Chapter Summaries

Linsey suggested that the Machine Race seek energy through the Awakened after learning their uranium ore was depleted and their spacetime power was unstable. He and Ye Haiya planned to let the machines arrive at the idea themselves, while Linsey worried about their former enemies and his missing companion.

• Linsey explained nuclear energy to the Calculation Core and suggested that the Machine Race could pursue a different energy source through the Awakened.
• Rota told Linsey that the Machine Race distrusted outsiders because many powerful people had once been their enemies, and she paused to consider whether his suggestion was practical.
• Linsey returned to the Safe Zone and exchanged teasing remarks with Ye Haiya about their separate activities that day.
• Linsey and Ye Haiya discussed through the Friend Channel how he had steered the Machine Race toward asking the Awakened for help without appearing eager.
• Linsey told Ye Haiya that he remained concerned about the Awakened who had fought the Craftsmen and his companion who had not yet appeared.

Linsey and Ye Haiya saw the human cost of life in the Machine Race’s Safe Zone, and Linsey tried to calm the trapped residents. The Calculation Core summoned Linsey and asked him to help build an entirely new energy system.

• Linsey and Ye Haiya watched servant machines subdue a hysterical resident, and Linsey warned that neglecting the humans’ emotions could lead to a riot.
• Linsey encouraged the residents by promising they could leave and rebuild once peace returned, easing the street’s mood somewhat.
• Rota asked Linsey about calming emotions, then told him the Calculation Core wanted to meet underground.
• Linsey followed Rota to the Calculation Core, where he discovered that its prolonged energy calculations had caused severe overheating.
• The Calculation Core asked Linsey to help the Machine Race build an entirely new energy system.

Linsey proposed using his Game Player ability to provide energy for the Machine Race, with affiliation to him as the prerequisite. The Calculation Core agreed to try, and Linsey transformed it into the center of a new base, leaving the underground chamber and the Machine Race’s technology radically changed.

• Linsey explained that his ability could help with the Machine Race’s energy problem but required them to belong to him.
• Linsey revealed that his skill was Game Player, a profession from the future that the Calculation Core could not evaluate.
• After calculating the risks, the Calculation Core agreed to try the affiliation, provided the Machine Race could abandon it if its survival was threatened.
• Linsey activated his skill and designated the Calculation Core as the city’s center, spending four-fifths of his source essence.
• The underground chamber transformed into a sleek science-fiction facility, and Linsey’s control panel displayed the new base, Out of Control Machine.

After the base was transformed by Linsey’s Real-Time Strategy skill, he discovered that the Unstable Spacetime Gap was supplying it with energy and began planning further construction. The Calculation Core accepted his promise of freedom, while Rota learned what had happened and apologized before Linsey took her to move stored minerals.

• Linsey examined the transformed base’s buildings and found the Unstable Spacetime Gap, which was bound beneath the mined-out Uranium Ore vein and powering the base.
• The Calculation Core told Linsey that it felt different, and Linsey urged it to run a self-check to confirm his promise.
• Rota entered the Calculation Center, mistook Linsey for a threat, and prepared to attack him.
• The Calculation Core explained the situation to Rota, who withdrew her Light Blades and apologized to Linsey.
• Linsey noticed that the Energy Pool was rapidly filling and asked Rota to take him to the mineral warehouse so they could move its contents.

Linsey expanded the Machine Race’s base and told the Calculation Core that building it would help the race evolve to the Second Stage. The Calculation Core agreed to build a Hero Altar, while Linsey left the solution to its future path in its own hands.

• Linsey directed Rota, the servant machines, and the maid dolls to transport ore and build up the base.
• Linsey realized his Newborn Species mission remained incomplete and reasoned that he was still at a crucial Time Node.
• Ye Haiya confronted Linsey about the base’s changes and warned him that his mind-influencing craft could get him killed if others discovered it.
• Linsey returned underground and found the Calculation Core coordinating the construction of new buildings.
• Linsey declined to choose the Machine Race’s future path for it, promised to solve its energy problem, and offered to build a Hero Altar.
• The Calculation Core questioned the lack of facilities to replace the Space-Time Rift’s energy, and Linsey said the buildings would let the base evolve into the Second Stage.

