Chapter 114: Abandoned Territory 2

What kind of phenomenon exactly was a Breach, as understood by humanity today?

It was a phenomenon where a Breach would open in this world, one that also possessed a thin "bridge" connecting it to another world.

With that, Invaders could come from there, from their own world, and try to invade the world currently inhabited by humanity.

A Breach was a phenomenon that occurred automatically, at least according to humanity’s current knowledge. There was no proper way to explain how that phenomenon occurred, not when a world once dominated by Science had suddenly collapsed due to the arrival of Mana, which showed a different mechanism yet produced practically the same results, with far better quality.

That was humanity’s understanding.

So, how exactly could a Breach open simultaneously, releasing Aliens that cooperated with each other without speaking and immediately hunted down one single cult as though it had all been planned?

Would the current understanding of a Breach, considered merely a phenomenon, be disproven, that... there was something controlling the Breach behind the scenes, wanting all of this to happen?

That was the conclusion forming in every mind among the great family parties listening to what Julian had said in that room.

They all immediately felt a creeping anxiety, a most terrifying fear because its source was completely unknown.

Then, Killac reinforced that fear when that always-confident figure fell silent with an expression difficult to comprehend. It seemed to take some time, taking a breath, and finally answering.

"I don’t know, that’s exactly why this is an emergency situation."

That statement fell like cold water soaking the back of every great family party.

"If everything were this simple, you wouldn’t even need to hold your positions as great families, me and the others could handle it all ourselves. But, as you can see, the situation still hasn’t eased at all since ancient times and the early days of the Breaches."

How much time had passed?

Killac didn’t count it, he might need to ask if he genuinely felt that curious.

Beyond that, he let out a rough sigh and looked at Julian.

"I’m genuinely glad you’re here. At least, I don’t need to worry when I have to leave this Safezone without protection from a sufficiently powerful figure."

Killac was genuinely sincere with what he said. The man might be quite old, so despite his childish and mischievous attitude, he was still a legend who had fought extremely hard for humanity’s sake today.

He knew what was difficult, what was impossible, and what was nearly impossible to do. With all that, Killac himself even felt that the future of this world was actually quite bleak.

’Maybe this is what that woman feels?’

Killac was referring to Aveela, an extremely powerful woman who had spent decades solely protecting humanity while honing her own skills.

The burden truly felt extremely heavy.

But there was no room to give up and stop halfway, after everything that had happened.

Even when the future looked bleak, that didn’t mean there was no path visible at all.

***

’This is terrifying.’

Julian didn’t feel afraid at all, but he actually understood fairly well that the current situation must be in a frightening state.

The danger felt so clear that Julian started feeling increasingly uncomfortable. Perhaps this was what it felt like to be a figure unfamiliar with fear yet still able to sense danger.

All his fear was gone, but faced with something like this, Julian could only feel how uncomfortable he was.

Especially when he heard the warning given by Killac about the possibility that those Invaders would come to humanity’s Safezone.

’Well, regardless, to resolve this issue, it’s genuinely necessary to know what’s causing it.’

Julian felt he might need to do it, but his cowardly self would later be in a very bad condition.

So, Julian held himself back. Of course because there was another reason too.

Julian couldn’t just decide carelessly simply because he wasn’t afraid. He still needed to consider his current strength, he needed to reach Rank-A first.

And that shouldn’t take too long.

Once Kina and Ilunia finally started their training and hunted real Invaders, Julian’s progress would become genuinely terrifying at that point.

’Right... I also need to find a third disciple.’

Julian couldn’t decide who would become his disciple. His system always decided and showed who was worthy of becoming his disciple and who wasn’t.

That made things difficult for Julian, but it didn’t mean Julian felt displeased about it. In fact, he’d survived this far precisely because of that unique Authority.

Regardless, the meeting then continued with further discussion about the Abandoned Territory situation.

No part was as critical as the first topic, so the conversation flowed smoothly and ended just like that.

Julian let out a breath of relief, feeling glad that all of this had finally ended. Because, once again, he genuinely hated meetings that dragged on far too long.

That was a mortal enemy to someone like him who loved his own bed.

In essence, Julian was preparing to head back when suddenly Lurker approached him and whispered close to his ear.

"Lord Julian, my father wants to meet you separately. Could you come to the upper floor? My father said he’ll be waiting there."

Right, whatever it was, all of this apparently wasn’t over yet. Julian pressed his lips together tightly, displeased, but none of that emotion showed on his face as he nodded.

’What now?’

On the other hand, in his mind, Julian felt somewhat gloomy for a moment. But eventually, he let out a small sigh and decided to head up to the upper floor and meet Killac.

Whatever reason that man had for calling him privately like this must be because he had something important to convey to Julian.

And, since it might also be important information for Julian, he couldn’t refuse that invitation and decided to come.

"Ah, Lord Julian, thank you for coming, and I’m sorry if it seems like I’m taking up your time."

’Well, at least this man is fairly self-aware.’