Wasteland Echoer.

"This is... a fruit? Could it be that it's the fruit that grew after the 'Arm of Klein' exhausted its energy?" Wright bent down slightly, resting his hands on his knees, carefully examining the "gem" lying quietly in Ato's large palm, and asked in confusion:
"'Klein's Arm'...it, it's probably, indeed, gone, isn't it?"

“That’s right. This is an ability bestowed upon me by one of the Creator’s incarnations, a fellow named ‘Zhouyin.’ Of course, it can only be used once.” Ato said, his large feet stomping over the black dust formed from the dead “Arm of Klein,” reaching the center of the entire “magnificent tower.” He raised the “gem” high, aiming it at the seemingly eternally burning “scorching sun” in the sky, and said in a rough, hearty voice:

"Young man, do you truly crave power?"

“No,” Wright shook his head, answering decisively.

Wright's answer seemed to surprise Ato, who remained stunned for a full half minute before finally managing to utter a relatively complete sentence:
"Very, quite unexpected. But... hmph, you, no, right now you should be yearning for [order], right? Any high-level professional recognized by the source of magic, the [Orderer], will yearn for [order] from the depths of their heart. Perhaps, you also yearn for power, for only with enough power can you build an eternal and unbreakable [order]?"

"Whether it's order, power, or strength, humanity's wasteland era has lasted for nearly 600 years. Don't humans, the lost souls, and all creatures possessing 'intelligence' contaminated by the 'virus' yearn for peace?" Wright slowly walked to Ato, also looking up at the gleaming "Scorching Sun," and proclaimed loudly:
"Only with peace can there be 'rebirth,' and when the world is truly reborn, 'prosperity' will come. In fact, the Creator created humankind in His true form, and His original intention may have been simply to understand Himself. Only when humankind breaks through the constraints imposed by the Creator using the universe and truly roams among the stars will it mean that 'the Creator's creation' was correct."

Before he finished speaking, Wright moved to Ato's side. He gently took the "gem" with indescribable color and luster, pressed it against his chest, at the location of his heart, and felt the energy fluctuations inside while listening to the increasingly clear heartbeat.

After about five or six minutes, Wright spoke again:

"Era Two: Dragons are great and sacred beings created by the Creator. Rather than being an ultimate fantasy, they are the Creator's ultimate ideal. Absolute life, ultimate power, unwavering faith, and eternal morality—such perfect beings are bound to add a touch of color beyond darkness to the universe. However, He was wrong. What He did not foresee was that above perfection lies 'arrogance'."

To foresee the future of this powerful race, the Creator carved the 'Path of Klein' and sprinkled it with the dust of the 'Time Before the Eye' (Stone), solely to impart the pure power of creation to them. However, He has slumbered for so long that no one knows when He will awaken.

After reciting "Gemstone"—no, "The Time Before It Was Seen"—the information forcibly implanted into his brain, Wright paused for a few seconds, then looked at Ato with a stunned gaze. After a few more seconds, he returned "The Time Before It Was Seen" to Ato and whispered:

"If this is what you truly want to do, then do it, Atho. If... you are still waiting for my answer to confirm my true thoughts, then I will tell you tirelessly: I do not crave power. Pure power only brings pure violence, and pure violence brings extreme evil."

"The Creator... He never found a true 'Orderer' who could comprehend His rules. Unfortunately, the ancient Flame Lord was not perfect; his union with the dragons stripped him of his divinity. Ivan XXII, on the other hand, slid into the extreme of evil, attempting to become an existence beyond the gods, to deny, and even replace, the Creator's existence. Therefore, in the Crimson Illusion Ruins, that future base that could help him control the world, Ivan XXII was killed by the Lost Ones he himself created. Therefore..."

"So, you don't want to become Ivan XXII, nor do you want to follow in the footsteps of the Flame Lord, right? Light Socrates." Ato asked in a low voice, his tone filled with an indescribable anger, but also revealing a complex mix of emotions.

However, before Wright could respond, Ato raised his right arm and forcefully extended a sharp bone spur stained with bright red blood, pressing it against Wright's throat.

At the same time, the tails behind him, which had not yet burst and resembled vines and steel whips, quickly wrapped around Wright's body. The sharp tips of the three tails were suspended in front of Wright's heart, constantly oozing black, smoky acid that looked like sulfuric acid.

"Humanity's fate has always presented only two choices: First, to completely follow the Creator and the order of the gods, entrusting their trust and future to them, becoming their apostles or servants. Second, to rise up in rebellion, like the Flame Lord and the five ancient warriors, wielding sacred artifacts to launch the 'Human-Dragon War,' utterly destroying the 'Pillar of Drogen,' exiling the dragons to the lava-flowing Dragon Realm, and with absolute perseverance, courage, and responsibility, establishing five great empires, attempting to completely liberate humanity from the shackles of the gods." Wright's eyes were fixed on the fatal bone spur, yet his mouth continued to murmur:

"Blood and gunfire, lightning and technology, might allow humanity to possess the power of gods without relying on them. But the Creator resides in a supreme dimension that humanity can never truly comprehend. With just a slight 'adjustment' of the 'gears of fate,' the world will collapse, civilization will vanish, and we... will perish. I will not be Yan Jun, much less Ivan XXII. I only wish to be a 'true Order Keeper.'"

