Chapter 46: Omen of Crisis

If the world were divided by mathematical definitions,

It could be split into two distinct spaces: the Real Number Space and the Imaginary Space.

The Real Number Space is the tangible world that humans can perceive and observe.
The Imaginary Space, on the other hand, is its mysterious counterpart.
For the longest time, humans believed that beyond the Real Number Space, there must exist an opposing realm.

—It’s not that it doesn’t exist; it’s just that human capabilities couldn’t reach it.

However, with the rapid advancement of technology, top scientists made groundbreaking progress in the field of spatial construction.

They successfully developed a technique to artificially create and open a space opposing the real world, officially named the “Imaginary Space.”
This space was employed in the war between humans and Bloodkin, functioning much like a barrier.

When Bloodkin or Otherbeasts invaded, the Imaginary Space would be activated.

It transported both sides of the conflict into a separate, independent space to prevent damage to the real world.
Everything within the Imaginary Space was an almost perfect replica of reality, but any destruction to its buildings or environment had no impact on the real world.

Evran spoke gravely, “Tonight, the Imaginary Space will be opened.”

Her words implied one thing:

A major battle between humans and Bloodkin was imminent.

The tip of Su Xiaoxiao’s pen made a soft “click” as it touched the desk.
Her expression wavered slightly, and she glanced at Evran beside her, asking, “You sensed it?
Bloodkin have infiltrated Tian Tan City?
Are you sure?”

Evran smiled faintly, a glint of confidence in her eyes.
“Of course.
My sensory abilities are unmatched among Bloodkin.
I can foresee their arrival before they even get here—it’s a gift of my bloodline.”

“Who are they?”
Su Xiaoxiao pressed.

“The Rose Legion.
Perhaps because they lost a Vice Staff Officer…”
Evran paused, a complicated look flashing in her eyes.
“Oh, and there might be a human involved.”

“A human?
They took a hostage?”
Su Xiaoxiao’s brows furrowed, her tone laced with caution.

“Not necessarily.”
Evran shook her head, her gaze deepening.

“That person radiates an incredibly powerful aura, surrounded by a blue energy filled with resistance.
I only probed lightly with my senses, and my eyes stung.
This isn’t ordinary strength.”

For someone to cause Evran, a descendant of the Thirteenth Progenitor’s bloodline, to feel pain just from sensing them, they had to be an exceptionally powerful Exterminator.
Only Exterminators possessed such innate power that countered Bloodkin.

Su Xiaoxiao’s brows knitted slightly as she looked out the window.

In the night sky, a mass of dark clouds loomed faintly on the horizon, lightning flickering within, slowly enveloping the entire city with an ominous sense of pressure.
A powerful Exterminator arriving alongside Bloodkin—what kind of sign was this?

She gazed for a moment before pulling her eyes back to the book in front of her.

Just as Evran lifted her head, Su Xiaoxiao said calmly, “No need.
The human Exterminator Corps will handle it.
With my current identity, I’d likely be seen as an enemy and only disrupt the battlefield.”

As a former Exterminator, she had fought tirelessly for years to protect human peace.

Now, she no longer needed to shoulder more responsibilities.

Tian Tan City surely had plenty of Exterminators and other organizations safeguarding its peace.
As long as she had the power to protect her family and friends, that was enough.

Beyond that, power held little meaning for her.

Besides, she wasn’t even human anymore—she was a Bloodkin.

The Rose Legion’s earlier invasion seemed to have been a mere test.

Auston had let slip some information before his death.

Not only had they lost a high-ranking member, but the void rift that had been torn open hadn’t yet been sealed.
For the Bloodkin, this was a prime opportunity to attack.

Though Su Xiaoxiao had long left the Exterminator organization and wasn’t well-versed in the current state of the conflict,

She knew one thing: for a Bloodkin legion to precisely target Tian Tan City, considered the safest city, their goal wasn’t mere harassment.
It was to seize the city as quickly as possible while humans were unprepared.

Yet, what puzzled her was that Tian Tan City had been protected by a massive Extermination Barrier, set up by the twelve SS-rank Exterminators known as the “Orderers.”

In theory, Bloodkin shouldn’t be able to easily enter this barrier-protected area.

Could it be… the Extermination Barrier had been breached?

How had the void rift above the school been torn open?
It wasn’t some casual portal anyone could create.
To pierce through space and time like that, even among the Bloodkin’s strongest Twelve Progenitors, few could manage it.

Just who had such immense power?

Su Xiaoxiao’s pen froze, an inexplicable unease rising in her heart.
She looked up again, her gaze drifting to the window.
The night was deep, storm clouds roiling, as if heralding the arrival of a tempest…