The Glorious Evolution Chapter 442: We Will Be Just Fine.

The instant Levi transmigrated, his demeanor immediately became serious... While he was aware that Gamemasters possessed more detailed knowledge than the general populace, thus making it simpler for them to notice parallels, he nevertheless sensed that Envy was onto him.

Even more distressingly, he wouldn't be the only Gamemaster to realize this.

'Tsk, let them second-guess and probe as much as they desire,' Ash'Kral remarked lazily. 'They pose no threat since they cannot disseminate the information, even if it's confirmed, without your explicit consent... Nocturn's regulations are far stricter for them.'

'I understand... yet, the situation remains unsettling,' Levi conveyed with a sigh.

He recognized that Gamemasters faced severe repercussions for divulging any Rifters' secrets without their permission... this applied even if their secrets weren't officially protected under Nocturn's authorization.

As long as these secrets were displayed on the platforms by the players themselves, it was deemed fair play. Otherwise, it was tantamount to revealing the Rifters' hidden trump cards, which would detrimentally impact their subsequent matches.

'The Bishop dispatched his elite forces after me within a game, showing no regard for the resources expended,' Levi stated, his brow furrowed. 'I was uncertain previously whether he had truly deduced my connection to the Celestial, but now... I am quite confident he must have pieced things together.'

Considering the Bishop was the sole entity to witness Levi's weapon transition from a staff to a sniper rifle, it was already a significant clue... Furthermore, he was aware of Levi being a Half-Radain.

Now, Levi had further exposed the Soulleech Maw, his immunity to Aether Flames, and his profound affinity with the Aether Aspect, which he was inevitably destined to utilize in the Nocturnal Ring.

'Whether he knows or not, it changes nothing...' the Titan shared with composure. 'Entities like the Bishop would rather safeguard such a secret until its utility diminishes to them... At present, he likely perceives immense value in such a groundbreaking revelation, as confirming it would grant him sole knowledge of the Celestial's true identity, allowing him to act upon it.'

'We are all aware of how desperately the loyal servants of the Radians and Oblivars are pursuing your demise.'

Upon hearing this, Levi found himself uncertain whether to feel relieved or vexed... He had the distinct impression that his secret was surfacing prematurely, and he was not yet adequately prepared for the impending ramifications.

He had even been compelled to reveal the Soulleech Maw, an ability he had intended to keep concealed as a trump card for a while longer.

'Following your victory, you have secured a guaranteed spot in the Great Campaign's tournament, scheduled to take place in approximately a year and a half. Given your current lack of access to a Dominion, you will be absent from the Nocturnal Ring for an extended period...' Ash'Kral advised. 'I believe it would be prudent for you to keep a low profile until the Great Campaign commences... While not everyone will forget you, you will temporarily recede from the public's attention.'

Within the context of the Chained Universe, life progressed at an astonishing pace, inundated daily with sensational and captivating news. While the Celestial was indeed recognized as an emerging star within their Dimensional Sector, he was not the sole Rifter.

Should Levi maintain a low profile for a year or more under both his identities, his popularity would diminish significantly, thereby extinguishing any lingering rumors that might link them.

Levi was well aware that the universe teemed with conspiracy theorists, who were already meticulously scouring the entire network for any clues regarding the Celestial's identity.

With Levi's revelation of the Soulleech Maw, his true identity was inevitably bound to spread like wildfire, placing him squarely on their radar.

'How bothersome... I doubt I can ever return to Earth until I achieve the Solarbound rank.'

A wry smile touched Levi's lips as he turned towards his companions, who awaited him at the entrance of the Nest.

The portal transported them to the Basilisk Order Squad's nest, situated deep within the vast Himalayan Mountain Range. Fortunately, the divine pillar that descended upon the territory had imbued it with considerable warmth after incinerating the nightcrawlers.

'How is that a predicament?' Ash'Kral inquired calmly. 'Even disregarding safety concerns, you were destined to depart Earth around this juncture... All the necessary resources for your subsequent evolutions are exceedingly rare and will demand genuine effort in your pursuit, whether through auctions or exploration—both necessitate you spreading your wings.'

'I know, I know... Nevertheless, leaving home is never a simple choice.'

Although Levi had always anticipated residing in the Boundless Expanse eventually, to establish his enterprises, forge connections, and so forth, he had never envisioned doing so under these circumstances—fleeing alongside his brother and friends.

However, upon observing the resolute expressions of his younger brother and the girls, as if relocating their lives to the Boundless Expanse posed no issue, he realized he was overthinking the situation.

'As long as we are together, we will undoubtedly be just fine...'

A smile touched his lips as he offered a fabricated excuse to his brother’s inquiry about his prolonged absence... subsequently, he dispatched them to commence the plundering of the treasury, electing to remain behind with Jojo to facilitate her recovery.

