Published: January 24, 2026
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"…? Where is this…?"
When I came to, I was in an unfamiliar place.
Before my eyes stretched a horizon of pure white, like an ice field with no obstacles in sight.
Above, the sky reminded me of dawn clouds.
Near the ground, something like dawnlight illuminated the sky, gradually giving way to darkness like a night sky as it ascended.
At my feet, it felt as if I were standing above clouds; a pure white mist rose up to around my knees.
Such unreal scenery made me think this might be the afterlife.
"…First, I need to sort out the situation."
Taking a deep breath to calm my heart, I traced back through my memories.
"My name is Shion Nastathium. …Yes, I remember my name and memories clearly."
I was relieved to realize that, as far as I knew, I was still myself.
Because there is a supernatural ability called cognitive alteration, I couldn't be completely certain.
But, paradoxically, the fact that I was concerned about cognitive alteration meant I probably hadn’t been affected by it.
If it had gone that far, it would be hopeless, so there was no point in dwelling on it further.
"Well then, um, my last memory is…"
I searched my memory again.
My last memory was participating in a mission launched by Amuntzarse based on information brought by Titania.
In that mission, I infiltrated the Minagania Kingdom—a vassal state of the empire—and attacked a dungeon called a farm, which was one of the bases of the Cyclamen cult.
At the deepest part of that dungeon, I met an annoying noble-like man about twenty years old.
"That’s right. I fought a demon humanoid called Due, who reflected the characteristics of a mana eater. During that battle, I touched the ‘outside’ and attained the principle of demons. After that, I successfully defeated Due and lost consciousness. …And when I came to, I found myself here."
…Yeah, in the end, I still don’t know where this place is.
Right after touching the outside, I recklessly interfered with the principles of techniques and activated the frozen prison box garden (fimbulvetr).
I can say I came into contact with an enormous amount of information on the principle of demons and principles of techniques in a short time.
I think I lost consciousness so my brain could organize the information, like sleep.
It might also be simply because my physical strength had reached its limit and I collapsed, which I cannot deny.
"Hmm… I wish I had a bit more information…"
Muttering to myself, I looked around.
But no matter where I looked, the same scenery of white horizon continued—nothing that could be called a change.
"…Hmm? The spirits’ movement might be a bit off."
Since there was no change in normal sight, I turned around once more using the Spirit’s Eye.
Then, while normal mana merely drifted in place, the spirits—altered mana—moved as if they had a destination, heading toward the same spot.
"…It might be a trap, but this is the only clue I have. —Alright! Let’s go!"
Steeling my resolve, I assumed a battle stance and walked toward the spot the spirits were moving toward.
â—‡
I should have been walking for a while, but I felt as if my sense of time was dulled.
Since I possess the supernatural ability of time reversal, no matter how long I spent in places like dungeons with little environmental change, I could always tell the exact time and never lost my sense of time.
Yet now, although I felt about two hours had passed, I couldn’t say so with confidence.
…This place is definitely not normal.
(With every step forward, the angle at which the spirits moved decreased slightly. It’s the only comfort to feel that we’re slowly getting closer to the destination.)
After walking for an unknown length of time, something appeared in my sight besides the white horizon and unchanging dawn sky.
Keeping my guard up, I approached, and a sobbing voice reached my ears.
Going closer, I saw a person crouched on the ground with knees and hands touching the earth.
Their face was hidden by the rising mist, but from their clothing and appearance, I knew who it was.