Chapter 588 Uncertainty
Somewhere within the World Zone where the World of Inferno was located, a large Space Vessel ripped through the boundary of World Zones around an hour ago. Then, without stopping for a moment, it cut through the empty Chaotic Space, homing towards a set coordinate.
The Space Vessel belonged to the Overworld Serpent. Aboard it was a crew led by a Rank 4?Transcendent with an organizational rank of Serpent Knight.
It's the rank above Serpent Sentinel, however, not every Rank 4 Transcendent belonging to the organization is granted the same title.
Usually, only those who were granted the title Serpent Sentinels could be promoted to that rank. The selection is actually not just by a whim but based on their potential. Most Serpent Sentinels are deemed to be future Sage Ranks.
However, as the organization expanded, they set up a Promotion Channel that could allow emerging Rank 4 Transcendents who proved their competence the chance to receive the title.
As for Rank 5 Transcendents, they're automatically promoted to the next rank given how hard it was to achieve for denizens of Transcendent Worlds and below.
They're considered the start of the organization's Elite Members and were allowed to come to the Sage World where the Headquarters of the organization was located. They're either awarded the chance to assimilate the Level 3 inherent Source Energy if their Pathway matched the Source Energy type or given treasures as an award and compensation if their Pathway didn't match.
The Serpent Knight and his crew were stationed at Fortress World that's used to protect the Mine Worlds closest to them. They mobilized right away as soon as the Serpentine World gave the directive.
With their Space Vessel specialized in patrolling and chasing after hostile elements, they're the ones who arrived first within the Star System of the Mine World.
The Serpent Knight stood at the helm, watching the scenery unfolding in front of their eyes.
"That's the Mine World we're supposed to defend. It's already crumbling…" He solemnly said as he watched it turning into ruins as Chaotic Energy engulfed it.
On their way, they passed by a few Space Vessels belonging to the same organization. However, the crew of those vessels were simple grunts tasked to deliver resources mined from that world.
They stopped some of them for questioning and they got filled in with some of the information the Serpentine World failed to provide.
"Huh. So, it's the truth. One Space Vessel which contained only a few Transcendents attacked them. What's uncanny is they're saying the strongest of them is only gauged as late Rank 3 Transcendent. The rest are peak Rank 2 and some early Rank 3. How did they do it? Not to mention, extracting the Source Energy Core this quickly." The Serpent Knight mused.
His crew are all Rank 3 Transcendent and some are even sitting at peak stage. Even if they're not Serpent Sentinels, their Pathway progress alone could route a weak group like that.
So how?
That's the question that lingered on his head as their Space Vessel continued to close in on the ruined Mine World.
"Sir Knight, we detected traces of acceleration boost going in a different direction than the Space Vessels we encountered on the way. We suspect they're the culprits escaping the scene."
One of his crew members tasked to perform an immediate scan of the surroundings and analysis of the remaining Source Energy within the Chaotic Space reported.
"Are you certain it's not left behind to mislead us?"
"It's uncertain, Sir! However, that's the only lead. The Mine World and its denizens are doomed. Investigating the ruin it will become won't yield satisfactory results"
"Okay. Set the thrusters in full acceleration. We have to catch them before the other crews rob us of this credit." The Serpent Knight commanded.
Though he said that to motivate his crew members, he didn't dare to be confident against a motley crew of weaker Transcendents that managed to take down Serpent Sentinels and get away with the Mine World's Source Energy Core.
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Several minutes later, Yuko and I entered the isolation room to check on the woman's condition. I had Yse remained outside but I told her to keep her Eye of Destiny open.
Since we've proven that even when there's something called tied fates, our destinies are still bound to change, I cannot rule out the possibility that what Yse saw through her eyes earlier would change.
I mean, that happened before the Eye of Nihility made that deal with me. However, since there are also predetermined fates, it's more than likely to not change right away unless a special condition has been met.
"Dai-kun. You said that the pair of eyes she possessed is not necessarily something specialized for Ice Element. It's the feeling of dread and desolateness." Yuko inquired using the result of my observation earlier.
That's something her Foresight and her experience couldn't discern for her.
"Yes. That's why I called it the Eye of Nihility. She must have allowed it to be adopted by her Pathway. Moreover, she's the same as you back then, you thought the Eye of Destiny only had the ability to see people's connection to each other yet, it's just one of its wondrous abilities."
"You're right. She's possibly unaware of it. I've only become privy to more secrets of the Eye of Destiny when I became a Sage."
Yuko's eyes scanned the woman one more time before returning to my side.
With the lack of Source Energy and the fact that the Eye of Nihility should also be restricted, that mysterious pair of eyes wouldn't be able to complain if we killed the veiled woman right here.
However, I cannot go back to my words. Even if I haven't been restricted by an Oath or a Pledge to the World's Will, I don't think it's wise just to throw that deal into the dumpster.
Who knows what will happen if someday it reappears to a new possessor and it becomes hell-bent on chasing after me for breaking the deal? It will be more troublesome for us given that we're still unaware of the full potential of that mystical pair of eyes.
By honoring our side of the deal, there's a possibility that it will become our helpful ally.
Furthermore, Yuko mentioned to me that the woman is a part of that future vision of hers. She's unsure whether she's a Companion or just an ally like the heroes which is different from her usual confidence about that vision.
Considering how I used that as some sort of guideline when my memory had yet to be retrieved, it's quite a certainty that this woman – if we follow the deal – won't become an enemy.
Or am I trusting it too much, I don't know.
Somehow, I couldn't help but sense that something was amiss. Is it because of Yuko's uncertainty?
I wonder. I usually trust my guts but I can't pinpoint the true source of it at the moment.
"Husband! Come here. I think we are?being pursued by a Space Vessel!"
As I was lost in that thought, Nysia's voice suddenly rang across the room through Kingfisher's internal communication.
Feeling a sense of urgency, we concluded our checkup on the captive woman and left the brig. Yuko and Yse followed after me.
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