Chapter 1618 (2/2)

Congratulations! Your Skill Nether Sensation (L) has grown to Level 404!

Congratulations! Your Skill Aether Detection has grown to Level 247!

However… Randidly quickly frowned as he opened his eyes. Even with his significant capabilities in this area, the way the energies of the barriers were layered made it extremely difficult to see the way the spaces connected to each other. The changes in information through the two alternating energies meant Randidly only had a vague sense of the spaces adjacent to him, and further that was completely shrouded.

He also had an impression of the direction he needed to travel to reach the core of this maze of fractured space, but the journey would undoubtedly be complex. And from the way the spaces were clustered so that the deeper he went, the more enemies might be present. The only saving grace was that if it was this difficult for him, others would have an even more difficult time.

Randidly’s eyes flashed and he glanced over his shoulder at Lay’mel. “Come here.”

Even if he couldn’t find the core area, he had found his first destination in the surrounded islands of space. Seeing Randidly’s serious gaze, Lay’mel’s expression fell. Apparently Randidly’s voice was rougher than he had intended, because the man began to panic. “I… please… please don’t kill me… I can tell you about the different factions in the Swacc Family, their secret bases-”

“And you’d probably watch gladly while I go there and clash with the hidden monsters of the Swacc Family,” Randidly snorted. “But anyway, that’s that and this is this. Just get the here over here.”

As Randidly narrowed his eyes, he realized that the familiar wiggling lines extended from his outstretched hand toward Lay’mel. Seeing that Lay’mel still hesitated, Randidly pressed his lips together and focused on the flowing natural lines. So, Ripple of Amenonuhoko can also be used like this, huh…?

Now that his Control had evolved into Fidelity of the Ascendant Moirae, Randidly could almost gently caress the leylines that spread out from his touch. At his gesture, a wind around and spun above them before sweeping down and pressing into Lay’mel’s back. Taken by surprise, he could only stumble forward and allow Randidly’s metal hand to clamp onto his shoulder.

Even while Lay’mel was twitching with fear, Randidly turned away from him and pressed his hand up against the edge of the fractured space. He connected with those bridging energies. A split second later, there was a wrenching sensation and they appeared in a new area, which was an entirely empty stretch of plains.

Randidly didn’t stay here long, reaching once again and teleporting them through to their first destination. When they arrived, Randidly finally let go of Lay’mel and hopped across the low hills of this area. At the top of one of the hills, a camp was being erected. Randidly smiled with pride to look at his Vulpis Squad working so quickly. Yea, that’s right, learn and grow.

Randidly didn’t bother to hide his aura as he approached, so the Lancers that were with the group immediately noticed him. A few seconds later, he felt a light resonance with the three inheritors of his image. So by the time that he walked up to the camp, the leaders of the groups were waiting for him.

They saluted Randidly as he scrutinized them. In response, he smiled. “Good; it seems you weren’t too close to Commander Shilling when space destabilized. That will make things easier. Movement through the shattered space is possible, but its best for most of you to remain here. Raymund and DiOrtho… come with me.”

The two nodded and walked over to his side. After one more long glance to inspect the solidified and strengthened images of his recruits, Randidly turned away. His gaze went to his Lancers and turned thoughtful. The way his Skill had evolved altered his relationship with the Lancers; it was for the best that he address that now-

“Wait!”

Randidly paused and turned around. Charlotte Wick strode forward, looking at him with an intense gaze. At her back was Jieu Ronault and Vizzeret Clamman. Looking at them, it was easy to anticipate their thoughts.

Charlotte opened her mouth to continue speaking but Randidly raised a hand to stop here. “I can see your intent. You want to accompany me as well, correct? After experiencing the way your three images can work together… you understand your capability. Which I won’t deny is significant. But you don’t understand the threat of what we might encounter where we are heading.

“Still…” Randidly hesitated. Then he shrugged. “Well, I’m not omniscient; perhaps you have improved more than I expected. If you want to come… you just have to best Raymund. You can even fight three against one. And to make sure that your leader doesn’t throw this opportunity…”

Randidly gave Raymund a deep look. “If you lose to them, you won’t accompany me deeper into this place.”

Raymund’s face twisted into a deep frown. He understood the implication; if Raymund did not overcome these three, he would not have the chance to locate his brother.

Seeing the understanding in his subordinate’s eyes, Randidly turned away. “Alright, take care of it. We don’t have much time, so fight immediately. I need to address my Lancers, so I’ll be waiting over there. Come find me when you have a winner.”