Bertemu sebuah petunjuk tak lama setelah memasuki dimensi sekunder — kebetulan yang memang tak terduga. Kemungkinan besar, itulah [Caretaker of the Stars] Ames yang menyalakan Luck Glow-nya dan menyatu dengan mereka. Atau mungkinkah Sang Dewi Keberuntungan baru saja beralih orientasinya secara... seksual?
Aproksipasi soal menyentuh Feidin untuk keberuntungan disebut 'u201eMenyentuh Willyu201a', lalu kalau menyentuh Ames...?
Mungkinkah cukup dengan sebut saja 'u201eCoiling Dragon[1]u201a'?
Karena keberuntungannya tak main-main — bertemu langsung dengan petunjuk yang sedang Hila cari — Han Xiao tak punya alasan untuk tidak mengejar. Ia terus bertekad maju. u201eKamu masih ingat dimensi sekunder yang dimaksud?"
Kirkmond sejenak mencengkeram pikiran, lalu mengangguk. u201eAku ada jejak belon. Sepertinya dimensi sekunder ini cukup terkenal dan pernah terkenang lagi. Dulunya diblokir oleh semacam kekuatan, namun kadang-kadang justru memancarkan energi kehidupan kuat yang mampu merangsang potensi berbagai makhluk hidup. Kemudian, blokade pun menguat sekelip sebelah matanya. Tapi saat para makhluk hidup nekat menyelama… eh… berani menyeberang, mereka menemukan u2013 tidak ada apa-apa di dalam sana. Bahkan energi untuk mempertahankan eksistensinya sendiri tak tersedia. Perlahan, ia merosot dan mengecil. Belakangan ini, semakin dekat ke penuhnya runtuhnya.u201d
Mendengar itu, Han Xiao pun gemuruh senang.
Kebanyakan dimensi sekunder takkekal, melainkan runtuh dan menghilang dengan waktu — seperti daun yang layu dan buah yang membusuk. Dunia dimensi sekunder penuh kacau dan kongkordia, tak henti melahirkan dimensi-dimensi baru. Kebanyakan menggelembung kecil dan singkat, taksedikit hanya bisa bertahan stabil selama periode pendek.
Peradaban maju dan ahli besar juga bisa menciptakan dimensi sekunder buatan. Namun bentuknya berlainan dengan hiper-stabil alami dari dimensi void.
Perihal penyekutuan dimensi sekunder, ada beberapa kemungkinan. Paling besar, dimensi sekunder itu ialah karya sejumlah kehidupan kuat. Tentu saja, untuk mencegah penyusup, ia dikubur dan dikunci dari dunia luar.
u201eJika dimensi sekunder ini memang ruang anak buah seseorang di atas Beyond Grade A, maka penyebab akhirnya ialah kematian penciptanya, yang menyebabkan aliran energinya terputus, sehingga perlahan-lahan menyusut dan runtuh.u201d
Han Xiao mengira-nggambar.
u201eEntah aku yakin.u201d Kirkmond mengembalikan token revival ke tangan Han Xiao. u201eAku menyejulutinya sebagai 'u201eLautan Sunyi dan Matiu201a'. Jika kamu berminat, aku bisa memberi koordinatnya."
u201eSilakan. Aku memang ada urusan di sana.u201d Han Xiao tersenyum.
Kirkmond tidak langsung menolak. Ia mengendurkan otot-otot energi, membakar data Lautan Sunyi dan Mati sebelum menyerahkan kepada Han Xiao. u201eDinding ruangnya penuh lobang, dan badai ruang terus-menerus bersurge. Berhati-hatilah — ruang bisa runtuh dan menghilang kapan saja. Jika terserkap badai ruang itu, entah kamu akan tersesat dalam lapisan-lapisan tanpa batas dimensi sekunder.u201d
Han Xiao menerima gumpalan energi itu, memindainya sebentar, lalu berdiri. u201eBaik ditulis. Kami akan berangkat sekarang juga."
