Chapter 35

I reflexively turned to look at Belva.

Belva was awkwardly looking up at the sky with a slightly complicated expression.

The emergence of a new Watcher.

It was proof that Belva had completely lost her race and role.

[Uh, um… Where should I look…]

The voice of the intelligent being who introduced themselves as Noah stuttered and echoed.

Could it be that kid?

Still hasn’t found us yet.

Somehow feeling like I wanted to sigh, I gathered a large amount of Dimension Power above my head and spun it around.

A whirlpool formed like a typhoon.

And that anomaly was so huge that even the most insensitive Watcher could feel it.

[Uh, uh!]

A surprised voice buzzed in my ears.

[Ahhh, hello? I, I didn’t know there was such a developed place here already…]

“Speak calmly. Slowly.”

[Ah, that. Ah. Got it, hic.]

Ugh, seriously. I’m about to explode.

I haven’t met many Watchers, but that doesn’t seem normal.

Right?

“…They must just be really nervous.”

Heh.

I can tell without looking.

Belva must have been just as much of a failure as that Watcher at first.

Am I just unlucky?

Or is that the average level of a Watcher?

If the upper stream is clear, the lower stream will be clear too.

If it’s the latter, even the god who’s the direct superior of the Watchers must be at that level.

Calming my excitement, I chose my words carefully again.

Meanwhile, Noah was hurriedly expressing their astonishment.

[Th, the Fire Fox has evolved…!]

Miho, perhaps sensing Noah’s gaze, sat cross-legged with an uncomfortable expression.

I yawned and pointed to the sky.

First, I need to figure out what this guy is all about.

“Noah?”

[…Huh, yes! It’s Noah!]

“First of all, thanks for coming. I was actually in a situation where I needed help. Before I tell you what to do, can you briefly explain what you can do?”

As I tried to converse kindly, Noah seemed to relax a bit and slowly began to explain.

And from that explanation, I could confirm that the powers of the Watchers weren’t all the same.

The wide-area CCTV function that Belva had.

And the healing power.

These were common powers that Noah also had.

However, creating a status window by analyzing the body or generating a transparent shield was impossible.

The number of items for trade with other dimensions was also significantly smaller.

Well, that’s fine.

It’s bearable.

After all, what I needed was to find out the locations of the monsters.

[Huh? Ah, that. That’s a bit… because helping only one side is against the rules…]

At that moment, Noah expressed their refusal, seeming troubled.

Hmm…

“Even if it’s to deal with Dimension Monsters? As far as I know, the invasion of monsters isn’t normal interference.”

[That’s true, but to do that, I need to clearly confirm…]

Clearly confirm, huh.

What a vague statement.

Whether they’re really Dimension Monsters or not.

Whether I’m a normal native or not, they twisted their words so I couldn’t figure it out.

Probably judging by Belva next to me.

A dangerous person.

Unfortunately, a clear sense of wariness could be felt in Noah’s words.

Unless it’s someone like Belva who’s seen my growth from the beginning, that reaction is probably normal.

In this dimension, I stand out quite abnormally.

I sighed and flicked my finger.

After completing the second evolution, one change happened to me.

It’s not that big of a deal.

It’s just that the number of things I can do with Dimension Power has increased.

Right now, what Noah can see, hear, and say in this dimension is thanks to the Dimension Power scattered throughout the dimension.

Then let’s think about it.

What percentage of that Dimension Power is mine?

At least, all the Dimension Power scattered around here was under my control.

[Uh, uhm?]

Following the connected Dimension Power, my mind broke through the boundaries and moved forward.

At the end of it, I saw Noah lying face down with their eyes closed in a dark room.

Snacks were scattered everywhere.

Instant retort food was piled up like a mountain.

A small girl in a stretched-out boxy T-shirt.

She opened her bleary eyes.

Noah looked at me with trembling eyes.

[If I speak, will I die?]

Gently placing one hand on Noah’s head.

I placed one finger on my lips.

Looking at their frightened expression, I gave a small smile.

*

[…Hic, huff! Hic!]

Noah was breathing heavily like crazy after I left.

“What did you do?”

