[Yes, kind Hunter, that power which creates illusions is both similar to and different from that one... The world of Terra is truly interesting.]
[Haha, admit it, Doll Nona, you were super happy when we went to the amusement park, right?]
[No!]
Although neither of them spoke the name of "that one," it was clear that Goki and Doll Nona both knew exactly who they were referring to.
In the church where the Choir was entrenched, Goki had once, upon a desperate altar, slain that ancient god who had failed to Ascend to the Universe with her kin, integrating her blood into himself and obtaining the Great Holy Grail named Izz.
Daughter of the Cosmos — Ibytas.
Of course, there were also free bosses like the Celestial Envoy, but they were at most Families, far from being Great Ones.
And clearly, Goki's max-level power, when he fell into Terra, was completely scattered, stolen by another god, and eventually found its way into Rhine Lab.
The harm caused by this... the negative impact on teenagers (referring to Ifrit) is immeasurable.
[It seems... I, this outsider, have truly stirred up the Terra Gods into a mess.]
Ding —
With a crisp sound, the elevator reached the designated floor, but before the semi-transparent scenic elevator doors could open, Goki's muscles tensed up.
[Doll Nona!]
[I know!]
The next second, Goki's mind fell silent, and the blood that had been stirring within him instantly calmed down.
Like holding his breath underwater, although Goki couldn't stop his heartbeat, he could restrain the "scent" of a Great One from his body.
If he couldn't do this, Goki would probably be detected by the boss kilometers away and be rushed and killed — reality isn't a game; most bosses won't just stand there and take hits, and their range of activity is even larger than that of the Budai Ge (sack brother).
At the elevator entrance, two women seemed to have been waiting for a long time.
One of them, Goki was particularly familiar with: yellow hair, yellow eyes, and a face full of affected and hypocritical fake smiles — Muelsyse / Muir Sais.
"Oh, what a, what a coincidence... Goki."
Upon seeing Goki, the Director of the Ecology Department immediately coughed lightly, somewhat awkwardly turning her gaze aside.
Perhaps it was after Goki had seen through the essence of her Originium Arts that Muelsyse / Muir Sais had not bothered Saria again, and Saria herself had remarked how much more relaxed she had been these past few days.
However, standing beside Muelsyse / Muir Sais was an exceptionally low-key, pretty woman wearing a protective suit with the Rhine Lab logo, with long black hair and two broken black horns on her head.
Hearing Muelsyse / Muir Sais's words, this woman looked at Goki in front of her with some surprise, a smile appearing on her calm face.
"Goki? Ah, I remember you, Saria's newly recruited subordinate. You also stepped forward during that previous experimental accident; very good."
Extending a slender, delicate hand, the Director patted Goki's shoulder, seemingly quite satisfied with him.
"You flatter me, Madam Director — Director Saria is already waiting for you in the lab."
A polite smile appeared on Goki's face, but inwardly, a warning sign suddenly arose.
The Director, the de facto leader of Rhine Lab, and also a friend of Saria, Goki had only heard about her in video Materials and Saria's words.
Her role was not extensive; she was only mentioned in others' conversations, and even Saria greatly admired her foresight and power.
And after the Ifrit Project occurred, the still young and passionate Saria had confronted the Director face-to-face, engaging in a one-on-one showdown that blew up the entire office.
Although the outcome was unknown, Goki could infer that the opponent's combat power was definitely not inferior to Saria's.
"Although Saria and I have some disagreements in research direction, we have always been fair in our evaluations of subordinates."
The Director shook her head, looked up, and met Goki's eyes; in her deep black pupils, there seemed to be a bright flash.
"Your work performance is excellent; you not only outstandingly completed your duties but also built good relationships with colleagues — Rhine Lab has too many self-serving research bastards, including myself. It's a good thing to have a member like you join us."
Giving Goki a slight smile, the Director's gaze seemed to pierce through him, looking into the distance.
"Next, we will perform the unfinished surgery on Ifrit to investigate the cause of her hallucinations — I know you have a good relationship with little Ifrit, but trust me, we will find a way to treat her."
Winking at Goki, the Director walked into the elevator and waved to Muelsyse / Muir Sais.
"Researcher Goki, I also hope you can cultivate your foresight. Sticking to the rules may guarantee you never make mistakes, but in the face of greater unknowns, we are destined to give up some things — come on, stop staring at her."
"Yes, Director."
Muelsyse / Muir Sais merely glared at Goki, then quickly walked into the elevator, seemingly unwilling to speak further with Goki.
Soon, the elevator descended, and Goki finally let out a long sigh of relief.
[Kind Hunter, inside her body — did he control her? Or... did she control him?]
[Doll Nona, I think both are possible.]
Goki's relaxed expression became somewhat serious.
In his hand, the small pendant given by Astesia was shaking rapidly, and the moment he released his suppression, the powers of fire, ocean, and Originium within Goki instantly began to surge.
In the Director's eyes, Goki seemed to see... the shining Universe.
Things had become exceptionally complicated.
"I know that next, we will find the answer — I hope Saria's side doesn't cause any trouble."
Quickening his pace, Goki ran towards the direction he sensed.
And as he quickly ran towards the core warehouse, from the shadows nearby, a young woman with yellow hair and yellow eyes peeked out, a mischievous smile on her face.
"Hehe... Saria, and Goki, have finally shown your true colors, haven't you?"
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