Ini adalah hasil tak terduga dari perjalanan ini. Awalnya ia hanya ingin menyelesaikan urusannya sendiri dulu, lalu membantu Hila mencari apa yang dia inginkan.
u201eAku menunggu kamu kembali, baru kita mulai perang.u201d Kirkmond mengangguk setuju.
Setelah kesepakatan dipasang, Han Xiao tak tertunda lama. Ia kembali memanggil [Host Energi Mistik Primal Chaos].
u201eAyo, ikuti aku. Kita akan menemukan teman lamamu.u201d
Energi Mistik Primal Chaos pun menerima perintah dan melakukan lompatan dimensi lainnya, mengangkut Han Xiao dan Ames bersama-sama.
...
Di tempat lain, Law dan Fay sedang mengamalkan patroli perlahan di sebuah ruang putih luas, di antara lapisan dimensi sekunder.
Di atas kapal induk, peta bintang dimensi sekunder melayang di udara — namun tampilannya jauh berbeda dari peta 3D rinci di alam semesta utama. Ia menyerupai model seribu gelembung yang bertumpuk, sekilas mirip anggur. Setiap gelembung melambangkan satu dimensi sekunder yang tercatat.
Karena dimensi sekunder selalu lahir baru, topografi dimensi sekunder ini berubah setiap saat. Peta ini hanya sebagai acuan, sementara koordinat anchor tiap lapisan berfungsi sebagai penanda arah.
Law dan Fay berdiri di samping model dunia dimensi sekunder, sunyi melihatnya. Tiba-tiba, titik merah menyala di dalam salah satu gelembung, diikuti gelombang merah berlipat.
u201eRadar pemantik silang mendeteksi target! Teridentifikasi sebagai level Beyond Grade A puncak!u201d
u201eTarget kami dipisahkan oleh tiga belas dimensi sekunder… Simulasi rute selesai. Diperkirakan akan bertemu setelah delapan lompatan.u201d
u201ePengabari Yang Mulia, siap menerima perintah.u201d
Mendengar laporan bawahan, Law pun memberi kuku aingnya. u201eKunci anchor point, lompatkan dimensi!u201d
Sejak perintah dilontarkan, kapal-kapal perang segera mengaktifkan mesin dimensi sekunder, berubah menjadi aliran cahaya dan bersinar ketat.
Perangkat shuttlenya mulai berputar, mengayun-ngayunkan dinding ruang dengan frekuensi khusus.
Saat kecepatan kapal mencapai puncak, dinding ruang berbentuk madu muncul di depan. Retak cepat terbentuk, dan ujungnya mengarah ke dimensi berikutnya.
Kapal-kapal itu lurus saja masuk, dan di antara awan pun terdengar gemericik u201cpopu201d — seolah tekanan luar menekan udara di dalam kapal.
Pandangan mereka kabur sebentar, lalu… sudah berada di dimensi sekunder lain.
Beberapa detik saja, retak di dinding ruang pun menutup dan menghilang tanpa jejak.
Inilah cara lazim untuk beralih antar dimensi sekunder.
Di luar kaca jendela, pemandangan dimensi sekunder berganti cepat seiring lompatan berulang. Akhirnya, kapal-kapal itu berhenti di satu titik.
Beban besar tak bisa dihindarkan dari lompatan cepat ini. Saat ini, kapal-kapal dipenuhi energi ruang yang sangat kasar, melayangkan distorsi ruang di sekitarnya — seolah mesinnya kelebihan panas.
Di peta bintang, armada menujukkan bahwa kini mereka berada di dimensi sekunder yang sama dengan titik merah, dan target semakin dekat.
Law laju mendekat ke jendela depan, menatap ke arah titik merah. u201eSiapkan serangan. Siapkan Peluru Exil Dimensi.u201d
Ketika mereka berdua menatap ke luar, akhirnya seekor figur muncul dan terbang mendekat.
