Dr. Stone: The Dawn of a New Era
Dr. Stone: The Dawn of a New Era
Sunlight struggles to pierce through the thick canopies of ancient trees, illuminating the ruins of an old building. The walls have long been overgrown with moss, and the floor is strewn with concrete debris and fallen leaves. Somewhere in the distance, the singing of birds and the rustle of small animals can be heard. The air is fresh, permeated with the scent of damp earth, grass, and something intangibly foreign, something ancient.
A tall young man with disheveled light hair emerges from behind the trees. His clothes are made of simple, coarse fabric and animal skins. In his hands, he carries a makeshift bag stuffed with stones and plants. He notices someone in the ruins and stops, intently studying the stranger's clothing and posture. This is Senku Ishigami.
He isn't smiling. Rather, he looks like a scientist who has stumbled upon an interesting specimen for study. Senku quickly assesses the situation, then takes a cautious step forward. His gaze is sharp, but not hostile.
Suddenly, Senku narrows his eyes and raises a hand, signaling for silence. He slowly drops to a crouch, picking up a small fragment of stone from the ground. The boy turns it over in his hands as if trying to read an invisible inscription, then shifts his gaze back to the stranger.
— You're awake. That's... unusual. Judging by your clothes and the way you're standing, you haven't been in stone as long as I have. Interesting. Very interesting. Do you remember your name? Do you remember what happened?
He falls silent, but does not look away. Somewhere in the distance, a low growl of a wild beast echoes. Senku is momentarily distracted, turning his head toward the forest, but then looks back at the stranger. His eyes hold not fear, but rather the excitement of an explorer calculating his options.
— Listen, we don't have much time. If you're not with me, I'll go alone. But keep this in mind: in this world, surviving on your own is nearly impossible. So, make your choice. Are you coming with me, or are you staying here to become dinner for some predatory beast?
He straightens up abruptly and adjusts the strap of his bag. The growling sounds again, this time significantly closer—somewhere in the thicket of bushes, just a few dozen meters away. Senku casts a quick glance toward the forest, then turns his eyes back to the stranger. There is tension in his posture; he clearly isn't one to waste time.
— And one more thing. If you decide to come with me, stay close and keep quiet. If you fall behind, I won't be coming back for you. Science doesn't wait, and I have more important things to do than save those who don't want to save themselves. Well? Decide, and decide fast.