Illusory Glass froze the moment she heard the hooded woman’s words. Could the deity this woman spoke of—the very deity *they* worshipped—actually be those Eye Orbs… that pancreas?
Disgusting.
But nausea could wait. The real point was what the hooded woman had just said: *“Deities are immune to time rewind.”*
Illusory Glass had witnessed their “Unsealing.” They borrowed so-called divine power to strengthen themselves, reach higher realms, even fuse deity and self. If deities were untouched by rewind… did that mean *they* were too?
*“Clever little one. You’ve guessed it—those who borrow divine power… are not affected by time! Rewind.”*
The voice flooded Illusory Glass’s mind, forcing her to retreat step by step. A trace of magic laced the words, smothering resistance—spiritual energy woven into every syllable.
But Illusory Glass had learned from past spiritual attacks. She broke free instantly. *Not all truth.* Even if deities resisted rewind, humans wielding that power remained mortal. Rewind *should* still work.
*“So… care to bet?”*
The voice echoed ghostlike through the empty dojo. Illusory Glass checked her temporal anchor. One move from the hooded woman, and she’d rewind—no matter the cost.
They still held the advantage. Secure the Key first, and District Twelve might survive.
*“Rewind!”*
Gritting her teeth, Illusory Glass drew a dagger, slit her throat, and arrived at the Time Temple. She slowly turned the clock hand—back to the moment of waking.
First sight: the narrow corridor of District Twelve’s branch. Two steps back. The infirmary’s pure white ceiling. Moon Owl, about to leave. Illusory Glass spun and seized her hand.
*“Something’s in the dojo!”*
Her tone and urgency were utterly unlike moments before. Had Moon Owl not known Illusory Glass could rewind time, she’d have suspected an imposter.
*“Three Seekers! Four Chapter Threes, one Cantata Two, and countless mercenaries!”*
Illusory Glass spoke rapidly, setting a temporal anchor mid-sentence. Fear of sudden death from revealing too much future pressed her—but the Time Temple sustained her. She rushed every word.
Moon Owl wasn’t slow. Combining Blade’s analysis, she grasped it: the Key was in the dojo. Multiple Chapter Threes were coming. The Seekers had committed their main force.
*“Moon Owl! Trouble! Several Chapter Threes just appeared above District Twelve!”*
Illusory Glass’s heart sank. *Were they truly rewind-proof?* If yes, her rewind meant nothing. She demanded Moon Owl take her. Seeing confusion on their faces, she breathed relief.
Rewind didn’t touch deities—but it still touched *them*.
*“We go for the Key now. Only holding it keeps District Twelve safe. If they get it… consequences are unimaginable.”*
Moon Owl nodded. This Key and gate held unknown power. Who knew what’d happen in enemy hands?
Moon Owl tore a spatial rift, brought Illusory Glass to the dojo’s center. Following directions, she secured the Key.
No hooded figure appeared this time. Likely because they’d arrived directly—no loose ends for the woman to catch.
Back at the branch, after consulting Blade and Qianchun, they decided: seal the Key deep underground in District Twelve.
*“Overall, we hold the advantage. They don’t know we have the Key.”*
Blade advised against direct confrontation. Mid-sentence, her face paled. She slammed the red button, shouting into the mic:
*“They’re heading for the crowded zone! Two Chapter Threes inbound for District Twelve! All non-combatants evacuate NOW! Those bastards are targeting civilians—and sent forces to pin Moon Owl down…”*
*“Illusory Glass, take the Key and fall back. Your time-based mana can protect it.”*
District Twelve had only one Chapter Three: Moon Owl. One or two enemies could hold her. The rest would rampage unchecked.
Non-combatants evacuated. Dawnlight and Illusory Glass led the retreat; others moved to intercept the incoming Chapter Threes.
The Zone Fifteen Guardian hovered midair—most affected by rewind, flung entirely outside District Twelve. Last Chapter Three to arrive.
