The Gatekeeper's Words (Bonus Chapter for Ally Yu Jing)

Inside the pitch-black belly of the fish.

How much time has passed exactly?

According to the plan's precise calculations, about ten days should have passed.

Although it is dark and enclosed here.

Everyone had no choice but to stay on the boat.

But this was indeed a rare moment of peace and quiet.

Kevin, in particular, became more relaxed after he finished making the book.

"Based on the time it took us to come here last time, we should be arriving soon."

Biscuit looked at the darkness outside and said.

Everyone took their seats in different parts of the Meeting Room, knowing that the meeting was approaching.

"Are we almost there? The human world."

The Three-Tails spoke with some impatience; she had been looking forward to this for a long time, especially now that she had become human.

Biscuit glanced at the Three-Tails beast sitting in Melusina's lap.

How's your training going?

"Great, I've learned those techniques."

As he spoke, the Three-Tails even demonstrated it.

He has indeed learned the techniques of various Nen ability and is now able to use them skillfully.

Even when it was still a beast, the Three-Tails demonstrated an exceptional learning ability and learned to speak at an incredibly fast pace.

Her animalistic instincts also allowed her to progress extremely quickly in learning these skills.

Ideally, it should be single-threaded.

"Then you should start building your Nen ability. According to human standards, a child as young as you shouldn't be learning Nen ability."

"But you're clearly not a normal kid, so how you develop your Nen ability is up to you."

After listening to Biscuit's words, Three-Tails nodded.

"Speaking of which, what's your major?" Gon asked from across the table.

Under normal circumstances, one should not try to discover another person's Nen ability.

But they are a team, so they can know not only the type of Nen ability, but also Nen ability if necessary.

Experienced individuals can quickly determine another person's Nen ability type based on their performance.

However, Gon doesn't yet have the insight to see this.

"It's Enhancement Type."

Three-Tails said smugly, even making a gym gesture.

"Sigh, same here as me."

"You idiot, you're just like my dad!"

Hearing the Three-Tails' somewhat displeased words, Gon scratched his head helplessly. "Isn't it all the same?"

Aren't they all Enhancement Type?

What's there to be angry about? I really don't understand.

Kiy patted Gon on the shoulder from the side. Although he didn't say anything, his eyes conveyed what he wanted to say.

That's how girls are.

Kevin simply smiled and caught the Three-Tails that leaped towards him.

As soon as the Three-Tails were caught, the boat rocked slightly, very noticeably.

This sudden tremor alerted everyone.

It's important to know that for the past ten days, the entire ship has been very stable because it was inside the whale's body.

"It's reminding us."

Morel got up and walked outside, and everyone else also got up.

Standing on the pitch-black deck.

A crack appeared in front of them, and light streamed in through it.

Everyone squinted, adjusting their eyes to the light.

Soon the gaping hole opened wide, and the whale's mouth was completely open.

They saw the sky outside.

"I'm home----"

Aimeme looked at the sky outside and murmured to herself.

The ship slowly sailed forward, cutting through the waves, and finally emerged from the whale's mouth.

Ahead stood a massive gate, unmoving beneath the waves.

Everyone fell silent for a moment, watching quietly.

Even though I've only been gone for a little over two years, almost three, it feels like I've been gone for ages.

"The current date."

Kevin asked.

Ce said slowly.

August 20, 2005.

1

"What a coincidence?"

"Oh, is this just right?"

"What a wonderful day!"

Everyone was amazed by the date.

Because when they boarded the B·W to officially begin their journey to the Dark Continent, it happened to be August 20, 2002.

In other words, all things considered, they have been away from human society for exactly three years.

Of course, the date of arrival at the Dark Continent cannot be calculated using this time.

Because it took four or five months for Guang to travel from the B·W ship all the way to the Imaginary New Continent, then transfer to the Imaginary New Continent to reach the Gatekeeper's place, and finally arrive at the Dark Continent.

Is the human world just behind that door?

The Three-Tails's curious voice brought everyone back to their senses.

Melusina chuckled and patted her head, "It's still early, but this is the only way to enter the human world."

The Angel on the whale's head waved.

