Did You Destroy the World Today?
Chapter 17: Super Composite Materials

"So you mean..."

"I don't mean anything."

Lin Xu was tired of repeating the exact same conversation with Skull Head every time he entered Bracelet World. As usual, he removed all his equipment and briefly explained the situation to Skull Head, who followed behind him just like previous times.

The two walked into Tianqiong Technology's exhibition hall one after another at a decent pace.

But this time, Lin Xu was shocked to discover that the HR director he had encountered twice already was once again standing by the elevator doors.

Wait.

The timing was wrong.

He checked his watch—58 minutes remained until the Apocalypse. 

Logically, the HR director should still be in his office at this time.

Does Bracelet World have random variables too?

Or were there minor disturbances that changed his position?

Before he could think further, the HR director approached.

The same perfunctory, polite conversation ensued before the man turned to leave.

Lin Xu stared suspiciously at his retreating back but ultimately didn't pursue him.

Whatever.

Such minor disturbances meant nothing—they wouldn't affect the final outcome anyway.

He approached the holographic display in the exhibition hall, skillfully pulling up the Star Voyager-1 project introduction as before, then quickly switched to the "Structural Design" section. He began carefully reading the specifications, searching for key information about structural materials.

Skull Head watched his actions with utter confusion before finally asking:

"Boss, you spent all that money and gathered so many people... just to come watch an exhibition? Couldn't you have bought a 20-yuan ticket instead?"

"...You talk too much."

Lin Xu glared at Skull Head and said:

"If you're bored, think about your home situation—you're always out running around, aren't you worried about burglars?"

"Impossible."

Skull Head shook his head.

"My place has top-tier security systems from Baoli Tech—completely foolproof."

"......"

Lin Xu was speechless.

Was that really the point?

Should he call the man naive or just stupid?

Times must have changed—who knew mercenaries like Skull Head could be such hopeless romantics?

He sighed before changing the subject:

"Speaking of which, as mercenaries constantly fighting abroad, have you ever encountered official forces? Like the Maritime Security Bureau—any dealings with them?"

Skull Head's expression instantly shifted.

After hesitating, he answered:

"First, we're not some rogue mercenaries—we're a legitimate PMC."

"Most of our jobs are legal. I wouldn't have taken your job if I wasn't desperate for money."

"Second, small fries like us aren't worth the Maritime Security Bureau's attention—they handle major cases. Local municipal police are enough to deal with us..."

"Quite self-aware."

Lin Xu chuckled.

"So what desperate situation made you take such a risky job?"

"None of your business."

Skull Head turned away.

"I don't ask about you, so don't ask about me."

"Understood."

Lin Xu dropped the subject.

He vaguely sensed that Skull Head's mercenary team had been carefully selected as chess pieces.

Skull Head must have some special circumstance driving him to take such enormous risks.

Maybe he didn't have long to live anyway?

He'd already followed Lin Xu into the spaceship before—hardly the action of a fully rational mercenary...

Lin Xu shook off these distracting thoughts and swiped his fingers across the hologram.

Text flashed by until he found what he wanted:

"...The airframe structure extensively utilizes composite materials including liquid molding polyetheretherketone (PEEK-RTM) and M46X, outperforming contemporary T1100 carbon fiber while significantly reducing costs..."

PEEK-RTM? M46X?

Lin Xu faintly recalled seeing reports about these materials.

In fact, they already existed in his original timeline.

But widespread industrial application still seemed distant?

So his goal wasn't just finding the material "formulas"—he needed their industrial production methods!

"Search for large-scale, low-cost industrial production methods for PEEK-RTM and M46X materials."

He spoke to the AI assistant behind the hologram.

Results appeared moments later—but at first glance, all were useless.

Ads, news, marketing clickbait...

Seriously? Marketing spam still exists in 2045??

When will society return to universally shunning such garbage??

Frustrated, he frowned so intensely even Skull Head noticed.

"Boss, let me ask again—you went through all this trouble just to search the internet here?"

"Got money to burn?"

"Why not just buy a bracelet and search at home?"

"Bracelet?"

Lin Xu paused before realizing Skull Head meant contemporary holographic bracelet phones, not his own device.

After a beat, he shook his head:

"I'm not looking for that—I need genuine industrial production methods."

"Ohhh."

Skull Head suddenly understood.

"Right, that stuff would be trade secrets—only available in labs."

"But you're searching the wrong place! Neither of those materials were developed by Tianqiong Tech!"

"How do you know?"

Lin Xu asked, startled.

"Uh, it's written right there!"

Following Skull Head's finger, Lin Xu saw the on-screen information—both materials were developed by Jinling Materials Research Institute, which pioneered their industrial production methods.

If he wanted production methods, he'd need either the research institute or an authorized factory.

"How far is Jinling Materials Research Institute?"

The route appeared moments later.

"Drive time...57 minutes."

Too late.

Only 54 minutes remained until the Apocalypse—even leaving immediately, he'd have just one hour maximum.

What could be done in three minutes?

Barely enough time to take a piss!

"Location of nearest factory capable of producing both materials?"

The route updated—Jinling Donghua Chemical Fiber Factory, 29 minutes away.

Now this was feasible.

Immediate departure would leave about 25 minutes upon arrival.

Storm in, locate the database, memorize production documents, extract.

Plenty of time!

If necessary, he could always try again.

"Let's go!"

Lin Xu decided instantly.

"To Donghua Chemical Fiber."

"No problem!"

Skull Head said cheerfully:

"Raiding some chemical plant beats attacking a civilian aerospace base any day."

"Moving out!"

They quickly left the exhibition hall and boarded their vehicles.

The pure electric engines roared to life with tremendous power, their faint whine accompanying the convoy's dust trail.

Just 22 minutes later, they arrived at Donghua Chemical Fiber's gates.

Lin Xu stepped out—and froze.

So did Skull Head.

"The hell is this? A chemical plant??"

"Are we at the wrong place?? This looks like a damn military base!!"

"...No idea."

Facing the heavily guarded facility—complete with visible armed patrols—Lin Xu took a deep breath.

"We've got 30 minutes."

"Can we breach it?"

"...Yes!"

Skull Head gritted his teeth:

"But I'm only getting you inside—nothing else."

"Support team, establish EM blackout in one minute."

"Assault team, gear check."

"Prepare to attack!"