Chapter 377

The Hollow Vale—at the very center of this continent lay an immense empty valley, one that connected directly to the Abyss.

From the continent’s core, one could descend straight into the Abyss itself.

This was knowledge recorded within the White Tower.

Across the Moon Sea, this land was well known, because it was one of the very few places in the world that provided a passage into the Abyss.

Abyssal creatures were grotesque and terrifying—but precisely because of their rarity, they carried immense value.

"So this is where I’ll set up the ritual..."

To construct a passage to the Deep Layer in the real world, one had to rely on an existing gateway.

Whether it was a passage to the Celestial Realm or one leading into the Abyss, it didn’t matter—as long as it was a preexisting route from the real world into another plane.

Once the ritual was completed...

That passage would be completely transformed into an entrance to the Deep Layer.

But before that—

Kanzaki Rei looked toward a radiant cluster of light somewhere on the island.

On this island, there also existed a Forbidden Magic that could be obtained.

One of the Ten Primal Forbidden Spells.

This trip really was convenient.

"Kid."

Ansu’s voice sounded within his mind.

"What is it?" Kanzaki Rei replied.

"You should start explaining the changes that have happened to you."

Rei responded indifferently in his mind, "Why would I need to tell you anything?"

Ansu’s tone grew heavier. "I can feel it—you’ve accepted some kind of mysterious power."

"And you’re just... comfortable using it like that?"

"Tell me. Let me analyze it for you. Maybe I can even give you some advice."

Throughout the journey, Ansu hadn’t spoken much.

But his thoughts had been anything but quiet. He couldn’t help but dwell on the changes in Kanzaki Rei.

What exactly had happened to his mindscape?

Why had his control over his own psyche become so refined?

He had been hesitating—should he ask or not?

Meanwhile, Kanzaki Rei hadn’t interacted with him much either.

Before, Rei would actively ask questions—about hidden knowledge, ancient history.

But now, he didn’t ask anything.

A sense of unease crept into Ansu’s mind.

Something felt off.

Finally, after disembarking, Ansu couldn’t hold back anymore and voiced his doubts.

Kanzaki Rei paused, then said, "Ansu... do you know Lottie?"

Ansu replied, "The Lottie who governs the mind?"

That answer alone gave Kanzaki Rei confirmation.

So it was the same person.

"...Yeah. That should be her."

Ansu let out a soft chuckle. "You met her in the Deep Layer, didn’t you? I heard she personally entered it... and after that, no one ever saw her again."

"There’s a rumor that her divine realm fused with the Deep Layer itself—becoming indistinguishable from it."

"So you entered the Deep Layer... and met Lottie."

He continued,

"She’s a cunning woman. If you’ve encountered her, you’d better be careful."

"Cunning?" Kanzaki Rei echoed.

At the same time, he couldn’t help but think to himself—

You’re not exactly innocent in that regard either, Ansu.

"I was wondering why you’ve seemed a bit strange lately. You haven’t been spiritually contaminated, yet you’re clearly different from before."

"And you’ve been hiding things from me, refusing to talk."

"Do you really think that speaking face-to-face with a god who governs the mind wouldn’t affect you in any way?"

Kanzaki Rei frowned.

Then, to Ansu’s surprise, he replied directly, "I think she’s more trustworthy than you."

Hearing that immediate rebuttal, Ansu burst into laughter.

"Hahaha! Trustworthy?"

"Why?"

"You can read every thought in my mind, yet you think I’m untrustworthy."

"You know nothing about her, yet you trust her?"

"Is it just because she looks pitiful? Because she needed your help?"

That question struck deeper than expected.

Kanzaki Rei fell silent.

After a moment, he could only admit, "...You have a point."

I... trusted Lottie that much?

If Ansu hadn’t pointed it out, he wouldn’t have even realized it.

"Heh. So now do you still think you haven’t been influenced by her mind?"

"What did she ask you to do?"

Kanzaki Rei answered, "She wants me to help her set up a ritual that connects to the Deep Layer."

Ansu gave a knowing chuckle. "Just as I expected."

"Looks like she wants to compete for a Moon Phase position..."

From just a few fragments of information, Ansu had already pieced together most of what Lottie intended.

"I don’t have much direct interaction with her."

"But there’s a legend from a certain era..."

"It’s said she once briefly took control of the entire world’s minds."

"Even I wasn’t an exception."

"It only lasted a very, very short time—five seconds."

"But no one knows what she did during those five seconds."

Hearing this—and sensing the memories accompanying Ansu’s recollection—Kanzaki Rei couldn’t help but feel a flicker of shock.

Controlling the entire world’s minds?

...Was that the power of a god?

Could a Level 9 class evolver achieve something like that?

"Kid, I can’t say whether working with her is good or bad. I don’t know her well enough."

"But based on the rumors, she’s extremely cunning."

"She’s deceived many people—played with human hearts like pieces on a board."

"You’d better be careful."

And just as Kanzaki Rei was conversing with Ansu—

"Luluwei, is this the companion you mentioned, nya?"

Pat—

A hand landed on Kanzaki Rei’s head.

Rub rub rub rub—

Messing up his hair completely.

His train of thought was interrupted. Kanzaki Rei turned to look at Shumi.

"What an adorable little kid."

Luluwei, half-lidding one eye, said lazily, "If you make him mad, I won’t be able to stop him."

Shumi blinked. "You can’t stop this kid?"

...Sigh.

So he ended up meeting Shumi again after all.

On the ship, Luluwei and Kanzaki Rei had mostly kept to themselves.

But after disembarking, Luluwei naturally regrouped with him.

And Shumi—who had grown close to her during the voyage—followed along.

Kanzaki Rei gently removed her hand and greeted her like a well-behaved child.

"Hello, big sister."

...

Somehow, before he realized it, their group had grown to eight people.

Kanzaki Rei, Reina Kiyomi, and Luluwei were originally together.

Then Shumi and her adventuring party joined them—five members in total: a Defender, a Warrior, a Hunter, a Mage, and a Healer.

Their roles were clearly defined and well-balanced.

They had come to the Hollow Vale for exploration.

Apparently, they had found a fragment of a Fallen Moon relic on Fallen Moon Island—something that could open an Abyssal rift.

Through it, they could hunt large numbers of Abyssal creatures.

That was the purpose of their journey.

Because of its connection to the Abyss, the Hollow Vale attracted many adventurers.

However, unlike Fallen Moon Island—which was purely an adventuring zone—

The Hollow Vale also contained unique nations and city-states, inhabited by civilians ranging from Level 1 to Level 3.

From the knowledge Kanzaki Rei had gathered through prior simulations, he had already developed a solid understanding of the area.

Unfortunately, that Forbidden Magic couldn’t be obtained within a single day.

Although he could see the radiant cluster, the actual spell lay hidden deep within ancient ruins.

If it were easily accessible, he would have already mastered it while still aboard the ship.

The continent itself resembled a funnel-shaped ring—the closer one moved toward the center, the deeper it sank.

And at its deepest point...

It connected directly to the Abyss.