CHAPTER 784: DISCOVERED: IMPENDING DOOM

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The adventures of the tiny bug controlling the drone took it closer to the Human Council HQ—a place that’s naturally off-limits to it.

This creature could try and infiltrate everything else in this chaos realm but not this one, because that will only spell certain doom.

This, of course, was a roadblock to the tiny creature’s investigation.

It didn’t dare to come any closer in fear of dying right away. Yet it also has no idea where to go next. It obviously couldn’t enter the Human Council HQ where the trail passes through, making this a dead end for this tiny creature. At the same time, it has a mission that has to be fulfilled, and it didn’t want to fail the expectations of its creator.

What was it supposed to do?

While thinking, the creature drove the drone around the realm where the council was hidden. It wanted to see if there were any hidden entrances it could use and exploit.

It has made up its mind. Even at the cost of its own life, it will continue to investigate. That’s what it’s here for, anyway.

Yet again, as if luck was favoring this little creature, it discovered something along the way.

The continuation of the trail didn’t end inside the realm where the council was hidden. Instead, it continued to the other side, leading far east of this place.

At first, the creature was suspicious. It went closer to the trail, analyzing it and making sure it was the exact same trail it was following earlier.

It was. But the creature didn’t trust it completely just yet.

What if it’s a trap? A clever diversion? What if the Human Sovereigns did it on purpose to lure it out? If it followed, wouldn’t that mean willingly jumping into this well-laid-out trap?

This creature wasn’t the brightest, but it’s also not that dumb.

That said, what other options does it have? This trail smelled and looked exactly the same as the one it was following earlier. It couldn’t spot any discrepancies at all.

So, whether this was a trap or not, its only option was to follow it. Because compared to recklessly charging into the hidden realm where the council was at, following the trail was a much better choice.

And thus, the tiny creature controlled the drone it corrupted to follow the trail leading east of the council.

The trail was straightforward. It didn’t lead the creature into a complicated path or anything; it was headed straight to the other end of the trail.

This trip lasted for a whole other week, which the creature didn’t mind at all since it was relatively peaceful. Nothing stopped it along the way; there were no accidents or any delays.

At some point, it arrived close to another sector domain, according to the directional input of the drone.

Upon learning this, the creature was puzzled. The trail led deeper into the sector domain. Why would the Human Sovereigns be in here?

’Could it be...? ’

A thrill coursed through the creature’s body. But as eager as it was to go deeper and discover if its assumptions were correct, it forced itself to stay still.

It recalled everything it knew so far, then it was reminded that it had to be very careful because the possibility of the Human Sovereigns, the real ones this time, being there was fairly high. And its creators warned it to never get too close to them.

However, if its assumptions were indeed correct, then it had every reason to go because its mission was there.

**

Travis and his group had stayed in their temporary residences, courtesy of the Sector Lord, for about a month now.

Most of them were bored because their connection to online services was cut off by Travis. They’re not allowed to even watch their favorite shows to pass time. They could only sit still in silence and be suspicious of their fellow men.

This order was something they can’t defy, as doing so would cost them their own lives. They knew too much and had to be silenced. They should be grateful that they’re still alive. If their leader had been less merciful, they would’ve all died by now.

Travis himself didn’t want to do this either, but it’s necessary. Matters concerning the Unstable Heavenly Domain were sensitive information, and since they have confirmed that it will truly manifest here, this place has turned into a boiling pot coming up to a simmer. And they, the first group to know, had become prime suspects for leaking the news even though they’ve yet to do that.

That’s just how it is.

Travis also didn’t want to see himself striking down against his own people, but he wouldn’t hesitate to do so if the need ever arises. There’s too much riding upon this, after all.

He was originally content to live like this until things eventually blew up, because it certainly would. Furthermore, it would seem like his men were behaving accordingly too. They should understand why they have to be placed in this kind of situation, and they are enduring it admirably.

But then, something changed...

It happened just in time in the morning. Travis woke up from his meditation with a frown on his face.

There’s this itchy feeling at the back of his brain, somewhere he couldn’t scratch. It’s the same as trying to recall something unknown. Like forgetting something all of a sudden and feeling very bothered because of it.

He wondered what it was, but even after checking his memory, he couldn’t figure out why he was feeling this.

Then, he remembered something.

’No. Maybe it’s not because I’m forgetting something. Maybe it’s because I’m sensing something else. A warning from the future.’

Travis’ pupils suddenly dilated as he felt it even more intensely now. It’s as if the world had confirmed his suspicion.

And as a divination expert, Travis wasn’t one to ignore the clues coming from the world around him.

So, he immediately sat down, took out his tools, and began his divination ritual.

Puff!!?

Not even a minute in, Travis coughed out blood in shock and confusion. His face paled ominously, and dark clouds loomed over his face.

"No, no, no, no!" Travis sounded panicked and scared.

Ignoring his mouth and clothes that were stained in blood, as well as the bewildered look on his men’s faces, he raised his trembling hands and dialed his uncle’s ID.

"Come on, Uncle. Pick up! Please!" Travis sounded urgent and frantic; it was like he was in the middle of running away from a very scary number.

The call connected but only through audio. However, Travis had his camera open, displaying his frantic and urgent expression.

"Uncle! Are you there? Please listen to me! Uncle!"

"I’m here, Travis. What’s going on? Are you injured? What happened?"

"Ignore me. Listen! I performed divination just now, and I saw something grim. She arrived, Uncle! She...*cough!* The Crimson Womb Mother, she came! I saw her and all of you fighting!"

"What!?"

"I don’t know how! I tried to look further back, but she intercepted me! I..." (coughing intensifies) "I tried to fight back. I wanted to see how she passed through, but she...she’s too strong!"

"That’s enough, Trav. You did extremely well; rest well, and we’ll take it from here."

"I saw something at least: a drone with a bug in it! That’s got to be connected somehow! I...*cough!* I also saw her coming close to the doors, almost managing to touch them! The vision faded after that; I’m not sure of what comes next!"

Travis’ vision faded and his consciousness blurred.

"It’s alright, Kid. We’re not going to let that happen. Steady yourself and rest; don’t die on me now, you hear me!?"

"I...I’ll try," Travis slurred weakly.

He was vaguely aware that his men were carrying him to his bed. He could see their faces, but his vision had become blurry. He could also hear their frantic voices, but he couldn’t make out what exactly they were saying.

Travis severely downplayed how horrible this backlash was. He said that the Crimson Womb Mother intercepted him when he tried to see more into the future, but what actually happened was far worse than that.

She tore his consciousness apart, again and again. It’s only through sheer grit, stubbornness, and willpower that he managed to make it through that. She was very determined to prevent him from seeing anything, just as Travis was determined to see more.

Unfortunately, she was very strong. She’s someone Travis couldn’t even hope to compete with. He was never able to resist her power, even through divination.

Travis wanted to see so much more so that he could help; alas, she’s too powerful, preventing him from seeing more than what he was able to. His body gave way.

The act of divination itself already poses risk, and it was just made worse when the Crimson Womb Mother caught him peeking.

"Stay still, I got you."

Amongst the cacophony of voices, Travis heard that same familiar voice as before, Cedric’s. He briefly recalled his healing flames and realized that he was in safe hands now, so he let go and passed out.