"'The true Order'? Perhaps this is your destiny, and a mystery that none of the Order members have ever comprehended in the past millennia. During this time when we were all asleep, you were with 'Pramini,' enduring physical pain in the radiation-filled 'Crimson Illusion Ruins,' while I suffered mental torment under the torture of the 'Lord of the Night.' But soon, I will no longer have to endure any pain." Ato closed his eyes, observing the sky through the "artificial atrium" of the "magnificent tower."

The attacks of Ato, the counterattacks of the Dark Night Survey Corps, the raids of Atlanca, and the spatial destruction caused by dimensional distortion have left this magnificent building in Nebusk, the most magnificent building to date, riddled with holes.

In response to Yato, "Eternal Light" and anti-aircraft missiles had already completely destroyed the top floor of the "Magnificent Tower." The crowd scattered and fled amidst the flames and the spread of the "virus." This last fortress belonging to the Crusaders seemed to be slowly losing its function amidst conspiracy, folly, and greed, and was also officially tolling a somber death knell for the humans who held on to this land.

“Just now, before the final raid by the Nabusk Guard on our ‘Chaos Group,’ I removed the control I had forcibly placed on them using the [Deceitful] skill. Apart from ‘Thunder Page’ and Loka falling unconscious, the rest of the Lost Ones still chose to follow me, attacking these mechanical behemoths and cannons.” Ato said, his gaze returning to Wright. Perhaps sobbing, or perhaps mourning, several seconds passed before he slowly spoke, continuing:

"After eliminating that foolish dragon 'Eternal Light,' loyal to humanity, all my followers have perished, and the combatants in this city have also been wiped out. Soon, this city will perish in the chaos of power struggles. My purpose in coming here is not only to bury this 'Time Before We Met' in your heart, but also to fulfill my promise to the 'Lord of the Night.'"

"What promise?" Wright sensed a hint of danger, but he kept his red magical energy at its peak, thinking that even if Ato wanted to attack, he would be able to fight back.

If Ato's goal was to eliminate himself, he wouldn't have waited until now, given all the perfect opportunities he had. However, having been modified by John and tormented by mental slumber for so many years, coupled with his brutality towards the Lost Ones of the "Chaos Group," it wouldn't be surprising if someone with such a twisted mind, powerful body, and divine interference did anything. It's best to be cautious.

As he was pondering a solution, Ato continued, saying:
"He wants to intervene in the 'order' that the Creator is trying to build and destroy the 'old you'."

As he spoke, Yato's face suddenly tightened, and his previously gentle expression turned ferocious.

Immediately afterwards, he took a half step back, swung the bone blade that had already expanded several times its original size, and stabbed it fiercely toward Wright's heart.

At the same time, the several steel whip-like tails retracted slightly backward, and after gathering their strength, they suddenly lashed out at Wright's head, throat, and heart—three vital parts of his body.

At the critical moment, the red magical energy within Wright's body, like newly generated blood, flowed through his rapidly bulging blood vessels, extending crimson and winding lines across his originally tight and strong skin, making him look like a raging monster.

One of his eyes remained crimson, imbued with the power of the red magic source, while the other activated "Burning Black Vision" within 0.1 seconds, maintaining its original pitch-black appearance and even greatly enhancing his observation and reaction abilities.

Soon, Ato, who was launching an attack relying solely on brute force, appeared to him like a slideshow slowed down 144 times, almost coming to a standstill.

Then, the six "Dark Tentacles" on his back rapidly expanded in the environment rich in magical energy, radiating a terrifying glow that intertwined crimson and azure. Each tentacle extended to 15 meters in length, and the thick "crocodile scales" stood up and became sharp.

Beneath the scales lies a heavy eyeball encased in petal-shaped skin, intended for further escape should a counterattack fail.

Wright knew that this extreme enhancement of his thinking and action abilities would significantly deplete his reserves of red magical energy and couldn't be sustained for long. He could already feel the suffocation from the excessive consumption of power, as well as the burning sensation in his chest as if it were about to explode.

Fortunately, 0.3 seconds was enough time for him to deploy all his counterattacks. As he rapidly slowed down the release of his red magic power, Atona's almost halted attack resumed.

Soon, Wright's six "Dark Touches" launched a counterattack against Ato!
However, to his surprise, Ato's steel whip tail was much more fragile than he had imagined. It was knocked away almost instantly upon impact with the tentacles, crashing to the ground and breaking into small pieces of bone.

The bone blade that had been trying to pierce Wright's throat was tightly bound by tentacles just before it touched his skin, rendering it completely immobile.

Even while suppressing Ato's attack, the remaining two "Dark Touches" broke through Ato's body defenses and easily pierced through his cyborg heart.

As the tentacles were withdrawn, a small amount of thick blood, a mixture of blue and crimson, gushed out from Ato's chest.

A few seconds later, a black, viscous, jelly-like substance, resembling asphalt, gushed out, dripping onto the ground and forming a foul-smelling puddle that continued to expand outwards. (End of Chapter)