Adequate rest can thoroughly relax a tense mind and allow the body to unwind, easing the physical tension.
After a good sleep, Bell woke up feeling much more mentally refreshed.
Sitting up in bed, Bell was now fully awake.
Opening his eyes to survey his surroundings, he no longer saw the overlapping material and microscopic worlds from yesterday. Today, they had merged into a single composite reality.
"A more suitable perspective."
Concentration revealed the microscopic world beneath the material realm, while relaxing focus revealed the normal physical world. This arrangement felt just right.
"No, it should have been like this all along. Yesterday, I was overly excited, which caused my eyes to uncontrollably perceive both worlds at the same time."
Bell felt slightly satisfied with his current state. Compared to yesterday, today he had become even stronger.
It wasn't just the world visible to his eyes, but an intuitive sensation.
Yes, it was the feeling of growing stronger once again.
"That vague sensation is beginning to sharpen."
"Omniscience and omnipotence…"
Bell knew that three-digit omniscience and omnipotence were not special abilities, but rather a state that one reached upon attaining a certain level. Once this level was achieved, one began to gain profound awareness of the world, which could then be expanded through one's own Authority, ultimately reaching the state of "omniscience."
And because of this clearer understanding of the world, one could also gain the means of "omnipotence."
However, Bell's experience wasn't about expanding his understanding of the world; it was about contracting it. Starting from the microscopic level, he reduced the world to its atomic structure, gaining deeper insight in the process.
Though the final result was similar, the entire process was completely different. Bell had taken an entirely reverse path.
"Pure luck. Utterly pure luck."
Bell couldn't help but feel grateful for his intuition, which had inexplicably led him down this extraordinary path to "omniscience and omnipotence."
After all, he had originally chosen this path simply to grasp the technique for shattering atomic structures. Yet who could have predicted that it would also deepen his cognition of the world, ultimately leading him to "omniscience and omnipotence"?
Though it was luck, this step was also crucial.
Bell didn't have many ideas on how to expand his own Authority. After all, he was the only one walking this path, with no one else to draw experience from.
"It was luck, but it was also a happy accident."
"Now that I think about it, why didn't I notice this yesterday?"
Bell stroked his chin. Yesterday, he hadn't experienced this kind of intuitive clarity.
Now, he could recall yesterday's memories and the pieces fell into place.
"Ah, I see."
"It wasn't that I missed it yesterday, it's just that yesterday was still a transitional phase. That sensation hadn't manifested immediately."
Bell remembered how, yesterday, each of his eyes had perceived different worlds—a sign that his power was still uncontrolled. But today, he could clearly separate the material world from the microscopic realm. That was control.
"Indeed, some rest is necessary. I needed it to balance the physical imbalances within me and continue progressing."
"Then today's goal is set."
Bell took a deep breath. Droplets of water appeared in the air and clung to his face. A refreshing breeze blew them dry, and he instantly felt reinvigorated.
"Continue refining my weapon to apply that power in actual combat."
The techniques he had honed to wield his Authority had sufficed against near-peer four-digit monsters. Today was about applying various Authorities and key techniques.
Truthfully, starting today was a bit late.
If he had known yesterday, that would have been the ideal time to start refining his weapon.
But then again, without yesterday's full day of research, he likely wouldn't have been able to enter the microscopic world or grasp the essence of this sharpest weapon.
"Thinking about it that way, yesterday's time was still necessary."
Yes, absolutely essential.
Had he not entered the microscopic realm, he wouldn't have realized it could propel him toward three-digit strength. So, yesterday's effort was indeed worthwhile.
If he'd known earlier that Balor was the focal point, he would have prepared more thoroughly yesterday. That part felt a bit lacking.
That was the only thing Bell felt some regret about.
But these thoughts quickly faded. A new day had begun, and dwelling on yesterday was pointless. His focus had to be on the present.
"Time to begin."
With that resolve, Bell took a step forward, positioning himself directly above the shelter—the residential area within the safe zone.
Traces of life were still visible above, especially the fire pits—likely left over from the last expedition.
"Time really does fly."
Bell couldn't help but reflect.
He recalled how he'd only just reached Level 4 back then, carefully calculating every move. Yet now, he stood at the pinnacle of four-digit levels, already advancing toward the three-digit range.
"My growth rate really is impressive."
After his reflection, Bell continued toward the 51st floor.
Beyond lay the Dragon's Vase region.
This was a connected area distinct from the "Great Fall," accessible only through direct attack from the Valgang Dragons on the 58th floor below. It was a zone best not to linger in—any pause meant certain death.
Stepping onto the 51st floor, Bell immediately felt countless gazes lock onto him.
"These Valgang Dragons really can lock on..."
Bell chuckled and shook his head. He knew any attempt at Stealth during this dungeon run was futile; the Dungeon would inevitably pinpoint his location.
Still, he had no intention of scrambling about like a monkey.
In the microscopic world, the subterranean structure began shifting.
Bell sidestepped.
"BOOM!!!"
A pillar of flame erupted from the ground, piercing the sky.
In an instant, the cavern of Level 51 blazed crimson. The surrounding ground melted into lava, a testament to the staggering heat.
Yet, the passage to Level 58 had been forcibly opened.