As the many shorter legs of Kharon shifted robotically and pressed into the ground, a barely perceptible rumble drifted upward from the grasslands below to Randidly’s ears, as he was sitting on his floating island and carefully considering what to do next. The dark blotch in the sky held his gaze for a long time.

Previously, he had allowed the moonlight spirits around his island to drift freely, naturally forming a visual screen that added an air of mystery to his floating island. But since the Great Rift had sent its attack probes down to the Earth’s surface, Randidly had the moonlight spirits spinning around the island so he could constantly see up into the sky. Otherwise, he felt vulnerable.

Yet even a full day after the forces of Nether broke through the System’s defenses, the Earth was not attacked again. The darkness in the sky was silent. If Randidly’s Aether Detection and Nether Sensation hadn’t been able to see the furious interplay between the Nether and the core Aether defenses of the System, he would have been extremely suspicious of the situation.

As it was, he just felt on edge. Truly, the Earth seemed to be forgotten. Yet with the powerful struggle of energies above him, it was difficult to focus on other things.

The other result of seeing the way Nether was attacking the core System was to realize that the Earth was lucky that only a cursory force had been sent down. Neveah was endlessly impressed by the techniques she saw utilized to protect the System structure. But Randidly had eyes for the other side. Because the Nether density that Randidly witnessed in the sky was intimidating, to say the least.

He couldn’t be sure because of the distance, but it definitely seemed like this Nether was much more powerful than what the Nether King possessed when he had attacked the frontlines. Which was a relief in a way, because it probably meant that this wasn’t the Nether King that Randidly had helped escape the clutches of the Xyrt Brigade.

Congratulations! Your Skill Nether Sensation (L) has grown to Level 218!

As though sensing Randidly’s thoughts, Neveah nudged him mentally. Don’t sell yourself short Randidly Ghosthound. Maybe your assistance gave the Nether King some inspiration and it grew much more powerful in a short amount of time? While he was being pursued by the Xyrt Brigade. Or perhaps… I hesitate to even suggest it… but what if this Nether King… is a Nether Queen?!?

As Randidly felt a deepening frown begin to spread across his face, Neveah continued to happily send him a mental message. Ah, and the fact that you rescued her… truly, it is a tale of star-crossed lovers worthy of the inheritor of Yystrix’s will… oh hum… is this what humans refer to as a love triangle…? I don’t think Vualla is the sharing type…

Randidly grunted. Well, I’m glad that you can manage to stay in a good mood.

This time, Neveah hit Randidly with a jolt of mental energy that was the equivalent of a flick. And YOU are accomplishing absolutely nothing sitting there and looking up at the sky all day.

You aren’t wrong, but… Randidly hunched his shoulder and gritted his teeth. I have a responsibility to make sure-

Neveah mentally flicked Randidly again. Randidly, I don’t mean to be critical… but let’s be realistic about who you are. Yes, you have a responsibility to the people of Earth… but even Mrs. Hamilton, the greatest mind that I have encountered amongst you humans, cannot worry her way out of a problem of this magnitude. And you… are not Mrs. Hamilton.

“I…” Randidly opened his mouth to speak, then flushed as he realized the communication was mental and he responded out loud.

Of course, Neveah was connected to him mentally and still understood his intention. Did you get to this point by worrying? Or perhaps more importantly, could Mrs. Hamilton predict your growth even with her Skills? No to both. So why are you doing this?

Something shifted in Randidly’s heart. Gradually, he straightened. He hadn’t thought about it in quite some time, but Randidly began to recall the sort of crown that he wore. “No… this was not the way that I grew strong. And even if I start now… I would not do so well with these methods. What I need to do… is use the method Shal taught me.”

A spear always advances? Neveah asked playfully.

Rolling his eyes, Randidly shook his head and replied boldly. It felt like a weight had been lifted off of Randidly’s shoulders. His path forward became clear, his emerald eyes bright. “No, training until it is monotonous and painful. And doing it consistently. Because that’s the way you improve.”

Randidly was a leader on Earth. He had so many people looking to him for guidance. There were threats that only he could handle. But because only he could handle them, Randidly had almost forgotten that the reason he could handle them was not that he was special at developing solutions to problems. No, the reason for his current position was simply because he was strong.

If he had time right now, honing that strength was how he should be preparing for what would be coming next. Besides, it wasn’t as though Randidly was alone in facing this threat having over the Earth. Now that twenty-four hours had passed, the Xyrt Brigade would likely be arriving in the next day or two to clean up this issue. Perhaps focusing on his training was really for the best.

The less involved with this problem he was, the less suspicious his behavior would seem. All he had to do was to gather up Heiffal’s group and hide them in the Alpha Cosmos.

But now, it was time to train. So Randidly proceeded to the central portion of the island, where the remnants of his training area still remained. The worn circle he had carved out in the dirt still remained; this was all Randidly needed. After steadying his breathing and pushing the speed of his heartbeat upward, Randidly began to focus on his three images.

Specifically, Randidly wanted to experiment further with the combined visualization of his images as manifestations of his own body. Because he felt the way it was easier to wield their strength when they were a part of him. But just as Randidly was beginning to train, something occurred to him. Aside from Alana when she fought against me in the Challenge… and a few times since… no one really becomes an avatar for their image. They usually just use their Willpower to create a reality-altering projection. Is there a reason for that…?

