The silver liquid, scientifically named **Astral Flow**, gleamed under the light.

As the name suggests, this silver substance was a new material related to dimensions, capturing Karlstein's full attention and expectations. Particularly reactive in relation to the Astral dimension, its potential applications were limitless.

It was almost like a universal solvent.

If this Astral Flow could be integrated into the existing matter transmission system like fiber-optic cables, it would drastically improve both stability and efficiency.

Moreover, this one material could solve many issues related to the installation of transmitters.

Although he was gradually building dimension transmitters, it would be terribly inefficient if he managed every detail himself.

The cost could exceed the benefits.

Already, hadn’t he strained himself by rushing the next update schedule to consume Karma Points?

In such a situation, discovering that this one material could solve half his concerns made it impossible not to covet it.

"Only problem is... it's tough to obtain," he thought.

There were too few samples, and he needed a large amount.

To experiment, he required more of the material.

This rare substance, found nowhere across the galaxy, could only be obtained by waiting for a creature with the special **Silver Blood** to appear again, as it had before.

"What to do...?"

He was pondering this problem when Aria’s voice broke his reverie.

\- "A Triple Number entity has appeared at the coordinates sent to you."

"A Triple Number?"

\- "Lord Maksien, who was returning, has already departed."

"Maksien…"

Well… if it’s Maksien, handling a Triple Number would be no big deal…

The term **Triple Numbering** referred to special creatures assigned three-digit numbers, signifying a particular level of danger.

\- "It’s an upper-level Triple Number entity."

"Really?"

\- "Yes. It’s in the 200s, specifically a **Blue Ray**."

No. 221 **Blue Ray**.

Among the countless creatures beyond the barrier, the Galactic Empire assigned numbers to these special entities based on their danger level. There was a considerable difference between a creature in the 900s and one in the 200s, with the 200s ranking relatively high.

"The Blue Ray..."

Blue Rays were monsters specialized in high-speed movement and mid-range artillery, making them a poor match for Maksien.

Although Maksien had a history of repelling up to Double Numbers solo, one couldn’t entirely discount the effect of an unfavorable matchup.

"Maksien will have a tough time," he muttered.

\- "Yes, but there’s another issue..."

Beep—

The blurry figures displayed on the screen caught his attention.

"Hm?"

Three vague figures, presumed to be spirits, were observed near the Blue Ray’s location.

Could these spirit-like beings really be hanging around the Blue Ray, like a treasure trove just waiting to be taken?

Hmm.

But why were they acting as if they didn’t know the Blue Ray existed?

Monsters were generally known to emit waves that allowed them to communicate like a collective.

While spirits were also reported to be a type of monster, they didn’t seem to fit the description on the screen.

Whatever the case, it was worth checking personally.

He didn’t want to leave Maksien to deal with everything alone.

"I’ll head there right away."

\- "Preparing."

Besides, it would be troublesome if an irate Maksien wiped out those spirit-like entities, leaving no trace.

Karlstein hurried toward the boundary area.

---

Meanwhile, three silver-flamed figures hovered restlessly.

["What do we do?"]
["I don’t know!"]
["Why does it have to be a Chaos one?!"]

One had the appearance of a high monk with a third eye on its forehead, another was a centaur with a human upper body and horse lower body, and the last resembled a six-armed woman.

["The trace of Criella led us here,"] the monk calmly observed, appearing more composed than the other two.

["But what good is that if it ends here?"]
["It’s safe to assume Criella disappeared here."]
["Forget Criella. Why would it matter if a lunatic who tried to destroy worlds is gone?"]
["Still, the Root commanded us to pursue this, so we must be certain of the situation."]
["At this rate, we’ll be the ones disappearing!"]

Though they all wore faint silver flames, they didn’t seem particularly close.

Even so, they remained near each other, wary of their surroundings.

["That creature, isn't it from the **Chaos** faction? The one causing havoc on the front lines?"]
["It does seem so, judging by its appearance."]

Chaos, a faction opposed to the **Great Sephiroth**.

The creature had large cannons mounted on its shoulders and six pairs of membranous wings on its back, appearing to be a mix of metal and monster.

