After transmitting a message via the , Aiven and the others never anticipated that their journey to find the

would yield such unforeseen discoveries.

The group was originally very curious about what lay behind the door guarded by the "Golden Kingdom" at the world's end.

Among them.

The passive factors included: the

and the Extraordinary Gathering Effect formed by things behind the door, the destiny of the thirteen families holding the , and the urging by

Thetis.

Also, the active pursuit: the adventurers themselves wanting to witness the world's secrets, and the promise to the

Ancient Land Turtle Kraken.

Of course, as the ultimate challenge of the , there's also the possibility of achieving godhood through the overwhelming

that tempts them... with seductive allure.

Who can resist such temptation?

Everything destined their future ultimate challenge to be the "World's End"!

Yet, until now, they were still almost completely ignorant of the world behind the door.

Kraken once said behind the door lies

Phorcys, but he only has fragmentary inherited memories and is unaware of what's truly there.

But this stele, carefully preserved here by the gods, has finally lifted a veil on the mysterious world behind the door for them.

Ever since exploring the "Zongderilic Civilization," Aiven has been puzzled by a question.

"Sky Goddess" Kurutena also mentioned that the only ones able to truly survive the Era Catastrophe are the "Great Trendsetter" and the "Survivor."

The "Great Trendsetter" refers to some True Gods, and the "Survivor" refers to the ancestors of the humans of this era.

The World Consciousness refuses to accept any remnants of the past.

The "Zongderilic People" and "Muriyan" can only wander for thousands of years in small regions.

Apart from those extraordinary species and intelligent beings that have already perished, the four main archipelagos in the "Broken Star Sea" are places where the Era Survivors reside, neither dead nor fully alive.

It's truly a world abandoned.

Furthermore.

The Civilization Main God, as a "major shareholder," is destined to be buried with the era, ordinary True Gods might survive the catastrophe, becoming unwanted Ancient Gods in the next era, seeking another rise.

During the Era Catastrophe, when all beings' destinations are determined, where do the numerous Demigods go compared to True Gods?

This stele offers them a possibility, that is... the world behind the door.

But more questions arise:

Did the Storm Belt at the world's end exist in the Third Era or even earlier? Can Demigods enter there freely to escape? Why don't True Gods visit it? Why don't the Ocean Goddess and Sky Goddess personally decrypt it?

What are the

and the

mentioned on the stele? Are these what draw Demigods to them? The prefix of the former is "Behind the Door," while the latter is indistinct...

While Aiven's mind is filled with a series of question marks.

Suddenly.

"Don't kill me! Don't kill me! I don't want human's sacrificial fire!"

Accompanied by incessant pleas.

Four powerful

"Spiritualists" entered, using heavy chains made of , escorting an Assistant God.

"Honored Your Majesty, we have captured Nusku the Divine Fire, who has consumed our countless essences, awaiting your disposal!"

Nusku, whose true form is a flame, has only one Duty of , his combat prowess as a life-oriented god is unimpressive.

When the

in the

was pinned down, he had no chance to escape.

As Paracelsus mentioned, to outsiders from the Fifth Era, the development of the Divine Path in this era is indeed somewhat primitive and unconventional.

Gods, while able to continue their power through bloodlines, are relatively weaker compared to their Fifth Era counterparts, even possessing many mortal weaknesses and characteristics.

Perhaps this correlates with the world rules pertaining to this era.

If Demigods from the Fifth Era, with their wily, crafty nature, were here, they might be sly, they might be wicked, they might compromise, but they would never be as debased as Nusku.

King Nebuchadnezzar's gaze scraped over his body like a knife, and after a few seconds, he condescendingly interrogated:

"Nusku! I ask, you answer!

First, explain to me what 'Era Transition' means? Why has the embodiment of 'God of the Sky', 'Father of the Gods' Anu never appeared? Where did the fleeing gods go?"

Upon hearing this, Nusku the Divine Fire did not answer directly but looked at the obsidian stele in the center of the Divine Hall.

"The answer actually lies there!"

Then, everyone in the hall shifted their gaze to the unremarkable obsidian.

"What is this stele? Where did it come from?"

"The Three Pillar Gods said it's an

that's been in existence for over five hundred thousand years, precisely from the last era."

Soon, Nusku the Divine Fire, whose actual duty was that of an alternative "Purification Envoy" and thoroughly unassertive, spilled everything he knew like beans from a bamboo tube.

No one can remain indifferent towards their own end.

Actually, at this point, after unexpectedly acquiring that stele, realizing the era's end may coincide with their own demise, Main God Anu has gradually gone mad, no longer in the mood to govern the mortal world.

A group of Demigods felt likewise.

They aimed for a final revelry, to squeeze out the last bit of human essence and reward all gods.

