The Flustered Hero

Like tiny droplets breaking free from a mighty river.

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

Under Xu Xi's control, the towering wizard's tower, wrapped in immense soul energy, forcibly tore open a massive spatial rift. It stabilized and anchored itself before piercing through the barrier of the wizarding world.

The sensation was a peculiar weightlessness.

A distortion of both time and space.

Some things moved forward, while others frantically receded.

The myriad phenomena of the world twisted into grotesque forms—some stretching out tendrils like mountain-sized stars, others shriveling into withered, lifeless husks.

Xu Xi observed the scene calmly.

It was the death wail of a world, the grotesque mutation of overturned laws and order.

But from now on,

it had nothing to do with Xu Xi anymore.

"Great Wizard, is this... enough?"

The valiant warrior stood tall, clad in silver-gray light armor, her emerald eyes layered like intricate paintings. Hesitation colored her expression as she scanned the eerie surroundings of the Salvation Tower.

Worry.

Confusion.

And yet, a glimmer of anticipation for the future.

Xu Xi gave a slight nod. "Yes. Soon, we will completely leave this world and enter the chaos beyond."

As if affirming his words,

the scenery representing the wizarding world outside the tower rapidly blurred past.

Colors and shadows interlaced, merging and overlapping unnaturally, imprinting themselves upon the formless void.

Even the most ignorant observer

could tell from this dreamlike spectacle that they were leaving the world behind.

"Servia, this is a rare experience," Xu Xi said with a faint smile, the shifting hues outside casting ever-changing light upon his face.

He extended his hand,

and a star map unfurled in his palm.

This was a treasure Xu Xi had acquired long ago in the wizarding world—a record of spatial coordinates to multiple worlds.

Only with these coordinates

did Xu Xi dare attempt cross-dimensional travel.

Otherwise, drifting aimlessly through the boundless chaos would inevitably lead to exhaustion and a fatal descent.

"Great Wizard, have you decided which world to go to?"

"Yes. I’ve already set the Salvation Tower’s course—we’re heading to the Heruka World."

Xu Xi pointed to a spot on the star map,

showing Servia the location of the Heruka World.

Seeing the warrior’s curiosity, Xu Xi patted the space beside him. "Servia, sit down."

"Though I’ve told you about the Heruka World before, it’s best to go over it again."

"I hope you won’t find me tedious."

Servia shook her head quickly. "No, not at all. You’ve helped me so much…"

"I’ve always been grateful for your guidance…"

As she spoke,

Servia slowly sat down, her hands folded neatly on her lap—poised, quiet, waiting for Xu Xi’s explanation.

Everything was proceeding smoothly.

The cross-dimensional journey was underway.

Soon, she, the Great Wizard, and everyone in the tower would arrive at a new world—one of peace and light.

Yet, for some reason,

the joy and excitement Servia should have felt never came.

Instead, her mind was hazy,

her heart hollow.

Though her skeletal frame held no flesh,

a faint, tearing sensation lingered in her chest.

"Servia," Xu Xi took the undead girl’s hand.

The familiar warmth dispelled her unease.

"The Heruka World has its own civilization."

"Once we arrive, you must scout carefully and avoid conflict with local factions."

"Your talent is exceptional."

"Given time, you’ll break through to the Fourth-Circle, and eventually the Fifth and Sixth."

"So don’t rush into battle."

"Nothing matters more than your safety."

Xu Xi spoke gently, advising the girl on how to proceed after their arrival.

His words carried a weight Servia couldn’t comprehend,

so heavy that even her hollow ribcage trembled.

Servia felt strange today.

Though Xu Xi was merely explaining precautions,

an inexplicable fear gripped her.

"Servia, I’ve granted you access to the tower’s spirit."

"Even if I’m absent, you can control the entire tower through it."

"You’ve become a true wizard now."

"I trust you’ll use the tower’s resources wisely—without needing my approval."

But…

But…

I’m not ready…

Servia, though undead and unaffected by physical limitations, found her soulfire flickering unsteadily.

Her simulated voice trembled.

"Great Wizard…"

"I’m not as capable as you believe."

"I don’t deserve… I can’t possibly control the tower in your stead…"

The fear was irrational.

The trembling, inexplicable.

Being acknowledged by the Great Wizard should have been a joyous occasion,

yet her heart only grew more unsettled.

This weakness shamed her.

Instead of rising to Xu Xi’s expectations,

she had retreated without reason.

Servia didn’t want this.

She didn’t want to disappoint Xu Xi.

But her body reacted faster than her thoughts.

Almost involuntarily, the words of refusal slipped out.

"Servia..."

Faced with such a resolute hero, Xu Xi was taken aback. He wanted to say more, but an unexpected interruption cut him short.

"BOOM!!"

A violent tremor shook the entire tower.

Just moments ago,

the Tower of Salvation had completely severed itself from the world of sorcery.

By doing so, it had escaped the doomed world—but in turn, it now stood exposed before the endless Abyss.

The sheer magnitude of its presence alone

was enough to press down on the Tower of Salvation, hindering its advance.

The tower groaned under the strain, its inhabitants scattering in fear.

"Servia, go and calm the people. I’ll take control here."

Xu Xi issued the order with icy composure, waving his staff to erect spatial barriers, ensuring the dimensional crossing proceeded smoothly.

"Yes, Lord Sorcerer!"

Knowing the urgency of the situation,

Servia swiftly departed the summit,

ready to reassure the people and maintain order throughout the tower.

At the very last moment before leaving,

as if compelled by some unseen force, she glanced back.

Xu Xi stood firm,

encircled by grotesque, twisting chaos.

"Go, Servia," he said, his smile gentle as he gave her a slight nod.

Only after Servia had fully left

did Xu Xi turn his gaze beyond the tower—to the world of sorcery, and further still, to the endless Abyss.

A mortal body, staring unflinchingly at the world and chaos itself.

A mere five-ringed soul, standing against an unfathomable existence.

"So it’s come to this after all..." Xu Xi’s grip on his staff loosened slightly—then tightened with renewed resolve.

Soulfire blazed.

His spirit surged.

Decades of stored power, an immeasurable ocean of accumulated souls, erupted all at once.

Here, at the pinnacle of the tower,

he would hold back the most deranged malice.