Chapter 814: Hidden Story (6)
The question about the existence of beings from another dimension. This question, in itself, wasn’t anything unusual. In fact, the existence of "evil spirits" had already spread widely throughout Lafdonia. But the problem was...
‘The fact that this guy, who claims to be from the past, brought up that word...’
While hesitating, Arta sharpened his gaze.
[“Answers given after long hesitation are usually mixed with lies.”]
There was no clear statement, but from my point of view, it felt like he might end the conversation at any moment. So...
[“I was only briefly surprised. I have no intention of lying.”]
[“Please answer. We don’t have much time.”]
Given the tight schedule, I couldn’t afford to let the hesitation drag on.
[“...Yes. They exist.”]
I quickly agreed and moved on to the second question.
[“How do you know that?”]
I wanted to ask whether evil spirits had existed in the past as well, but I held back. From experience, it was best to avoid yes/no questions like that.
[“Is that a question?”]
[“Yes, it is.”]
[“I didn’t know for sure. I just speculated. If I knew, I wouldn’t have asked.”]
[“Such vague answers are troublesome.”]
When I pressed for a clearer explanation, Arta, acknowledging my complaint, quickly elaborated.
[“During the Labyrinth project, there were often unexpected variables. We discovered unidentified creatures we hadn’t created within the labyrinth. Their appearance was completely different from ours, but they possessed intelligence. After much research, we concluded that these ‘unidentified creatures’ were beings from another dimension.”]
[“I understand what you mean. But then—”]
[“I think this answer is sufficient for now.”]
Well, the explanation was long, so I couldn’t press for more.
[“Then, may I ask my question now?”]
[“Go ahead.”]
[“Please explain the power of the origin.”]
This might be the core of it. From what I gathered, this seemed to be the power behind the "Labyrinth."
[“It is a power that exists in every dimension. Our empire discovered it by chance, and after much research, we found a way to harness the energy that leaks from it.”]
[“That’s still vague. A bit more, please.”]
[“By using the power of the origin, we can create new artificial dimensions. However, it’s not infinite, and the more we use, the more the power diminishes.”]
[“What happens if you use all of it?”]
It was a casual question, hoping for some insight, but surprisingly, Arta answered coolly.
[“You’ll see for yourself.”]
[“...?”]
[“The end of one dimension will come. Just like now.”]
...I was starting to get a sense of what was happening.
***
The conversation with Arta continued.
He repeatedly asked questions about our world, and I, likewise, asked him about his world. And then...
[“I think I’ve waited long enough. Tell me, why is today ‘the last day’?”]
[“You’re in a hurry, aren’t you? Before I answer that, may I ask you one more question?”]
[“Go ahead.”]
The order of things was off, but this much was fine.
[“Have you ever met or heard of a being... no, an intelligent entity that defines and refers to itself as ‘Arta’?”]
At the moment I asked, I scanned my surroundings. I couldn’t understand how he knew about this. Had any of the other members slipped up?
But...
[“I don’t think I need an answer, but I’d like to hear your confirmation.”]
[“Yes, I have.”]
[“I thought so.”]
Upon hearing my affirmative answer, Arta wore a serious expression and seemed to be deep in thought. I couldn’t help but ask.
[“How did you know that?”]
It was essentially the same question I had asked earlier. It felt like the conversation was slowly slipping into confusion. The more we spoke, the more the questions shifted.
But anyway, the answer came quickly.
[“The reason I knew about another ‘Arta’ is simple. I was planning such a thing myself. Though it seems I’ve failed, in the end.”]
[“Are you saying you and that ‘Arta’ are the same person?”]
[“I can’t say we’re 100% identical, but it’s highly likely. Would it be possible for me to meet him?”]
[“I’ll answer this preemptively: It’s impossible. Even if we set sail from here, it will take several more hours.”]
[“I see. Now, I believe I’ve gotten the answers I wanted. Time is up.”]
[“What?”]
After I’d asked one more question in quick succession, he was about to bail out? I felt betrayed and instinctively reached for the hammer.
[“So now, just listen to me. That will be far more useful to you.”]
[“It’s better to act quickly.”]
[“First, when I leave, go to another Arta and tell him everything you know about me. He will be able to provide more detailed information about my past than I can.”]
[“And?”]
