CHAPTER 531: CHAPTER 261: STRANGER

Ethan discovered that the Time Traveler’s individuality varied greatly; some would attack him with a deadly slash the moment they met, while this one, upon meeting him, simply rolled her eyes and fainted like a small animal.

Thus, his brief tenure in this world added yet another glorious entry—a Time Traveler fainting at his gaze. If this news reached the Gallog Dynasty, he might be immediately honored by the royal family as the Supreme General.

"She’s not faking it; she really fainted."

Lindong quickly finished the examination.

The plan was progressing far too smoothly. Before they even had a chance to announce the news of reconstructing the magic network, this Time Traveler had already exposed herself. Her series of actions in the hall seemed as if she was afraid no one would notice her.

From her roommates, Ethan learned that this girl was a third-year student, born into a noble family in the imperial capital. The anomaly appeared tonight. They mentioned that before deciding to head to the hall, Sue’s behavior was already strange. While others were changing into their gowns and touching up their makeup, Sue was holding a notebook, tinkering with something at the table.

She claimed she was exhausted from reading last night, but her behavior in the hall was nothing like that.

—Possessed.

Anyone observing Sue’s behavior would come to this conclusion.

"Your deduction is correct; this seems more like a form of possession."

As for why this Time Traveler hadn’t acted recklessly like her two previous companions did, Lindong likely thought it was because she had only recently completed the possession and wasn’t yet familiar with the body or the environment. Her strange behavior, which resembled possession, could be entirely explained by the body’s rejection response.

She was not worried that this Time Traveler would be scared to death. Their life force was resilient; even if their heart was pierced or head severed, they could recover fully.

Lindong suggested, "Let’s lock her up for now."

...

When Sue’s consciousness awoke from pain and terror, blinding white light filled her vision.

Her sight became very odd, as if it was constantly spinning with an object. Through the layer of white light, she could faintly see shadows of people outside.

Two of them, looking up in her direction.

She recognized it; this was the Guild.

The unknown creature had triggered her consciousness’s defense mechanism, causing her to faint and bringing her awareness here.

Every time she "delivered a mission" and left a dimension, she experienced a brief disorientation, and her memory became fragmented. When they regained consciousness, they often found themselves in the Guild’s lounge, ready to collect Guild Points according to procedure.

Guild Points were the most crucial.

With enough points, one could exchange them for "specialties" from various dimensions: magic potions, armor, weapons, even those lost advancement guides.

I want to get out!

Sue struggled in the light sphere, desperately trying to convey this message to the figures outside the sphere. She recognized one of them; it was the Guild Master, and beside him was a tall man she had never seen before, carrying a spear on his back.

That should be the Guild’s most elite combat personnel. As someone at the bottom of the Guild, she had only heard rumors about their existence. They appeared and disappeared mysteriously, and the Guild only issued missions to these fighters when absolutely necessary, which often meant the situation had gradually slipped out of the Guild’s control.

Usually, their tasks were to investigate and understand the ecology and habitability of different dimensions, and to establish contact points at certain "transportation hubs."

However, Sue’s plea for help failed.

The two seemed unaware that she was currently trapped inside the light sphere.

"We have already lost three investigators during exploration; this is no coincidence."

It was the voice of the Guild Master, sounding quite grave. "That dimension is much more dangerous than we imagined. It seems there exists a power there capable of affecting the blessing of the goddess."

Yes!

She had encountered a bizarre creature with seven eyes in the academy, something never before recorded, and a stranger with a face displaying the number 404. It was a scenario beyond her wildest dreams!

Sue desperately wanted to convey her investigation results to the two outside the light sphere, but no matter how she tried, she couldn’t make any sound.

"Stop dispatching personnel."

The man carrying the spear said, "I will gather the others."

"Do you think this might be...?"

"I know what you’re trying to ask," interrupted the man carrying the spear, "There won’t be another ’Merlin’ incident."

"With you saying that, I’m relieved... What about the rescue mission?"

"No need to issue it; they have already perished."

Wait a minute, I haven’t perished yet!

There’s clearly still a chance to save me!

Sue felt there was no scene more despairing than this. She watched helplessly as the Guild Master and the other man abandoned the rescue mission for her. As a Guild member, she knew what this meant.

Without a Guild commission, no investigator would ever be dispatched to this dimension. Coupled with the dimensional peculiarity, even if she managed to survive through sheer luck, there would be no way to return to the Guild.

Yet all she could do was watch as the two decided her fate. But on the other hand, she understood the Guild Master’s feelings.

An entirely unknown dimension, with three investigators seemingly lost. If she were the decision-maker, she wouldn’t send investigators to their deaths until the source of the danger was clearly identified, either.

It was a rational decision; the only problem was that she became the unfortunate one sacrificed in the end.