“…The Lost City’s legacy?” Alnea said, staring at the Assistant Panel with wide eyes. “There really is a legacy in the city?”

  “There is. And more than one, any of which can point straight to the path of breaking through the limits of the Origin Sea that you were asking about earlier.”

  The Assistant Panel paused, waiting for a few moments, before quickly rearranging the symbols on its surface.

  “But you do not have to think too much about them. Those legacies are not so easy to acquire. And they are even harder to master. Still, if you can digest even one of the city’s legacies, it would be enough to make you one of the strongest Wanderers in the world.”

  “Are those legacies so amazing?” Alnea mumbled, in both awe, and shock. “Why have I never heard about them before?”

  “Because no one has ever mastered those legacies.”

  “No one? In millions of years, no one mastered those legacies?”

  “Some came close, but no one could truly grasp the true essence of those legacies. Still, all those acquired the city’s legacies went on to become Supreme Wanderers at the very least.”

  The Assistant Panel paused, as if hesitating with itself, before quickly adding one more line at the end.

  “Not counting those who met an untimely death.”

  Alnea, however, was not very interested in the last time. All his focus was on the first two sentences.

  “Supreme Wanderers? That is already more than what most people could ask,” Alnea mumbled. “No, wait. Even if those people did not master the legacy, they did receive it. Why is there still no information about the legacies?”

  “Because they were restricted from spreading any information about the legacies.”

  “…By the city? Or by you?”

  “Is there any difference between the two?”

  “…I guess not,” Alnea mumbled, as the Assistant Panel quickly rearranged its symbols, as if fearing that he had misunderstood its intentions.

  “The restriction is for your own safety. Although you humans are not in short of legacies from the old days, no one would think that they have too many ways to strengthen their foundation. If they learn that you have obtained a legacy pointing straight to the limits of the Origin Sea, they will spare no effort to snatch it from you.”

  “…When you put it that way, it does makes sense…”

  “More importantly, the restrictions are temporary. Once you completely master the legacy, or go beyond it to create your own path, it will no longer be able to bind you. Though I would still recommend keeping it a secret until you have reached the limits of the Origin Sea.”

  “Even from my master?”

  The Lost City’s creator did not respond immediately, as if weighing in his options, before asking a question of his own.

  “Do you know where this city gets its name from?”

  “…I have heard some rumours, but I am not sure,” Alnea said. “There are too many versions of the story.”

  “Take a guess.”

  “…Is it because the city is too hard to find, often resulting in people getting lost in the Black Desert?”

  “Only True Wanderers and below would get lost in the desert. And if they have a Blood Card, then even False Wanderers can easily find the city. Take another guess.”

  “…I heard that there is a part of the city that is lost in space…”

  “In Time.”

  “What?”

  “The city is lost in Time, not in Space.”

  “…Those legends are true?”

  “In a sense. I cannot tell you much, since it is related to one of the legacies held by the city, but yes, a part of the city is indeed lost in Time.”

  “…Like the Final World?”

  “Did the Fire Spirit tell you about the Prison of Time?”

  “It did.”

  “That makes it easier for me to explain,” the Assistant Panel read, before quickly rearranging its symbols. “Though the situation of the Lost City is a little different, you can think of it being in the same situation. When we created the city, we decided to cut off a part of it, and push it into the river of Time.”

  “…That does not make any sense.”

  “Unfortunately, that is all I can tell you until you unlock the key to the legacy held in the city lost in Time.”

  “…Well, at least I guessed the origin of the city’s name.”

  “You guessed it wrong.”

  “But that made so much sense! The Lost City. A city lost in time.”

  “Except, this city is not lost in time. Only a part of it is.”

  “…Then I cannot think of any other reason why you would name the city as such.”

  “Because this is the city of the Lost.”

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  “…I think the city lost in time sounded better,” Alnea mumbled, before thinking about the meaning behind the phrase displayed on the Assistant Panel. The city of the Lost…

  “Who are the Lost?”

  “Since the Fire Spirit has already told you about the Prison of Time, you should have a guess.”

  “…Wait. You mean… You… You…”

  Alnea kept trying to speak, to say the name that the Fire Spirit had said, only to end up fumbling with his words. Because just like the people, their name was also Lost.

  “You should know what I am talking about.”

  “…But… Then… You are the enemy that the Fire Spirit was talking about?”

  “Enemy? He did not tell you everything?”

  “…Everything about what?”

  “It is a complicated story. One that you should not get involved in just yet. Just know, that this is city of the Lost. And only if we remain Lost, can we continue to survive.”

  “…I do not understand. What are you trying to say?”

  “For us to remain Lost, for the city to remain Lost, we must follow certain rules. Rules, that were set when we created the city. Rules, that have ensured the existence of this city, when races far stronger than us have fallen.”

  “What are you—

  Alnea paused, as he finally understood what the messages on the Assistant Panel were trying to imply.

  “…If you want to say no, then just say no,” Alnea mumbled, yet the very next moment, the Assistant Panel gave him a different answer.

  “But given the special situation of you and your master, there may be a way to go around those rules.”

  “…Special situation?” Alnea said, while cursing the Lost City’s creator in his Heart. What was such an ancient being even teasing him for? Was he not supposed to be a terrifying creature, that exuded mystery and power? Why was so unreliable? Was he too bored? On second thought, why did that idea seem so reasonable? Even that stupid Fire Servant was the same. Still, at least the Lost City’s creator had not taken over his body, and was even explaining his doubts in words that he could understand.

