A Background Character’s Path to Power Chapter 447: A World Away

Having this advanced appraisal ability made interactions with people much simpler. Spotting concealed important figures or uncovering betrayers stopped being a matter of gut feelings. All I needed was a glance to reveal the facts floating right there in the atmosphere.

I'd pushed its boundaries earlier this month already.

The outcome was... sobering.

[ Name: ??? ]

[ Rank: ??? ]

[ Affiliation: The Black Spire | ??? ]

[Titles: Mistress of The Spire | ???]

[ Trauma: ??? ]

[ Obsession: ??? ]

[???...]

Question marks filled every line except for that title and affiliation. I learned about them solely because of that insight.

Still, the System couldn't fully break through her barriers.

That shortcoming just confirmed my previous theory. The difference between us went beyond mere ranks. She operated on a level way beyond what my powers could touch. Without a doubt, she was beyond the Mythical rank, maybe a real primordial or even older being.

I pushed the idea aside. At least facing the divide was preferable to staying in the dark about it.

At last, I focused on the Narrative Glimpse.

This ability had improved a lot too, picking up a vital new feature: [Scenario Discovery].

Before, it only showed info on plots I'd already started. These days, I could examine my environment to see if I was stumbling into a storyline without realizing or if I was tied to some secret narrative yet to be revealed.

I'd experimented with it several times during the past two and a half months.

Yet, to double-check, I triggered it once more today.

[ Scanning... ]

[ ... ]

[ No Active Scenarios Found. ]

I gazed at the blank record.

'Nothing yet, I see.'

Regrettably, or maybe luckily, no ongoing plots involved me at the moment.

It felt odd.

In a realm ruled by story-driven rules, quiet times were frequently riskier than turmoil. Protagonists typically got caught up in epic fates or urgent threats. But me? Stuck in a realm of horrors, wed to a bizarre entity, with a disaster lurking in my spirit... and the System labeled it all as 'ordinary.'

I was totally absent from the story map.

'Ah well,' I let out a light laugh, shutting down the display and settling back into the cushions. 'Better savor this calm before it vanishes.'

Still, thinking about what I'd abandoned in my home world stirred a twinge of concern.

The System's hush didn't only mean I was out of harm's way; it meant I was cut off.

Ever since landing here, I'd lost all connection to the plots playing out in the primary world. My Narrative Glimpse couldn't cross the divide separating the Nightmare Realm from my own plane. I remained in the dark about global happenings.

That said, the flood of scenario finish notifications right after the fight let me know the urgent dangers were over.

But nearly three months had passed since then.

Three months could bring endless changes.

I looked up at the shadowy, swirling bed canopy, my thoughts wandering to faces I hadn't glimpsed in ages.

'I wonder what Cassandra's up to these days.'

Has she claimed her spot as the Merchant Queen? Lacking my hands-on help, could she manage the aftermath of the kill plot and the foes' political pushes? Is she totally secure, or are the predators still hovering, eyeing any slip?

What about Aeron and Emilia?

I'd altered their doomed path, yet the road forward stayed perilous. Had they discovered a fix for her Eternal Sleep Syndrome? I wished that heart-wrenching harem lead hadn't pulled any wild stunts to rescue her.

'How's Shaela faring?'

The picture of that shy but devoted girl popped into my head. Did her awakening go smoothly? Did she get the money and note I'd set aside for her? I hoped no issues arose. With Emory around, maybe I could ease up a bit. Nolan? Even if he stepped in to fix things back then, I didn't think highly of him. But sure, I trust his older brother vibe.

'And Uru'en with her people...'

Last I saw, Nemo had whisked them off. Did they make it out unharmed? Anyone injured? Sadly, without a plot tying them in, I got no updates on them. I just pray that shattered crown heir, Bane, left them alone.

His name brought my mind to the capital.

'Aurelia and Vance... they're okay, I hope?'

The spectral princess and her quiet guardian. No word on them since the second ordeal. Did they clear the rest of the tests without trouble? Bane didn't stir up issues for them, did he? Fingers crossed.

In the end, the weightiest concern weighed on my heart.

'My family.'

My mom and dad.

My brothers and sisters, never even met.

Did they come across the message I left? Did they believe what was written?

...I really hope so.

If they didn't...

The very idea was unbearable.

Just picturing harm coming their way sent a fierce, gut-twisting pain through me.

Our time together was brief, and I'd forgotten much of our history, but underneath all the calculations and plots, I'd acknowledged my love for them ages ago.

If that weren't true, why fret over them so? Why go to extremes with that note and their protection before heading off to my supposed end?

Blood ties were a scary force. They linked you to folks over vast distances and worlds, tugging at your core no matter the reason or space.

'They must be safe,' I breathed out, the words sounding more like a desperate wish.

Luckily, one wild element offered a bit of comfort.

Lady Nisha.

She'd vowed it to me. That erratic, immensely strong lady had pledged their safeguard. Given her might, I felt secure. Should she honor her promise, no plot or killer could reach the Luthaire home.

I breathed out deeply, the tightness in my body easing.

And at last...

My mind wandered to the barren lands, the deadliest spot on the landmass.

'I wonder what Zephyr and the Turtle Brothers are up to now?'

Still buried in the Forbidden Zone, chasing monstrosities and hardening themselves against the void gales? Or have they ventured forth, their regimen done?

A soft, ironic grin curved my mouth.

'Is Master still thrashing them mercilessly under the guise of 'training'?'

I could picture it clearly. The cruel spark in the ancient serpent's gaze as he battered the unfortunate siblings, insisting it built their strength. I longed for that harsh straightforwardness. I missed just enduring his drills instead of battling universal terrors. His terrors were at least endearing and practical.

And...

My grin dimmed a touch.

'Do they even know my fate?'

Master Virion remained a mystery. His grasp of reality surpassed any ordinary person's. When the rift consumed me, when I disappeared from existence... did he feel it?

Did he grasp that his junior pupil wasn't merely gone... but banished from that realm forever?

I fixed my eyes on the overhead, a deep loneliness washing over me.

'Don't count me out just yet, old timer,' I thought quietly. 'I'm not intending to perish in this place.'