Tak lama kemudian, Law memperhatikan detailnya hingga mengubah perintahnya. u201eTunggu, jangan tembak! Energi auranya berbeda dari catatan kami. Bukan Black Star juga.u201d
Clotti mengenakan seragam mekanis, menutupi raut mukanya, tapi tak menyembunyikan getaran energi di sekitarnya.
Energi Esper dan Mechanic adalah sesuatu yang tidak tertandingi secara langsung. Dari dekat, Law dengan jelas melihat perbedaan getaran energi.
Merasakan rombongan di depannya, Clotti perlahan mengurangi kecepatannya, kemudian berhenti di depan armada itu. Ia membuka saluran komunikasi area lebar dengan dingin. u201eSiapa kalian? Kenapa menghentikanku?"
u201eKami hanyalah anggota eksplorasi dimensi sekunder. Kami tak menghalangi kamu, hanya kebetulan bertemu di jalan.u201d Law menjawab dengan tenang.
Mengamati distorsi energi ruang di sekitar armada dari banyaknya lompatan, Clotti langsung paham ini semua dusta, tapi tak mau mengungkitnya. u201eOrganisasi mana eksplorasi kalian?"
u201eKami berasal dari organisasi sipil kecil, datang untuk mengumpulkan barang antik di sana. Lihat kamu yang sendirian melintas melintasi dimensi sekunder — pasti kamu Beyond Grade A puncak yang terkenal. Kami memohon untuk bisa tahu namamu,u201d kata Law sopan.
u201eAku hanyalah Beyond Grade A biasa.u201d Clotti menjawab with sangat tenang.
Di dalam hatinya, Law telah mengutuk: "_Aduh, betapa kejamnya!_"
Wah, seorang Beyond Grade A puncak yang berani pura-pura lemah!
Law dan Fay terasa pusing. Mereka berdua juga Beyond Grade A, tak lain karena radar deteksi mampu menilai kekuatan lawan — tak seharusnya meremehkan.
Radar deteksi kehidupan antar-dimensi ini khusus untuk dimensi sekunder, tapi akurasinya lemah. Syarat pencariannya sudah cukup sulit, dan sekarang malah kebetulan bertemu dengan Beyond Grade A lain yang tak kalah kerennya.
Mereka berdua belum mengenal Clotti, dan tak ingin menimbulkan masalah.
u201ePengabari Yang Mulia, kami mohon maaf jika kami menyinggung Anda. Jika tidak ada hal lain, kami akan pergi dulu.u201d
Sebelum menunggu jawaban Clotti, ia langsung membelok dan menghela armada.
Berbalik pun, mereka lihat Clotti tak mengejar, hanya duduk di sana dan menyaksikan armada itu pergi.
u201eSepertinya dia tidak berniat menyerang kita.u201d Law menghela napas.
u201eKayaknya dia tak tertarik dengan kita.u201d Fay pun lega.
u201eAyo, kita pergi dari sini.u201d Law kembali memberi perintah, u201eCatat target ini, jangan pernah kebetulan bertemu lagi. Reset pemindai antar-dimensi, cari sinyal Beyond Grade A lain.u201d
Mereka berdua tak berkutik panik dengan identitas Clotti. Di dimensi sekunder, banyak zorro besar dan naga tersembunyi. Mereka tak ada niat mencari masalah. Semua dilakukan demi misi mereka.
Clotti menyaksikan armada itu pergi tanpa mengejar.
Dimensi sekunder banyak organisasi rahasia yang bersembunyi, menghindari aturan tiga Peradaban Universal. Dari pandangan tiga Peradaban, mereka tak lebih dari sekuntum tikus.
Baginya, kelompok ini mungkin salah satu organisasi rahasia. Mereka mengejar target yang salah hingga akhirnya menemui Clotti.
Tujuan perannya ialah Teman Traveler. Dan selama ini mereka tahu cara mundur, jadi ia tak mau repot-repot mengganggu mereka.
