Deep inside the forest, the gray mist drifted quietly between broken trees and torn earth. New monsters were already beginning to emerge from the deeper regions, drawn by instinct and corruption.
Yet Ethan had stopped walking.
Thousands of radiant clones still stood scattered across the battlefield, but none of them moved. They remained like silent statues of golden light.
Ethan stood among them with his eyes half closed.
Inside his mind, Yumiko spoke calmly.
[Master, the conditions are now optimal. The world system of Elysium can be contacted.]
Ethan replied without opening his eyes.
"Then begin the process."
For a moment, Yumiko was silent.
Then she spoke again, her tone slightly more serious.
"Master, once the binding begins, your law strand will be used as the bridge to connect with the world system."
Ethan already understood what that meant.
"How much will be consumed?"
"Almost all of it."
Ethan slowly opened his eyes.
The gray mist continued to drift around him.
