When the plot-skips players into the game world

Sherlock just sighed and shook his head, trying to steer the conversation back on track, "And then?"

"After that, I encountered other people, but not one of them was friendly."

Hayna fell silent for a moment, then deeply sighed, "It was virtually the end of the world...

"Resources were scarce, and danger lurked everywhere. No one could be trusted; companions would go insane or fall ill from time to time. Occasionally, the corrupt Shadow Legion would stalk the wilderness for the living, and sometimes the ground itself would corrupt, turning previously safe zones into dangers. We had to abandon the resources we had collected and flee to safer places.

"I was exhausted from running for my life, and I couldn't even find a Priest. I had to make do with medicines that I didn't even know how to use... There were even companions who died under our care. The daughter of that woman who was disassembled by the Demon Scholar.

"That day... No, the atmosphere in the camp was incredibly oppressive for several days. I only saw three Ascendants, but it seemed like everyone was in bad shape, filled with wariness and hostility. I was the only one who brought civilians with me; they seemed to have other missions... but we didn't exchange any information.

"We engaged in battle, but it was not fatal. We couldn't even inflict wounds on each other... There was an understanding between both sides.

"And I met other people, and we rebuilt the team. Six became four, then twelve, and finally, we were seven."

Hayna sighed, "I didn't even see any of the formidable enemies mentioned in the mission. Merely surviving was already pushing me to my limits... Being just a third energy level, I was nothing in the face of such a colossal disaster.

"And the ironic thing is, I ended up with the highest score. Because the others either died earlier or had fewer points..."

At this point, a silvery glint shone in Hayna's pupils.

Her expression hardened, and she bit her lip, "I must change that unfortunate future—"

"Hey, senior,"

Aiwass suddenly spoke up, though his tone was not heavy, "Did you see me in that future?"

"...Not that I recall?"

Her response sounded more like a question.

Hayna replied quickly, not as if she was recalling. It was clear that she had her own doubts about this.

"Did you see Sherlock? And what about Ligeia?" Aiwass asked further.

"...No."

Hayna was silent for a while before delivering a definite answer, "I tried searching for Ligeia, hoping to see... if I could mention that I was her student, perhaps she could help me look after those people.

"But I was told that Meg had died long ago. They had never heard the name Ligeia—or yours. As for Sherlock, some people knew of you but also said you weren't here.

"I tried to find Director Kent, only to learn that he had died long ago; I wanted to find Mr. Bishop, but he was gone too. The people of the Lohar Society had left the Lohar District and had occupied most of Glass Island in ruins... Yet they weren't lackeys of the Star Antimony, instead, they played a certain role in resisting the Star Antimony and the Shadow invasions.

"However, I did manage to find Mrs. Mina—or rather, she realized I was looking for her and came to me. Speaking of which, she turned out to be a fourth-level Prophet!"

Hayna suddenly thought of this piece of information and hurriedly shared it.

...But looking at the calm expressions on the faces of the other three, she guessed that this was probably outdated news.

"Mrs. Mina was very kind. Even though she said she didn't know any 'Hayna', she was willing to shelter us."

So she gave a sheepish smile, continuing, "With her information, we managed to avoid several spreads of the Shadow Curse. She also prepared accommodation and food for us, helping me get through the toughest times. Later when we felt a bit better, we didn't bother her anymore. But before leaving, we did prepare enough fuel for her to last the winter."

"That makes the situation quite clear, doesn't it?"

Aiwass smiled, affirming, "The future that the Nine Pillar Gods made you experience could not have emerged from nothing. It must have some basis—and based on what you said, I think it might be 'a future without me'."

"...What do you mean?" Hayna had not yet caught on.

Even though she had become much sharper and more decisive in her actions, her mind seemed to have slowed down.

From this point of view, it was likely that the team had an external brain to rely on. She focused on exercising her command capabilities while neglecting her analytical thinking. The mystical skills of the Path of Authority were called "Leadership Art." Every high-rank Transcendent of the Path of Authority, as needed, could instantly become a qualified leader.

"That makes sense."

This time, it was Sherlock who immediately caught on, "If you hadn't survived those Noble Red attacks... You wouldn't have met me. Then, I wouldn't have been attacked by the Lohar Society, and thus, I wouldn't have become acquainted with Mr. Bishop. Hayna wouldn't have come to deliver a message to me and meet Mrs. Mina.

"Similarly, without you, the Lohar Society wouldn't have been wiped out. Miss Lily would have been assassinated, and Minister Drost wouldn't have been exposed. The Star Antimony people's informational advantage could have lasted until the end. And without the ritual you brought, Sir Meg would have died of old age… The unprotected princess would probably have died as well, or possibly have been taken away by Lord Yanis."

At this point, Sherlock looked at Aiwass with a touch of surprise.

He suddenly realized that Avalon's ability to hold out… was indeed closely related to Aiwass!

Could it be that without Aiwass, Avalon would ultimately face that kind of apocalyptic despair…

"Just one person surviving, and yet the future can change this much—" Find exclusive stories on My Virtual Library Empire

Sherlock murmured to himself, deep in thought.

As if to reward this sort of deduction and contemplation, the power of the Path of Wisdom seeped into his mind, making him much more alert.

"Indeed," Hayna also perked up, "With Aiwass here, the situation has become completely different—"

As she thought this, she suddenly realized something, "Those people you fought before… those Noble Reds, are they the Star Antimony people's lackeys?"

"Right."

Aiwass answered briskly.

—Although strictly speaking, it might be a bit more complicated. For example, the Noble Red also has many factions within it, and those two giants had their own discord, plus the Star Antimony people might not actually consider them their own…

But explaining all this to Hayna seemed a bit too taxing for her.

Aiwass gave a straightforward summary answer, "They are the traitors of Avalon."

"Good..."

Hayna clenched her teeth with a clear target in mind, "Then when I return to Glass Island, I'll apply for a transfer—I'll start by following His Excellency the Great Guardian to completely wipe out the remnants of Noble Red!

"I've obtained a gold Path attribute—I'm very strong now!"

"That's good. But before that, it's best we prepare first."

Aiwass reminded, "It could be today, it could be tomorrow—we're not sure which evening, but the Penalty Demon will come back. When he returns, he will definitely bring reinforcements from Noble Red. We have nothing else to do next, and we can spend a whole day preparing."

Thankfully, the barrier of Eagle Cape Village could protect them and roughly lock down the time of the enemy's arrival. At least they wouldn't lose their initiative.

After all, it was a village solidified by Amber herself, with only two paths leading out of the village. One had to be entered at dusk, and the other required going through the Fairy Hole—and without a doubt, the Fairy Queen would never allow those tasteless demons to borrow passage through her realm.

As for the Book of Law… there's no rush to find it after the enemy is taken care of.

"What kind of preparations? Traps?"

Hayna asked instinctively.

"I think that probably no trap would work on the Penalty Demon."

Aiwass's lips curved slightly upwards, "But I do have some magical, wonderful tools prepared for him."

If there was anything to prepare—it would surely be the Sin Card for sealing the Penalty Demon.

As soon as it lost the capability to resist, Aiwass could forcibly seal it into the "Wheel of Destiny" card, turning it into [Equipment Card: Thunder Javelin].

Aiwass wanted to conduct an experiment.

In games, Equipment Cards are definitely not meant for team members to use. These cards are for enhancing the states of Great Sin Beasts.

But in reality...

Could Hayna, who can also command thunder, safely wield this Phantom Halberd?

—If so, could other Equipment Cards made from Phantom Demons also be distributed to teammates?