Chapter 15: Conjectures
A Relentless Struggle
Despite her efforts, Weng struggled to find a way to defeat the creature. Each clash drained her stamina and magic rapidly. Meanwhile, the monster attacked tirelessly, forcing her to focus intensely to dodge each strike. To win, she needed a breakthrough in strength or speed. After minutes of struggle, an opportunity finally emerged. Targeting her angle, the girl’s side strike shattered one of the creature’s metallic legs! Seizing its stumble, Weng darted to the other side, aiming to repeat the tactic. However, a secondary eye lingered at the corner. Instantly, the remaining legs whipped through the air, a sonic boom erupting. She barely dodged the closest strike, raising her hand instinctively to block. The force slammed her into the mountain, cracking the wall behind her like a spiderweb. Pain stole her breath. Her organs felt misaligned.
Enduring the Onslaught
Facing the creature’s frenzied attacks, Weng endured through sheer will. Almost impossibly, she traded blows for a chance to unbalance it briefly. The monster’s grotesque form stirred visceral disgust. Now, with its legs partially broken, its movements slowed, easing the pressure. Weng thought she’d have to fight alone, expecting no aid. Suddenly, a radiant light descended, striking the creature. “I’m late.” Rila, at a distance, clasped her hands in apology, magic rippling from her feet. The creature wailed in pain, lunging toward her. Feeling her energy restore, Weng leapt forward decisively, engaging it again.
Victory and Exhaustion
Moments later, Weng’s fist shattered the creature’s limbs. It collapsed, a motionless husk with only a few twitching eyes. She recalled a card-tower game’s elite crab-like monster, now oddly cute in comparison. “Can you handle it? It’s… too tough.” Squinting, Weng wasn’t reminiscing—she was numb from pain. “It’s tricky.” Rila meant, ‘If you can’t handle it, what can I do?’ She was just support; any later, and Weng might’ve finished it herself. Casting magic, Weng trapped the creature. Then, she staggered to Rila for healing. This was her most intense battle in ages. She’d nearly burned out. Her inner wounds healed slowly. Half-closed eyes spotted riders approaching. Exhaustion dulled the sounds around her.
Vik’s Intervention
Faintly, Weng heard Rila’s surprised shout. Opening her eyes, she saw a man standing just 1.5 centimeters away—her precise estimate. “Even now?” Vik’s fist obliterated the creature’s final struggle, crumbling part of the mountain. Standing casually beside her, he joked lightly. Too drained to reply, Weng collapsed onto the ground. Soon, she regained her composure. Opening her eyes again, she saw Kailos and his squad standing guard. Explaining briefly, they ventured into the mine. The tunnel bore traces of corroded rock. Moving swiftly, they reached a fractured space deep within. “Otherworld.” Vik named it instantly upon seeing it. Tapping the rift lightly, he noted its seamless appearance. No one else would suspect such a danger emerged from it.
Piecing Together Clues
Vik’s earlier guesses began connecting. Someone “found” a dragon egg; he encountered an irritable dragon. Were these tied to a spatial distortion? Unstable energy still leaked from the rift. Rila’s holy magic patched it, but couldn’t seal it fully. Glancing at Vik, Weng’s look was almost pleading. “I’m no mage,” he said helplessly, “but you can request Church aid.” Weng: … Who else was the nun here? Though Rila never mentioned external Church ties, some letters likely went back and forth. Clearly, things wouldn’t calm down anytime soon…
Reflections by the Fire
Kailos’s team set up camp around the mine, taking turns monitoring. Weng sat on a felled log, staring at the fire, dejectedly propping her head. “You don’t look happy.” Vik approached, sitting on the log’s other end. “I feel so ignorant…” The mountain breeze felt cool, almost cold for someone so exhausted. Breathing deeply, she sighed, tucking her hands into her sleeves. ‘A random monster from there pushed me this far… Is the game’s stat scaling too high, or am I not cheating enough?’ “I thought you knew everything.” Vik’s tone held admiration, unstinting with praise. “I respect your courage.” Reckless or not, Weng’s strength and responsibility exceeded his expectations. Had she led Sadin City, the outcome might’ve differed. His earlier curiosity about her interest in “Kyle Kahn” deepened. Now, he wondered about her plans.
Seeking Knowledge
Unfazed by others’ opinions, Weng boldly asked questions. To Vik, her frankness was refreshing—better than groveling subordinates. “The Church and kingdom call the rift’s world the Otherworld, implying heresy. Mages’ towers call it the Mirror Realm. Either way, few know much.” “Only those above third tier can grasp it.” “What’s the transcendent tier system?” Vik paused, surprised by her ignorance, or perhaps the contrast with her strength. “Legend says the transcendent path has a hundred tiers. The first ten aren’t even entry-level. Every ten tiers form a rank, every thirty a major stage. Beyond the seventh tier, it’s mostly myth—no one on the continent has reached it.” Weng listened, piecing together a rough outline.
Understanding the Path
Over time, people explored and recorded transcendent paths. Advancement routes were numerous but never easy. For example, those without magical affinity couldn’t pursue the mage path. This made sense. Why only third-tier transcendents could understand? After the third tier, a sublimation occurred. Fourth-tier transcendents touched another realm—beyond the “transcendent.” From the first three tiers to the middle three, it progressed from spiritual awakening to imprint forging. This reflected mental refinement and nature’s understanding. Sensing nature, one faintly touched another plane’s existence. The Otherworld, ever-present, was called the world’s shadow on that parchment. Its presence lingered in every corner of the continent. Three realms, ten ranks, a hundred tiers. At the fourth tier, breaking dimensional barriers became possible. Thus, a creature breaching this wall likely matched fourth-tier strength. Weng not defeating it was, surprisingly, normal.