"Welt" watched Kurumi silently, complex data and information seemingly flowing within his pale golden eyes. After a moment, he slowly shook his head, his voice carrying the calm and helplessness of one who has endured great change:
"I am afraid I must disappoint you regarding the answer you seek. The existence of the 'First Spirit,' her essence and power level, already transcends the conventional meaning of 'strength.'"
He raised his hand, palm upward, as if supporting some invisible heavy weight.
"Her power originates from the 'root' of this planet and even broader domains; she is the embodiment of rules, the phenomenon itself. The power of a single individual, even mine, is like a firefly before the bright moon when facing her."
He looked at Kurumi, his gaze seemingly carrying a hint of pity, or perhaps the Understanding shared by fellow 'anomalous existences':
"It is not false modesty, but simply the truth. Even if we gathered the power of all existing Spirits, facing her, the result would only be... an ant trying to stop a chariot."
These words were, naturally, instructions Chinatsu had given to the construct via the Core link while she was still conscious.
She needed to completely cut off Kurumi's hope of obtaining a specific method from "Welt" and portray Takamiya Mio's power as nearly insurmountable.
Only in this way could "Welt's" subsequent act of "succession" appear reasonable, and also leave room for herself to potentially approach related events later under a different identity.
Kurumi's pupils slightly contracted, and the fingers gripping the gun handle unconsciously tightened.
Although she had anticipated this, hearing "Welt's" blunt and despairing assertion still caused her heart to sink. In her golden eyes, the light of madness and obsession flickered once more.
"Is that so..." Her voice dropped, carrying a barely perceptible tremor, "Even you... too..."
Just then, "Welt" suddenly bowed slightly, performing a simple yet solemn gesture toward Kurumi.
"Regardless, I thank you for your assistance just now, Nightmare. If not for your power of time, I would have already dissipated."
He straightened up, his tone becoming resolute: "However, precisely because of this, I cannot linger here. That blow just now has damaged the very foundation of my existence; this body and the power within it are irreversibly heading toward collapse."
His gaze passed over Kurumi and fell upon the unconscious Chinatsu in the corner, and Shido, who was anxiously guarding her.
"My time is running out. Before I completely dissipate, I must find a suitable successor for this authority of 'Reason' and 'Understanding.'"
Having said this, without waiting for Kurumi's response, he took a step and walked directly toward Chinatsu and Shido in the corner.
Seeing "Welt" approach, Shido immediately stood up nervously, blocking the unconscious Chinatsu.
Although his voice was trembling slightly, he bravely asked, "What... what do you intend to do to Chinatsu-san?!"
"Welt" stopped in front of Chinatsu, ignoring Shido's question.
He extended his right hand, gently tapping his index finger on the forehead of the unconscious Chinatsu.
The instant his fingertip made contact, a faint, almost imperceptible blue stream of light, like a living serpentine flow, swiftly merged into Chinatsu's brow.
Chinatsu's body twitched lightly once, then completely relaxed, as if she had fallen into a deeper state of sleep.
"Hey! You!" Shido was anxious and angry, but dared not rush forward rashly.
"Welt" withdrew his finger, turned around, and calmly looked at Shido, as well as Kurumi, who was slowly approaching, her eyes dark and inscrutable.
"There is no need to worry, young man. I did not harm her."
"Welt's" voice was still steady, but now carried a sense of hollowness, as if coming from a great distance. "I have merely constructed an 'Illusionary Corridor' within the depths of her consciousness."
"What is that?" Shido asked urgently.
"A trial, and also an opportunity."
"Welt" explained. The edges of his body began to exhibit a more pronounced dissipation of data flow; his form was more unstable than before.
"I condensed my knowledge and insight regarding the authority of 'Reason' into this corridor. If this young woman's mind, will, and the essence of Understanding are sufficiently compatible, she will be able to pass the corridor's trial."
"At that time, the 'key' I left in her consciousness will activate, guiding her to find the complete Spirit Crystal and inherited knowledge that I sealed here."
He paused, then looked at Shido and Kurumi, as if giving his final instructions:
"If she cannot pass, or chooses to give up... then, simultaneously with the complete collapse of this body, my final consciousness will be uploaded to the global information network, continuing to wander and search for the next potential successor."
"When a suitable successor appears, my residual guidance program will automatically direct him/her to come and unlock that power."
His words were like a cold program announcement, yet they carried a gravity related to the fate of the world.
"This is... the end and the continuation I have chosen for myself, and for this power."
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