Defiance of the Fall

He was at the limits of the tenth echelon , where he’d stayed for the past three months . He hadn’t yet felt any hint of the Mana Poisoning as most described it . However , there was a sense of rejection , like the Perennial Vastness was trying to push him out . It was still manageable , but there wasn’t much point in stubbornly resisting .

Climbing any further wasn’t really an option either . The few who could endure the Mana Poisoning at these levels would usually enter seclusion the moment they crossed the threshold of 100 , 000 . It wasn’t that the tenth echelon was a hard limit , but hidden safeguards were implemented . Reaching the tenth had added a whopping 1 , 000 Mana to the monthly fee , compared to the 100 Mana per echelon in the first nine . Gaining Mana from other guests was also a thing of the past , even if that revenue stream had dwindled over the years . Many still approached him for duels because of his uncanny ability to pinpoint weaknesses in blueprints , but the large echelon gap turned the bouts into normal spars . As for the few guests he encountered while traveling the Red Zones , none had dared attack him in over a year .

He’d still be able to increase his Mana if he applied himself . But with over 3 , 000 Mana a month in fees after entering the eleventh echelon , Zac wasn’t sure he’d be able to cross the next threshold .

Not only that , but Null confirmed the pressure on him would drastically increase if he kept accruing Mana . He was already pushing it by crossing 100 , 000 . Zac doubted he’d reach the twelfth echelon before the sense of rejection would mess with his Core Formation . The flip side was that each additional echelon beyond the tenth provided significant benefits .

Reaching the eleventh would improve the environment during your breakthrough by 20% . Better yet , you’d no longer have to pay rent the second you entered seclusion for Core Formation . The Mana you’d gathered would stay with you until the end . And there just so happened to be one final payout waiting for him . One that would let him soar to the thirteenth echelon in one go .

It was finally time to fetch the Remnants .

72

BACK AT THE SCENE

Zac was reluctant to send the message he’d been dreading for so long , but he did . Catheya arrived , and his emotions were mirrored on her face .

It’s time? - Catheya sighed .

It’s time . -

We only got seven years , - Catheya muttered , leaning her head against his chest .

Zac’s heart bled , but he pressed on . - I can’t stay much longer . I’m going straight into seclusion after getting the Remnants . I don’t think I’ll be able to do much beyond sending a message that I’m back . -

Do you really have to do something so dangerous? Can’t you form your core the normal way? -

I could , but it would be just as risky , only in a different way , - Zac said . - If my idea works , I’ll be able to skip right past the most dangerous part . -

I’d ask you to be careful , but when has that ever worked? - Catheya smiled . - When are you leaving? -

We still have some time . -

Zac spent the following days not sparing a thought about cultivation , the future , or the many things that usually demanded his attention . He spent all his time with Catheya , trying to squeeze a lifetime into two weeks . Ogras also popped in a few times for a drink and to reminisce . It was blissful , but reality soon caught up .

I’m going to miss you , - Catheya said as the teleportation gate sprung up behind him . - I’m jealous . It’ll only be a few months for you on the outside . Meanwhile , I’ll stay here for at least another three years . -

Zac weakly smiled as he held her in his arms .

Alright , go . - Catheya smiled as she took a step back . - It’s time for you to show everyone they were wrong . That you can fuse Life and Death . I can’t wait to see their faces . -

I’ll miss you , - Zac said . - Be careful until we see each other again . -

With that , Zac stepped through the teleporter , jumping through a Green Zone to step onto the teleportation square . Zac’s heart was a mess as he put his hand against the teleportation pillar , opening up a path to the Calamity . He stepped inside and was immediately forced to fasten himself to the ground with Vivi’s vines as a roaring wind tried to sweep him off his feet . Not even the raging squalls could drown out the storm in his mind .

One island after another flashed by as Zac woodenly began the ascent toward the Calamity’s upper layers . Zac barely registered it , exuding such a desolate aura the native beasts didn’t dare approach . He almost wished they had . They had tried to keep a positive outlook for the future , but the reality of the situation they found themselves in was impossible to completely ignore .