The first chapter of the book.
It recorded the discovery of Destiny Space and the events surrounding its initial exploration.
It also contained descriptions related to the world.
Han Dong learned that the world he had been reborn into was also Earth... The five continental plates and the distribution of countries around the world were exactly the same.
And two hundred years ago, when Higher Lifeforms were discovered, World War I had happened to be breaking out. Humanity had already basically developed firearms... Yet such weapons were utterly incapable of resisting these Higher Lifeforms that could drive people mad with a single glance.
The following was an excerpt from the original text:
"When the expedition confirmed the existence of lifeforms 'higher' than humans and found that they had begun attacking humanity, spatial portals leading to unknown realms appeared simultaneously in the capitals of countries across the world.
Our technological level was still incapable of analyzing such portals. We could not even understand the significance of their existence, so I can only provide a basic written description of their form.
They possessed golden rims and an elliptical structure like a starry night sky, like gates to the heavens where multiple dimensions merged within them."
The book's description of Destiny Space did not quite match Han Dong's experience.
When Han Dong had stood in Festival Plaza, he had not seen any portal at all before falling into the ground along with several thousand others.
Han Dong continued reading.
"When Destiny Space's portals come into contact with 'omnipotent life,' they close on their own. They allow only humans to enter. They are gates God opened specifically for humanity.
In the early days, while global war erupted, vast numbers of volunteers around the world willingly entered Destiny Space, but almost none returned.
The first 'Returner' appeared in Nine Provinces.
A sergeant from Kyushu Country returned from the infinite space. He had obtained a certain degree of 'physical enhancement'; his physical abilities had doubled, and the hardness of his fists had greatly increased. He could find no equal among ordinary humans.
It was from him that information about 'Destiny Points' and the related primary professions was first revealed.
Soon after, 'Returners' began appearing one after another in countries throughout the world. Each returned to reality with different abilities and became the main force resisting Higher Lifeforms.
Yet they were still difficult to fight against."
When he saw "Kyushu Country," Han Dong's mind trembled.
Since the first Returner had appeared in Kyushu Country, it strongly suggested that, aside from the Holy City in Europe, similar city-states might also have been built somewhere in Asia.
He continued reading.
On the next page, he saw the current state of the world.
According to incomplete statistics.
Before humanity discovered that high-purity brass could repel Higher Lifeforms, thereby holding back the frenzied invasion of Higher Lifeforms and allowing metal city-states large enough to house humanity to be built.
Only 1% of humanity had survived.
That had also been the lowest point of the global population, with fewer than one hundred million survivors.
If brass's properties had not been discovered in time, humanity would most likely have already been wiped out.
At present, only three "nation-scale city-states" were known to exist in the world.
Holy City—Neunter, meaning Eternal City, located in Italos.
Dragon City—Imperial Capital, located in Kyushu.
Royal Capital—Megalanri, meaning City of Mechanics, located in Sam.
The three cities shared one trait: they had all been built atop gigantic brass ore veins, with Destiny Space at their center.
So this is the world order? Thinking about it this way, the world I lived in before was truly peaceful.
Indeed, humanity is far from perfect. We are merely the first type of intelligent life capable of thought and reasoning... Many life scholars have predicted that more advanced lifeforms, better adapted to the ecosystem, could emerge on Earth. It was only a matter of time.
This parallel world had clearly encountered that situation ahead of time.
With the apocalypse descending, the strengthening path offered by Destiny Space became humanity's only "flame of hope"... But the book still has not made the true origin of Destiny Space clear.
This book is highly subjective. Its definition of Destiny Space is based on the author's own speculation, without any actual evidence. It does not hold much reference value.
The book also mentioned five basic profession choices, but they were nothing new to Han Dong, who had already become a Returner.
Han Dong had gained a basic understanding of the World Framework, but he still needed to learn more about Higher Lifeforms, as well as the Holy City's system of governance, class divisions, and economic structure.
"I should be able to learn all those details once I enter the Royal Knights Academy.
"As for going outside the city, I'll probably need to allocate more than five Destiny Points and become a true knight before I can follow the Knight Order beyond the city walls and officially come into contact with Higher Lifeforms."
When Han Dong closed the book, he found Nina still standing beside him, staring at him with wide eyes.
"Finished?"
"Mm... Take it back to your master. Thank you."
"Hehe, what are you thanking me for? I should be thanking you, big brother. Once you enroll in a few days, Mom and I will be able to move out of here..."
As she spoke, Nina leaned forward and lightly kissed Han Dong on the cheek.
Nina suddenly remembered that the person before her was not really her brother. She immediately became awkward and flushed red.
"S-Sorry!"
"It's fine... One more question. Nina, are you a Mechanical Apprentice?"
"Mm-hmm. I'm only the most junior apprentice, but I get free lunch every day. I just can't pack it up and bring it home... Once I come of age, I can officially become a full apprentice."
Upon hearing that, Han Dong could not help connecting it to Akaman's experience.
Han Dong solemnly reminded her, "If you ever need help with anything, remember to tell me."
"Hehe, Master treats me very well, so you don't need to worry, big brother... Once my skills improve and I can make steam components myself, I'll greatly increase my chances of surviving in Destiny Space."
"Mm."
Suddenly, Nina shifted closer to Han Dong on purpose. "Big brother, what did you do 'before'?"
"I taught. Biology."
"Biology? Wow, that sounds so advanced."
"Scientific Research in your world failed to develop normally two hundred years ago for various reasons... It's normal that you've never heard of biology. But you should have heard of 'chemistry,' right?"
"Chemistry? Big brother, do you mean alchemy?"
"Alchemy?"
Han Dong knew very well that alchemy was, to a certain extent, ancient chemistry.
It was mixed with some unrealistic ideas, such as the Philosopher's Stone.
However, in a world that possessed magic and supernatural abilities, alchemy might truly be an extremely important branch of science.
"Alchemists rank a level above us mechanics. They're part of the Holy City's Think Tank."
Han Dong wrote down the three words "alchemy" in his notebook.
Han Dong did not want to abandon his old profession. While delving deeper into Destiny Space, he also wanted to enter this world's scientific circles and pursue a side job.
After all, Han Dong did not yet have a direct source of income.
"If you're really interested, big brother, you can ask around at the academy... If you become an alchemist, I'll get to eat roast chicken every day, hehe."
"Mm, it's worth considering."
Before you continue