Chapter 72

Currently, the only person who knows the reason for all of this is the one who created it all— Xiu Er.

He noticed his apprentice casting an "inquiring" glance at him.

Xiu Er did not hide anything.

So he spoke up and explained the reasons behind it all to Takuson.

"[Answer] This energy is deadly 'toxic' to all living organisms."

Xiu Er explained the reason simply and clearly.

Episode 49: Possesses highly toxic energy towards living beings.

[Dimensional Energy]

It is Xiu Er's most core "energy source" now, and also the primary and only energy source for the "Dimensional Device" he uses when traveling between different dimensions.

As the system was integrated into Xiu Er's body, a series of data containing all the characteristics and usage methods of Dimensional Energy were also simultaneously recorded into his database.

Aside from the system, no one understands [Dimensional Energy] better than Xiu Er.

It possesses the ability to convert dimensional energy into any energy source on a one-to-one basis, but the prerequisite is that Xiu Er possesses information about this energy source. In other words, he needs to encounter and record the energy's characteristics before he can manipulate Dimensional Energy into a specific energy source.

Its source is a special energy that is extracted from the world's energy by the system and then refined through subsequent processing. Only this system possesses this technology.

Furthermore, only hosts selected and modified by the system are qualified to use this energy.

It possesses characteristics far exceeding the energy of the current world. Yes, [Dimensional Energy] must be more powerful than the energy of the world it exists in. Because its production process incorporates the world's energy as materials, after being refined by the system, it will naturally be more powerful than the "materials".

This is why it can be converted into any energy source, and in a sense, this conversion is actually a "downgrade" of Dimensional Energy.

Furthermore, due to this extraction method, Xiu Er's energy supply is directly equivalent to the world's energy supply.

This energy appears to be a perfect energy source in every aspect.

However, it is important to note that the true meaning of the statement "only the host is qualified to use it" is that only the host can withstand the power of this energy.

Only a host's body, after being modified by the system, can avoid being overwhelmed by the intense power of Dimensional Energy when it comes into contact with it.

Without this prerequisite, Dimensional Energy will inevitably cause devastating damage to any "animal" that comes into contact with it.

As for why it doesn't harm the "plants," the system provides an explanation, so I won't go into too much detail here.

This intense energy will penetrate the body of the person who comes into contact with it the instant it makes contact. Then, within the next second, the body will be unable to withstand the energy, and its structure will immediately "collapse" into molecular form. Visually, it will be as if the person has been "scattered" by something, leaving not a trace.

The energy stored within the Xiu Er machine body and circulating internally does not pose any harm to the outside world. However, his "Omni-directional Cross" attack method, in the original Ex-Machina, involves directly launching "Spirit Residue" to strike the target.

The energy within his body no longer contained the presence of the elves or their Spirit Residue.

So, as an alternative, Xiu Er directly shot out the Dimensional Energy.

Its power is, of course, evident to all.

This world covered in "gold" is the result; it is everywhere—in the air, on the surface of plants, in the soil, and in the sky—filled with Dimensional Energy.

Golden light, like "holy light," poured down from the sky to the ground, and all the alloy-colored things came together to create a sacred yet deadly picture.

Because he had already anticipated the consequences of his attack.

Xiu Er had already ordered one of his Doppelganger to cover Takuson's surface with a protective layer to isolate him from everything, thus preventing Takuson from being accidentally injured.

But for some reason, even though nothing was going to happen now, Xiu Er still chose to stop Takuson from touching the plants and trees that were contaminated with Dimensional Energy.

"[WARNING] If you come into contact with this 'golden energy,' your body will be disintegrated into molecular form in the next second, at which point the 'Takuson' individual will cease to exist."

Although the presence of the "shield" prevents Takuson from seeing this scene, it doesn't stop Xiu Er using it to warn him.

"What?!"

Upon hearing this, Takuson immediately withdrew his hand and went to Xiu Er's side. He placed his hands directly on Shul's shoulders, with an expression that showed obvious fear.

"[Definitely] poses a fatal threat to living organisms."

"Wait, teacher, if I remember correctly, you just said that all of this was caused by your 'attack,' right?"

"[Affim] "

"Then, teacher, you can restore all of this, right?"

Takuson had no doubt that his teacher was using such a method that could harm a large area of the ecosystem; his first thought was that Xiu Er must have a solution.

This beautiful scenery actually hides such danger. Luckily, I have Sister Xiu Er by my side, otherwise I would have been in trouble.

It seems like Sister Xiu Er caused all of this?

Forget it, I won't think about it anymore.

"..."

Xiu Er did not answer.

"Teacher, can you handle this situation?"

Takuson, who had always unconditionally trusted Xiu Er, now became insecure in the silence.

"[Refutation] No need to handle, it will be over soon."

"Huh? Ah?!"

"Shouldn't we just leave it alone?"

The teacher must have her reasons for doing this.

Sure enough, the next second, seeing that Takuson didn't understand, Xiu Er still chose to reveal some information to him.

"[Answer] This energy will automatically degrade into harmless energy after 30 seconds."

That's right. Although Dimensional Energy can cause devastating damage to the surrounding ecosystem after leaving the body, it cannot "survive" in the outside world for too long after leaving the Xiu Er machine.

To be precise, within 34.7 seconds after the Dimensional Energy leaves the body, it will rapidly "downgrade" into the "special" energy of the current world.

