Chapter 41: A Summoner’s Gambit in the Unformed World

Bai Yu sat upon the throne, her legs crossed.Her petite frame, perched on the colossal seat, presented a starkly incongruous sight. ‘So, it’s because of your connection with Cecelia that I didn’t completely lose my memories and fall deeper into the dream?’

[That’s essentially it.It’s also why that Outer God temporarily severed my connection with you.Only after learning you had become the owner of this dream world was I able to return.]

‘What should I do now?With my current abilities, how could I possibly eliminate those Shadow Beasts?’

Bai Yu furrowed her brow, realizing that Lili’s so-called game was an utterly impossible mission.

[Originally, it would have been impossible, but now, that might not be the case.]

Moweila’s voice was tinged with amusement, suggesting she had found a solution.

‘What?You have a way?’

Bai Yu inquired, for she couldn’t possibly level up in this dream, reaching Rank 10 before tackling the Shadow Beasts.

Setting aside the feasibility of ranking up, there simply wasn’t enough time; by the time she could contend with all the demonic creatures, her homeland would have been utterly ravaged.

There was no time at all…

[A way?Of course there is.Isn’t it what you’re sitting on right now?]

Moweila’s voice brimmed with confidence, as if victory were already assured.

‘What I’m sitting on?’

Bai Yu glanced at the throne she occupied, then recalled having gained control over this world.

‘Could I directly command the demonic creatures of this world to surrender?After all, I now hold the reins of control.’

Bai Yu exclaimed in sudden realization, wondering if it could truly be that simple.

[How could that be?The demonic creatures formed by the Shadow Beasts are not products of this fabricated world at all.They are fundamentally invaders; there’s no way you could control them.]

Moweila retorted testily, believing Bai Yu was overthinking things.

‘But… if what you say is true, that they are invaders and I can’t control them, then what about the lives and objects that were actually created within this world?Surely, I can control all of those?’

[Hmph, you’re finally thinking smartly for once.The control you now wield should allow you to command all created life within this world.]

‘Holy moly, wouldn’t that make me invincible?With so many people in this world, there must be quite a few powerhouses, right?’

Bai Yu began to ponder, yet she couldn’t recall seeing a single combatant apart from Cecelia.

Only the maids and servants of the Imperial Palace were present, all of them women, none of whom seemed capable of combat.

[You’re overthinking it.How could that Outer God allow you such an easy victory?While she may harbor some ambiguous feelings for you, she undoubtedly has an ulterior motive.]

Moweila’s words instantly deflated Bai Yu; it seemed the situation was far from simple.

‘Why is this happening?Are there no people in this world?’

[I’ve already told you this is an unformed world, with too many things yet to be generated.Haven’t you noticed that everyone in the Imperial Palace acts like a machine, utterly devoid of emotion?]

[Beyond Cecelia’s army and the people within the Imperial Palace, this entire nation doesn’t even have a single living soul.]

‘What?’

Bai Yu hastily descended from the throne.

Her brief rest had somewhat alleviated her exhaustion, and she rushed out of the Imperial Palace.

She had originally intended to observe the outside world; no wonder Lili had obstructed her so fiercely.

Had she stepped outside and found no living person, she would have immediately noticed something was amiss.

‘Just as I thought.’

Bai Yu walked into the city.

It resembled a medieval European imperial city, with buildings of that distinct architectural style.

Yet, at this moment, an unnerving silence pervaded.

Despite it being midday, the streets were quieter than at midnight.

It even sent a shiver down Bai Yu’s spine.

‘This is proving to be quite difficult.’

Bai Yu paced the streets.

It was akin to an incomplete game world, where NPCs and resources had been forcibly halted before they could even spawn.

However, the plot continued to unfold like a bug, leaving Bai Yu to face the challenge with what felt like a blank slate character.

How could she possibly win?

Bai Yu walked directly to a fruit stall, initially thinking of grabbing some fruit to quench her thirst, only to discover that nothing had spawned.

****

‘Damn it!’

Bai Yu considered whether she should just seek out Cecelia.

What if Cecelia, with her small contingent of soldiers, actually managed to win?

It would certainly be better than waiting for death here.

[Don’t be so pessimistic.You still have a chance.]

Moweila offered comfort, clearly disapproving of Bai Yu’s despondent attitude.

‘What chance?Should I just go up there alone to my death?’

Bai Yu had no idea of the Shadow Beasts’ strength, but as a Rank 2 Arcanist, she doubted she’d even be sufficient as cannon fodder.

[How could that be?While there may be no life you can directly control right now, that doesn’t mean you can’t manipulate them.]

‘What do you mean?’

Upon hearing this, Bai Yu’s spirits immediately lifted, and an exciting idea sparked in her mind.

[Precisely, the Shadow Beasts themselves.While they’ve invaded this world and cannot be directly controlled, their spiritual essence is very real.As soon as you defeat a Shadow Beast, that spiritual essence will manifest into a life form you can control.]

‘Holy moly, turning foes into friends?And I get to be a Summoner?’

Bai Yu instantly grew excited.

While she yearned to punch all her enemies away herself, being a Summoner wasn’t a bad alternative.

Even if the Summoner class was often considered “trash tier” in games, the power of a group assault in reality was formidable.

‘How should I proceed?’

Bai Yu immediately became agitated, sensing that her opportunity had arrived.

[The wilderness.If you go directly to the battlefield now, you’ll only be seeking death.You’d have no means of resisting those swarms of Shadow Beasts.]

‘Then what should I do?’

Bai Yu snapped out of her excitement.

If she was to pursue the path of a Summoner in this dream world, she would need a place where she could develop.

This power, akin to turning foes into allies, might be weak initially, but it would experience explosive growth once it reached a certain threshold.

[The wilderness, or rather, the uncivilized regions of this world.These are also the areas where the world’s creation is more complete.Although the environment there is similarly devoid of native life, the invasion of Shadow Beasts has effectively filled that void.]

[Unlike the demonic creatures, the Shadow Beasts appearing there are typically not overly concentrated, and they vary in strength, making it ideal for your early development.]

‘So that’s how it is!’

Bai Yu suddenly understood.

It seemed the presence of Shadow Beasts was, to some extent, beneficial after all.

However, she currently had no weapons at hand.

Morpheus’s Whisper and the scythe her Mother had given her could not possibly be brought into the dream world.

Not to mention, Morpheus’s Whisper likely had a high probability of being connected to Lili; with her name inscribed upon it, how could it not be related?

Bai Yu surveyed the imperial city’s streets, considering whether to gather supplies.

While it was highly probable that nothing had spawned, it was still better to check.

Otherwise, facing monsters empty-handed, and it wasn’t even night, she would have to rely solely on her Rank 2 Arcanist physique and her Kin of the Night abilities to fight.

However, the Kin of the Night could only exert half their power during the day.