Noah's eyes were confused in a way that was starting to become recurring in this white oval room. Since entering here, there were many things that simply didn't make sense to him.

Everything here was just so strange.

Not because it was particularly hard to understand, but because he didn't know where all of this could have come from.

Noah could have attributed it to the simple fact that a higher world or civilization with technological prowess far beyond Earth's might exist — something that dwarfed human knowledge in a way almost embarrassing to admit — but no… he actually couldn't.

Because what he was seeing was too similar to Earth's own technology. It was like the Earth he knew was merely a downgraded version of what this place had to offer.

And that was why he had asked the question about what this place was. But…

Relic? Relic of Earth?

'Do we have the same definition of relic?' Noah wondered to himself as his perception sharpened and his eyes scanned the room once more.

At his side, Virgo had just finished her small contemplation of the words the voice had spoken, looking around the room in a dazed state. She didn't even seem to have heard the response about what this place truly was.

How far gone was she?

Noah didn't have the luxury to ponder upon that for long, as the voice spoke again.

"Noah Vaelgrim, you have 150 points.

Virginia Ti Raneth, you have 100 points."

Even amid the tension, Virgo couldn't stop her lips from twitching at the mention of her points. She snapped her head toward Noah, her crimson eyes narrowing accusatorily, clearly blaming him.

Noah made an offended face, tilting his head as if to ask, 'Me?' And the worst — or maybe the funniest — thing was that Virgo actually nodded, even going as far as pointing her finger at him.

Noah almost laughed in outrage. The girl always bought sweets and games, and now it was his fault that she had fewer points than him? Okay, granted, he might have used his silver tongue to make her buy some things for him, but that wasn't actually the point.

Neither was this talk about points.

Noah had numerous questions now that he knew the name of this place. Because with a name, he could at least guess, to some degree, what it might be.

If taken literally — Relic of Earth — then this place was, in that case, something ancient, or perhaps something sacred that had survived from the past… of Earth.

'But how? It doesn't make any sense! This place is far too advanced compared to the current Earth. Or wait…'

He unconsciously tilted his head, and Virgo moved closer to him, watching with eyes that clearly didn't understand what was going on. She wanted to use her points to learn the path toward her dreams — or simply to surpass the Law Creator rank — but seeing Noah so deep in thought, she didn't dare disturb him.

So she simply stood there, her head resting against his shoulder, eyes closed, trying not to think of sweets and games…

'No! No sweets, Virgo. No games either! Focus, our goals first!' she screamed inwardly, doing her best not to imagine sweets. But it was a futile effort. Her lips began to drool soon after, saliva touching Noah's shoulder just as he was in the middle of forming another possibility.

'Maybe… maybe it's not the same Earth I know,' Noah concluded. He found this one more plausible. But if that was the case, then why was the voice behind all of this stopping him from reaching Earth?

And also, this goddamn realm — or place, or whatever you wished to call it — had only opened up when they were just at a distance where his sneeze could blow Earth into a rain of splintered debris.

So… they had a link. Somehow.

'Ah, fuck…!' he cursed, his mind going in all directions, making all of this seem pointless. He didn't have any solid lead, which made him feel like he had to use his points to ask this question — but Noah wanted to keep those points for his real question: how to reach perfection.

Doubtless, that kind of question would cost a ridiculous amount of points. So he saved his own, and without any shame whatsoever, used Virgo's points for his own sake. In fact, he was proud of it.

But now… there was no other choice but to use his own.

Or was there, really?

He sighed softly and raised his head toward the ceiling, a habit he had now developed whenever he was about to do something that could cost him greatly if it went wrong.

'I have three more protections from The Records, huh…' he mused, his eyes curving into a crescent shape. He moved lightly, causing Virgo to wake up from her dream of swimming in a sea of sweets while playing games. She shook her head to regain focus, wiping the saliva dripping from her mouth with the back of her hand.

Then she looked up at Noah and saw that devilish smile on his face.

She shuddered.

She hadn't known him for very long, but she had already learned that every time he wore that smile… something was about to happen.

"…What are you planning to do?" Virgo asked, her voice hesitant. She eyed him suspiciously.

Noah turned his head toward her for a couple of seconds, then looked back up at the ceiling. He shrugged and replied, "Nothing too crazy. I'm just going to try speaking to whoever's behind this, nicely and respectfully. So stay silent and watch your man swindle his way out with his tongue."

Virgo's eyes went blank the moment Noah said your man. She blinked, staring at him dazedly, then stammered out,

"M-My man…?" she echoed, not quite believing it. She had imagined it could someday reach this stage, sure, but the way Noah had said it — so casual, so brisk, like it was a matter of fact — made her heart stutter. Her eyes darted around the white room, searching desperately for something to look at, anything to escape her embarrassment.

Useless endeavor. She was already deeply embarrassed.

Noah laughed faintly at her reaction. He still couldn't believe that the woman who had once appeared before him, ready to swallow him whole with her ruinous power, could be like this…

He shook his head, deciding to continue that thought later, once his current situation was settled.

He stepped forward, leaving Virgo behind, and moved to the center of the room. He didn't have his usual clothes, so he couldn't put his hands in his pockets. Lacking other options, he crossed his arms over his chest.

Taking a deep breath, he parted his lips and began to speak.

"How long, unknown being, will you go on abusing my patience?" His voice was calm, but there was an undertone of inexplicable authority beneath it.

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"I've played your games since I entered this place. You might think it's because I had no other choice, but if you think that, then you're a bloody fool."

"I accepted and tolerated all of this because I believed there was something to learn here. Which, to be fair, there was. I've learned plenty, and I've benefited greatly from this place. And that is why…"

He raised a finger upward, his white eyes glowing with an indifferent hue.

"…that is why I'm giving you one chance. Only one, okay? Tolerance and patience are not among my virtues, unfortunately."

"So tell me…"

Another pause. A longer silence.

"…will you accept to meet me face to face, so that we can talk about how beautiful life is? Or do you want me to take the harder way, and discuss the cruel side of life instead?"

He shrugged lightly. "Choose wisely. Pettiness is an art I happen to master rather well."

Behind him, Virgo nodded repeatedly like a chicken pecking at grain. "I can testify to that," she said, raising her hand as if standing before a judge.

Noah didn't speak anymore. He waited. He was ready for any outcome anyway, even one that could help secure the lives of Aurelia and Asaemon.

After a few seconds, the voice finally responded.

"Noah Vaelgrim, what goddamn arrogance!"

This time, it had lost not only its mechanical tone but almost its feminine one. It sounded like a strange mixture — both male and female at once.

Noah's eyebrows rose as the voice continued.

"But I guess it's just my bad luck. My bad luck to have a goddamn Abomination heading toward my world."

Noah smirked widely.

"Ah… so you know."

"Who wouldn't? I can feel the goddamn enhanced scrutiny of The Records, and on top of that, The Bastard and The Bookworm came here with you, threatening to destroy this place if the 'youngest' is harmed."

Noah cackled, and as he did, the ceiling above parted like a curtain being pulled away by some divine hand, revealing a curious sight.

"I'm not actually happy to meet you, Third Abomination."

Virgo appeared beside Noah, watching the strange creature above.

Noah chuckled. "Oh really? You hurt my feelings…"

He let the words hang, clearly fishing for a name.

The creature hesitated for a moment before sighing and parting its lips.

"Evadam…"

It paused.

"Evadam… Progenitor of Humans."

—End of Chapter 355—

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