Humming to himself, Randidly produced his Philosopher’s Key and searched for Alana’s karma. Although it was rather sudden to depart, Randidly was also interested in creating some space between how he had sat on this island and worried for so long without accomplishing anything productive. Going on a short trip before training would help clear his mind.

Reaching beyond the limits of the Earth remained difficult due to the presence of the Nether in the sky, but within the planet’s limits, it was just as effortless as ever to use his Fatepiece. So he pressed the key forward and opened a portal.

Randidly stepped out and looked around, only to find that he had opened a portal onto a wooden boat. Rain slapped him in the face. The soaked vessel bobbed and swayed as some meter tall waves flowed beneath it. Honestly, the cool drizzle Randidly felt on his skin was a relief considering his body had already become somewhat heated as he warmed up to train.

With a glance, Randidly only saw one figure on the deck of the small boat, but he sensed Alana within the bowels of the ship detect his arrival. Hank Howard, who had been trying and failing to entice the fish below the water to bite at his hook, twisted around and smiled. Rain was dripping off the wide brim of his hat. “Well, well, what a surprise. The Ghosthound himself. Tuh what do we owe this honor?”

“Just wanted to chat about image utilization,” Randidly responded honestly. Then he looked around at the choppy waters around them. With the drizzle filling the surrounding air, everything was a muddy mixture of grey and blue as far as the eyes could see. The clouds above were dour and disapproving. “I guess I didn’t expect to find you two sailing. You are pretty deep out here, too… Didn’t you just kill a few Nether Beasts?”

“Indeed.” Hank began to store away his rod. “Buggers were tenacious, but they died all the same-”

“Randidly?” Alana walked out onto the deck in a simple cotton shirt and jeans. With her hair messily down around her shoulders, it was quite a different impression from Alana’s usually austerity. Her image was just as impressive as ever, however. Every drop of rain that came near her neatly evaporated.

After mastering her surprise, Alana offered him a sharp smile. “I suppose it’s a good thing that Wivanya and her brood are flying above to avoid the storm. Otherwise, you would need to deal with some… awkward questions.”

Randidly let out a forced laugh as he shuddered at the prospect; he had completely forgotten about the almost religious figure he had become in the eyes of the frost dragons. He had come in person just because he figured getting away from his island might be helpful to refocus his effort, but his haste to do so probably should be tempered by some reflection in the future.

Always one more way to improve… Randidly sighed inwardly.

“Anyway, why did you come? Are you planning on attacking that darkness?” Alana’s smile sharpened further. “Need some help?”

Again, Randidly could only laugh and shake his head. “No… you’ll have to trust me on the details, but that monster of Nether in the sky is to me what I am to… ah… Theodora Greyman. I wasn’t lying when I said that this is a war above us. If the Nether King doesn’t send more troops to attack Earth… I’ll leave dealing with it to the specialists: the Nexus forces. No, the reason I came here was to talk about images.”

When Alana tilted her head to the side in confusion, Randidly continued to speak. When Hank began to walk into the cabin to give them privacy, Randidly gestured for him to stay. “No, Hank, I don’t mind if you listen. In fact, it might be helpful. What I wanted to ask was why most people don’t house their images within their bodies? Alana, I’ve seen you do it with your valkyrie form, but do you have any idea why it isn't more common? Am I missing something?”

“Heh.” Hank chuckled after Alana and he exchanged a glance. “I do think ya are missin’ somethin’, but it’s to your benefit. I don’t house the image within myself, but I’ve experimented with putting it in my gun. But if the image gets too strong the gun breaks.”

“Most people can’t withstand the force of their own images. If you don’t have high physical Stats, it’s impossible.” Alana supplied. “But even though I’ve focused on raising my physical stats, I often am sore for a day after using the avatar form. It’s not that my body isn’t strong, but it almost feels like it isn’t… big enough to handle my image?” Then Alana shrugged. “Repeated use has helped me acclimate, but it isn’t… perfect.”

“That’s part of the reason we are out at sea now,” Hank said lightly. “Give her a chance to cool down… and my inner Ballad tells me this is the direction we are sposed to be goin’. Something is going to happen out here soon, I just know it.”

For a few seconds, Randidly chewed on his lip as he considered that. Then he slowly nodded. “...I see. I guess I… am very privileged to be unable to answer that question on my own. Thank you.”

Perhaps it was escaping the limits of the System’s physical restriction, perhaps it was the presence of the Alpha Cosmos in his body. Or even perhaps it was just his ridiculously high Stats. But it was clear that being able to house the images in his body was not something that was easy for others to do.

Then Randidly frowned as he cast his mind back. I did it sometimes in the past… but I really didn’t condense the image on me for anything other than the Grim Chimera. Yggdrasil I always summoned outside of myself… Hard to know which of my aspects gives me that resilience...

Then a strange thought occurred to Randidly: was it possible that the true reason the System limited physical strength… was to make sure people created images outside of their own bodies? To push them toward making separate images… that could be more easily stolen and repurposed after the original creator died.