By the way, think of a way to reduce the intensity of the catastrophe, to prepare for the final expedition in search of a last chance to survive...

But according to their predictions, this should be a matter of decades, even centuries, not being chased away like a beaten dog as it is now.

When the impending, world-engulfing "Era Catastrophe" was heard of, the Muriyan people, who had just been celebrating a great victory, turned pale.

Only King Nebuchadnezzar remained calm. Even though his teeth were grinding with "creak... creak..." noises, he continued to ask in a low voice:

"Are you saying that the gods are adjusting the climate in a deliberate attempt to reduce the number of Muriyans, even to the point of exterminating us over decades or centuries?

When facing the 'Era Catastrophe', what benefit do the gods gain from exterminating us?"

"It's because you are the most spiritually gifted wise beings in the world, as long as...."

"Wait a minute..."

King Nebuchadnezzar raised his hand to interrupt, his heavy gaze sweeping over everyone in the grand hall.

"Your Majesty, we will take our leave for now."

Those who felt their status was insufficient all consciously withdrew, leaving only the core upper echelons of the Muriyan people, eligible to hear the answer concerning the future of their civilization.

....

Aiven's group naturally also withdrew and went to find the most important mission target of this demanding journey—"Crowned Wizard" Paracelsus.

"Sir! We have come specifically for you, with an important letter to deliver to you...."

Aiven ultimately chose not to deceive this "Crowned Wizard" in order to obtain his [Elixir of Immortality: Half-Finished], but instead explained the current situation in Watt outside, as well as his own "Time Prisoner" status.

At least, from Mennon Watt's introduction and his actions in the Animal Kingdom, apart from some peculiar personal habits, he could be considered a very rare old gentleman.

However, to Aiven's surprise, Paracelsus was very calm upon learning about his situation, not at all hysterical despite being unknowingly imprisoned for close to five centuries.

He merely sighed lightly, his eyes sparkling with a wizard's wisdom:

"Actually, I've long since noticed something was amiss; I just didn't have as clear a concept as you.

After all, I personally witnessed the ancient sanctuaries left by Lam and Raham God.

Now their true forms appear here again, separating the sanctuary from the [Divine Court] right before my eyes, how could that not be strange?"

Reading the handwritten letter from Watt, who had made two preparations, he sighed gently:

"Heh, nearly five hundred years! That old fellow Watt is almost dying of old age?

After pondering for a moment, he turned to them:

"The [Elixir of Immortality: Half-Finished] in my custody can be given to you, including the full set of Muriyan biotechnology I collected during this time, and even the alchemist's treasure 'Jade Record'. All of it can be yours.

I have a premonition that the 'Jade Record' suits this beautiful young lady here...."

The four didn't rush to respond, knowing that in this context, the twist that follows is the key.

"But! I also have one condition."

Paracelsus looked towards Milan among them.

"I hope this young man can help me with a favor in the future..."

Upon realizing that everything being done now was meaningless, Paracelsus chose not to give up, but instead wanted to fight against destiny.

Milan, who had been content to remain unnoticed beside Aiven, pointed to his own nose.

"Me...?" 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"As someone who has insight into the rules of material transformation, I sensed the aura of the [Clock Tower] on you..."

The condition from this "Time Prisoner" Crowned Wizard was very simple.

He understood that as a Time Prisoner, leaving here directly would be futile.

The request: If Milan is able to inherit the [Clock Tower] in the future, he must return here and try to pull him out from this "Time Prison".

As the school with the deepest research into [Time] and [Space] in this era, the [Clock Tower] might indeed have such power, after all, he is not truly a "Remnant Race".

Even though there were "Kongyu" and "Chaos Worm" acting as obstacles, the hope was slim, but not entirely hopeless.

Even if they managed to bring people and things out, they would inevitably undergo the baptism of time. Fortunately, four hundred years was not much to the Crowned Wizard and the [Elixir of Immortality].

Finally, their mission reached a satisfactory completion.

Moreover.

With [Eternal Essence] and [Fire of Creation], these opposing existences of organic and inorganic nature, Aiven had already outlined a plan for the race he was about to create.

The acquisition of the manufacturing methods for [Black Tin] and [White Lead] granted mortals the possibility to resist the gods, easing the pressure exerted by the Evil God slightly.

Both [Bioenergy Conversion Switch Technology] and [Biological Weapon] fit perfectly with the "Life Tree School", and will surely advance the research progress of the twin sisters significantly, accelerating their promotion.

In addition to Paracelsus giving Olivia the [Jade Record], the dangers encountered this time were not many, but the rewards were immensely rich.

Then...

Aiven turned back to look at the tightly closed hall door.

"Isn't it now the time for the so-called [Ark Plan] in outer space to be revealed?"