Linsey unlocked the Commander skill, which let him delegate base management to Heroes, and tested the Machine Race’s unusual Hero Altar with Ye Haiya. After the test, Linsey used the Eye of Reconnaissance to reveal the Great Rift World map and spotted Alvitte riding toward the world junction east of the Great Canyon.

• Linsey’s Real-Time Strategy Module reached Level 6 and gained the Commander skill, allowing him to assign Heroes to manage bases.
• Linsey and Ye Haiya inspected the Machine Race’s Hero Altar, which used energy from its own Energy Pool and required subjects to lie inside its pedestal.
• Ye Haiya volunteered to test the altar and emerged unharmed with four new abilities: Instruction Program, Witch Code, Ghost Communication, and Revolutionary Rebel Against Fate.
• Linsey planned to reserve the next Hero slot for a Machine Race member and later delegate management of the base.
• Linsey connected to the Eye of Reconnaissance and lifted the Fog of War across the Great Rift World, where he spotted Alvitte riding toward the world junction east of the Great Canyon.

Linsey raced to upgrade the Out of Control Machine into Machine Utopia before Alvitte and her reinforcements from the City of Law arrived. The upgrade began and sealed the Calculation Core away for a day, while Rota took over its duties and offered to intercept Alvitte’s force.

• Linsey learned that Alvitte was leading reinforcements from the City of Law toward the Out of Control Machine, despite their disagreement over how to resolve the Space-Time chaos.
• Linsey decided to complete the base’s energy upgrade before Alvitte arrived and went underground with Ye Haiya.
• The Calculation Core offered to calculate the situation and said it trusted Linsey based on his past actions.
• Linsey started the upgrade from Out of Control Machine to Machine Utopia, which would disable the Calculation Core for a day.
• Rota told Linsey that the base had chosen to stand with him and asked whether she should intercept Alvitte’s force.

Linsey prepared the base for Alvitte’s arrival, which was still more than a day away, and refused Ye Haiya’s offer to intervene. He explored the base’s research options and assigned Rota to bring Machine Race units to the laboratory, then turned his attention to sorting through his own affairs.

• Linsey told Rota he wanted to resolve matters peacefully and learned that Alvitte’s group would take 27 to 28 hours to reach the base.
• Linsey asked Rota to familiarize herself with the remodeled base and strengthen its defenses, especially around the Safe Zone.
• Ye Haiya offered to help manage Alvitte’s arrival, but Linsey declined and explained that Alvitte was an important friend, not a romantic interest.
• Ye Haiya returned to the Safe Zone while Linsey inspected the research lab and found several useful technology projects.
• Linsey asked Rota to bring Machine Race units to conduct research, then decided to sort through his own affairs while time remained.

Linsey synthesized the Magical Conch and confirmed that only the Tide Stone remained to create the Ecosystem Radar. While waiting for Alvitte’s group, the Out of Control Machine completed its Civilization upgrade and began evolving.

• Linsey combined the Pink Pearl, Jellyfish Necklace, Seaweed Bandage, Nautilus, and Sea Turtle Shell to craft the Magical Conch.
• Linsey discovered that the Magical Conch could be combined with a Tide Stone to make the Surging Tide Conch, leaving the Tide Stone as the final ingredient for the Ecosystem Radar.
• Linsey tested the Magical Conch’s question-answering ability and learned it could not answer questions about the future or people absent from the current timeline.
• Linsey assigned Rota’s mechanical researchers to work on the Intelligent Building System and passed the time with experiments, including fishing in a pool.
• Alvitte’s group traveled faster than Rota had estimated and neared the base after twenty-four hours.
• The Calculation Core completed its upgrade, and the base began a major Civilization evolution.

Linsey arranged the construction of a Central Energy Tower to give the Out of Control Machine base a sustainable energy supply before his friends arrived. With the tower still under construction and Alvitte expected to find the base, he entrusted Ye Haiya with the Time Anchor and headed for the surface to hold her off.

