Aoyama clenched his fists. "If the Unknowns hinted the world could be shaped by players, then maybe… maybe Earthspire is that crucible. Still, I cannot wait for answers to fall into my lap. I must act."
Ding.
[System Alert]
New Skill Generated: [Dimensional Warp]Rank: EpicDescription: A [Low Legendary] skill allowing the user to warp across dimensions to a visualized location. Activation Time: 10 seconds.
"System," Aoyama whispered, his voice trembling with resolve. "Show me recent saved locations."
Ding.
[System Navigation Interface: Dimensional Warp]
[Saved Rift Coordinates Detected]
Synchronizing dimensional anchors…
Validating energy pathways…
Linking memory signatures to chosen Rift Nodes…
Locations Available:
[FloweryField] – A meadow of gentle winds, resonance stable.
[Zyfer's House] – Anchor strong, signature bond confirmed.
[Crystalia Homes] – Faded imprint, unstable, caution advised.
System Prompt: Would you like to warp to [Zyfer's House]?
"Yes," Aoyama answered firmly. His voice echoed as though the system itself carried it into the void.
Ding.
[System Initialization: Dimensional Warp]
Calibrating dimensional ley-lines…
Drawing power from Core Reservoir…
Protective Veil: Active
Stabilizer Field: Active
Risk of Spatiotemporal Collapse: 0.002%
Rift Channel Estimated Duration: [12 minutes]
System Alert: Rift has been opened. Proceeding teleportation to world: [Earthspire] – Location: [Zyfer's House].
Countdown Initiated: [10] [9] [8] [7] [6] [5] [4] [3] [2] [1]
The room shuddered. Lines of light carved themselves into the floor in a glowing circle, layered with runes both ancient and futuristic. Data flowed through them like rivers of starlight.
Wind howled from nowhere. Papers swirled. The air bent as though space itself were being rewritten.
Ding.
[Dimensional Warp in Progress]
Space Threads: Severed
Temporal Link: Paused
Spiritual Anchor: Bound to Host (Aoyama)
Current State: Soul-Body Synchronization 98%… 99%… 100%
The rift bloomed open, like a crack in reality itself. Through it, Aoyama glimpsed the vibrant shimmer of Earthspire, colors and shapes shifting like a dream trying to form.
But then....
A soft voice echoed from within the system.
"Dad…"
Aoyama's heart jolted. His eyes widened.
"…Crystal?!"
The voice was faint, fragile, almost like a memory embedded in the system's core. Yet it was there. His daughter's voice.
"System, repeat!" he shouted, desperate.
But the voice was gone, replaced by the neutral tone of the Intelligent Life System.
System Notice: Warp engagement locked. User soul bound to Rift. Proceed without hesitation.
The countdown reached zero.
[3]… [2]… [1]…
With a thunderous crack, the rift devoured him.
Earthquake – Across the City
The ground split slightly, lights flickered, car alarms blared.
Li Chen Daquan, walking calmly, stopped and turned toward the disturbance. His sharp eyes narrowed as he sensed the dimensional tear. The same resonance he had felt when he brushed against Aoyama now roared through the atmosphere, stronger, undeniable.
For a brief moment, his lips curved into a faint smile.
(So… you reveal yourself at last. Until we meet again, stranger. May fate guide us both.)
He turned and walked away, vanishing into the crowd as the tremor subsided.