For example, things that were originally "dyed" gold are suddenly starting to "fade" rapidly.

The gold faded, revealing the true form that had been hidden beneath, and in an instant, the barely perceptible scene changed completely.

For a moment, Takuson wondered if the scene he had just witnessed was a hallucination.

At this moment, the woods within a radius of several kilometers around the Dungeon became unusually quiet. The usual calls of various birds and beasts were gone, and the ground was so clean that there wasn't even a single insect.

All animals seemed to have been "deleted," making the area unusually quiet; apart from plants, there were no living creatures.

This is the future that Xiu Er predicted after unleashing that attack.

The clones in the Dungeon could not withstand their own attack. When the demon in the Water Mirror was covered by this energy, it turned to ashes, and all the treasures in its room were destroyed.

Thinking about it this way, it suddenly feels like a pity.

But Xiu Er did not give up; there was still a way to salvage the situation.

Under Takuson's puzzled expression, he crouched down, and two tails emerged from under his clothes and stuck into the ground beneath his feet.

Subsequently, a massive magic array, capable of covering an area several kilometers in radius, was directly applied to the region affected by Dimensional Energy.

Only then did Xiu Er's eyes shine brightly.

— [Codex Opening]— [True Codex]— [Barrier·Restore·Instant Cast·Except for Monster and Dungeon Gap]—

Not long had passed when Xiu Er was able to easily manipulate this large area and perform a small-scale "time reversal".

Yes, the so-called "restoration" is actually just "reversing" time, turning back the "timeline" of this area to before the events occurred.

Furthermore, the animals that should have died also existed within this timeline, so they were "resurrected" in this way.

As for the philosophical question of whether the resurrected individual is still the same individual, that is not within the scope of Xiu Er's consideration.

Of course, because a filter has been added, the dead Mirror Demon will not be selected and resurrected by the spell.

However, all the treasures inside the room were restored, and because Xiu Er rejected the "restoration" of the Dungeon, the gap created by breaking through all the walls from the door of the final room became his shortcut to the treasure room.

"[Reminder] Takuson, do not move around here. I will go and carry out the retrieval work. Once everything is settled, we will go back to find Sariel."

"Yes!"

Having witnessed Magic firsthand that could shatter the worldview of ordinary people, I was fortunate to have been by Xiu Er's side all along and had become accustomed to many extraordinary things, most of which were awe-inspiring thanks to Xiu Er.

The "well-trained" Takuson was immediately brought back to his senses by Xiu Er's words.

After quickly responding, he watched as Xiu Er's figure disappeared into the dark gap in the Dungeon.

"After all, she's Sister Xiu Er, so it's not surprising. I guess I still need to work on my mentality."

Takuson sat down cross-legged on the spot, composing himself as he waited for Xiu Er's return.

"Was that commotion you made earlier?"

On the high platform, a blonde elf sat in a large chair, her unchanging dead fish eyes staring intently at the blue-purple figure below.

Although she appeared exceptionally petite within the large chair, the pressure she exuded made Takuson, who was standing next to Xiu Er, tense up.

What's with this atmosphere?

Is this elf going to confront us and demand an explanation?!

The Dungeon wasn't far from the Magic city to begin with, and the aftereffects of Xiu Er's attack almost reached there.

This also makes the Magic User in the city the people most closely observed in this world.

If Sariel hadn't intervened and stopped the Magic User who wanted to investigate, several of them might already be scattered all over the place after coming into contact with the [gold].

The reason she took action was, of course, that she had discovered the danger of this energy long before this group of people did, without their knowledge.

Faced with Sariel's questioning tone.

Xiu Er was unaffected; his lifeless golden eyes held no "emotion," and he simply responded in his usual manner.

"[Affim] "

Aren't you going to explain this?

"..."

To be honest, at this point, Xiu Er had already deduced Sariel's purpose.

Her own attack was considered "unknown Magic" by her, something that would most interest Sariel. New Magic and updated, improved Magic were what Sariel most wanted to see.

Unfortunately, the truth will likely disappoint her.

"[Negative] That's not 'Magic.'"

As soon as he said this, Xiu Er's vision system immediately captured the moment when the other person's lips fell down.

"So, this is also your own unique 'system'?"

Yes, long after experiencing her first battle with Xiu Er, Sariel immediately began to analyze what she had learned from Xiu Er battle upon returning to her residence.

Countless "unknown" Magic, countless attacks using "unknown" energy—everything about the opponent is "unknown," and she cannot understand its principles.

Although in Sariel's memory there was a similar Magic that could restore Xiu Er's performance.

But none of them could reach the terrifying level of Xiu Er.

It was at this moment that Sariel divided Xiu Er's abilities into a new "system," a system that no one in this world could "learn."

"[Affim] "

"..."

Sariel stared into Xiu Er's eyes, and the two fell silent.

A few seconds later, Sariel narrowed her eyes in distress and let out a sigh, signaling the end of the farce.

"Fine, do whatever you want."

In fact, Sariel didn't care what Xiu Er had done; she only asked because she was curious about Xiu Er's attack.

Seeing that she had received an answer, her attitude naturally collapsed immediately.

Having finished his conversation with Sariel, and now that everything was alright Xiu Er, Shul headed straight for the exit without hesitation.