The instant Autarch’s soul-totem evolved into the Legendary King State, somewhere far beyond the Serpent Abyss, a voice that had slumbered in eternal vigilance suddenly convulsed.
The surrounding void fractured like glass, collapsing inward as though it could not contain its fury. Stars in its vicinity went supernova, galaxies folded like paper, and the weight of its roar tore countless dimensions apart.
"Unbelievable!"
The voice cracked across the cosmos, a mix of rage and disbelief.
"How is this possible!? How could a lowly insect elude my control and rise to this level!? Why—WHY can’t I interfere?! Are the Universal Rules no longer binding me!?"
The surrounding space shrieked, folding into annihilation. An entire star cluster was reduced to sparks of ash.
"No... I can’t let this continue! This heretic walks a path forbidden! If left unchecked, he will rip apart the very balance! I need a hand—yes... Whiteness. Only he can cross into that cursed veil. Even if ’he’ interferes, even if the Protectors stir, this matter cannot be left to fester!"
Its fury turned into mad resolve, its Will dragging reality into nothingness.
Right at that moment, like the striking of a divine gong—a single silvery seed, woven of a profound law with a hint of forbidden aura, was expelled into the non-space between time and reality.
The voice’s final command rolled like judgment, "Whiteness! My loyal subject...bring that heretic to me, no matter what."
The roar faded, the void stitched itself back into fragile wholeness, but the wound it left behind was too deep. That chaotic scar would fester into a forbidden region, birthing horrors that should never be.
---
This day, many terrifying existences felt that maddening fury and sent their loyal subordinates to investigate quickly.
Similarly, some taboo existences became curious and silently opened their eyes in shadows...observing with great amusement, just like they always have...
---
Far away, hidden in the folds of space, in a pristine white dimension, silence ruled.
A child floated cross-legged in slumber—Whiteness. His hair spread like molten snow, and his adorable, porcelain face was too still, as though he had been sleeping for centuries.
After Whiteness’s last encounter with Constellation Arbiter Leo, the former was forced to flee despite trying to fight the latter.
However, at that time, the Constellation Arbiter Leo was still under the protection of the rules, and Whiteness was suppressed entirely, suffering a humiliation he would never forget as long as he lived.
Nonetheless, Whiteness didn’t retreat and return home because he hadn’t received the orders to retreat, and as a loyal subject, how could he abandon his mission?
Even if it meant certain death, or he ended up offending a terrifying existence, Whiteness would never retreat so easily unless it was the order of his ’Lord!’
That’s to stay hidden. Whiteness decided to hide in the depths of space between the middle plains and the universal void by using his unique power. It fell into this hibernation state while silently waiting for a chance to make a comeback.
However, right at this moment, the dimension itself shuddered. Its walls warped into nothingness as a silver radiance coalesced. The silvery seed emerged, burning with divine weight.
Thereafter, Whiteness’s eyes snapped open—those eerie, pure-white orbs without iris or pupil, brimming with secrets no mortal should hold.
After a moment of confusion, the moment he saw the seed, his expression shifted from wonder to absolute reverence. He prostrated himself so swiftly that the space beneath him cracked.
With a trembling, childlike voice, he whispered, "This subordinate does not deserve Supremacy’s favor...!"
The silvery seed pulsed, and an ethereal voice—the same one that had shaken galaxies—descended with solemn majesty.
"My loyal subject, you have been nothing but faithful. For that reason, I entrust you with this task and direct you towards something you may not be familiar with. But not anymore...now know this—what I ask places you in grave peril.
"Even the Universal Rules will mark you. If you still accept, take this seed. I shall lend you strength to pierce the laws of the Middle Plains, granting you a brief entry into it.
"There, you must track the heretic. No matter where he hides, no matter what veils conceal him—use every means, every compass, every oath, until you find him.
"For if he rises further... even the gods shall tremble. Bring him back to me, Whiteness... and I shall grant you—Evolution."
Whiteness’s childish façade cracked for a heartbeat. His grin twisted, monstrous mirth glimmering in his white eyes, before he forced his face back into an expression of innocence.
His tiny hands pressed flat against the cold void as he swore, his voice low, shaking with fanatic devotion, "Supremacy, please do not utter such high words. I am unworthy. But... I shall not break your trust. Even if I must defy the Universal Rules, even if I must clash with the Fall Protectors themselves, even if it costs me the whole of my existence—I will bring the heretic back."
The voice responded, deep and grave, with the weight of ancient appreciation, "Then rise, my subject. Bear this seed, and let it rewrite your destiny."
The silvery seed flared, piercing Whiteness’s forehead—burying itself deep into his glabella.
The white dimension wailed as forbidden power that should never exist in the Middle Plains spread outward. Whiteness’s small body contorted, glowing with profound sigils as the seed’s essence reshaped him.
A wave of energy surged that even Legendary Kings would collapse before. The pristine white realm trembled as if it were about to dissolve into chaos.
Whiteness’s eyes, wide and blazing, whispered in reverent ecstasy, "Heretic... no matter where you hide, I will find you. And when I do... even the stars will weep!"
---
Within Noxvalis City, Jacob stood in front of the treasury of Noxvalis Castle, about to open it when, all of a sudden, despite wearing the Gluttony Mask, something deep within his very soul stirred.
However, it was only for a moment, yet the intensity coming from it was enough to even neutralize the effect of the Gluttony Mask for a moment.
It took a moment for Jacob to realize something, and he was astounded, ’Was that...Blood Insect Enslavement Ritual?’