Sejenak menoleh sekedar untuk memastikan arah armada yang berangkat, Clotti memilih arah yang berlawanan dan terus melompat.
Entah berapa lama kemudian, Clotti tiba di tujuan akhirnya: dimensi sekunder — Konvergensi Jahat.
Sekitarnya dipenuhi energi ungu hijau yang hampir menghancurkan. Energi itu beriak-riang seperti lipatan perut. Gelembung gas ungu hijau sekali-sekala meledak seperti air bersih perut.
Dari salah satu dinding dalam Konvergensi Jahat, tubuh laki-laki muncul — ditumbuhi lendir ungu hijau. Makhluk ini adalah Traveler.
Kulitnya pucat, memancarkan energi sangat kejam dan gila. Seolah ia dalam mod panik yang membuatnya tak rasional.
Bagian bawah tubuh Traveler yang masih terendam terus memancarkan cincin energi yang terlihat kepada mata telentar. Cincin-cincin itu menembus dinding ungu hijau Konvergensi Jahat.
Clotti menatap dengan bijak — Traveler sedang menyebarkan esensi gennya sendiri. Secara teknis, ia sedang bersamaan intimasi dengan dimensi sekunder yang hampir hidup.
u201eTuan Gelap Klotti, apa kabar!u201d teriak Traveler sambil teriak terbahak-bahai. u201eAku tak tahu kamu datang untuk tujuan apa. Ada pertemuan ngga di sini? Aku tak keberatan.u201d
Clotti tetap serius, menjawab dengan tenang. u201eKamu pernah ikut serta kampanyek mengelilingi dan menekan sekutu dinasti — sebuah kejahatan. Aku
To come across a clue right after they entered the secondary dimension, this could only be attributed to luck. Most likely, it was Ames’ [Caretaker of the Stars] Luck Glow that shone down on them. Could it be that the Goddess of Luck had changed her sexual orientation?
Speaking of which, since the act of rubbing Feidin for luck was called ‘Touching the Willy’, what then should he term the act of rubbing Ames?
Should he just go with ‘Coiling Dragon[1]’?
Since his luck was good enough to run into the clues that Hila was searching for, Han Xiao had no reason to let it go. He pressed on. “Do you remember which secondary dimension that was?”
Kirkmond thought for a while before he nodded. “I have a faint impression. That secondary dimension seems to be pretty well known as well and was famous for a period of time. It was once blocked off by a certain type of power but occasionally emitted strong vitality that could actually stimulate the potential of various life forms. Later, the blockade lifted by itself, but when the curious secondary dimension life forms went over, they discovered that nothing was within it, and the entire space even lacked the energy to maintain itself. It slowly declined and shrank, and in recent years, it’s been close to collapse. It may disappear at any time.”
Hearing that, Han Xiao was excited.
Most secondary dimensions did not exist forever but would collapse and disappear over time, just like leaves withering and fruits rotting. The secondary dimension world was disorderly and chaotic, which would constantly give rise to new secondary dimensions. Most of them were like bubbles, small and short lived, and only a few could exist stably for a long period of time.
Advanced civilizations and mages could also create artificial secondary dimensions. However, the form of such artificial secondary dimensions was different from the naturally occurring hyper-stable plane of the void dimension.
As for the blockage of such secondary dimensions, there were several possibilities. The most likely would be that the secondary dimension was a creation of some powerful life form. In which case, it would make sense to seal it from the outside world to prevent intruders.
“If this secondary dimension was the subsidiary space of a Beyond Grade A, then the reason for its decline should be the death of the Beyond Grade A creator, causing the space to lose its energy supply, gradually shrinking and collapsing,” Han Xiao guessed.
“I’m not clear on that.” Kirkmond threw the revive token back to Han Xiao. “I call it the Land of Dead Silence. If you wish to go, I can send you the coordinates.”
“If you could. I have some interest in that place.” Han Xiao smiled.
