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I Got a New Skill Every Time I Was Exiled, and After 100 Different Worlds, I Was Unmatched (Web Novel) - Chapter 523: Even When Thinking Wont Lead to an Answer, There Are Times When All You Can Do Is Think.
Chapter 523: Even When Thinking Wont Lead to an Answer, There Are Times When All You Can Do Is Think.
This chapter is updated by JustRead.pl
What the hell is this!? I cant see a thing!Surrounding me was nothing but darknesspure, unbroken, impenetrable darkness. This wasnt the trendy, mysterious kind of void where you could still see your own body; this was the real deal. I couldnt even see my hand if I brought it right up to my nose.
Its really pitch black But I can hear your voice, Ed, so you must be nearby, right?
Tia? Yeah, Im right he Wait! Dont move! Stay completely still!
Huh!? O-okay!
The casual tone in Tias voice made me panic. I almost yelled at her as I barked out my warning. Once I was sure she heard me, I carefully began exploring the space around me, making sure not to move my right foot even an inch. Slowly, I stretched out my arms, feeling for anything in the surrounding area. Halfway through turning my body, my hand brushed against something soft.
Kyah! Ed, what are you grabbing
Tia!? Is that you!? It is you, right? Then just grab my hand and hold on tight!
Alright, alright! Just stop moving your fingers so much! There. Is this good?
The soft sensation left my hand, replaced by a firm but gentle grip.
Good. Now Tia, activate [Engage Heart]
Hmm Alright.
[Like this?]
Hearing her voice echo in my mind, I exhaled deeply and let my shoulders relax.
Yeah, perfect. Phew Thank goodness, I muttered as relief washed over me.
With the connection established, Tia deactivated the ability and spoke aloud again.
Whats going on, Ed? You seemed really frantic just now, she asked, her tone curious but concerned.
Well, the place is pitch black, right? If we hadnt grabbed each others hands just now, we couldve easily gotten separatedand once that happened, thered be no way to find each other again. Plus, if something replaced you with an imposter, I wouldnt even be able to tell.
Oh, I see. Thats why you had me activated it
Exactly.
This situation was clearly abnormal. Considering what had just happened with Lukas severed head, the possibility of a new enemywhether it be another Apostle of God or some other forcewas all too real.
The only reason Id managed to defeat Luka was because Junior Luka had warned me in advance, giving me time to prepare. It wasnt a victory of raw strengthId won because Id been ready.
Well, if its that dark, why dont we try lighting it up? Tia suggested, her tone casual.
Thats a good idea if it works. Tia, can you give it a shot?
Sure.
At my request, Tia began softly chanting, invoking her spirit magic to summon light. But the darkness remained as oppressive as everthere wasnt even the faintest glimmer of illumination.
Huh? Sorry, Ed. Its not working. I dont think the spells activating at all.
I see Alright, let me try something. Hold onto my shoulders, Tia.
Okay. Like this?
Perfect.
Feeling her hands rest lightly on my shoulders, I opened my [Strangers Box] and retrieved a lantern. First, I tried activating a magic lantern, but it didnt even flicker to life. Frustrated, I switched to a regular lantern and struck it with a flint to ignite a flame.
The flint sparked mechanically, but no fire appearedor if it did, it was invisible in the darkness.
Whats happening? Is it just that we cant see the sparks, or are they not even appearing?
Probably just that we cant see them. If we lit something on fire, wed know for sure, but
Lighting a fire when we cant even see is kind of scary, Tia said, a hint of unease in her voice.
Yeah, no kidding.
Imagining Tias likely nervous expression in the dark, I let out a wry chuckle of my own. Sure, if the fire actually lit up the area, thatd be great. But the thought of an invisible flame spreading silently, unnoticed, until it was too late? That was terrifying.
So does this mean lightor the very concept of lightcant exist here?
What? Is that even possible? Tia asked, incredulous.
Well, its happening, isnt it? I replied.
Light and darkness were fundamental components of the world, like gravity or the cycle of day and night. If someone could manipulate such a basic concept, theyd have to be a godor something equally powerful.
Normally, the idea wouldve seemed absurd. But Id already experienced divine interference firsthand, so I couldnt simply dismiss it as impossible.
If thats the case, cant you do something about it with your own power, Ed? Tia asked innocently.
Its not that simple, I replied, frowning.
If this phenomenon was being directly caused by God, the sheer disparity in power meant there was nothing I could do.
Destroying the concept of darkness itself wasnt an option either. Erasing something so fundamental would be harder than ending an entire world. And even if I succeeded, the result would simply be a pitch-white voidan equally unlivable reality.
If this was being caused by a magical artifact or a lesser Apostle, I might have a shot. But without knowing whoor wherethe source was, I was running blind.
Wait If we can locate the source I muttered. Appear, [Akashic Compass]
The compass materialized in my handor at least, I assumed it did.
Damn it, I cant see a thing.
The compass was useless in total darkness. Its functionality relied entirely on visibility.
Ed Tias voice was soft, almost trembling.
Dont sound like that! Alright, lets try linking it with [Auto-Mapping]
I activated the ability, but once again, nothing happened. The map that shouldve appeared before me didnt manifesteven magical projections seemed blocked in this darkness.
Damn it! What the hell am I supposed to do!? I growled in frustration.
You cant see anything, but its not actually hurting us, right? Maybe theres nothing we can do for now, Tia offered.
This is some seriously advanced harassment, but its not exactly an attack. Since its more of a phenomenon, theres no way to defend against or dodge it. And without knowing the cause, we cant fight back or escape either.
We cant see anything here, but if this is the usual place, isnt there a door to the next world somewhere? Its a shame we cant read {Record Of The Heros Story} but maybe the world beyond this one will be normal? Tia suggested.
Hmm. If I knew for sure that was the case, Id consider it
The truth is, theres no world safer than this
Theres no one else hereno enemies to attack us, no hunger, no tiredness. That means we dont have to worry about running out of food or succumbing to exhaustion.
But if we left for another world, that safety would vanish. What if the next world was just as dark as this one? Wed have to grope around aimlessly in the darkness, try to find a hero somewhere, secure food, and defend ourselves from unseen enemiesall while enduring this blindness for half a year.
No Thats too risky. For now, lets stay here, monitor the situation, and figure something out. Weve got all the time in the world.
Alright. If thats what you think, Ed, lets take it easy for now, Tia said calmly.
With that, Tia gently nudged me down, laying my head on something soft. It didnt take long to figure out what it wasa lap pillow.
Tia? Lap pillow? Why?
No reason, really. It just feels calming this way.
Does it now? Well, if youre okay with it, I wont complain.
She began stroking my hair gently, like one might do to soothe a small child. If it helped Tia relax, I wasnt about to object.
The warmth pressing against the back of my head was the only thing I could feel in this pitch-black world. With that as my single anchor, I lt my thoughts drift into the depths of my mind.
