[Wedgermio]: Range Shiftling: Energy Absorption.
All the Aura emitting from Girishika and me was being sucked into this monster.
Even a few of my pure energy attacks were pulled in.
Within a fifty-meter radius, every residue of battle energy was being devoured.
I grabbed Girishika and leaped out of the range.
Large tremors spread beneath us, and before we could react, the entire underground prison began collapsing.
*
In the Monster Realm,
Kae sat on his throne.
His eyes were closed, a calm smile on his face.
He rested in a comfortable posture, completely at ease.
[Kae]: I thought our last meeting would be our final meeting.
A figure suddenly appeared.
He wore black armor and a black cloak. His face remained hidden, as always.
It was K-3.
[K-3]: Looks like fate didn't accept that.
[Kae]: How long have you been
standing there?
[K-3]: The past hour.
[Kae]: Hahaha… looks like you can truly hide from my acute senses. I'm guessing you're here for something important.
[K-3]: That is correct. I spotted an intruder.
Kae's smile didn't falter, but a flicker of confusion passed through his eyes.
[Kae]: An intruder? Where? In the Time Gap? In the Monster Realm?
[K-3]: In this timeline.
Kae fell into deep thought, his surprise evident.
[Kae]: That shouldn't be possible. Are you certain?
K-3 nodded.
[K-3]: The intruder indeed traveled back into this timeline.
[Kae]: Shouldn't Gigas oppose such an act? Wasn't he the Temporal Guardian of the entire Living Verse? Why would he allow it? Wouldn't this create countless alternate timelines?
[K-3]: Who knows. If Gigas learns about my existence, I'll be under serious threat. I'm maintaining my presence here with great difficulty; I cannot afford to draw his attention.
[Kae]: What do you know about this intruder?
[K-3]: From what I've sensed, he's from eleven years in the future. He's twenty-one. This is confirmed thanks to the Timeon Particles he carries. He is currently on Earth.
[Kae]: I see… is he connected to us in some way?
[K-3]: Most likely, because his energy signature closely matches mine, though it is not identical. Also, he is certainly not human.
[Kae]: What species is he?
[K-3]: Unknown. His genes are something I've never encountered. He appears to be a hybrid of two powerful species.
[Kae]: I don't think I can visit Earth anytime soon.
[K-3]: Same applies to me. If Gigas allowed this intruder to travel back, then this man either holds authority higher than Gigas—or is important to him. Gigas must have his eyes on the kid. I cannot move freely around him; my stealth won't work.
[Kae]: Yes… certainly. Gigas is the most powerful omnipotent being. This is exhausting. I must devise a plan to meet this individual. Do you know anything more about him?
[K-3]: No. As I said, I haven't met him. Everything I've reported comes from my accurate senses.
[Kae]: In that case, I will handle the rest.
[K-3]: I trust you, Kae. But what are your relations with the other Asura Community Rulers currently?
[Kae]: Ah, I assure you, they are quite amicable toward me, despite their hatred for humans. If all goes well, they may even join me in the Pikra War. I believe I can convince them.
[K-3]: Good progress. What is your current rank? I expect it may have changed over the past fifty years.
[Kae]: Yes, it has improved. I am now the third most powerful Asura Community Ruler. I was promoted from fourth rank by the Asura Community Emperor, Lord Shayya himself.
[K-3]: And the Dragon Empire?
[Kae]: Things are proceeding well there too. Though I may have to create a distraction eventually—Krishna is making my work difficult.
[K-3]: …Whatever. I should take my leave. I cannot linger here. I'm returning to the Time Gap. This will not be our last meeting; there is still much to discuss.
K-3 glanced at Kae once more before disappearing.
Kae remained seated, still smiling.
[Kae]: Things are getting harder. This time traveler… he could be someone I know. Hmmm… who could it be? I must meet him. He could become a serious threat if I don't act. I must ensure he has no contact with the Immortalus Society.
*
We finally escaped.
My body was barely holding up.
Girishika was unconscious, and I was running while carrying her on my back.
If it weren't for the secret passage, we would have been buried alive.
Wedgermio must be alive.
That freak never dies.
We will face him later, when the time is right.
My objective was to free Mala—and that was accomplished.
No need for futile fights.
Girishika was safe too.
Returning to the site would be stupidity.
Thinking this, I kept running.
*
On Earth,
Dendadarlands,
General State,
Meeting Hall.
The hall was huge.
Gigantic.
This building belongs to Dendadarlands—the country where the Immortalus Society resides.
The nation spreads across 3.3 million km².
Dendadarlands consists mostly of five main regions:
1) General State – 200,000 km²
2) Immortalus Society Resident – 550,000 km²
3) Great Village – 350,000 km²
4) Clanal Village – 500,000 km²
5) Diversity Region – 1,000,000 km²
The remaining areas are mostly islands.
This country has no ordinary humans—all are either human sorcerers or exiled Terracolings. (They live in Great Village. They appear human, but with superior physical traits, intelligence equal to humans, and enhanced abilities.)
The president of this country is none other than Krishna himself.
He became Leader of the Immortalus Society in 1990 and was also appointed President of Dendadarlands.
In the meeting hall, a session was arranged with the Leaders of all 200 Sorcery Societies across the world.
Also present were 199 Generals.
The only General absent was the Legendary General of the Immortalus Society, Gomo Taka—the 4,500+ year-old veteran feared and respected by many.
Leaders whispered among themselves as they took their seats.
This was a crisis.
The meeting was requested by the Advisor of the Immortalus Society, Arun, and supported by the Japanese Sorcery Society Leader Shang, the Indian Sorcery Society Leader Nayaka, and the Chinese Society Leader Gakai.
This had to be serious.
Almost all leaders were present… except Krishna.
As speculation ran rampant about the purpose of this meeting, the doors opened.
Two figures entered.
Krishna and Arun.