Kirkmond casually squeezed at the void energy, burning the information of the Land of Dead Silence within before throwing it to Han Xiao. He added, “The space wall of that secondary dimension is riddled with holes, and countless space storms surge within. Be careful, the space might collapse and disappear at any time, and if you are swept away by that turbulent space, you might end up lost in the endless layers of the secondary dimensions.”
Han Xiao received the energy clump and read through the information before standing up. “Noted. We’ll make a move now.”
This was an unexpected harvest of the trip. He had planned to take a gander after he was done with his business to help Hila search for what she wanted.
“Then, I’ll wait for you to return so we can start the war.” Kirkmond nodded back.
Having reached an agreement for the war employment, Han Xiao did not delay and once again summoned the Mysterious Energy Host.
“Let’s go. Lead the way. We’ll find your old friend.”
The Primal Chaos Mysterious Energy got the instruction and performed another dimensional shuttle, taking Han Xiao and Ames with him.
...
Meanwhile, Law and Fay were slowly patrolling a vast white space within one of the secondary dimension layers.
On the bridge of the flagship, a star map of the secondary dimension was suspended in the air, but its appearance was very different from the detailed 3D map the main universe had. It looked like a model of countless bubbles piled up together, and at first glance, it looked like a bunch of grapes. Every bubble represented a secondary dimension that was recorded.
Because new secondary dimensions were constantly being born, the terrain of the secondary dimension changed every moment. This map was only used as a reference, and the anchor point coordinates of the different layers were used as guiding markers.
Law and Fay stood next to the secondary dimension world model, silently observing. At this moment, a red dot suddenly lit up inside one of the bubbles, and a circle of red ripples appeared within the model.
“Cross-probing radar has discovered a target, marked as pinnacle Beyond Grade A level!”
“Our target is separated by thirteen secondary dimensions... The route simulation is complete. Expected to encounter our target after eight jumps.”
“Your Excellencies, awaiting your command.”
Hearing the reports from the subordinates, Law hummed in agreement before commanding, “Lock the anchor point, start the dimensional jump!”
Once the command was issued, these warships immediately activated the secondary dimension engine, turning into streams of light as they accelerated wildly. The shuttle device loaded on the battleships began to operate, oscillating at the space walls with a special frequency.
The moment the battleships’ speed reached its peak, a space wall shaped like a honeycomb appeared in front of it. A crack was quickly created, and the other end was a scene of the next dimension.
The spaceships flew straight in, and everyone heard a crisp ‘pop’ sound, as though the shock outside caused the air within the spaceships to react.
Their vision blurred, and the next moment, they had arrived in another secondary dimension. In just a few seconds, the crack within the space wall closed and disappeared without a trace.
This was the conventional way of shuttling between secondary dimensions. The scenes of the secondary dimensions changed rapidly outside the porthole as the fleet jumped many times in succession before finally coming to a halt.
Such rapid shuttling brought a heavy load to the spacecraft, and at this time, the spaceships were all shrouded in violent space energy, distorting their very environment as though the engines were overheated.
On the star map, the fleet showed that they were finally on the same secondary dimension as the red dot, and the target was rapidly drawing closer.
Seeing this, Law quickly came to the front porthole, looking in the direction of the red dot. “Prepare to engage. Ready the Dimensional Exile Bullet.”
As both of them stared out of the window, finally, a figure appeared and flew closer.
Just as he was about to initiate the attack, Law took a close look at the person and immediately changed his command.
“Wait, don’t fire! This person doesn’t look like Black Star. His aura is different from the one in our records.”
Clotti was wearing a mechanical suit, covering his facial features, but he did not hide the energy fluctuations coming from his body.
The Energy Attribute of an Esper and a Mechanic were worlds apart, so at close range, Law discovered the significant difference in energy fluctuations.
Sensing the group in front of him, Clotti slowed down before coming to a stop in front of the fleet. He opened the wide area communication channel as he coldly spoke.