The Gate began to open, seawater crashed in and poured out, and the ship swayed from side to side with the waves.

The ship did not begin sailing until the Gate was fully opened.

We walked through the Gate.

As the Gate closed once more, the waves pushed the ship forward a little further.

The harbor ahead split open, and following the flow of water, the ship moved forward and stopped beside the platform.

And on that terrace stood the Gatekeeper.

It feels so familiar, even evoking a sense of nostalgia.

Kevin and the others stood on the deck, looking at the terrace, where the Gatekeeper seemed to have already moved, his limbs braced against the ground, his jewel-like eyes fixed on them.

Kevin jumped up alone and stood in front of Janus.

He bowed slightly in greeting.

But this time...

Janus also bowed slightly to Kevin. The two maintained a respectful demeanor, completely different from their previous encounter.

"You truly astonish me—in such a short time, you have already reached the strength of your ancestors in what was once humanity's homeland."

Janus's first words made it clear to Kevin that humanity's ancestors indeed possessed the strength of Lord Level.

Thinking about this...

Kevin immediately asked a question.

"Then why would a human with Lord Level strength hide in such a barren place as the Lake Center Islands?"

"Lord?" Janus chewed on the word.

"Appropriate form of address."

However, Janus did not answer Kevin's question immediately; his jewel-like eyes looked at Kevin's right palm.

Meeting the other person's gaze, Kevin raised his right hand, showing them the pattern in his palm.

"The mark of a god."

"God?" Kevin frowned slightly.

This title clearly refers to Overlord.

"It seems you have no reverence for such life, nor are you willing to call it a god? So you've already come up with your own name for it?"

Janus asked with some curiosity.

"The Overlord, I call him the Overlord."

"Heh, what an interesting title. Does it only acknowledge the difference in strength, but not the fundamental difference?"

Janus was clearly able to analyze Kevin's psychology by observing the different ways he addressed him.

However, at this moment, Kevin was thinking about the title of God.

He never considered referring to any being as a god.

Even the Overlord.

But upon closer examination, the abilities of the Overlord are indeed quite similar to those of a god.

It possesses so-called omnipotence, and can set rules for its own territory.

And there's the Wish-Fulfilling Tree hidden in my dreams.

The only reason Kevin didn't call the other person a god was simply because he hadn't even considered that possibility.

After all, he comes from a materialist historical perspective.

That was the foundation that made him who he was, and even after living in this world for so long, that one and only foundation has not changed.

However, Janus only said a few words casually and didn't seem to care.

Regardless of what it's called, its essence remains unchanged.

"That's a decent name, consistent with the established tradition."

"So, is there a problem with this mark?"

Kevin asked.

The other party is clearly descended from the ancestors of Ancient Human, and may know more about the situation on the Dark Continent. After all, he clearly knows about the existence of the Overlord and the Overlord's conferment of titles upon Lord.

"No problem, it's just the identity of a divine messenger. Human ancestors also possessed similar authority."

At this point, Janus took a closer look at the pattern on Kevin's palm.

"Those unfamiliar marks, are they the gods of the place where you landed?"

Kevin nodded. "A gigantic, sky-covering Giant Bird with eye-like feather patterns on its body."

"Never seen it before, don't know."

Janus knew what Kevin wanted to ask and answered directly.

Kevin stared at him, then suddenly asked seriously, "So, from which direction did humanity's ancestors come here?"

"Haha, searching for the Ruins of our ancestors? Don't even think about it. That's a very distant past. Besides, humans had already been wandering for a long time before they came here, and they no longer have a fixed place to live."

"All I can tell you is that humans come from a much more distant place, not from the lakeshore, but from deep inland."

Upon hearing this, Kevin nodded slightly, somewhat dispelling his desire to learn more about the matter.

The lakeshore is difficult to explore, let alone going inland.

Something that might not be accomplished in one's lifetime.

Janus then changed the subject, looking at Kevin seriously and saying, "Although your strength is now equal to that of your ancestors, rules are rules. This is your last time returning home. Afterwards, you will be expelled and never allowed to return to humanity's homeland again."