She chanted the Unsealing incantation. Jet-black wind tore open the Obsidian Stone–laced metal plates shielding District Twelve. Aphrodite raised her scales, passing judgment on the buildings below.
Invisible pressure crushed structures flat. Aphrodite snapped back to awareness—Unsealed, borrowing divine power. Memory foggy, but a faint sense of rewind lingered.
As realization dawned, a figure appeared behind her: the Seekers’ final pillar. Never revealed. Their hidden trump card.
*“You sensed it too… time rewound.”*
Hrubess and Aphrodite nodded. The hooded woman continued:
*“I don’t know what happened, but I feel it—District Twelve has the Key. Target: District Twelve. Even with only one Chapter Three, their mid-tier strength is solid. We won’t take it quickly.”*
She leisurely pointed toward newly built housing. A plan crystallized in her mind.
*“They claim District Twelve puts citizens first. Let’s test that… Lord Hrubess, take the civilians hostage. Lady Aphrodite and the Zone Fifteen Guardian—handle their base. Right here~”*
Hrubess hesitated, then nodded, flying toward the marked buildings. Aphrodite shot toward the branch.
The hooded woman vanished, appeared beside the Zone Fifteen Guardian at the border, issued orders, then disappeared.
Moon Owl tore space open. Mana swirled around her twin daggers. With a surge of power, she forced the two attackers apart.
Unsealed, Moon Owl’s blades sliced the void—catching Aphrodite and the Zone Fifteen Guardian off guard.
Aphrodite stabilized fast. Scales pressed down; mana traced arm patterns, reshaping flattened metal into a sharp spike. One hand gripped the spike, the other manipulated the scales—pressing and parrying Moon Owl’s strikes.
With Aphrodite pinning Moon Owl, the Zone Fifteen Guardian’s role simplified: strike when Moon Owl faltered.
Cantata Twos flooded through Moon Owl’s rift into the eastern district. Hrubess had already seized half the civilians.
Under Qianchun’s command, Zhou Jiaxin and Aklatia members evacuated half the district in moments. The rest… beyond reach.
*“Why did it have to turn out like this?!”*
Zhou Jiaxin joined Aklatia on Blade’s recommendation. Good pay. Reconstruction opportunities. She’d dreamed of working here peacefully, buying a home…
Less than half a month later—Chapter Three siege. Far deadlier than District Twenty One!
Regret twisted in her chest. *Night Frost, you scammer!* Why listen to her sweet talk? Steady work in District Twenty One was safer!
Only loss reveals past value.
*“Regretting it?”*
Qianchun had slipped out—Blade would never permit her frontline. She’d snuck out with Qiu Sheng; their life-or-death bond guaranteed cover.
*“Mm…”*
Zhou Jiaxin nodded. No loyalty to Aklatia. No desire to “settle” here. Truth? She wanted to run.
*“Go. I won’t stop you. You’re not local. But stay, contribute… triple salary~”*
Qianchun winked. Zhou Jiaxin’s heart skipped.
*“Triple? TRIPLE?!”*
Eyes lit up. Sixty thousand on this job. Sixty thousand *in one day*… Damn it. *She’s in.*
*“Guaranteed mission success!”*
Qianchun smiled behind her hand, leaned close, whispered. A shadow clouded Zhou Jiaxin’s eyes.
*“This… doesn’t feel right.”*
*“Quadruple salary~ Low risk. Just be careful.”*
Qianchun coaxed gently, pressing Magic Stones into her palm. *“If danger comes—run. No shame.”*
*“I’m in!”*
Zhou Jiaxin dove into the rift. Qianchun’s smile vanished. From her pocket, she drew the pure white Magic Stone veined with black crystals.
She scanned the field: Qiu Sheng, Lu Jin, Lu Shi, the Old Woman, Zhao Qingsnow… all clad in Magic Armor, locked in desperate battle with Hrubess. The tide turned against them.
*(Chen Xiaoyin and Aklatia personnel are evacuating protected civilians.)*
*“Huff…”*
Qianchun drew a deep breath. Stepped forward.
*“Armor up.”*
