Bologue, a powerful Negative Power User, arrives and single-handedly annihilates a horde of Bloodthirsty creatures with overwhelming gravity. He rescues Kemp and Qico, revealing he was dispatched to the area due to recent Night Race activity. They survey the devastation of a nearby village, consumed by fire and chaos, a grim testament to the Night Race's plague-like spread. Bologue then meets Yoni, a member of the Disaster Warning Team, suggesting their work is far from over.
"The situation has changed."
This phrase has become a common utterance within the Order Bureau following the Decline Plague event.
After Oubos managed to recover from the catastrophic aftermath, the Order Bureau did not ease its guard. Instead, their vigilance intensified, keenly anticipating any shifts from the Kagader Empire across the Narrow Countries. Yet, amidst this heightened state of alert, the Kagader Empire remained conspicuously quiet. For a period, the King’s Secret Swords seemed to have vanished, retreating within their own borders after withdrawing from the Narrow Countries.
The Order Bureau theorized that this was a precautionary measure against Xilin's imminent return and the impending reformation of the King’s Shield Guard under his command. It appeared to be the prelude to a long-delayed civil war within the Kagader Empire.
However, this predicted civil war never materialized. For an extended duration after the Decline Plague subsided, not only the Kagader Empire but also Xilin himself maintained an unusual silence. His return, initially causing a stir after the Great Rift, had since faded without a trace.
Despite this, news of Xilin's reappearance had spread across the continent like wildfire, reaching the ears of all Extraordinary Influences. It felt like the calm before an inevitable storm, yet the entire Extraordinary World settled into an unnerving peace.
This eerie tranquility persisted until a series of internal conflicts erupted within the Rhine Alliance, ignited by unrest within the Night Race.
On the train corridor, a constant flow of people moved amidst rising and falling noises. Passengers, burdened with luggage, pushed forward, their previously amicable greetings now tinged with a palpable anxiety.
The atmosphere within the carriage was thick with exhaustion. Faces reflected profound weariness, and those without reserved seats resorted to occupying the aisle. Behind them, others perpetually vied for a sliver of space, hoping to get closer to a window for a breath of fresh air. A dim, grayish light permeated the carriage, casting a pall over the anxious passengers. Some sought assistance, while the majority remained focused on their destinations or simply tried to breathe, intensifying the oppressive air. In this confined, crowded space, every movement seemed to heighten everyone's unease.
Bologue navigated the thronged aisle, making his way to the next carriage, where the space unexpectedly widened. This section was designated for Field Staff, segregating them from the civilian passengers.
Nevertheless, even within this exclusive carriage, the injured Field Staff mirrored the subdued spirits of those in the civilian sections.
Some attendants massaged aching shoulders, sitting listlessly on leaning boards with vacant stares. Others sat in solitary contemplation, reflecting on their current predicaments, past decisions, and uncertain futures. A collective mood of annoyance settled upon each face as they calculated the remaining travel time, yearning only for a swift arrival to escape their troubles.
Following the conclusion of the Decline Plague event, the Night Race began to emerge. The Order Bureau had anticipated confronting these detestable adversaries, as they had at the Wind Source Highlands. However, their appearance at this particular juncture, in such a scattered fashion, launching bloody plagues across villages and towns far removed from major cities, was entirely unexpected.
This train was tasked with transporting a significant number of civilians whose homes had been contaminated by the Night Race's blood. The rampant fires had consumed countless dwellings. The train would convey them to the nearest city for resettlement, while simultaneously serving as Bologue's return journey to the Order Bureau for mission debriefing.
"I can barely recall the last time I returned to the Order Bureau... Was it about three years ago?" Yoni remarked with a sigh, gazing at the passing scenery from his seat opposite Bologue.
As the Night Race intensified their activities, Bologue was deployed owing to his unique status as a Debtor. As a Negative Power User, he possessed the capability to handle situations independently, functioning as an emergency response unit and accompanying the train to various locations where his assistance was required.
Since departing the Order Bureau a month prior, Bologue had been engaged in continuous travel, surveying the territories of the Rhine Alliance. Guided by an unseen connection, he hunted down Night Race members who were also Debtors and occasionally undertook other tasks, such as the rescue of Yoni.
"I understand your duties involve venturing into remote locales like explorers, locating Ethereal Vortex Points, documenting them, and simultaneously neutralizing those that pose a severe threat and could escalate into Extraordinary Disasters," Bologue stated.
"Precisely," Yoni affirmed, taking a substantial bite of his sandwich.
He hadn't consumed food from human civilization in a considerable time, his sustenance in the deep forests having consisted solely of various insects.
"Then you must be quite seasoned. This isn't your first mission guiding an Ethereal Vortex Point. What could have gone wrong this time?" Bologue inquired, a frown creasing his brow.