[“Second, if you manage to ‘survive’ and return to Lafdonia, go to the coordinates I’m giving you. I will have hidden something useful there.”]
Hidden in Lafdonia? How was that even possible? I couldn’t understand. Was this guy an NPC, or was he real? If what he said were true, this wouldn’t be just some hidden feature in the Labyrinth—it would change everything.
‘...Enough, I’ve got the coordinates, so let’s check it out later.’
Right, let’s put these confusing thoughts aside for now and focus on what we can verify right away.
[“What do you mean by ‘if you survive’? What does that mean?”]
[“Ah, I didn’t explain that yet. There was a big obstacle we encountered during the Labyrinth project, but the biggest problem wasn’t the other-dimensional threats or the enemy factions. It was just a phenomenon.”]
[“Phenomenon?”]
[“Though we haven’t figured out the exact cause, there have been several times during the Labyrinth project when dimensions warped, and research expeditions were completely wiped out.”]
...So he’s talking about dimension collapses, huh?
[“Earlier, you asked why today is the ‘last day,’ right?”]
I couldn’t say anything in response.
[“This is the answer to that question.”]
So, he’s saying... Today, the dimension collapse is going to happen?
[“Oh, oh...”]
I felt my mind go blank, not knowing what to think.
That’s when I found myself staring blankly into space.
Beep beep beep—!
The notification sound from Arta’s device echoed again.
Beep beep beep—!
This time, the sound felt even more urgent. As soon as I heard it, Arta suddenly lunged toward me.
And...
[“Third, changing the future is never an impossible task.”]
[“What? Are you sure you know what you’re saying?”]
Did he even have time to hear me?
[“Now, here’s the final thing. Remember this: In a normal dimension, no beings from another dimension can enter.”]
Arta grabbed my arm and quickly continued.
[“Beings from other dimensions can only enter through—”]
Flash—!
That was the end of our conversation.
***
The world flashed, and not much changed. Amelia’s [Last Day] thunder strike, the meteors, were still falling down below, and even after capturing the beast, the island continued to erupt with lava as if it were about to explode at any moment. But there was only one thing that had changed.
‘Please, just finish your words before you leave...’
Arta, who had been speaking with me just a moment ago, vanished right before my eyes.
“......”
“......”
Since we started speaking in the ancient tongue, the other members, who had been quietly observing, were still looking at me, trying to figure out what was going on. In this strange silence, I quietly took a moment to process.
Changing the future, beings from another dimension, hiding rewards in the city... All these far-off-sounding things aside, if I were to focus on what really mattered right now, it had to be this.
‘A dimensional collapse is going to happen.’
That sudden thought hit me, and I realized that maybe meeting the past version of Arta required these two conditions. The dimensional collapse occurring, and using [Last Day] on this island. Of course, this was just a guess, and I couldn’t be sure that these conditions were actually correct.
Anyway...
‘If my assumption is right... that means the moment [Last Day] ends, the dimensional collapse will begin...’
There’s still time left until then.
It’s not much, but there’s still some.
‘I won’t have time to make it to the 5th floor.’
If Arta’s words are true, today we will face the first dimensional collapse from the 6th floor. So, there’s only one thing to do right now.
“Auyen, how long will it take to get back to Arta Island from here?”
“We won’t be able to go as fast as we did when we came. I think we pushed the ship too much on the way here...”
“Just tell me this, can we make the round trip in nine hours?”
“...It’s impossible with the current ship. We’ve already used most of the magic stone to get here. And the medium-sized ships consume much more spiritual power than the small ones...”
“...I see.”
“Actually... I have a small ship prepared. With that, I can use my abilities to make the timing work, but...”
“Then what?”
“The problem is, only three people can fit in it.”
“Good enough. I’ll stay behind with Auyen, and the others will wait here.”
I made the decision quickly, but Amelia immediately raised an objection.
“Wait a minute, there’s one seat left. Why are you two going alone?”
“I’m not going to fight. If there’s going to be a fight, it won’t matter if it’s two or three of us.”
“But still...”
“Time is running out. This conversation ends here. Emily, you stay here and prepare.”
“...What should I prepare for?”
I smiled bitterly at her question. Even after saying that, I had no idea what we should prepare for.
‘Maybe...’
This might be the toughest expedition we’ve had yet.