• Linsey inspected the upgraded Calculation Core and found an option to build a Central Energy Tower using Special Metal.
• Linsey ordered the Calculation Core to dispatch work machines and build the tower at the base’s center.
• Linsey told the Calculation Core to have Rota go to the Hero Altar so she could become a hero and lead construction in his absence.
• Linsey placed the tower’s blueprint and calculated that Alvitte could reach the base before construction finished.
• Linsey gave the Time Anchor to Ye Haiya and headed toward the surface to confront Alvitte.

Linsey concealed the base entrance and sent Rota back inside before facing Alvitte alone. While waiting, he tested Strategic Command and discovered an unknown unit beside him that he could neither see nor sense.

• Linsey concealed the base gate and the expeditioners' inscription beneath dirt blocks.
• Rota revealed her four Hero Module skills, and Linsey gave her commander authority before ordering her back into the base.
• Linsey tested Strategic Command while waiting for Alvitte and found he could issue orders to the Machine Race from afar.
• Linsey's map selected an unidentified unit near him, though he could not see or sense anyone there.
• A new mission called Schrödinger's Cat appeared before Linsey.

Linsey discovered an invisible presence in Haunted Canyon and tried to identify and fight it, but even his unusual weapons could not clearly harm it. As the Righteous Walker party approached, the presence passed through Linsey, leaving him unable to tell what it was or what it intended.

• Linsey found a quest about an entity between existence and nonexistence, then noticed its map marker approaching him.
• Linsey tested his skills and attacked with his sword, but the presence remained undetectable and his strikes seemed to have no effect.
• Linsey equipped Words of Rose, which made the entity's map marker retreat, though he could not confirm that he had wounded it.
• Linsey checked his Hunting Notes and called for the unseen entity to reveal itself, but received no answer.
• As Alvitte and the others drew near, Linsey offered to negotiate and extended his hand toward the approaching presence.
• The map marker passed through Linsey and appeared behind him, while no figure or injury appeared.

Linsey tried to understand the mysterious presence in the canyon, but turned his attention to Alvitte when she arrived with a group from the City of Law. He failed to persuade her to delay resolving the temporal-spatial turbulence, and Alvitte challenged him to let their swords decide their next path.

• Linsey stopped trying to communicate with the mysterious presence when Air Touch warned him that Alvitte’s group was approaching.
• Alvitte arrived with five Seventh Stage Awakened and two companions whose power Linsey could not discern; one of them, Roland, recognized Linsey as the adventurer who had helped Bena establish the City of Law.
• Linsey told Alvitte he wanted to protect a newly born race and build its civilization, while Alvitte insisted she would act to protect innocent people and seek another way to save those trapped in the turbulence.
• Alvitte planted the Law Steel Sword between them, drew the White Steel Sword, and challenged Linsey to a duel that would determine their next path.

Linsey and Alvitte clashed in the canyon, each holding to a conviction neither would abandon. Linsey used the Living Blade to keep his sword repaired, but Alvitte's command over the world's laws left him unable to block her next strike.

• Linsey realized the White Steel Sword could destroy the Annihilation Blade, kicked Alvitte away, and explained that he would protect the hope before him.
• Linsey equipped the Living Blade so its Life Force could repair his weapon as they resumed their duel.
• Seven Righteous Walkers watched as Linsey and Alvitte's escalating battle shattered the canyon and brought down a landslide.
• Alvitte invoked her authority over the world's laws, immobilizing Linsey as her White Steel Sword slashed toward his chest.

Linsey and Alvitte fought across a canyon, with Linsey relying on speed boosts and equipment while Alvitte countered with overwhelming willpower. After Alvitte charged into the ground rather than trying to reach Linsey in the air, the battle remained unresolved.

• Linsey broke Alvitte’s restraints with the Freedom Mark, stacked several speed boosts, and drove her into the ground, collapsing the base ceiling and opening a canyon.
• Roland identified Linsey’s speed as the result of special skills and equipment, but Alvitte erupted with willpower and blasted Linsey away.
• Linsey used the Red Horn Mistletoe to pierce defensive skills below the Sixth Stage, and the two clashed again with their wills, creating a vast basin in the canyon.
• Alvitte climbed out of the rubble despite severe injuries and raised her sword, while Linsey prepared for another clash from high above.
• Linsey realized Alvitte could not fly, and Alvitte stomped through the shattered ground and charged underground.

