Time Walker

Biodata

Definition and Traversal

He Xiaoxiao prefers the term Time Walker over “Transmigrator” for those who obtain public beta qualification. The name refers to the temporal rule governing their travel: while a Time Walker is in the Inner World, time is paused for them in the Outer World; when they return, time is paused in the Inner World for all Time Walkers. 36

• Most Time Walkers do not choose their status; they awaken to find a countdown on their arms before their first traversal. 430
• If a Time Walker dies in the Inner World, their body returns to the Outer World. 679
• Knowledge and skills belonging to an Inner World identity are not automatically inherited by the Time Walker occupying that identity. 90 363
• A Time Walker’s emergence is tied to disappearances in the Outer World; Qing Chen considers deliberately creating Time Walkers morally equivalent to murder. 262

Known Birthplaces

Known Time Walker birthplaces are concentrated in 19 Outer World cities: Wucheng, Jingcheng, Nancheng, Luocheng, Chuancheng, Chongcheng, Shencheng, Kuncheng, Haicheng, Jicheng, Zhengcheng, Hangcheng, Fucheng, Guangcheng, Lancheng, Xiancheng, Hucheng, Jincheng, and Taicheng. Scattered cases may occur elsewhere, but with lower probability. 36

Identification and Concealment

Time Walkers commonly conceal their identities in both worlds, often fabricating local histories before a traversal. Organizations can expose them through inconsistencies in family information, local knowledge, language, behavior, or personal habits. 70 104 134 135

• In Kamiyo-controlled cities, many Time Walkers are rapidly identified because they cannot speak Mandarin and are placed under centralized supervision. 104
• Hidden Time Walkers can be identified by matching both the appearance and name of an Outer World person to a prominent Inner World resident. 963 964
• Some Time Walkers occupy the places of significant Inner World figures, including corporate personnel, nobles, servants, and clan members. 135 340 964
• Publicly revealing one’s status can attract media attention, criminal groups, corporate agents, and rival Time Walkers. 49 56 99

Capabilities and Resources

A Time Walker’s strength depends heavily on their Inner World identity, opportunities, resources, and ability to adapt. The gap between individuals can be extreme. 256 416

Informal Ranking System

Online discussions divide Time Walkers into five informal tiers based on their starting conditions, status, and potential. 256

Risks and Persecution

Time Walker status creates danger in both worlds.

• Criminal groups have kidnapped Time Walkers, threatened their families, and forced them to smuggle Inner World drugs across worlds. 56 57
• Many Time Walker-related crimes are committed by acquaintances, friends, or relatives rather than anonymous organizations. 99
• Mechanical limbs and medicine obtained through traversal can make Time Walkers targets for robbery and murder. 99 211
• Corporations such as Kamishiro control and train large groups of Time Walkers, using brutal combat instruction and ideological conditioning to secure loyalty. 499
• Time Walkers may be killed or detained during Inner World conflicts despite having no direct role in them. Sixteen Time Walkers died during the City No. 10 rat disaster. 679

Organizations and Institutions

• Kunlun — A domestic organization led by Zheng Yuandong that protects Time Walkers, coordinates intelligence, screens potential threats, and organizes large-scale emergency responses. 51 309 679
• Time Walker Federation / Union — A Zhengcheng-based effort to give domestic Time Walkers a shared organizational identity and forum for cooperation. 426 430
• Time Walker Academy — A Kunlun-backed centralized school offering specialized instruction, including Inner World hacking and witchcraft-related subjects. Students must obey strict confidentiality requirements. 595 620
• Daybreak — Qing Chen’s organization, which grows into one of the most influential Time Walker groups in both the Outer and Inner Worlds. 336 427
• Corporate-controlled groups — Kamishiro, Kashima, Li, Qing, and other major powers employ, monitor, train, or replace Time Walkers to expand their influence. 340 342 499

Story Role / Major Developments

• Early traversals: The term “Time Walker” is established, alongside the rule that time pauses for all Time Walkers across worlds. 36
• Public exposure: Jian Sheng’s imprisonment triggers widespread speculation about Time Walkers in Prison No. 18, placing Liu Dezhu under media scrutiny. 49
• Criminal exploitation: Domestic reports reveal kidnappings and forced smuggling operations targeting Time Walkers. 56 57
• Inner World screening: Prison No. 18 begins detecting new arrivals through interrogation, biometric monitoring, and fabricated-identity checks. 104
• Organizational consolidation: Kunlun convenes the Time Walker Federation conference in Zhengcheng, attracting influential and active Time Walkers from across the country. 426 429 430
• Academy era: Kunlun establishes a centralized campus for school-age Time Walkers and develops specialized training programs. 595 620
• City No. 10 evacuation: Qing Chen organizes 4,811 Time Walkers into evacuation teams after a deadly outbreak caused by a Transcendental corpse. 679 680 682
• Search for hidden Time Walkers: Qing Chen and the Parent’s Association conduct a global operation to locate people whose names and appearances match strategically valuable Inner World figures. 963 964

Notable Quotes

“Everyone collectively refers to players as Transmigrators, but I prefer to call those who have obtained public beta qualification Time Walkers.” 36

“Because when you enter the Inner World, time in the Outer World is paused for you. When you return, time in the Inner World will also be paused for you.” 36