************
Eclipse let out a dry, bitter chuckle.
His gaze shifted toward Silver, who had once again taken the form of a small white rabbit perched lightly on his shoulder.
"You can't expect me not to worry," he muttered.
"My condition is supposed to be confidential."
A pause.
"And yet… someone out there seems to know."
His tone dropped slightly.
Quieter.
More serious.
"And we still don't know who that dimensional traveler really is."
At the thought of Xiao Zixin—
Of the one occupying that role—
His expression darkened further.
'Just… who are you?'
Silence lingered.
Heavy.
Unanswered.
His thoughts slowly spiraled inward—
Until—
BEEP!
The sharp notification sound cut through the silence.
Abrupt.
Clear.
Eclipse's attention snapped back immediately.
Without hesitation, he moved toward the monitors, scanning through the incoming data until he located the newly arrived message.
An email.
From the Higher Councils.
He opened it without delay and began reading its contents carefully.
>>>>>>>>
To: Eclipse,
Greetings. After reviewing the report submitted by your system guide, Silver, we have conducted an initial analysis regarding the abnormalities you encountered.
Based on our findings, these irregularities are unprecedented—even to us.
We attempted to trace the source of these anomalies, however—
There appears to be an obstruction.
Something is actively preventing us from identifying its origin.
>>>>>>>>
'Something… blocking them?'
His brows furrowed deeply.
Even the Higher Councils—
Unable to trace it?
'What kind of existence could interfere at that level…?'
He glanced briefly toward Silver.
The unease within him deepened.
« Esteemed host, based on the report, Silver also finds this situation… unusual. »
He nodded slightly.
Agreeing.
If even the system recognized something was off—
Then this was no longer a simple irregularity.
It was something far more serious.
Trusting his instincts, Eclipse returned his focus to the message and continued reading.
>>>>>>>>
Regarding your condition, your system guide noted that your spiritual soul was nearly exhausted during your previous mission—specifically when you assumed the role of the Leader of the Three Realms within a cultivation-type worldline.
Upon reviewing the archived records of that worldline, we detected the presence of an entity that should not have existed within the narrative.
Its designation is—
Lin Shu Yang.
>>>>>>>>
Eclipse's eyes narrowed.
The name…
It felt unfamiliar.
And yet—
Strangely recognizable.
"Silver," he spoke without hesitation, his tone sharp.
"Pull up the data from that worldline. Search for any records tied to the name Lin Shu Yang."
« Understood, esteemed host. Please wait for a moment… »
Afterward, Silver accessed the system archive to conduct a search. Within a minute, the information was retrieved, and with a swift motion, Silver activated a 3D hologram before them.
Streams of data flickered to life in midair, forming a complete projection of the information they had been seeking. Eclipse's gaze settled on the image that materialized—a face that felt both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
He silently read through the details presented before him.
>>>>>>>
Name: Lin Shu Yang
Age: 2000+
Birthplace: Azure Dragon Palace (Heavenly Realm)
Relative: Feng Yuan (sworn brother)
>>>>>>>
"…."
Eclipse lifted a brow, his expression tightening slightly as he turned toward Silver. "Correct me if I'm wrong… but Feng Yuan is the identity I took over from that worldline, right?"
« Answering esteemed host, yes—that is correct. Esteemed host assumed the identity of Feng Yuan, the Leader of the Heavenly Realm who later rose as the Celestial Emperor of the Three Realms. According to the original plot, Feng Yuan indeed had a sworn brother. However, there is no record of that individual's name. Furthermore, when you arrived, the world plot indicated that Feng Yuan's unnamed sworn brother died due to unknown causes… »
As Silver's words settled in, Eclipse felt an unexplainable unease crawl up his spine. His gaze lingered on the information, yet something about it made his chest feel heavy.
Before he could dwell any deeper into that discomfort, he abruptly snapped out of it, shaking his head as if to cast away the lingering thought. He refocused on the data once more.
>>>>>>>
We do not know the cause of this unknown phenomenon, but one thing is certain…
Eclipse, you are currently in grave danger, and your soul restoration is still undergoing the healing process. For now, the Higher Councils have decided.
You must temporarily leave the Dimensional Department. We will cover up your disappearance for the time being. Please be prepared as soon as you finish reading this letter. Your system will be prompted to activate the dimensional mechanism immediately.
We are deeply sorry, but this is the only way to ensure your safety. We hope you will understand.
FROM: RAVEN
>>>>>>>
Eclipse barely had time to steady himself after finishing the report when a familiar sound echoed throughout his room—sharp and unmistakable. It was the signal indicating that the dimensional mechanism had already been activated.
« Initiating process for dimensional hopping… Esteemed host, please prepare to enter the new world in… 3… 2… 1…! … »
Before he could utter even a single word, everything dissolved into emptiness.
[END OF FLASHBACK]
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[PRESENT]
He snapped back to reality, the lingering fragments of memory fading as clarity returned to his mind. The reason for his sudden return resurfaced, and even now, he found it difficult to believe that he had ended up back here—of all places.
'Why…? Of all the worldlines I could have hidden in, it had to be this one—the one I despise the most! Tsk!'
Despite the irritation clawing at his thoughts, he knew he had no room to complain. The Higher Council had already made their decision and defying them was not an option.
Besides, Raven—his superior—would undoubtedly cover for his absence within the Main House System. Still, Eclipse was fully aware that such a cover could not last forever. It was only a matter of time before his disappearance was noticed.
Letting out a quiet sigh, he shifted his gaze toward the servant who had deliberately mocked him earlier, turning him into a source of ridicule among those gathered in the dining hall.
The memory made his expression darken.
Eclipse nearly groaned in annoyance as another realization surfaced. This world—more specifically, his first life—was derived from a novel. And recalling the events tied to it was enough to make his blood boil with barely restrained anger.
The tragedies he had endured in that life were not something he could simply forget.
*********