In an instant, the entire world seemed to fall silent.
Lynn's pupils trembled violently.
For that man was the figure he had seen at the end of time, the unknown being who stood with his back to the past, confronting the future, severing the entire river of time.
Suddenly, Lynn felt wave after wave of overwhelming absurdity.
Because he had already guessed who that man was.
"So the one who severed time was me all along, wasn't it?"
Lynn suddenly gave a bitter laugh, his face filled with disbelief.
As though all his strength had drained away, he sank to the ground, head bowed, chest heaving. He tried desperately to laugh, but his throat was dry and hoarse.
In truth, this was something he could have guessed long ago.
There had never been some hidden mastermind.
From beginning to end.
It had always been him, spanning the entire river of time.
Was that how it was?
"What is he trying to tell me?"
Lynn spoke softly.
"That this is my mission? That I should keep following this path until I become what he is now? Is that it?"
But the figure said nothing, like a corpse that had long since gone cold.
"He can't answer you."
At that moment.
He heard the girl's voice.
Lynn abruptly raised his head. The girl's face was reflected in his eyes, and his lips trembled.
"You can speak now?"
The girl leaned beside the figure's back and nodded gently, her voice scarcely louder than a mosquito's hum.
"Only beside him will time's backlash spare our lives. But perhaps this is our only chance, because at this moment, there is no second me beside you."
Lynn's heart trembled violently, aching.
"I was the one who brought you here."
The girl turned to look at him.