After all the decisions, in the end, Lian decided to use the new artifact he had obtained for the map for now.
Lian reached his hand into his storage space and took out the map.
The lines on it still showed the locations of the three forests, the Giants’ Graveyard, and a few side paths, but part of the information was probably years or decades old.
The crystal in his other hand immediately reacted.
[Compatible Cartographic Medium Detected.]
[Would you like to synchronize World Memory?]
Lian confirmed.
Contrary to his expectation, the crystal did not melt.
Its white surface began to open, and hundreds of very thin strands of light came out from within it.
The strands spread across the map’s surface like delicate roots. First, they followed the old lines.
They passed through the Forest of Giants, curved around the Giants’ Graveyard, then entered Glassthorn, and illuminated all the paths that Lian and Seris had traveled in the past few days.
The light penetrated the ink and the map’s skin. For a moment, all the signs disappeared, and only the dark, empty surface of the skin remained.
Then a white wave spread from the map’s center. The world’s image appeared again, but it was no longer a flat image.
The trees, roots, and terrain height gained depth on the map’s surface. Small valleys went lower, and rock walls slightly rose from the surface.
Four small points lit up at the group’s current location.
A fifth point, larger and blacker, was outside the Mirror Vault.
One.
A root they had passed by two days ago slowly shifted on the map. The old path turned gray, and a new route formed around it.
[Artifact Synchronization Completed.]
[World Memory Map]
[Rank: A]
[Functions Unlocked:]
[Live Positioning]
[Terrain Reconstruction]
[Route Recalculation]
[Recorded-World Synchronization]
Lian examined the map for a few moments.
The group’s live positions changed with every small movement, but other creatures, monsters, or hidden resources did not appear on the map.
The sections they had never recorded remained as dark spots.
World Memory could not generate information from nothing.
It only reconstructed what had already been recorded in its own memory, the map, or the owner’s direct observation.
This limitation was logical.
If the Artifact could reveal all the details of an area without being present there, its rank A would be too low for it.
Nevertheless, even this ability was very valuable. From now on, Lian no longer had to trust paths that might have collapsed or been blocked years ago.
If a bridge was broken, a root had shifted, or a new crack had formed in the ground, the map could recalculate the route.
He did not fold the map.
He changed its angle several times and tested its reaction. At the same time, from the corner of his eye, he noticed the three girls.
Each was standing a short distance from the others, apparently examining their own rewards.
Seraphina sometimes looked at her palm.
The white heir mark was no longer shining as intensely as before, but it still had a gentle movement under her skin.
Then she placed her hand on her sword’s hilt, as if comparing something between that mark and her weapon.
Liana placed a small object, whose shape Lian did not have time to identify, immediately into her storage space. Then she summoned Shadow Wolf beside herself and stared at its red eyes for a few moments.
Seris stood still.
Her sword was still in its sheath, but her gaze was fixed on an empty point; a state that showed she was reviewing a memory or experience in her mind.
Lian asked nothing.
Just as he himself needed to examine his new Artifact’s abilities, they also had the right to first understand their rewards.
The Mirror Curator appeared in the Archive’s center. Its semi-transparent body was fainter than before.
"I apologize for the sudden appearance of that living grudge. It should not have been part of this trial and was an unexpected variable."
"The succession process has been completed."
"The Archive will enter its sleep cycle."
In the distance, a white door opened.
Cold air entered the silent dungeon space through it.
Lian folded the World Memory Map and placed it into his storage space.
"It’s time to go."
No one objected. The four moved toward the door.
Seraphina was the last one, glancing back at the silent crystals for a moment.
Lian did not ask anything from her expression. The inheritance she had obtained was not just a collection of Skills.
Thousands of memories, duties, and truths of a dead civilization had entered her soul along with it.
It would probably take a long time for her to understand the full meaning of what she had accepted.
The group passed through the door. The white light covered their vision for a moment.
Then the cold and dark forest space replaced the Archive.
Night had completely fallen.
Only black gaps could be seen in the sky. Blue and purple lights flowed inside the glass trunks, covering the clearing with a dim and unnatural glow.
Behind them, the black glass door was still visible among the dead tree’s roots.
But the light on its central symbol had gone out.
Lian had not even taken his second step when a strong wave of emotions entered his mind through Hive Link.
Relief.
Excitement.
Protest.
And a kind of simple, raw joy that One made no effort to hide.
The massive ant raised its head at the clearing’s edge. Its antennae moved quickly.
Then, without paying attention to Seraphina, Liana, or Seris, it ran straight toward Lian.
At first, Lian thought One wanted to bring its head close to him, so he raised his hand to touch its black shell.
But One stuck out its rough, warm tongue and licked Lian from his chin to the side of his face all at once.
Lian remained completely motionless for a moment. The warm moisture remained on his face.
Liana first looked at the scene with wide eyes, then her laughter echoed throughout the clearing.
One pushed its head forward again. Lian placed both his hands on the front part of the ant’s head and held it back.
"I’m alive. That’s enough."
One tried to move its head through his hands. A new wave of relief and dissatisfaction was transmitted through Hive Link.
During the entire time the group was inside the Mirror Vault, One had sensed the possibility of Lian not returning.
The dungeon had not cut off their direct connection, but the link had become very weak and vague. One knew Lian was alive, but it could not determine his real condition.
Now, upon seeing him, all the accumulated anxiety was pouring out directly.
"I think it really missed you." Liana said, still laughing.
"Or it’s hungry." Seris said with her usual dry tone.
One immediately pulled its head out from between Lian’s hands and turned toward Seris.
Its antennae went up, and a clear wave of dissatisfaction entered Lian’s mind.
"It’s not hungry." Lian wiped his wet face with his hand and then was silent for a few moments, glancing at his storage space.
"Of course, it needs to eat."