NABC Chapter 152: Signal from an Unknown Enemy
Chapter 152: Signal from an Unknown Enemy
Isaac stood at the core node of the Fate Network, his gaze grave. He had just successfully contained the spread of the corrupting runes, but he knew in his heart that the controlling force behind these runes had not been completely eradicated. On the contrary, that dark energy seemed to have penetrated deep into the boundaries of the Fate Network, coiled there like a venomous snake, waiting for its chance to strike.
“The source of these forces is certainly not merely the aftershocks of the collapse of the Rift of Fate,” Isaac said softly, his gaze piercing through the void and fixed on the depths of the network of fate. “They have a clear objective, and I must find their source.”
“Creator, we detected some unusual energy fluctuations during the battle just now.” The voice of the Will of Destiny echoed in the void, tinged with a hint of hesitation. “These fluctuations did not originate from the Destiny Network itself, but rather from residual signals coming from the edge of the network.”
“Signals?” Isaac frowned slightly. “What are the characteristics of these signals?”
“These signals are very old, even dating back to before the Destiny Network was built.” The voice of the Will of Destiny carried a rare hint of caution. “We suspect that these signals may be related to the network’s original operating mechanism, but their complexity is beyond our ability to analyze.”
"The time before the construction of the Destiny Network..." A thoughtful look flashed in Isaac's eyes. He had never imagined that such ancient energy fluctuations could exist outside the Destiny Network. These signals were not only traces left by the manipulators of the corrupting runes, but might also uncover secrets about the network's origins.
"Teleport me to the source of the signal," Isaac decisively ordered.
"Creator, this choice could be extremely dangerous. The rules at the edge of the network are already extremely weak, and those signals may very well be hiding unknown traps." The Will of Destiny tried to dissuade it, but its voice also carried a hint of helplessness.
"The balance of the Fate Network is already on the verge of collapse, and I cannot stand idly by." Isaac's tone left no room for argument. He raised his right hand, and golden power of rules slowly flowed in his palm. "The only way to find the answer to a problem we cannot solve is to confront it."
A moment later, the light of the Fate Network suddenly converged, enveloping Isaac's body. His vision gradually filled with a dazzling gold, then the light dissipated, and the surrounding scenery became blurry and distorted. This was the edge of the Fate Network.
“This is…” Isaac murmured, his eyes quickly scanning his surroundings.
The edge region appeared extremely desolate, a stark contrast to the radiant flow of light elsewhere in the Fate Network. The lines here were weak and broken, some even completely severed, revealing a dark void. The flow of energy was incredibly slow, as if the entire region was on the verge of stagnation.
He stepped forward, the void beneath his feet trembling slightly, as if unable to bear his weight. The closer he got to the source of the signal, the clearer the ancient and eerie fluctuations in the air became.
Soon, he arrived at a strange ruin. This place had originally seemed to be part of the network of fate, but now it had completely collapsed, and the remaining light emitted a faint fluctuation, like some kind of dying breath.
In the center of the ruins stood a massive black stone monument, covered with complex and eerie runes. These runes were somewhat similar to the erosion runes, but much older, and carried an indescribable oppressive aura.
“These runes… seem to be a kind of record?” Isaac’s gaze was fixed on the stone tablet. He could sense that these runes contained some important information.
He slowly reached out and infused the stone tablet with the power of rules. The runes suddenly glowed, and the black stone tablet seemed to be ignited, emitting a blinding, eerie light. At the same time, a massive energy surge emanated from the stone tablet, directly impacting the depths of Isaac's soul.
“This power…” Isaac’s body trembled. He felt an unprecedented sense of oppression. The energy was completely beyond the scope of the Fate Network and could not even be analyzed by the power of rules.
"Creator, be careful!" The voice of the Will of Destiny became urgent. "These runes seem to conceal some kind of will, which may have unpredictable effects on you!"
Isaac took a deep breath to steady his mind. He did not back down, but continued to channel the power of the rules into the stone tablet, resonating with the runes within. After a moment, a deep voice came from the stone tablet, as if it had traveled from the depths of time.
“Descendant of destiny, you have finally arrived.” The voice was deep and hoarse, carrying an irresistible majesty.
"Who are you?" Isaac asked coldly, his eyes burning with extreme vigilance.
"I am the guardian of these ruins, and also a part of the Fate Network that has never been recorded," the voice said slowly. "The runes here record the origin of the Fate Network and the truths you have never known."
"The truth?" Isaac's gaze sharpened slightly. "What truth?"
“The creation of the Fate Network is not the ultimate balance of the universe,” the Guardian continued. “It is merely the product of a struggle between two more ancient systems. One of those systems is the Fate Network as you know it, and the other is what is known as the Chaos Network.”
“The Chaos Network?” Isaac’s pupils contracted slightly. He had never heard of the name before, but just from the literal meaning, he could sense the enormous threat it contained.
“The Chaos Network and the Fate Network should have coexisted in balance, but as time went on, the Fate Network began to encroach on the territory of the Chaos Network, which led to an escalation of the conflict between the rules and chaos.” The Guardian’s voice was filled with deep sorrow. “And the Fate Rift is the Chaos Network’s counterattack against the Fate Network.”
"So, those corrupting runes came from the Chaos Network?" Isaac asked in a low voice, his eyes flashing with complex thoughts.
“Yes,” the Guardian said. “The core will of the Chaos Network has awakened, and it is attempting to reclaim the territories occupied by the Network through the Rifts of Fate and the runes. If you cannot stop their expansion, the Network of Fate will eventually be torn apart.”
Isaac was silent for a moment, then raised his head, his eyes burning with fighting spirit: "If the Chaos Network tries to threaten the balance of the new universe, then I must suppress them completely!"
“Heh…” The Guardian let out a low laugh. “Creator, your determination is admirable. But you cannot truly defeat the Chaos Network if you do not understand its true nature.”
“Then tell me,” Isaac said slowly, his voice carrying an undeniable authority, “how should I confront the Chaos Network?”
"Enter it, understand it, and fight it," the Guardian said. "The entrance to the Chaos Network is hidden deep within these ruins, and only those who pass the trials of the test-takers can enter."