Chapter 157: An Unwelcome Interruption

A month had passed since Eden’s encounter with Nyx.

And in that time, he had accomplished very little.

At least, that was how he felt.

"Another one."

A massive creature collapsed against the ground, its enormous body kicking up a cloud of dust that swept through the surrounding forest. Its limbs twitched for a few moments before finally falling still.

Eden stood atop a nearby boulder, one hand resting against his cheek as he watched the scene unfold.

A few dozen meters away, Obsidian slowly withdrew his Dark Matter greatsword from the creature’s skull. The black armor covering his body was barely scratched.

[Experience acquired]

Eden stared at the notification.

"...That’s it?"

"I just cleared an entire A-Rank Dungeon on my own, and I didn’t level up once."

He sighed.

It wasn’t that he hadn’t gained anything over the past month. Quite the opposite. He had been clearing A-Rank Gates almost every day, sometimes several within a single afternoon. His level had continued to rise, and his attributes had steadily increased.

But the process had become painfully slow.

The difference between his current strength and the creatures inhabiting ordinary A-Rank Gates was simply too great. Most of them barely posed a challenge, especially with Obsidian accompanying him.

In fact, Eden was beginning to feel like he was wasting his time.

Eden glanced down.

Obsidian had turned toward him, standing motionless beside the enormous corpse. His helmet tilted slightly, as if waiting for further instructions.

"...Right. Good work."

Obsidian gave a small nod.

Eden jumped down from the boulder and approached the corpse. Crimson Essence spread from his palm, forming a grotesque mass of teeth and mouths that began devouring the creature’s remains.

He watched for a moment before dismissing the skill.

Nothing particularly useful had come from it.

[+3 Perception]

"Another disappointing hunt."

Sylvia’s amused voice echoed inside his mind.

[You could always stop clearing Gates.]

"That’s a terrible suggestion."

[Then stop complaining, Master]

Eden clicked his tongue.

He had spent the past month doing little besides hunting, clearing Gates, and hunting some more. Occasionally, he returned home to rest, only to find himself growing restless after a few hours.

His body had adapted to the constant strain. His skills had become more refined, and even his newly acquired Ferocious Evolution had begun to feel increasingly familiar.

Yet there was one thing he still couldn’t get out of his head.

Nyx.

More specifically, everything she had told him.

A Ruler in the making.

The phrase still sounded rather ridiculous whenever he thought about it.

He had spent his first life struggling to become an S-Rank Awakened. Now, barely a year after his regression, he had somehow found himself entangled in the affairs of primordial beings who had apparently shaped the very foundations of reality.

And Mendax, the bastard who had started all of this, was apparently one of them.

Eden rubbed his temples.

"Still doesn’t make any sense."

[What doesn’t?]Sylvia asked.

"Everything."

He began walking toward the Gate’s exit, with Obsidian following silently behind him.

"The Rulers, the Upper Realm, the Void Sea... And apparently, there are other people walking around with the authority of a Ruler imprinted on them."

[You seem particularly bothered by that.]

"Wouldn’t you be? I mean, I got pulled into this without anyone ever asking whether I wanted to or not."

[Well to my understanding, If Mendax hadn’t forced you into this, you would be Dead now.]

"...I hate that you’re right."

Sylvia chuckled.

Eden glanced at his status window floating in front of him before dismissing it.

There were several things he wanted to investigate.

For starters, Nyx had mentioned that Aurelion, the Ruler of Equilibrium, had crossed the boundary between the Abyss and Earth and eventually become known as the Jade Emperor.

Was he still somewhere on Earth?

Had he disappeared centuries ago? Or had he simply abandoned whatever identity he once possessed?

Then there was Ryuhei.

The masked swordsman had appeared in the Empty Gate, spoken about the five Rulers who descended into the Abyss, and made a rather peculiar comment about the Lower Realm running out of time.

Could he be one of the people wearing a Rulers Imprint?

Eden frowned.

"...Actually, that might explain a few things."

[Or it might not.]

"You’re not particularly helpful today."

[Your words hurt me, Master. You’re difficult to please.]

Eden exhaled through his nose.

He could spend the next several hours entertaining different possibilities, but that wouldn’t get him any closer to an answer.

Besides, he had more immediate concerns.

Getting stronger, for one.

If he wanted to investigate the Abyss properly, he needed to reach a level where its inhabitants wouldn’t immediately tear him apart. And considering the things he had encountered recently, that threshold was probably much higher than he had initially anticipated.

"Whatever. I’ll think about it later."

The Gate’s exit appeared ahead of them.

Eden stepped through.

---

Another week passed.

Eden had just entered his fourth A-Rank Gate of the day.

The environment resembled an abandoned industrial complex, with rusted machinery scattered across enormous concrete chambers. Thick cables hung from the ceiling, and the faint smell of something rotten lingered in the air.

Several Abyss Creatures had already been eliminated.

Obsidian was currently dealing with the last group.

Eden, meanwhile, leaned against a concrete pillar and examined his phone.

He had received a notification from the Association earlier that morning. Apparently, the number of Gates he had cleared over the past month had attracted some attention.

Choi had even sent him a message asking whether he was planning to continue at the same pace.

Eden had replied with a single word.

’Yes.’

He wasn’t particularly interested in discussing it.

A sudden vibration interrupted his thoughts.

An incoming call.

Eden glanced at the unfamiliar number.

"...Who?"

He considered ignoring it, but eventually accepted.

"Hello?"

A man’s voice answered.

"You’re Eden, right?"

Eden raised an eyebrow.

"Depends. Who’s asking?"

"Someone who wants to meet you."

"Not interested."

He moved his thumb toward the screen.

"Wait."

The man’s voice sounded amused.

"I think you’ll be very interested in what I have to show you."

"I’m not interested in whatever you’re trying to sell to me."

A brief silence followed.

Then came a dull impact.

Something heavy striking flesh.

A woman’s pained cry echoed through the phone.

Eden’s expression changed.

Another impact followed, accompanied by a strained gasp.

He knew that voice.

"...Lucy?"

The line remained open.

The man chuckled.

"Ah. So you do recognize her."

Eden slowly straightened.

The boredom that had plagued him throughout the past month disappeared almost instantly.

"Where is she?"

"That’s better. I was beginning to think I’d have to get creative."

"Where."

The man gave him an address.

An abandoned industrial building on the outskirts of the city.

Eden memorized it immediately.

"Stay there."

"Oh, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere."

The call ended.

For several seconds, Eden remained completely motionless.

Then he turned toward Obsidian.

"Come."

The Black Knight immediately abandoned the remaining creatures, dissolving into Dark Matter.

His expression was one of cold anger.

"I’ll show that bastard hell."