Published: January 24, 2026
“All-encompassing phenomena...? If I roughly understand it, that means ‘everything and anything,’ right?”
As expected, Orun didn’t quite grasp the meaning when I mentioned the name of his supernatural ability.
“That’s right. I only know what the old Orun and stories I’ve heard told me, so I don’t know the full picture. But to put it simply, it means being able to do anything a person can do (...........anything). Of course, there are apparently various restrictions as well.”
“Being able to do anything sounds ridiculous...”
Orun muttered in disbelief after hearing my explanation.
“Yeah. That’s exactly why the cult sees Orun as dangerous.”
“If that’s true, then I can understand why that man called me ‘extremely troublesome.’”
Orun laughed weakly.
I wonder what Orun is thinking right now.
His words and actions reveal nothing about what’s going on inside his heart.
But I know that Orun is a strong person.
“I think Orun still doesn’t fully understand his own supernatural ability. That’s fine—I want you to listen to what I have to say. This story will eventually connect to what you want to know.”
“...Alright.”
After confirming Orun’s nod, I began to speak.
“‘All-encompassing phenomena’ allows one to even wield other people’s supernatural abilities. The ‘gravity manipulation’ that Orun believes is his own ability is actually based on the hero’s supernatural ability called ‘repulsion manipulation,’ or so I think.”
Orun looked surprised but listened quietly to my explanation.
“Supernatural abilities are, for humans, foreign substances. They change a person’s structure. Oh, but it’s not a physical change—more like a mental or ability-related one...”
As I searched for the right words, Orun, who had been silently listening, finally spoke.
“In other words, it’s like a rapid evolution. Normally, people can’t perceive mana, but when they manifest abilities that interfere with mana—like mana convergence, spirit domination, or mana tracking—they gain the ability to ‘sense mana.’ Something like that.”
“Yeah, that’s about right. I guess I didn’t really need to explain after all.”
“I’d already figured that part out. But I didn’t know supernatural abilities were considered foreign substances.”
“If I went into more detail about that, we’d get sidetracked, so I’ll leave it for later. What I want to say is this: when someone manifests a supernatural ability, a foundation is created that allows them to use that ability.”
When I resumed talking, Orun listened silently.
“And I’m also a supernatural ability user, with the ability ‘time reversal.’ I can adapt to the flow of time to some extent. For example, I can say the exact number of seconds that have passed without looking at a clock, even after several hours.”
“That’s amazing. Every enchanter would want a skill like that.”
I felt genuinely happy when Orun praised me.
Enchanters need to measure time precisely to manage buffs for allies.
Even advanced explorer enchanters can only measure time accurately up to five minutes, and at best, about ten minutes.
Well, I think measuring time that accurately during battle is more than enough.
“Thanks. It took a bit, but now I’ve told you everything necessary. Let me connect the pieces I just shared.”
Hearing Orun’s agreement, I continued.
“I called this place the netherworld, but the world we were in before coming here is currently having its time rewound by Cavadel Evans. Only those like us, who can adapt to the flow of time through ‘time reversal,’ can maintain consciousness here, or so I believe.”
“W-wait a minute! I just can’t keep up with this.”
Orun clutched his head in confusion and raised his voice after hearing my hypothesis.
But I understand—it’s a pretty wild theory even for me.
“As I said before, Orun’s ability is ‘all-encompassing phenomena,’ and the Orun I knew as a child was already able to use ‘time reversal.’ It’s not strange for you to also adapt to the flow of time, just like me. Besides, there’s no other explanation for why only you and I are here.”