Chapter 157 Second Sequence [2]

Why did the dairy lose its ability to show past, present, and future?

The answer lay with [Synchronization]

The first figure inside the dream said:

-In the end, it's always only the two of us. Why don't we try something new, something different?

This, combined with other clues, made me think…

"The 'something different' are us, Outsiders."

It was a simple deduction. If the playing field can't be changed no matter what you do, then you need to bring outside forces to intervene.

[Synchronization] was the fail-safe the first figure used in case none of the Outsiders could make significant changes.

The other two might not have [Synchronization] but seeing their progress, they have to have something to help them.

When I used [Synchronization], I created a path that had never been taken in the past.

My deduction might be wrong, but this was what I came up with.

The being inside me was the first figure from the dream.

He brought us Outsiders here to change the future and achieve his goals.

But even though he wanted to change the future, wouldn't he try to create a change when it was the most favorable for him?

The reason the being was angry with me was that I used [Synchronization] earlier than he wanted.

Changing the future carelessly wouldn't achieve results.

It had to be done meticulously and the process must be handled carefully.

Otherwise, problems might arise. The best example would be how I messed up his plans by using [Synchronization] earlier.

He must have wanted me to use [Synchronization] later when the time to make changes appear.

"Maybe this is why the diary lost its abilities? Because the future is no more known."

I flipped through the diary and looked at the second page.

======

Second Sequence is being decoded.

======

Other that the first page that showed me my personal information, I could now read the 2nd page.

"Is this related to the future being changed?"

Closing the diary, I went to the others to say my goodbye.

Although the theory I came up with seemed plausible, I couldn't be 100% sure. There was much that I did not know yet.

*

"Huuuu… It's cold."

I was wearing a thin robe over my clothes, but it wasn't enough to keep me warm in the freezing wind that blew into my face.

In front of me was a futuristic landscape that was vastly different from the medieval Underworld and undeveloped mountain ranges.

The entire area was covered in tall buildings made out of metal, glass, and stone. I could see two large towers in the distance, one to the south and another to the north, each stretching into the sky.

Behind me was a massive portal that brought me here, to the closest portal exit to Ward.

I left the dungeon after telling Tristan to prepare fake ids for all of us and keep an eye on Miller's stepsister.

Although Chloe had high rank, Miller was a master of disguise, he wouldn't be caught. Besides, I strictly forbade him from prying too much.

There were a few more instructions for all of them, but they weren't anything important. Most of what I told them could be summarized as a training plan for them.

I wanted to formally establish our group, but that needed me to complete several procedures and registrations. Besides, I still was in favor of having all of our identities anonymous.

To do that, I would need the backing of someone powerful.

Groaning, I went to a café to get a coffee.

I did not bring Nerael with me. While leaving, I refused to take her along with me.

She broke down into tears.

However, I had no choice but to steel my heart and leave her behind.

​ Nerael could no longer return to her golem form. It seems that in return for being able to get her human form early, she couldn't switch back easily.

She should be able to learn how to switch back after training, but till then, she couldn't be with me.

Remembering her snot-covered face, I felt a pang in my heart.

Due to our connection, I could feel her emotions clearly when I adamantly refused her. It wasn't a good feeling.

While sipping on the coffee, I opened my device and checked for news.

After surfing for half an hour, I didn't find anything related to the appearance of the new Irregular.

"They are taking this path, huh?"

Aegis and Umbra must have decided to keep info about the appearance of the new Irregular under wraps while they search for me.

"It had to get worse."

If the search was done by Goliaths, then I doubted that Susan could leak me any info.

It would have been easier for Susan to get info if the search was made public. I did not think she would have refused me if I asked her about the progress of the investigation.

However, even she wouldn't be privy to information on Goliaths search.

Sipping my 5th coffee, I came across an interesting piece of news.

[Stage-2 Gargoyle Dungeon Break:

Recently, the 8th dungeon break in history happened. This was the first time a Stage-2 dungeon broke.

However, with Aegis' swift response, the causalities were lower than predicted.

Investigations are going on as to why a dungeon break occurred. We have the head of…]

"It began"

I clicked my tongue at the missed opportunity. I couldn't recruit the second protagonist.

Gargoyle Dungeon break was a precursor of earth's destruction. Humanity might ignore this event, but there were a total of 2 things that made it important.

First, Gargoyles weren't eliminated.

When a Stage-2 dungeon breaks, the monsters aren't released at once but in two waves.

The 2nd wave will come shortly and cause damage on a large scale.

But this wasn't important.

The real thing was the rift that opened.

Rifts are wormholes that can appear when the space is distorted. There are many conditions for rifts to appear, and most of them are unknown.

The 2nd protagonist, Peter, should have been caught in the rift and been transported to Planet Delmond, the second hell.

The 2nd protagonist and the 3rd protagonist were secondary protagonists of 'Hero has Returned'.

Both of them were returnees and crazy overpowered. In the war, while Leon had yet to return, these two alone stopped the elven army from advancing.

One being a Necromancer and the other Beast tamer, they rained hell on elves who prided themselves as master of numbers.

Peter was Ryan's sibling. Both of them grew up in the same orphanage and were very close.

To raise Peter, Ryan had infiltrated Ward on Iris' orders.

In the novel, Iris never knew about Peter's potential. It was only after Peter returned from Delmond, did everyone realize Peter's potential.

Planet Delmond was said to be a nightmare that could break even the toughest of people. Peter, who returned from there, had changed completely.

It wouldn't be wrong to say that he was no different from a villain and, at first, Leon and he repeatedly engaged in bitter battles.

The only reason he changed again and began hunting villains was that Iris had discarded his brother, Ryan, and left him to die.

This drove the nail of hatred in his heart.

As a result, he protected Earth. It was to go against Iris and trample her wish of laying earth to ruin.

The news about the first wave of dungeon break being subjugated meant that Peter has been transported to Planet Delmond.

I couldn't get him.

Miller had searched for Peter as I had asked. But because I wasn't sure about his location, we couldn't find him on time.

Though, I didn't know if I would have saved him from getting caught in the rift. It was the hardships that he went on Delmond that boosted his growth.

The second thing this dungeon break marked was the betrayal of Aegis' head.

He had secretly colluded with the Elves and left for the Elven frontline a few weeks back.

In return for Elves' help to raid the Gate of Hell and resources to make a breakthrough, he decided to betray Earth.

At this point, nobody knew this.

Everyone will be thinking that he had gone on an undercover mission.

Shortly, the leadership of Aegis will temporarily be passed to Headmaster.

'More like, Headmaster will take the leadership by force.'

The leader of Aegis will return a few years later. By then, the Earth will be going through turbulent times.

The four calamities, Round Table, Yggdrasil, Illis, short-scale invasions by other races, and other threats. All of this was before the war began.

I couldn't help but chuckle.

Leon was in his first year and training day and night to become strong, to protect Earth.

But even at this moment, while he was unaware, seeds of earth's destruction were growing.

It wasn't that Leon was weak, or he was a failure. No, he dedicated his life to his cause.

Just that…

There were things even he couldn't stop.