The Many Facets of Man, the Instincts of Human Nature

He had not offered to help me proactively.

Perhaps he saw my confusion and gave a bitter smile. "My energy is limited. If you don't intend to obtain the Heart Core, then I can help you now. At the very least, I can help you leave this place, or even leave this game. Of course, if you want to obtain the Heart Core, we may have to go through a fierce battle, so I must conserve my energy. Only then can I help you at the most critical moment."

I understood the energy he spoke of. It was like the statue in the cave—the statue had run out of energy and had not even been able to finish its final words. He was the same.

"Is all your energy supplied by the Heart Core?" I asked.

He nodded. "Yes, but the energy we can store is limited to begin with. Besides, so many years have already passed, and we have encountered many changes during those years. Sigh, never mind that. You've been gone for quite a while. I'm worried your two friends won't be able to wait any longer!"

He was about to take me back when I stopped him. "Wait. Since I can see you, does that mean the versions of me who come later might see you too?"

He shook his head. "No, they can't see me. Whether they see me or not doesn't depend on them, but on me. Besides, my energy is limited. If I don't have to move, I won't move. If I don't have to speak, I won't speak. If I had to meet every one of you and repeat the same words every time, then just a few groups would consume a great deal of my energy."

I had one last question. "Then