From the Phase Spider, Kanzaki Rei gradually extracted more information about the monsters.
In truth, the Phase Spider itself didn't know much.
It only carried out the mission assigned to it by the Hive.
Because of that—
It had no access to core intelligence.
Even so, what Kanzaki Rei had learned from it was already more than enough.
Meanwhile—
Iz Parult had finally deciphered the corresponding magic from the Phase Spider's abilities…
This world was composed of multiple layers of different spaces.
And the coordinates of real-world locations…
Had corresponding points across those layers.
"Phase."
This particular layer was extremely small.
Compared to the entire world—
It was insignificant.
Perhaps not even as large as a single archipelago of Secret Sand Isles.
And yet—
Despite its size—
It corresponded perfectly to the complete world.
Like holding a world map in one's hand—
Point anywhere on the map, and it directly corresponded to a real location in reality.
Every single point—
Had an absolute correspondence.
Which meant—
It could serve as a coordinate system for spatial transfer.
However—
To enter the Phase Space, and to exit it—
One needed the innate talent of the phase species.
In other words—
The bloodline of creatures like the Phase Spider or Phase Mantis.
Ordinary beings could not enter Phase Space.
Even if they forcibly opened a passage and stepped inside—
They would only meet death.
It was, effectively—
A racial privilege.
But…
The method they used to allow other creatures to pass through Phase Space—
Was something that could be replicated.
A technique known as Phase Conversion.
Rather than directly entering Phase Space—
It connected two separate spaces by bypassing it entirely.
However—
It required the body of a phase creature to serve as a bridge.
That was why those rifts were filled with insects—
They were the structural medium.
As her observations deepened—
Iz Parult began constructing new magic.
The Phase Spider attempted to escape—
But it was futile.
With both of them watching it—
It had no way out.
Even if it tried to call for help—
Its voice could not escape.
Its signals could not transmit.
Time itself flowed slowly here.
Although future simulation could only extend one day—
If Kanzaki Rei wished—
He could stretch that time into something far longer, from his perspective.
Iz placed a hand against the spider's carapace.
"Bloodline… what a troublesome requirement."
"The way it opens pathways to different locations relies on higher-level phase coordinates."
"You need to lock onto coordinates before you can move."
"If you've never been to a place… you can't determine its phase coordinate."
[Sixth-Tier Spatial Magic: Phase Anchor][Sixth-Tier Spatial Magic: Phase Teleportation]
After fully breaking down the mechanics—
Iz let out a long breath.
At last—
She understood.
How those rifts connecting the world were formed…
And how they were constructed.
—Buzz—
With a slight raise of her hand—
A rift appeared before them.
[Phase Teleportation]
At the very least—
They now had the phase coordinates of the Ruilen Continent.
From this spider, they had obtained numerous coordinates.
Even if they couldn't reach every location in the world—
They could now access most of them.
The primary locations this Phase Spider had been assigned to open pathways to—
Were:
Moonsea.
Secret Sea.
Turbid Sea.
The Astral Realm.
—Shhk!
Darkness surged.
Seals formed.
Iz Parult sealed the Phase Spider.
"Let's head back first."
At last—
It was over.
Kanzaki Rei slowly opened his eyes.
—Flash—
The simulation ended.
He hadn't taken any additional actions.
After sealing Nyeh—
He had simply waited.
Not long after—
Akasei returned.
Soon after that—
Iz emerged from the rift as well, returning to reality with a faint trace of regret.
When they returned to Rein Town—
They found that all the monsters had already been dealt with.
And Kanzaki Rei…
Was completely different from the one they remembered.
Fortunately—
With the arcane sigil Iz had left him—
He quickly explained the situation.
As for the magic learned during the simulation—
Kanzaki Rei shared it with Iz.
Seeing that he had directly brought back the very magic she had been researching—
Iz was overjoyed.
After that—
Came the interrogation of Mese.
And discussions—analysis, predictions—regarding the future.
Listening to the information Kanzaki Rei had brought back—
Everyone's expressions grew complicated.
They had just saved Ruilen.
And yet—
Not long from now, the entire Secret Sea would be destroyed.
Because the information Kanzaki Rei had brought was from so far into the future—
Their course of action could no longer follow the previous path.
They would not repeat the same sequence again.
Kumironi—
Faced with a choice between faith and companions—
Chose to trust his companions.
At this point, his trust in Kanzaki Rei wasn't particularly deep.
But because Iz trusted him—
Kumironi chose to believe as well.
He abandoned his faith in Sophia.
At Kanzaki Rei's suggestion—
Iz opened a [Phase Teleportation] pathway to Moonsea.
Together, they arrived at the Valley of Emptiness—
And reached the Time Relic Kanzaki Rei had described.
Accompanied by Iz—
They traveled to the deepest layer of the relic.
And there—
They saw the door.
"So beyond this door… is Aihkator?" Iz asked.
Kanzaki Rei replied, "I've heard… it's her from the past."
From the door—
Waves of temporal ripples emanated.
And beyond it—
Kanzaki Rei could perceive the glow of the [Second Forbidden Magic — Time].
Originally—
One had to pass through the door to obtain this magic.
But because of Iz—
The sequence had been advanced.
"It really is… a fusion of matter and time."
"Not my specialty."
"But I can still interpret part of it through magic…"
Iz muttered to herself.
Akasei stared at the door.
"Should I just blow it open?"
Iz shook her head slightly.
"If you force it open… it might cause a temporal backlash."
"It could send Kanzaki Rei even further back in time."
"Better not to destroy it."
Akasei scratched his head.
"…Ah. Got it."
Kumironi stepped forward, gazing at the door.
But what he saw…
Was life.
"…Maybe I can try communicating with the existence behind it."
Iz turned to him. "You can do that?"
Kumironi nodded. "I'll try."
He walked up to the door.
Closed his eyes.
And focused.
He could feel it—
A life force beyond the door, resonating faintly with his own.
"…Hello?" Kumironi asked cautiously.
There was a response.
"Why… am I here?"
"I should stay here."
"I want to leave."
"No… I must remain here forever."
Voices echoed like restless spirits.
They weren't responses to Kumironi—
But fragments of thoughts left behind.
Remnants of consciousness from different moments in time.
They grew louder—
More chaotic—
Until suddenly—
A clear female voice emerged from the noise.
"…Who?"
...
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