Once they had departed, Levi procured several D-grade Potions, possessing adequate Life-force restoration capabilities... these were acquired from Alzhukar’s ill-gotten gains, and he had preserved them for precisely such critical junctures.

***

The Shadow Dimension... Inverse Sanctum.

While a significant portion of Earth’s Daywalkers engaged in widespread jubilation over their Raiders' triumph in the tournament, a chilling silence permeated the Bishop’s Castle.

Bishop Na’thir occupied his throne, unmoving and unresponsive... while before him stood the Hound, Rain, and Fang.

The Hound, leaning against a column with his arms folded and an impassive expression, was the sole individual present who found grim satisfaction in this monumental failure.

Following such a catastrophic misstep by these two, he was almost certain to regain his standing as the premier subordinate... particularly given his status as the only Tier 6 ranker among them.

Meanwhile, Fang and Rain remained immobile, their heads bowed slightly, too apprehensive to meet the Bishop’s gaze.

Despite Levi and Jasmine demonstrating extraordinary prowess and formidable abilities, their defeat still inflicted a significant sting.

Ever since the conclusion of the game had irrevocably sealed their fate, Bishop Na’thir had summoned them to this location, subjecting them to an agonizing silence.

Yet, nary a soul dared to break the quiet... they were acutely aware of Bishop Na’thir’s volatile temper, a trait exacerbated since his denied promotion and subsequent humiliation in the presence of the Black Veil.

Each passing second of silence served as a testament to his ebbing rage... had it not, they would have already found themselves violently impelled against the cold stone wall behind them.

After a brief interval of perhaps a minute or two, Bishop Na’thir finally released a prolonged, dark, vaporous exhalation. He then elevated his head to confront them, articulating with chilling detachment, "Not only did you falter in the competition, but you also neglected to eliminate even a single Daywalker whom he held in any regard..."

"..."

"..."

Rain and Fang remained taciturn, comprehending that he offered no opening for their defense.

"More grievously... the young man possesses the intellect to discern my involvement. He will now seek sanctuary within the Boundless Expanse, rendering us incapable of action unless he errs." Bishop Na’thir’s eyes narrowed with icy intent, "A possibility I deem highly improbable."

"Speak."

Adhering to the command, Fang was the first to articulate with solemnity, "Master... I concede that we committed a colossal blunder, yet we are not entirely without recourse."

Rain offered a supportive nod. "He may abscond to the Boundless Expanse with his associates indefinitely, but he cannot encompass all within his retreat... He likely still harbors numerous individuals dear to him within his domain. We could leverage them as..."

Before Rain could finalize his suggestion, Bishop Na’thir’s shadowy gaze intensified, becoming utterly chilling, compelling Rain to abruptly silence himself.

"Is my standing within the Organization not already in dire straits... must you now propose I resort to abducting collateral individuals to draw him out?" Bishop Na’thir clenched his jaw, "The boy is an orphan, his singular motivations being vengeance against me and loyalty to his brother... Do you truly believe him foolish enough to imperil himself for a mere acquaintance?"

Rain and Fang exchanged bewildered glances, aware that their master had historically shown little hesitation in employing such tactics... while his logic that Levi maintained a tightly-knit circle and would likely not sacrifice himself for an acquaintance was sound, it still seemed worth investigating.

Unbeknownst to them, Bishop Na’thir harbored a suspicion that if Levi was indeed the individual concealed behind the three-star mask, it implied the presence of Oblivar’s bloodline flowing through him—a notion he considered preposterous.

However, should this conjecture hold true, the possibility of such an individual willingly endangering himself for acquaintances was virtually nonexistent.

Half-Oblivars were characterized by a profound emotional detachment; they were purportedly indifferent even to the demise of their own parents or offspring witnessed firsthand... their hearts, it was said, were mere hollow voids.

'Should my hypotheses prove accurate, I cannot afford such a rash maneuver; it would merely expose my hand further without any guarantee of success,' Bishop Na’thir mused profoundy. 'Va’ren likely observed the match and deduced the identities of Fang and Rain. While he may be ignorant of my fraught history with the boy, matters of my interest would undoubtedly capture his attention as well. I must refrain from granting him additional leverage, lest he seek to enlist the boy to his cause...'

Bishop Na’thir acknowledged that the powerful drive of vengeance could compel individuals to undertake actions they would ordinarily deem unthinkable.

Despite his heightened vigilance, he remained entirely oblivious to the pre-arranged meeting between Bishop Va’ren and Levi subsequent to the event’s conclusion!

At this very moment... Bishop Va’ren was eagerly preparing for their rendezvous, resolute in his refusal to permit the universe's sole known summoner of the Soulleech Maw to evade his grasp.

He had to secure him... he absolutely must!