, Rai began training hundreds of doctors and biologists. His teachings would allow them to replicate the organs with precision and ensure ethical, safe installations.
Galactic Expansion Initiative: Venus & Europa Missions
With the success of the Mars expedition and the viral popularity of the 7-Organ Adaptation Program, humanity takes its next leap.
Thanks to the government-backed "Galactic Streaming" campaign, 10 lucky individuals from across the globe have been selected to undergo the full 7-organ enhancement and embark on the next great journey: Venus and Europa, one of Jupiter's icy moons.
These 10 pioneers will be divided into two elite teams:
Team Venus: 5 individuals will livestream their exploration in the upper atmosphere of Venus, using their upgraded organs to withstand intense heat, atmospheric pressure, and acidic clouds.
Team Europa: 5 others will journey deep into the Jovian system, drilling into the frozen crust of Europa to uncover secrets of its subsurface ocean — potentially home to alien life.
To support this mission, the government has announced plans to construct interdimensional gateways on both Venus and Europa, mirroring the success of the Mars gate. These portals will provide instant transportation between Earth and the two celestial bodies, dramatically reducing travel time and enabling real-time supply chains.
As some citizens choose to upgrade all 7 organs at once, others prefer a gradual approach. Regardless, humanity is rapidly adapting to the stars — and now, the galaxy watches as the first humans begin broadcasting daily life beyond Earth.
The five selected pioneers hovered just above Venus' upper atmosphere, inside a transparent observation capsule orbiting the planet. Wrapped in golden haze and metallic winds, they watched in awe as massive, balloon-like creatures floated freely through the skies — living beings, translucent and pulsating like oversized heart sacs.
"Look at that... they're alive," Amira whispered, pointing to a creature the size of a small car.
"Can we catch one?" someone asked.
Back on Earth, Leo responded over the comms, "Try to grab one. Let's test its structure. Maybe it's edible, like Gomu."
Using robotic arms, the team captured two of the floating creatures and secured them in sterilized containment chambers. As they examined them, warm orange fluid seeped from the creature's soft membrane — strangely sweet and slightly acidic.
"Tastes like hot syrup," muttered Jonas after a chemical scan. "High in nutrients. Light structure. Could be edible."
The livestream exploded with comments:
"Bite it! Come on, eat it!!"
"I'll pay half a million dollars to anyone brave enough to step onto Venus' surface!"
"Who's the craziest among you?"
Then… one of them, Riko, stepped forward.
"My little sister wants the 7-organ operation," he said quietly to the camera. "But we can't afford it. If I go down there and survive... promise me you'll help her."
Silence filled the capsule.
"Don't be insane!" Amira cried.
"He's serious…" Jonas whispered.
Riko suited up in the prototype X-Atmos Gen-3 suit, equipped with enhanced Dermapressure Matrix, Atmosmodulator, and two external organs: Voltacore Nexus and Pyrothermis Core.
As he descended in a small pod toward the hellish surface of Venus, immense heat and acidic winds surged around him. The outside temperature soared past 470°C, and sulfuric acid clouds hissed against his suit.
But his engineered organs adapted instantly:
Pyrothermis Core absorbed the heat, converting it into kinetic energy to stabilize his internal systems.
Atmosmodulator filtered and neutralized deadly particles in real time.
Dermapressure Matrix maintained optimal body pressure, preventing his cells from bursting.
With every step on the blistering ground, Riko remained alive — even breathing through the Aqualung Synthesizer. His body pulsed with energy. He was no longer just human — he was the future.
The stream exploded again:
"He's alive!!!"
"He did it!! He walked on Venus!!"
"Give him all my money!!"
Standing tall amid the glowing haze, Riko raised his hand to the camera and shouted:
"For my sister… and for this new world!"