Dimensional Descent

Aina struggled with all her might.

By now, she had a grasp of what the ability of this Invalid was. It was clearly a puppeteering ability and this ability was unfortunately especially effective against those with weak Soul Forces like her own.

However, that didn't mean that she didn't have a chance. She had been struggling from the very beginning, there was simply no way that the stamina of this Variant Invalid was endless. There had to be a limit to how long it could hold control over her.

Due to her experience in the Joan Zone, Aina had learned a lot of Joan's death. Even if there was just a single thing the experience taught her, it was that it took far more energy to control a person than it took to wrest control away.

Aina knew that all she had to do was to keep struggling, to keep playing the part of helpless damsel, only then might the Invalid foolishly continue to chip away at its own stamina.

"… Do you understand now? Do you understand your worth? HAHAHA!

"Don't worry, I will treat you well. How couldn't I? You will be the key to my Empire, the centerpiece to me truly ruling the universe and showing these humans who the true superior beings are!

"These fools of Terrain seem to believe that they have won the battle against me when the reality is that I am just using them. I have patience that my fellow man do not have.

"If I didn't have these humans as a cover, how would I continue to enjoy such delicacies everyday? Who knows if those Invalid hunters would have come to put my head on a pike by now?"

The male Invalid's manic laughter continued to cause the Earth to tremble. It was clear at a glance that this Invalid was just a step away from the Fifth Dimension. As for why it hadn't crossed that threshold yet… It simply couldn't.

In a world with its potential capped like Terrain, it would simply take too long to reach the Fifth Dimension. Without the ability to travel to other worlds, the Invalid could only wait patiently and bide its time.

But, so what if Terrain reached the Fifth Dimension eventually? How could the male Invalid's ambition end there?

was nothing it could do. Unless it could find a method to secretly travel

its kind simply didn't have. Of all the things it had spoken, this was by far the closest to the truth. It had indeed displayed exceptional foresight and

of the Puppet Master

sunder the clouds with a single word and destroy the earth with

the end of its speech, the Puppet Master was practically roaring. Its voice seemed one part ambitious and another part rage fueled. It was as though

the Puppet Master slowly calmed its raging emotions,

clap of its hands, the sound of shuffling feet could be heard

more perfect. With all my other chess pieces aligning, this must be a

at the moment. If you were to bear my children now, they will be of no help to me. I will first raise your strength, only then will my children be birthed with the most

an oddly curved package. It was large in stature, so large, and likely so heavy, that six 'Invalids' had to carry it

personally handcrafted this piece, you could call it my magnum opus." The male Invalid continued

most precious herbs and ores of Terrain can be found here. But, since no one dares to come,

be impressed. His demeanor seemed to scream: 'What do you think, isn't

even compared to those

package down and opened it up, revealing a cavity

eyes would have immediately widened in shock. These red rubies, each an

known as Force Nurturing Ore. It was an Evolution type Ore, though less potent than the true Evolution

its effects lesser, it took a long period of time – months to years – for its true worth

was only useful on already completed products while Evolution Ore could be used on raw materials.

Not only could it increase the quality of treasures, but it was useful on living beings as well! It had similar recovery benefits

was entirely reliant on the source of Force Nurturing Ore! Just