Power of Runes

Chapter 478: The Butterfly Effect

Doesn’t that mean I have nothing to do? I can’t change how the original things were supposed to go.

< Negative. The existence called Ash Burn is an Anomaly not because he has changed the lives of many and their fates. He is an Anomaly because he can change the future through his actions, decisions, and thoughts. >

< I do not possess sufficient information regarding this Dimension. I do not know much about its ancient past, nor do I possess enough data to accurately predict its future. >

< However, one conclusion can be reached with a high degree of certainty. Everything will eventually revolve around that Anomaly. His actions, his decisions, and his thoughts will influence the direction in which the future unfolds. >

Henry remained silent for a few moments after hearing that.

Isn’t he invincible then...?

< Aren’t most Chosen Ones effectively invincible until they fulfill their designated destiny? While you possess the capability to replace the Chosen One and take his place, I would advise leaving this particular Chosen One alone. >

< The probability of future opportunities to become stronger remains extremely high. Creating hostility with an anomaly capable of influencing the future itself is not an optimal decision. >

< Furthermore, it cannot be ruled out that the consequences of today’s actions may produce beneficial outcomes in the future. >

Let me think about it. By the way, if you already have the information, is there even a need to meet those Ocean Beasts? I feel now it would be a waste of time. I would rather observe Ash’s actions more closely.

< Agreed. Based on the currently available information, observing Ash Burn possesses a higher priority. >

< Before that, there are a few things that you must keep in mind. First, you are not the strongest individual in this Dimension, therefore caution is advised. >

Henry nodded slightly.

That fact was hardly surprising. No matter how confident he was in his own abilities, the Infinite Dimensions were simply too vast for anyone to claim absolute supremacy.

< Second, I observed earlier that the boundaries of this Dimension are approximately one thousand times denser than those of ordinary Dimensions, which means that under normal circumstances, no one should be capable of entering or leaving this Dimension. >

Ahh!! Then, did you use your Authority to directly bypass the boundary and enter inside...?

< Affirmative. Thanks to you, I have regained a portion of my Authority. As a result, I currently possess the capability to enter Dimensions regardless of boundary restrictions. >

A grin immediately appeared on Henry’s face.

My Inara is so cool.

< .. >

For a brief moment, no response came.

Did you just blush? I know you did. Hahaha, it’s so fun to tease you.

< Negative. >

Henry’s grin widened even further.

< T-Third, this appears to be an artificial Dimension created by the death of a high-ranking being. I do not possess sufficient information to determine the exact rank, but the place we are currently in is a Nested Dimension. In other words, a Dimension existing inside another Dimension. >

The amusement on Henry’s face gradually faded as he focused on her words.

A Dimension inside another Dimension...?

< Affirmative. >

< Furthermore, the size of this artificial Dimension is very small compared to the true Dimension surrounding it. >

Henry instinctively glanced around him.

The endless ocean stretched beyond the horizon, while the sky appeared vast enough to contain an entire world by itself. And there were still a tiny speck of what he could see with his eyes currently.

Yet according to Inara, all of this was merely a small space hidden within something far larger.

< Based on current observations, the difference in scale between the two is substantial. >

Now that’s interesting...

A faint spark of curiosity appeared within Henry’s eyes as he looked toward the distant horizon once more. Whatever this place truly was, it seemed far more complicated than he had initially expected.

Wait, wait, wait...I have a question which of the two Dimensions has the boundary that is one thousand times denser?

< The Artificial Dimension located inside the naturally formed Dimension possesses the denser boundary. Its boundary is approximately one thousand times denser than that of the outer Dimension. >

< Additionally, several individuals were observed meditating outside the Artificial Dimension. Based on their behavior patterns, they were most likely waiting for someone to emerge from within. >

Henry nodded slightly. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ

I see. I can more or less understand what’s going on here, but I have an even bigger question than that. Why are you able to tell me all this information?

I remember that you couldn’t even tell me a single piece of information related to my missions and tasks.

< Acknowledged. The reason is Ash Burn. >

< Due to the anomaly’s presence in this location a few moments ago, the Laws and Rules binding me have temporarily loosened. >

< The effect appears to be indirect and is not targeted at me specifically. However, it is sufficient to allow access to information that would normally remain restricted. >

< This effect is temporary and will disappear within a few moments. Therefore, I am transmitting as much information as possible while the restrictions remain weakened. >

Henry blinked.

For real? Then shouldn’t I just stick close to Ash? Wouldn’t that make you completely free?