To be honest, Kevin had considered all sorts of possibilities, but what Janus said still surprised him somewhat.

"It seems there really is a closed loop in the middle."

"You understand perfectly well, but I really don't know how you managed to increase your strength so rapidly in such a short time, while also acquiring a lot of intelligence."

Janus was genuinely surprised by Kevin's strength and was utterly perplexed by the change in his power.

"So this is the last time I'll come home? I won't be able to come back after this?"

"That's right."

"I thought you were going to keep me out this time—but what if I want to force my way back?"

Hahahaha.

Janus burst into laughter, as if he had heard something hilarious.

"Are you an idiot? Do you really think you can cross this vast lake and find the human world all by yourself? How can you be sure it's in the middle of the lake?"

"Moreover, if you don't let those who have wandered home return, how will you know that your former home no longer brings you any benefit? On the contrary, your thoughts, actions, and behaviors may destroy the very foundation of humanity."

Kevin then remembered that they had relied on Guide to return to human society.

They had no idea how big the lake actually was, but the one thing they were sure of was that it was much wider than they had imagined.

Finding a human society hidden within such an enormous area is like searching for an isolated island on a vast ocean.

And within this lake alone, it's impossible to know exactly how many Overlord and Lord there are.

It's important to understand that, in most cases, the dangers in three-dimensional waterways are far greater than on land.

The strength and density of its organisms also far exceed those on land.

The risks involved were extremely high, even for Kevin, Lord, it would be difficult to bear.

Not to mention the difficulty of the search, which will take an unpredictable and lengthy period.

If you're unlucky, it could even take hundreds of years.

"And don't even think about staying home and refusing to leave. I think you've already experienced how this closed little circle will throw you out."

"That feeling of being ostracized will only get worse until you can no longer resist it, so enjoy your last moments."

Kevin looked at Janus.

Previously, this hadn't been noticed, but upon closer observation, no signs of life were detected on Janus. It was impossible to know his strength, or rather, he simply didn't have any strength at all.

Previously, it could be attributed to his own lack of strength, but now Kevin is Lord.

He couldn't say he had become a top-tier expert, but he didn't believe anything could completely conceal its strength from him and become as ordinary as an inanimate object.

Unless Janus himself is an inanimate object.

"You noticed? I am a being created from the wishes of humanity, resembling a human but not truly human. As long as humanity exists, I am immortal; as long as humanity exists, I must remain here."

Janus stated his responsibilities very plainly.

Essentially, he is a man-made object, not a living being.

He cannot be considered a man-made life form at all.

It is a product of Succession Ceremony, bound to the entire human society.

It is a manifestation of the revitalization of the protective barrier of the entire human world, just like the Gate beneath our feet.

Or rather, it's an integrated whole.

Kevin understood and nodded slightly.

He had to admit that humankind's ancestors truly mastered the art of Succession Ceremony.

"So, can you tell me now? Why did humanity's ancestors hide here? And what was the calamity that wiped out all races they were trying to escape?"

This is the issue he has always been concerned about.

Upon hearing Kevin's question, Janus looked at him, and Kevin could clearly see that he did indeed see a smile on Janus's face.

"It's really interesting that humanity has already experienced such disasters before, yet remains unaware of it."

"There's not much to say, because you're about to encounter something very interesting."

As he spoke, Janus even laughed out loud, chuckled twice, then sighed, appearing somewhat helpless.

"But you came back just in time, what a pity."

Kevin narrowed his eyes, sensing danger; in fact, he unconsciously exuded a dangerous aura.

The aura startled everyone on deck, who immediately became alert.

"Heh, stop strutting around here. What you should be doing now is hurrying back, or you'll see a scene you won't like."

Kevin's brain was working at lightning speed.

" By Beyond is back? And they brought disaster?"

Janus just smiled.

"Think about it carefully. In every previous failure, you never truly brought disaster to the human world; you only showed them the appearance of their failure as a warning."

There is actually only one clearly emerging disaster in human society.

That is a gas-based life form.

All other disasters only resulted in victims, and these victims were all brought to them by the Gatekeeper.

This serves as a warning.