Recently, this creature had been tearing through battle lines with several followers, creating chaos.

["Why are they fighting, though?"]
["How should I know?"]

Nearby, the Chaos creature and a human woman clashed fiercely, sweeping their surroundings in their wake.

Though they were in a void where sound should not exist, the aftermath of their battle reverberated here. Shards of light and waves scattered, painting the cosmos.

["Won’t we get caught in this?"]
["They’ve likely noticed us by now."]
["..."]

Though they kept their distance from the battle, the creatures on the other side were clearly aware of them, following their every move. It was an absurd situation.

While fighting, the creatures seemed intent on keeping an eye on them…

["Are they underestimating us? There’s three of us here!"]
["Still, these are no easy foes."]

Though the centaur-like being yelled out in pride, it didn’t seem convincing, given the intensity of the battle.

["Is it possible for a human to be that strong?"]
["It feels like watching a hero battling a god."]
["Hero? More like a nuisance."]
["Wouldn't it be better to negotiate with her rather than the one slaughtering his own?"]
["Negotiate with a human?"]

The centaur’s face showed disdain. It clearly looked down on humans, though the others seemed to agree in some respects.

The human species was viewed as mere livestock, like microbes that added vitality to the worlds they inhabited.

["For the Great Sephiroth’s sake, maybe we should swallow our pride."]
["Negotiation isn’t our only option."]

The six-armed woman’s eyes gleamed ominously.

["We could aim for mutual destruction. Now that we’ve confirmed Criella’s disappearance, we can’t just back down."]
["Right. Despite being a nuisance, Criella was one of our kind."]
["Though something feels off…"]

The monk’s third eye glowed as his expression turned serious.

["Did you not sense something amiss when we entered this dimension?"]
["What?"]
["No, I didn’t notice anything."]
["Hmm…"]

The monk couldn’t shake his uneasy feeling, though he couldn’t articulate it clearly.

["It’s worth being cautious. Perhaps we should retreat."]

However, his companions were less inclined to heed his warning.

["Do you think the Root would let us?"]
["We must bring back some results. Perhaps we’ll be rewarded."]
["The Holy Blood..."]

His companions, driven by ambition, ignored the monk’s unease. The **Root**, whom they served, was known to reward merit and punish failure. This opportunity was rare.

["Although it seems Chaos is winning, it’s starting to struggle. That human woman is no ordinary opponent."]
["Is she even human?"]
["Who knows? But it doesn’t matter."]

They weren’t weak themselves.

["Supporting Chaos might be our best move."]
["Let’s keep a safe distance."]
["Agreed."]

In an emergency, they shared their thoughts, beginning to unite their powers.

["Let’s target the human woman first."]

They didn’t realize someone was warping to the battlefield at that very moment.

---

Maksien furrowed her brow as she sliced through another blue artillery blast.

"This creature…"

She remembered it well.

**Blue Ray**.

A creature from the 200s, specialized in rapid artillery attacks and notorious for its cunning.

Oddly, however, it seemed stronger than she recalled.

"Have I weakened?"

Impossible.

In reality, she wasn’t being overpowered. If she could only close the distance, she was confident she could decapitate it in one stroke.

But its movement speed was exceptional, far faster than before.

Despite enduring hits to close the distance, she could barely get closer. The difference in compatibility was clear.

Another blast split in mid-air by a floating sword.

Around her, six swords spun in a defensive ring, while four others pursued the creature. She, too, was chasing it, sword in hand, but…

She couldn’t close the gap.

While she could attack from afar, the further the distance, the weaker her strikes became. Conversely, the closer she got, the deadlier her attacks.

"Sigh… how frustrating."

A hint of annoyance showed in her eyes.

Then, she noticed three buzzing nuisances preparing to interfere.

"Should I deal with them first?"

As she narrowed her eyes, an incoming message halted her pursuit.

\- "Well done, Maksien."

Though she loathed showing her current struggle, Maksien couldn’t help feeling both anger and satisfaction at the familiar voice.

“It’s over,” she declared, stopping her chase.

With her battle nearing its end, a blinding flash of destruction pierced the battlefield.