“Nothing much.”

I just smiled at Belva, who was interrogating me with narrowed eyes.

By the way, even though I didn’t physically go over, just moving my mind through the connected Dimension Power had a huge impact.

Still feeling nauseous and with a splitting headache, I leaned against the wall and closed my eyes.

Footsteps could be heard approaching.

“…What’s that?”

Miho, who had snuggled into my arms, whispered softly.

Is she wary of strangers?

I hugged Miho tightly and whispered back.

“Talking chick.”

“Chick?”

“Yeah. But I’m still keeping my guard up. I don’t know much yet.”

If my level were just a bit higher, I could probably infuse the connected Dimension Power with an aura and cause an explosion.

By then, I’d be able to completely control Noah.

No point in getting complacent.

I spoke to Noah, who was still coughing and wheezing like they’d been possessed.

“Noah.”

[Eeeek!]

And then Noah fainted.

Hmm… Seems like this backfired.

“What did you really do?”

“I didn’t do anything.”

“Hmm.”

The once-Watcher’s gaze is sharp, maybe out of pity.

I explained the whole situation to Belva.

“So, you traveled through the connected Dimension Power, wrapped your mental body in Magic Power, and exerted physical force?”

“That’s about it.”

“……”

“Your life is a complete mess.”

Belva let out a rare curse.

No surprise there.

To put it in terms of Earth knowledge I explained, it’s like watching TV and having a character jump out of the screen.

I quietly recalled the movie ‘The Ring’ from my childhood.

Ugh. Crap. I get it.

I totally get it.

“But I’m not a ghost, right?”

“Huh?”

“No.”

Whether ghost or human, it’s definitely something to be startled by.

Luckily, Noah had a stronger heart than expected and cautiously reconnected after about an hour.

This time, Belva took over the conversation, and I calmed my dizzy head while petting Miho.

“…So, if you don’t know something, just ask me. Managing a Primitive Dimension for the first time must be tough.”

[Yes, Senior…]

Noah, now sniffling, is quite impressive.

It’s been a rough ride.

“And don’t mess with that human’s temper. That’s the most important thing. I won’t go into details, but let’s just say they’re not your average crazy person.”

Hmm.

[Right… They just, like, pressed my head, and I only said what I was supposed to, but they threatened to kill me… Sob…]

Hmm.

I never pressed anyone’s head or threatened to kill them.

By the way, Belva knows I’m awake.

I stayed quiet a bit longer to hear more.

[It’s really scary!]

“But at least they look good, right?”

[…What does that matter? They act like they’re from Bental City. You know, Senior, the ones who destroyed the Sanctuary and ran away?]

“I know. I’m from Bental City.”

[……]

Noah fell silent, seemingly shocked.

I frowned slightly.

Bental City?

From the context, is it like the hood, Detroit or something?

I imagined Belva swearing and fighting over food.

It kinda fits.

As I thought that, Belva continued softly.

“Don’t trust anything blindly. Not me, not the Sanctuary you’re in now. No matter how good a place is, there’s always bad people. And vice versa. If you don’t want to regret it later, stay sharp and seize this opportunity.”

[……]

“Do you think there’ll be another rare case like this? This Dimension is a miracle. Especially for a beginner like you, Noah. It’s too much, right?”

[…Right.]

“All you have to do is offer a little help. Just make things convenient. That alone will let you learn and gain so much. Think about it.”

Her voice was low.

Not calm, but menacing.

I chuckled and stood up again.

Opening the Void Space, I took out one of the stored gems.

“Don’t worry too much, take this.”

I could easily guess how Noah was living.

In a tiny space, not even a house.

Unwashed clothes.

Being a Watcher doesn’t mean you’re free from material desires.

As expected, Noah was startled and asked me again.

Really?

Is it okay to just take this?

Of course.

It’s fine.

Bribes are meant to be taken.

It’s money received not with hands, but with the heart.

[Th-thank you…]

Placing the gem in the shop window, the transaction went smoothly.

Feeling a bit guilty, Noah dropped an unopened drink can.

What a funny guy.

I chuckled and popped it open.

Lemon flavor.