CHAPTER 23: [A BETTER WAY TO SEARCH]

Not including the one at the very beginning of this whole thing, by now, I had a total of 4 Save Points.

One was in the Border Town, right before the whole thing with Inverse Realm happened. Though it wasn’t important as much, it was also a gateway for me to enter Inverse Realm and check for anything in that place before I decide to venture there.

The next Save Point was near the Coast City, in the Manor, when I met Geralt and Aisha. It was also a good start point, and most possibly the best connection I had with the other Fate Weavers such as Zero, Luciana and even Raphi to some extent.

If I happened to get some information on them, and needed to connect with them, that was a good place to start. Even if in today’s time, I end up making an enemy out of them, going back to that save, I can collect information to use against them.

The Third Save point was just before the players arrived.

I believed that even if it seemed like there wasn’t much importance to it right now, someday it might become important. It was honestly a hunch, but I could feel like if I were ever to decide someday to find out my own origins or even the way to return home, this event might be the closest key to everything.

Still, I had zero idea about this whole thing, really.

Lastly, this final Save Point was a few hours before Encerid logged-in. Since the whole thing happened in less than a month, the previous check point was still enough for me to not use this [Save Point] for anything serious, other than repeat a few hours before.

Getting out of the shop, I first used [One Way Out] increasing the Agility to the max. Then using the mana to control my breathing and increasing my respiratory capacity, as well as the mana channels and arrays that I had built in the Coast City, I increased my body output even more.

As my senses were amplified, the whole world came to a halt, slowing down to an extreme appearing to be at a still place. Applying mana to my own body, such that I did not disrupt my surroundings with the force I was generating, I erased my presence somewhat and began walking towards the direction of the North City, where Encerid would log-in within a few hours.

Because my total Agility was still in the 700s, compared to the enormous amount it had before my ascension, I was much slower than before. Despite using all the skills I had, it took me a continuous run of 135 minutes before I reached the Northern City, about 4500 kilometers away from here.

It’s still fast, though. I think the fact that I don’t tire out anymore because of my Celestial Race plays a big part in it. Plus the [Acceleration] skill that I have, too.

I thought as I found myself still quite energetic despite the run that I had just had.

Reaching the city where Encerid might have already reached, I moved towards the same Namas cafe as before. Moving towards the area, I once again took a look at the surrounding city, its walls and structures.

Just what exactly is this city hiding? And how? I questioned with a puzzled look on my face.

Despite 14 continuous runs, I couldn’t find a single hint in this place. Yet, all that had happened before pointed to this city. Screaming that something was very wrong with it.

Opening the door to the cafe with magic, I made sure I did not break it with the speed that I was just moving with. And looking inside it, I once again found Encerid still at the same place as before, this time sipping the coffee he had ordered.

??? What? I questioned as I looked at that scene.

Nothing changed from the last time.

I arrived in the same manner as before, running as fast as possible.

So, how come he was drinking that coffee which should have arrived at least a few minutes later?

Was I late? I questioned but then shook that notion off my mind. I had arrived at the same time as the last, in fact, a few minutes earlier.

Something was odd.

Walking towards Encerid as usual, I reached to sit in-front of him. Just like before, he was reading that favourite book of his. Though this time, instead of greeting him like last time,

"R-Man," I spoke out, gaining his attention.

His eyes, which were lost in the world of the books, sharply turned at me. His eyes widening, he observed me with a shocked look.

"You said that if I were to tell you, I will have your utmost trust," I said, making him blink his eyes for a few seconds.

"I... uh..." he spoke, his heart beat raising. He observed me with a question-filled gaze, his eyes observing me, analyzing me to the best of his ability. Then, after giving up on his thoughts and investigation, he decided to speak.

"Are you from the future?" he asked, making me amazed a bit. I nodded before saying,

"Somewhat, yeah. You can say that."

"Did I tell you the story behind R-Man?" He said, a bit embarrassed. His cheeks were turning red, as if he was looking at his own past.

"No," I said with an amused smile, slightly interested in this ’R-Man’ of his.

Though with a sigh of relief, he then looked at me and said,

"Good. Then let’s get to the main topic. Since I had told you about that name of mine, things must have gotten really important. Please, tell me everything that I need to know."

It was an interesting turn of events. Somehow, what should have taken a dozen tries was done within a single one, and I got an ally who was ready to believe me just with a single word that I spoke.

I wonder what sort of secrets that word has, haha. It must be something very close to him or else he might not go as far as he is doing right now. I smiled as I then decided to explain to him everything that was going on within the city and my own participation in it.

Since, because of the Primordials watching me, I cannot tell anything about my return ability, I had to navigate it in such a way that I get him to understand the complete situation and then help me out in his own ways.

After all, he was the most stable connection I had right now, if I wanted to reach that Doctor.

"This is more serious than I thought," Encerid said as he got in deep thought. He looked at me with a slight questioning gaze before asking,

"How much information do you have about this city?" He asked, getting more serious than worried about his own self. Even though I had told him what would happen to him, he was pretty calm about it.

"Aren’t you worried about yourself? I just told you what the Doctor would do to you. It’s not really pleasant news," I asked.

"Well. Worrying isn’t going to solve the problems, is it? At the very least, solving the problem would solve the problem instead," he said slightly unamused, his focus still on me as he waited for the answer to his questions.

"The church said..." I then told him about the investigations that I had done with him in the past-turn and explained everything to him in a brief and precise manner.

"That’s not enough. There is still the castle, the guild, the training area, Police Guard Force, the detectives that have worked on this case, the hospitals, old age homes, and even the alleyways where the homeless and the ruffians are. Then there are shops, and other places that need to be worked upon," he spoke as the atmosphere around him changed drastically.

His eyes were laser focused, as he then took out a page and wrote about a dozen questions on it. He worked on it for at least 10 minutes continuously before finally presenting it to me

"We both need to follow this conduct pattern. Ask the questions to everyone who is present in this city the same thing, and once enough data is collected, we can move to the next set of things. Since we don’t have much time, I will start immediately. Let’s meet up within 8 hours and tally our research," he said as he stood up and began walking towards the waiter in the cafe.

Ah! I didn’t tell him that he would get kidnapped within an hour. I realised as I had missed the crucial information. But then, looking at the piece of paper in my hand and the information written on it, I gave it a slight thought before opening my system screen and then, pressing the [Restart] button once more.

Perhaps, this time, I don’t have to do things randomly. I smiled as I found the details written on it quite useful.