“Who are you guys? Why are you stopping me?”
“We’re just a secondary dimension exploration team. We’re not blocking you but rather happened to come across you.” Law sent a reply back.
Observing the space energy distortion caused by the rapid jumps around the fleet, Clotti knew immediately that this group was lying, but he did not expose them. “Which organization does your exploration team belong to?”
“We’re from a small civil organization and have come over to collect some specialties here. Seeing that you’re shuttling through the secondary dimension alone, you must be a famous pinnacle Beyond Grade A. I wonder if we can have the honor of knowing your name,” Law humbly said.
“I’m just an ordinary Beyond Grade A,” Clotti blandly replied.
Law cursed in his heart.
F*ck you!
To think that a pinnacle Beyond Grade A like you is trying to pretend to be weak!
Law and Fay felt a headache coming. Both of them were Beyond Grade As, and if not for the fact that the detection radar was able to tell them their opponent’s combat power, they would not be so humble.
This cross-plane life form detection radar was a device dedicated to the secondary dimensions, but its accuracy was quite lacking. The search conditions were already harsh enough, but both of them did not expect themselves to have such bad luck to run into another pinnacle Beyond Grade A.
The two of them were still unaware of Clotti’s identity and did not wish to cause any problems.
“Your Excellency Beyond Grade A, if we accidentally offended you. We express our apologies. If there’s nothing else, we’ll take our leave first.”
He did not even wait for Clotti to reply, immediately steering the fleet to turn around and move away.
Looking back, the duo discovered that Clotti did not chase them but rather stayed there and watched them leave.
“It seems like he’s not planning to attack us.” Law sighed.
“Most likely, he’s not interested in us.” Fay was secretly relieved.
“Let’s get out of here.” Law turned back to instruct the crew, “Mark this target, and don’t bump into him again on accident. Reset the cross-plane detector, and search for another pinnacle Beyond Grade A signal.”
The two of them were not interested in Clotti’s identity at all. In the secondary dimensions, there were many crouching tigers and hidden dragons. The two of them were not there to cause trouble. Everything was done for their mission.
Clotti watched the fleet fly away without chasing them.
The secondary dimensions hid a lot of organizations that operated in secret, avoiding the rule of the three Universal Civilizations. They were a group of rats in the eyes of the three Universal Civilizations.
In Clotti’s eyes, it was likely that this group was one of these hidden organizations. They had pursued the wrong target and ended up bumping into him instead.
The goal of his trip was Traveler, and since these guys knew how to back off, he could not be bothered to pick on them.
Glancing one last time at the direction the fleet departed, Clotti chose another direction away from them to travel, continuously shuttling.
Before long, Clotti stepped into his destination, the secondary dimension of Evil Convergence.
Looking around, the area seemed to be filled with a corrosive purplish-green energy. It moved lazily in waves, like the folds on a stomach wall. Bubbles of purple green gas occasionally popped out like flooding stomach juices, and it gave off the impression of being in the stomach of some weird creature.
From one of the inner walls of the Evil Convergence dimension then popped out a male’s upper body, covered with purplish green mucus. This person was Traveler.
His skin was pale, and he exuded an evil and crazed temperament, as though he had entered a manic mode that prevented him from being rational.
The lower half of Traveler’s body, which was still engulfed, continuously emitted energy rings that could be seen with the naked eye. The rings travelled through the purplish-green inner walls and were absorbed by the Evil Convergence dimension.
Clotti frowned. With his insight, it was not difficult to see that Traveler was spreading the essence of his own genes. He was technically having sex with this secondary dimension that almost seemed alive.
“Dark Lord Clotti, what a rare guest... I’m not sure why you’re looking for me. Are you here to join the party? I certainly don’t mind.” Traveler laughed hoarsely.
Clotti remained stoic, indifferently replying, “You took part in the campaign to encircle and suppress the allies of the dynasty, committing a crime. I’m here today as your arbiter.”
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