  “For the first time in this city’s history, a master and disciple have both obtained its legacies.”

  “Master has also received the city’s legacy?”

  “Legacies. Three in total. And she gained them through her efforts, not just luck.”

  …The city’s creator was indeed too bored, Alnea thought. Besides, what was wrong with being a little lucky? He had gained that luck by betting his life on the line. In a sense, he had gained that luck through his effort. And anything that came thereafter was also through his efforts!

  “If only her path had not been set…”

  “Wait. I thought people were not supposed to tell others about the legacies they obtained in the Lost City.”

  “They are not. At least not until they have completely mastered those legacies.”

  “Wait. I understand. The rules only restrict us from telling each other about the legacies we obtained. It does not restrict you.”

  “No. Even I am restricted by those rules.”

  “…Then why are you telling me about my master’s legacies?”

  “Because one of the legacies she received is a little special. Its conditions were triggered by you. And she needs your help if she wishes to further master that legacy.”

  Alnea stared blankly at the Assistant Panel for a few moments, before bursting out into a laugh, as pride surged from within his chest once again. This time, greater than ever. Finally, the day he had been waiting for had come. And it came decades, maybe even centuries before he had expected. He, Alnea Oathkeeper, was not the helpless boy he used to be…

  “How do I help her?”

  “You do not need to know.”

  “What?”

  “If I, or even she tells you how you can help her, then it would go against the essence of the legacy.”

  “Then…”

  “You just need to cooperate with her. Answer the question she asks. And do as she tells you to do.”

  “So, I behave like how I usually do?”

  “Yes.”

  …He stood corrected. The Lost City’s creator was just as dumb as the Fire Spirit. Though he was not as ignorant. At least, he did not have to be asked to explain his nonsensical comments.

  “Because of the nature of her legacy, when and if she asks about your legacy, even if indirectly, the restrictions on your Spirit will not stop you from telling her about what you gained in the city.”

  “…You should have said that from the beginning,” Alnea mumbled, choosing to forgive the city’s creator. “So, basically, I can tell her about the legacy I received, but she cannot tell me about the legacies she obtained?”

  “It may be unfair, but that is what the rules of the city say.”

  “…It’s fine. Rather, this is perfect,” Alnea said with a grin. “So, what legacy are you going to give me?”

  “I am not going to give you any legacy. The city is. And you have unlocked just its first key. If you want to obtain the complete legacy, then you will have to prove yourself to the city. But that should not be a problem to you. As long as you stick to your path, it will only be a matter of time before the city recognises your effort.”

  “…Just tell me about the legacy.”

  “You already know about the legacy.”

  “…Is it related to my deal with the Fire Spirit?”

  “It is.”

  “…The Blood Crystal Patterns?”

  “At least you did not call it the subspace this time.”

  “Is that really the city’s legacy?”

  “No. The true legacy is the integrated form of the Blood Crystal Styles.”

  “Those Martial Styles can really be integrated into one form?”

  “Only at the Tenth Stage of the True Rank. Not at the Mystery Rank. Not at the Ninth Stage of the True Rank. Only at the Tenth Stage of the True Rank is there any hope of integrating all the Blood Crystal Styles.”

  “…But I am just at the False Rank.”

  “That is why I said that you obtained the legacy through luck. Though, given your talent in the Blood Crystal Styles, you probably would have obtained the legacy anyway. But you are not the first person to obtain this legacy. Before you, eight other people were able to integrate all the Blood Crystal Styles. Yet, when they got the legacy, all their efforts were spent on increasing its efficiency and strength, never understand its true essence.”

  The Assistant Panel paused, allowing Alnea to read and digest the message, changing its content only when he looked ready to ask a question.

  “Creating a path for your body to use pure Oren.”

  “…Like the subspace?”

  “You should think of a better name.”

  “…But… I… It was…”

  “An accident? That is what even I am surprised about. You accomplished what even Supreme Wanderers failed to achieve through just pure accident, and your laziness to recreate Blood Crystals every time you suffered from injuries. Now, do you understand how lucky you are?”

  …Alnea was thinking of it as more of a coincidence, but accident worked as well. Besides, unlike the coincidences with the Fire Spirit, this time, he had a choice. Even if that choice was only nominal. Especially in his current situation. In the end…

  “…Luck is also a part of my strength.”

  “Indeed. Be it good luck, or bad luck, both are part of your strength. If you learn how to leverage it properly, it can even help you cross the Origin Sea. But that is not something that the Lost City can teach you. The city, however, can help you ride the luck you already have taken advantage of, and complete the process that the Fire Spirit left unfinished.”

  “…Unfinished? But I have been experimenting with the… ‘Oren Cycle’ for the past few days, and it has been blessing my body perfectly fine.”

  “Oren Cycle may be a better name than just subspace, but I still insist that you find a better name. And did you really think that a legacy pointing to the limits of the Origin Sea would be as simple as just blessing your body with Oren?”

  “…There is more to the legacy?”

  “Why not find it for yourself?” the Assistant Panel read, before quickly forming a new sentence. “Are you ready to accept the Lost City’s legacy?”