A few days prior, Bologue's journey to the subsequent settlement was interrupted by direct orders from the Decision Room. An operative from the eighth group had vanished within the depths of an expansive forest. Given the critical nature of his role, Bologue was assigned the urgent task of locating the missing individual.
Several kilometers into the dense jungle, Bologue discovered Yoni in an unconscious state. At the time of discovery, Yoni's body was severely injured, bearing the marks of what appeared to be a close-range explosive impact.
"Hmm..."
Yoni paused his meal to contemplate, retrieving a worn notebook from an inner pocket. He then produced a pair of battered spectacles and placed them upon his nose.
"Do you comprehend the method for guiding an Ethereal Vortex Point?" Yoni inquired.
Bologue responded with a negative shake of his head.
"In essence, when a substantial quantity of ether accumulates in a specific locale, it mirrors a tranquil water surface suddenly disturbed by a vortex. This surplus ether gradually exerts pressure upon reality, initiating the collapse of the fundamental material structure of the entire region. Concurrently, this vortex draws in more ether, causing it to expand progressively until reality is utterly rent asunder. This is the process by which an Ethereal Vortex Point forms and escalates into an Extraordinary Disaster."
Yoni articulated this explanation while segmenting a page from his notes. He laid the paper flat on the table and meticulously pressed his pen tip into the surface until it penetrated the material.
"Reality has been breached."
Yoni shifted his gaze to Bologue. "To avert such an outcome, we must pinpoint the location of the Ethereal Vortex Point, direct its energy, and diffuse the immense, accumulating ether back into the world."
He inhaled deeply, his breath ragged. "Based on my experience, provided we intervene promptly, guiding an Ethereal Vortex Point typically results in no catastrophic consequences..."
"Yet, this occasion nearly cost you your life," Bologue interjected.
"Indeed."
Yoni nodded, a brief pause preceding his cautious statement, "I perceive this world has become… unfamiliar."
He lowered his head, perusing his notes filled with a series of numerical data. A flicker of uncertainty crossed his face as he spoke haltingly, "I have been engaged in this work for many years, but in recent times..."
"The Ethereal Vortex Points have grown increasingly unpredictable and perilous."
Bologue anticipated Yoni's conclusion and stated it directly. "This must be connected to the general increase in ether concentration. The world's ether concentration is steadily rising; regardless of how much you disperse, it will only intensify until an Ethereal Vortex Point subsumes the entire world, reaching a uniform concentration."
Yoni appeared taken aback, surprised Bologue had mentioned the surge in ether concentration. "How did you become aware of this?"
Years prior, Yoni had begun to suspect an increase in ether levels and had undertaken extensive research and data compilation. For Bologue to casually present this information left him quite astonished.
"Yoni, how long has it been since your return to the Order Bureau?" Bologue inquired.
"Many years have passed, why do you ask?"
Bologue massaged his forehead. "I understand that the eighth group comprises primarily adventurers, and they seldom draw the attention of the Order Bureau unless absolutely necessary. However, I recommend you consider returning when feasible; there are numerous new findings waiting."
Yoni's expression became completely still, and he followed Bologue's suggestion.
"Precisely, as the ether concentration continues its ascent, the frequency of Ethereal Vortex Points will inevitably increase."
He picked up his pen and marked a sequence of dark dots onto the paper.
"The so-called guidance is merely the redistribution of surplus ether back into the world. But with the rising concentration, any effort to guide is rendered futile. These increasingly potent Ethereal Vortex Points will pierce through reality, leading to the complete disintegration of the Material Realm."
Bologue maintained a composed demeanor, possessing knowledge beyond Yoni's grasp. He knew that the ensuing phase would involve the complete convergence of the Ethereal Realm and the Material Realm. Whether this marked the genesis of a New World or the dawn of the apocalypse remained uncertain.
Suddenly, Bologue detected another anomaly and could not refrain from asking, "Yoni, is your exploration team comprised solely of yourself?"
A shadow of sorrow crossed Yoni's eyes. He ran a hand through his unkempt beard and replied in a subdued tone, "According to the regulations of the eighth group, we typically operate in units of five."
Bologue understood the implied tragedy.
Yoni forced himself to state the words without visible emotion, "When the Ethereal Vortex Point erupted, the furious ether warped reality and swept the others away as well."As the train hurtled onward, Bologue gazed out the window at the passing scenery. He had half-expected the blight event to trigger an all-out war between the two colossal beasts. Instead, what unfolded were subtle yet profound transformations, occurring in the shadows.
Suddenly, a profound weariness washed over Bologue. Lately, he'd felt like nothing more than a relentless killing machine, navigating one desolate, nightmarish landscape after another.
Exhausted, he found himself yearning for the company of his friends.