Alvitte broke through the Out of Control Machine’s underground foundations to reach the spacetime disturbance source, while Linsey tried to stop her. After Rota interrupted Alvitte’s advance, Linsey faced Alvitte directly with only three minutes remaining before the Central Energy Tower was completed and Ye Haiya repaired the disturbance node.

• Alvitte sensed the source of power underground and tore through the steel foundations to reach it, while Linsey pursued and attacked her with a supersonic arrow.
• Alvitte recognized Linsey’s craftsmanship in the Machine Race base and avoided its central structure as she continued downward.
• Rota intercepted Alvitte, dodged her White Steel Sword, and struck at her waist, but Alvitte used her command to break free and send Rota flying.
• Linsey descended to the sixth underground level, thanked Rota, and ordered her to evacuate the others and protect the base’s buildings.
• With three minutes left before the Central Energy Tower’s completion and Ye Haiya’s repair of the spacetime disturbance node, Alvitte warned Linsey to watch out for her next strike.

Linsey used the Black Cloud Mask to escape Alvitte’s law-bound sword strike, then fought to stop her from reaching the underground core. As Ye Haiya activated the Time Anchor, Linsey and Alvitte clashed in a battle of wills and vanished into the distorted flow of time.

• Alvitte launched a law-based attack with the White Steel Sword, and Linsey escaped its lock by switching the Black Cloud Mask into his Equipment Slot.
• Alvitte continued carving a path toward the mine’s core, while Linsey pursued and attacked her through the collapsing tunnels.
• With thirty seconds left, Linsey and Alvitte reached Ye Haiya at the cavern’s core, where a vast vortex of flowing air had gathered.
• As Ye Haiya drove the Time Anchor into the vortex, Linsey and Alvitte’s weapons clashed and their opposing wills fought for control.
• The distorted flow of time consumed Linsey, Alvitte, and Ye Haiya, leaving the Righteous Walkers above the canyon to conclude that the trio had vanished.

After the temporal chaos pulled Linsey and Alvitte into a vortex, Linsey awoke in an unfamiliar city and discovered that his willpower had advanced to the Fifth Step. He explored his new abilities and the vast city before a little girl explained how her father had found him.

• Linsey and Alvitte were swept into the temporal vortex, and both lost consciousness.
• Linsey awoke alone in a small room in an unfamiliar human city and checked his status.
• Linsey discovered that his Stairway to Heaven had reached the Fifth Step, granting 100 to all attributes and the Proof of Courage trait.
• Linsey used his map and found that the city was so vast that his scouting range could not cover it entirely.
• A little girl entered with a washbasin and told Linsey that her father had found him lying in the street and brought him home.

Linsey woke in the City of Law in New Calendar 3381, realizing that the time return had brought him to the right era but the wrong location. After seeing how the city’s laws worked and meeting a Law Knight, he asked how an outsider could settle there.

• A little girl cared for Linsey after her father had brought him home, and she told him the year was New Calendar 3381.
• Linsey concluded that the space-time chaos node had returned him to the correct timeline but deposited him in the City of Law, and he wondered whether Alvitte might also be there.
• Linsey thanked the little girl by leaving her a piece of attribute-boosting food, then went outside and surveyed the city.
• Linsey saw that the City’s laws constrained people, while his Human Wisdom Codex exempted him from their interference when he drew his sword.
• A Law Knight approached Linsey after seeing him draw his sword, and Linsey asked what procedures an outsider needed to follow to settle in the City of Law.

Linsey applied to settle in the City of Law and received an approved residence permit and an assigned house. As he left the Stone Fort, he saw a new class of Law Knights preparing to take their oath.

• A Law Knight escorted Linsey to a Stone Fort after Linsey said he wanted to settle in the City of Law.
• Linsey listened to residents discuss wartime scarcity inside the city and the relative abundance and danger outside it.
• A Law Knight questioned Linsey using a Law Balance, recorded his answers, and submitted his application for review.
• The Law Knight told Linsey that his residence permit had been approved and assigned him an empty house.
• Linsey saw a group of young people preparing for the oath-taking ceremony of a new class of Law Knights.