< Negative. >

< According to the gathered information, the anomaly known as Ash Burn recently underwent a Heavenly Lightning Tribulation. Prior to that event, he manifested an extremely abnormal phenomenon. >

< The effects I am currently experiencing appear to originate from that phenomenon rather than from Ash Burn himself. >

< Furthermore, available data indicates that the phenomenon has already ended. Therefore, the temporary loosening of my restrictions is expected to disappear shortly. >

I see...

Henry rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

Still, he has definitely managed to pique my interest. I’ll go after him after I gather a little more information about this world.

< Acknowledged. >

A brief pause followed before Inara spoke again.

< By the way, your Charm Suppressing Ring was destroyed during the Spatial-Temporal Storm. >

< As a result, your natural presence is no longer being concealed. Based on current observations, many individuals have already lost consciousness after seeing you. >

< Recommendation: Exercise caution and remain hidden until you create a suitable replacement. >

Henry’s expression immediately stiffened.

Hmm, thanks for reminding me. The information regarding Ash made me forget about it entirely.

He glanced toward the distant battlefield below.

Although most of the people there were currently unable to move, there was no guarantee that would remain the case forever.

I’ll stay hidden for now and observe things first.

< Acknowledged. That is the optimal decision. >

By the way, what are the missions this time around..? We can’t go back to the past now, so there must have been some changes to the missions, right...?

< Affirmative. Due to the--- >

****

[Ash Pov]

-FLASSSHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Thud!!!

"Hufff.... Huff..... Hufff... Huff..."

Ash steadied himself after landing on the ground, his chest rising and falling heavily as he struggled to regain control over his breathing while the events that had just transpired continued replaying themselves inside his mind.

What was that....? No, rather, who was that...? Who did I even summon...?

Ash had no idea.

Even now, when he tried to recall that existence, he found himself unable to properly comprehend what he had witnessed, because the figure had appeared for such a brief moment that he had barely managed to process its presence before he was teleported away.

Still, despite the confusion lingering in his mind, his nerves were gradually beginning to settle now that he was no longer in danger of being captured and was no longer standing before an existence whose mere arrival had completely overturned the battlefield.

The pressure weighing upon him slowly disappeared, allowing him to finally think clearly again.

At the same time, his appearance began to change as the draconic features covering his body gradually receded, while the overwhelming aura surrounding him weakened little by little until he eventually returned to his original human form.

Not his True Form.

Simply his ordinary human appearance.

After confirming that the transformation had ended properly, Ash immediately expanded his perception throughout the surrounding region and carefully examined everything within range, wanting to ensure that no hidden danger had followed him during the traversal.

His senses swept across the area.

There were no signs of people around him.

No signs of anyone following him.

And most importantly, there were no signs of that mysterious existence either.

Only after confirming all of that did he finally allow himself to relax slightly.

"What is this place, Eva?"

{ I have no idea. It was a random traversal. I was focused on just getting out of there that I did not select any destination. I am sorry. }

Ash could not help but blink in surprise upon hearing the apology in her voice.

"What are you apologizing for? If not for you, I would not even be here right now."

His voice carried genuine sincerity as he continued speaking.

"Be proud, because of you we managed to escape a dangerous situation that should have been impossible to escape from, and if you had hesitated for even a moment, I would probably still be trapped back there."

A brief silence followed.

{.....But I also sacrificed so many skills. Permanently at that. }

Although Eva tried to sound calm, Ash could immediately tell what was bothering her.

After all, more than thirty-six million skills had vanished forever in order to generate enough energy to activate the traversal.

Even for someone like Eva, that was not a small loss.

"Forget about those."

Ash shook his head without hesitation.

"I know you have even more skills than you sacrificed, so it doesn’t even matter in the grand scheme of things, because skills can always be obtained again while opportunities to survive situations like that do not come twice."

He paused briefly before continuing.

"What matters is that we escaped."

A faint smile gradually appeared on his face.

"What matters is that today’s MVP was none other than Evangeline herself."

The moment those words left his mouth, the atmosphere noticeably changed.

The guilt lingering within Eva’s voice immediately weakened.

"And because of that, I will definitely give you a very big award."

{ Really? }

The response arrived so quickly that Ash almost laughed.

"Really."

{ You are not lying, are you? }

"Why would I lie?"

A few moments passed without a response, as though Eva was trying to determine whether he was serious or not.

Then finally.

{ Then, that’s good. Hmph!! }

Despite the proud tone she tried to maintain at the end, Ash could easily tell that her mood had improved considerably and that the guilt she had been carrying moments ago had almost completely disappeared.

Seeing that reaction, the smile on Ash’s face widened slightly because he had long since realized that, when it came to Eva, a few sincere words of appreciation were often far more effective than any amount of logic or reasoning.

And he has also made a very tough decision regarding something.

The decision to allow Eva to comprehend the Runes.

***