"So, Helena said a < Dragon > woke up."

"Are they never leaving this world in peace? Must they chain us forever? They should be dead by now. Our ancestors were quite the worthless piece of shit."

"I don't know. But within the same time, the < Dragons > got a new leader, Levi Aravyz."

"The ritual boy? Out of everyone, the ritual boy with the cursed name?"

"Yes. Levi took control of everything overnight. It was a storm."

"Did Helena talk about him?"

"Unlikely. Although the new leader is strong, he's merely a spoiled kid."

"But all records mention that every single monster left together in the same ascent. So, how could a < Dragon > wake up? Is she reading the heavens correctly?"

"Maybe a hidden figure stayed behind. And if that was the case, a new gold age might come. Well, a golden age for that faction, not for anyone else."

However, despite their caution and fear, those apex figures saw no sudden sign of drastic changes.

The only worthwhile change they noticed was that the < Dragons > Land stabilized even further.

But while most saw the lack of fanfare as a positive outcome, they also felt that, somewhere, a hidden monster waited for them to put their guard down.

---

A few months later, Ben was alone again in the room with the glass block.

He slowly ran his hand through the smooth surface while lost in thoughts.

"I'm fine. It was a success."

Ben felt a remnant of Ginn's power, so he decided to talk, even if it would never reach his friend's ears.

"With some upkeeping, I can live freely for as much as I want, and when that runs out, I can wait for the end of the world."

Ben sighed and smiled.

"Yet something is quite funny, though. I feel quite headless. Even now, when it hasn't been that long, I already feel the laziness sprouting."

Ben giggled.

"It's weird not having to worry about the bare minimum. I'm somewhat surprised, but it makes sense that I had gotten used to the constant struggle. I need to learn to be more carefree again since I have a lot of time. I hope you're also living well. See you later."

---

Once Ben left the < Dragons > Ancestry Grounds, he began drowning in nostalgia.

It was somewhat challenging, but he eventually fell back into new routines.

While building new identities, Ben noticed that the extreme dissonance he experienced after he met Ginn decreased. The strange feeling was still there, but doing the bare minimum to ground his sense of self was enough to avoid breakdowns.

After one of his fake lives ended, Ben would visit the < Dragons > faction, but he wouldn't even talk to someone every time. Often, he would instead only leave some marks behind.

It took him hundreds of years to find his new pacing, but Ben eventually discovered some new passions to pursue.

Without the overwhelming dread, he had to rewrite himself completely. But fortunately, he had the time.

Thousands of years passed in a blink of an eye, and Ben spent that whole time adjusting to his renewed body and the changing world.

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

...

'This is problematic,' Ben thought.

He was underground in a room below a burning castle.

As he had to destroy another of his identity, Ben used the extra free time to go over the results of his experiments.

'It's as bad as I feared. Did Ginn leaving cause the world to weaken?'

After seeing the state of the Arrays in this messy room and the strength of the ritual above, Ben's worry grew.

"Maybe it's inevitable since it's so easy to develop such techniques. Is this world prone to refinement? I wouldn't bet that Ginn left a single rock unturned."

Above ground, the neighboring factions struggled to contain the localized calamity.

'This should be enough. I should let those people complete their job.'

Standing up from behind his table, Ben walked to a bookshelf and began burning a couple of the Array's Cores.

He had already peeled his fake persona skin off, which exposed his black tattoos.

Ben took a single book and burned the rest. And this marked the start of a reverse in the hopeless tide of purification above.

'Perhaps I was too hopeful in thinking the world may stay stable. But I didn't expect society to become this hopeless without the pressure from the fate around Ginn.'

After being lost in his thoughts for hours, Ben suddenly turned around and stared at the darkest corner of this gloomy dungeon.

"Extra arrangements from the Highpeaks?"

"It was a challenge to find you, Sir."

A woman solidified from the shadows and knelt in front of Ben.

"That's not good to hear. It shouldn't be challenging. Instead, it should be impossible."

"To be fair, we did cheat by using one of the heirlooms left to our clan. We aren't allowed to use it that often."

Seeing the face in the open, Ben recognized the woman.

"Helena, the world would be surprised to know you aren't dead."

"The world is full of surprises. And our clan already has someone else rising in the open. They don't need me."

"So, did you die to track me full-time?"

"Yes, Sir. Once we confirmed you woke up, our second mission started. We shall support you if you decide to be involved in the hunting."

"If you didn't bring such a device, I wouldn't believe you. Even with such clear restraints in place."

"Before even telling us how, the writings tell us to be careful when contacting you. It sounds so terrifying that no one else would've come willingly."

"But you did?"

"I'm old, and I've seen a lot. I also was lucky on the genes roulette, and my bloodline skills are above average."

"From what I could gather, you were the one that tipped them on a changing era."

"I hope you don't mind it. I still had to play my role."

"Keeping your enemies closer."

"Strict orders were left behind. Also, we came here with only one objective: to give Sir this."

Helena placed a small wooden box on the floor in front of her.

"It feels like yesterday, the Highpeak Clan Insignia."

"You can contact us if you need anything."

"I may reach out if I can brew something. But even if not, I'll let you know any intel I find."

"Let's hope we avoid the worst," Helene said as she disappeared back into the shadows.

Having a surprise visitor left Ben more worried.

'Is playing protector inevitable? If I'm directly involved, I won't last long. Perhaps I should cross a few questionable lines.'

---

"Master, we found the secret room, but nothing was left. The fire consumed everything."

A man sat on a boulder, observing the last bits of the castle burning as the sun rose.

"We got nothing from their knowledge?"

The young girl and her friends behind her stayed silent.

"How unfortunate."

---

"Lucas, we receive a tip that the Rising Phoenix is engaging in human refining."

Lucas Aravyz completely stopped his work and stared at his friend.

"Our partnership has been solid for almost three decades."

"I know. How could we not see it?"

"It's better not to involve anyone else. Could you please investigate it yourself?"

"Are we taking it seriously?"

"We must. If it's wrong, it's wrong. But what if it's right? We can't be blind about whom we invite to our home. Grandpa Levi would rise from his grave and beat my ass."

---

"Hahaha, another breakthrough!"

"Bro, it's incredible. We're closer and closer to your dreams."

"Your brother is unstoppable. But what made you come all the way here? You don't like this dungeon. And you were also occupied lately."

"No one else was allowed inside. So, I had to come and pass a message from the Seers."

"Oh, did those guys want more money? What are they trying to sell now?"

The young man didn't answer and only passed a small Spirit Stone to his brother.

"Well, it shouldn't be good news if you're this careful."

The apex figure carefully read the tip.

"A tribulation is coming, and my end might be near?" The apex cultivator giggled.

"I don't get it, either. But the clarity on it surprised everyone. Even our partners began preparing as if tragedy is imminent."

"Did you look into how many received such an ultimatum?"

"In the last few thousands of years, only a couple. And every single time, they were right."

"So, we got a chance to break those asshole ankles. I never liked them."

"How should we prepare?"

"We're cultivators. We confront fears without hesitation. Tribulation coming? So be it. I'll eat it for breakfast."

---

"Lua, why are you so worried?"

"I didn't want to send such a warning. I hate that guy. He's too troublesome."

"Isn't that why Higgs chose him as the first puppet?"

"Yes! But I didn't want to give the guy a heads-up."

"If we didn't act, our position would otherwise be jeopardized."

"I know, but I still didn't like giving them a chance to prepare."

"I don't think Sir would move without being assured of his success. Don't worry about it too much. We do our part and hope for many years to come."