Chapter 191: The First Generation Dome
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 191: The First Generation Dome
The tide of the battle was instantly turned by the man who had suddenly appeared.
Standing beside Ivy, he dealt with Vesparo with casual ease.
"You are...?"
Ivy looked at the man before her, her mind drifting. "The First Generation Dome?"
In response to Ivy’s question, the blonde man nodded. He wore a bronze metal mask and spoke in a tone tinged with regret.
"A pity. This should be my final appearance. You will have to face the next fatal trial yourself."
As he spoke, the man glanced back at Xie Bai and said softly, "I do not know who you are, but I see the air of an old acquaintance in you. It brings back memories. Tell you what—before I dissipate completely, I have a gift for you."
A thread of brilliant gold light emerged from the man's hand and flew toward Xie Bai.
[Timeline - Golden Age]
The moment she saw the thread, Little Gamie immediately scurried over.
"This is a timeline? Why do you have this... wait, can a timeline even appear here?"
The man smiled faintly at Little Gamie’s questioning. "Perhaps you would need your sister here to see why."
Turning back to Xie Bai, he said, "Before that, I hope you can find it in you to spare the Cult Leader of Chaos. For now, he cannot—"
Before he could finish his sentence, Funeral Rites, which had been lying on the ground, suddenly lunged upward.
Shing—!
[Kill Confirmed: Cult Leader of Chaos Lv.126]
[Inscription Triggered: Uncrowned King has inscribed Talent: "Atheist"]
In a mere heartbeat, Funeral Rites tore through the Cult Leader’s body and flew back into Xie Bai’s hand.
"There’s more than one Cult Leader of Chaos. Why can't I kill this one?" Xie Bai asked, holding Funeral Rites as she stared at the newcomer.
This man, whom Ivy called the First Generation Dome, showed no information when inspected. It was likely due to the use of "Atheist" as well. Unsurprisingly, he and the Cult Leader were likely the same kind of person.
Hearing Xie Bai’s interrogation, the First Generation Dome shook his head helplessly.
"Atheist was his last resort. Without it, I can't imagine what capital he has left. Or perhaps he has some trump card I haven't thought of..."
The man's expression was hidden behind his mask, but the regret in his voice was palpable. He then looked toward Little Gamie.
"Did your sister not come with you?"
Faced with the question, Little Gamie suddenly looked quite proud of herself.
"Hmph! We had a deal back then—only one of us could come to save Sister Ivy. In the end, I was the one who won the match!"
The First Generation Dome pondered her boastful answer for a moment.
"Is that so? Then she must be fuming. Remember to bring her some desserts when you go back."
The man’s words were unexpectedly gentle, so much so that the gloating Little Gamie didn't notice anything amiss.
Xie Bai, however, was not as carefree as Little Gamie. She raised Funeral Rites and questioned the First Generation Dome.
"Who exactly are you? And how do you know Gamie and her sister?"
Xie Bai felt a surge of annoyance toward this "First Generation Dome," who revealed no useful information and spoke entirely in riddles. She hated the feeling of being placed inside someone’s plan without her knowledge.
The man did not offer a defense. He simply said calmly, "I would love to tell you everything at once, but I’m afraid I don’t have much time left. However, you can use Gamie’s power to go back into that past time and search for the truth yourself."
He then added, "Rest assured, I will not harm you. I once told someone I would give my all to help her. Now, that should include you as well."
With those words, the First Generation Dome’s form began to fade.
"Come to think of it, my ability to appear here is likely thanks to you resolving the World Tree Shackles. It’s a shame I have little left to give you by way of thanks."
His figure flickered out completely, turning into a glow that drifted into a Fate Card.
[Alchemy]
A second later, the remaining light on the Fate Card began to dissipate.
Ivy watched the scene unfold in a daze. "The First Generation Dome... was he inside my Fate Card all along?"
The atmosphere grew quiet.
On this night, Vesparo was dead. Another Cult Leader of Chaos had been dealt with. And the legendary founder of Dome Academy had suddenly appeared, only to vanish just as quickly. It all happened so fast it felt as if nothing had happened at all.
Xie Bai narrowed her eyes at the dim Fate Card.
"That guy... running off after spouting all that nonsense. He really doesn't take me seriously."
She pulled out her own set of Fate Cards.
【 Hmm... who are we divining this time? 】
Xie Bai picked up the darkened card from the ground. "Help me look at this card."
【 This? Is it a Fate Card? 】
The Fate Card sounded confused.
【 Wait, I don't think this card exists. There is no corresponding Authority of 'Alchemy' among the True Gods. 】
【 Isn't that something unique to you humans? Why would it be inscribed on a Fate Card? 】
Xie Bai froze at the response. "Are you saying this Fate Card is a forgery?"
【 Hmm... you could say that. But it’s a very convincing fake. Even I didn't realize it at first; I was wondering when a 'God of Art'—no, a 'God of Alchemy'—had appeared. 】
【 Come to think of it, I remember the group that plotted against The Master was very skilled in alchemy. Seeing this on a Fate Card feels... wrong. 】
Xie Bai fell into a pensive silence.
【 Alright, if there are no other questions, I’m going back to sleep. Last time I calculated the Witch of Fate for you, The Master almost had me sealed away. 】
The Fate Card went dormant.
Xie Bai stared at the dull card for a while before handing it back to Ivy.
"You might still be in danger once more. Be careful, and it’s best if you don't use the power of the Witch of Fate for a while."
Ivy nodded at the warning. "I know that. Plenty of people are eyeing Fate, and I’m not yet strong enough to protect myself completely."
She then looked at Xie Bai. "By the way, how did you know I’d be in danger tonight?"
Xie Bai answered casually, "Divination."
She even showed Ivy her own Fate Cards.
"You know how to divine?" Ivy looked at Xie Bai in surprise, then at the cards in her hand. "Aside from being a terrifying fighter, you actually have this skill?"
Xie Bai nodded as if it were the most natural thing in the world. "Of course."
Seeing Xie Bai’s matter-of-fact expression, Ivy instinctively believed her.
"Then I really have to thank you for tonight. Though, I still don't quite understand what just happened. It all feels a bit surreal."
The gold faded from Ivy’s hair, returning to its usual muted grey-blue.
"Oh, right. Since you're here, I might as well tell you something."
She pulled a letter from her bedside and handed it to Xie Bai.
"The Dean approved your application to compete. And he said that this time, it won't be an ordinary competition—it’s a Full Alliance Tournament."