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nAn endless wave of fatigue swept over Jelia, who opened her mouth as darkness engulfed her vision.

nThe last sound she heard was something hitting the water, creating ripples.

n…

nConsciousness felt like it was passing through a long tunnel, with dazzling points of light in the distance.

nIt seemed to move yet made no progress in getting closer.

nSpinning, twisting, consciousness was deformed under some external force, something being etched onto it and then something else being erased.

nWas it… memories?

nJelia gradually started to regain consciousness, attempting to sense her surroundings.

nAnd as she tried, her eyes opened.

nThe first things to greet her retinas were the soft, bright light and the pure white ceiling, its boundaries indiscernible.

nDid I succeed?

nThis question flashed through Jelia’s mind, then was affirmed by reality.

nI succeeded!

nShe had successfully left that cavern!

nThat cavern was indeed not a real place but a world completely constructed of illusions!

nIt was a manipulation of their senses, simulating reality!

nMoving her hand, Jelia touched her body, finding her clothes intact, limbs in place, and her belongings still with her.

nShe also felt where she lay, which felt like jade but not quite—lacking the warmth and delicate smoothness of jade.

nGathering strength, Jelia sat up from the platform, scanning her surroundings.

nIt appeared to be a hall, with a sphere of light floating in the center, surrounded by several white stone platforms—the same kind Jelia was lying on.

nOn the platforms lay figures, none of whom showed signs of awakening.

nWas this the true location of the legacy?

nJelia’s gaze naturally gravitated towards the floating orb of light.

nA voice echoed in her mind.

n“For three hundred years, you are the first outsider to reach here.”

nThe voice sounded like that of a middle-aged man, but clearly, in a place sealed off for who knows how long, if there were to be anyone, they’d likely be mad, incapable of speaking so coherently.

n“Is this the true legacy?”

nJelia jumped down from the stone platform, adjusting her cloak and placing a hand on the shortsword at her waist.

n“Yes, this is indeed the true site of the legacy. Only those who successfully break through the illusionary trial are worthy of receiving the legacy here.”

nThe middle-aged voice was calm and magnetic, the kind that might incite screams among groups of girls.

nBut for Jelia, it held no allure.

nHer focus was on how to get out.

n“How do I leave? By receiving the legacy?”

n“Once you accept the legacy, the trial space will collapse, releasing the wandering consciousnesses still within. However, those who have died cannot be revived.”

nIt sounded straightforward; by receiving the legacy, everything would come to an end.

nShe could rejoin Ali, continue towards Sorona, and find Howard.

n“How do I accept the legacy!”

n“Simple, use your blood as a catalyst and stand beneath the orb of light.”

nThe voice paused before resuming.

n“If you are a half-orc, the legacy will naturally recognize you. But if you are not a half-orc, then the legacy’s self-defense mechanism will activate, destroying all living beings present. Including those ‘outsiders’ on the stone platforms who might still be alive.”

nJelia spotted Roronora’s body, though it looked entirely different from the Roronora she had seen inside, there was still some resemblance on the face.

n“So unreasonable,” Jelia sneered at the orb of light floating in mid-air.

n“Reasons don’t matter; these are the rules. Since you’ve chosen my legacy, you must act according to my rules.”

nThe orb cast a beam of light, within which a humanoid shape gradually formed.

nIt appeared to be a half-orc.

nMore precisely, it was a Werewolf.

nWith white fur and crimson eyes.

nJelia hadn’t seen this Werewolf’s face before, but those crimson eyes were all too familiar to her.

nShe had seen another pair of eyes that red, as if they could hold nothing but the intent to kill.

nThose were Howard’s eyes.

n“Who are you?” Jelia watched the faceless figure warily, the only thing visible to her being those crimson eyes.

nShe had an answer to this question, who else could appear here? Other than outsiders, the only ones who could stand here were the owners.

nThe special-level magus who left this legacy.

n“My name has disappeared with time, such things hold no meaning anymore.” “If you insist on having a name for me, then call me Code 1.”

nThe figure bowed its head for a moment, then looked up at Jelia.

n“Young girl, can you tell me what it’s like outside now?” “When I constructed this legacy, my life force was nearly exhausted, and I had no interest in the outside world.”

n“The Orc United Empire has been destroyed.”

nJelia began with the worst news but wasn’t worried that the figure before her would go on a rampage because of it.

nIf her guess was correct, the special-level magus who created this legacy had likely considered this scenario.

n“Indeed… destroyed, huh.”

nThe figure chuckled softly, then fell silent for a long time before letting out a cold laugh.

n“Destroyed! The nation has finally been destroyed!”

n“Young girl, do you know how the Orc United Empire was destroyed?”

nJelia took a half step back, shaking her head: “I don’t know.”

nThe situation seemed grim; she hadn’t expected to escape the madness of Roronora only to encounter another lunatic here.

n“The Orc United Empire was a nation established and ruled entirely by orcs, wasn’t it? Why do you seem to despise it so much?” Jelia’s question made the figure’s cold laugh stop.

nHe paused, waved his hand dismissively: “Those are all old stories, best left unmentioned.

nBut you, young girl, seem quite indifferent towards my legacy.”

n“This is the culmination of a special-level magus’s life’s work and knowledge. Grasping it fully would make becoming a level 1 magus effortless, a position above tens of thousands! Don’t you crave power?”

nCode 1’s voice carried a hint of temptation, but Jelia shook her head: “Of course, I desire power. It would be wonderful to have the strength to do whatever I want. But I also know that if something isn’t meant for you, you shouldn’t touch it, or else there will be a price to pay.”

n“This legacy should belong to the Werewolves, not me.” .

n“All I want now is to leave this place and return to reality. My companion must be anxiously searching for me by now.”

nJelia’s voice was soft, still carrying the youthful timbre of a child, yet the depth and meaning of her words seemed beyond what a girl of her apparent age could conjure.

n“You’re very rational, perhaps overly so.”

nThe figure shook his head.

n“This legacy was indeed initially intended for Werewolves, but as you’ve seen, the era of the orcs has passed. Finding a qualified successor has become exceedingly difficult.”

n“Over three hundred years, nearly eighty orcs have entered this legacy, but only you have stood before me.”

n“Initially, I indeed restricted entry to Werewolves, but a hundred years ago, I already loosened the entry requirements. Any orc had the chance to trigger the legacy.”

nDespite Code 1’s explanation, Jelia merely shook her head calmly.

n“There are alternatives, aren’t there?”

nHer gaze drifted toward the stone platform where Roronora’s body lay.

n“If I’m not mistaken, that world wasn’t just about environmental trials, was it? Those who could see through the illusion certainly qualify to receive the legacy, but obtaining the crystal in that environment would also qualify, right?”

nThe figure seemed to pause for a moment, then chuckled softly: “You noticed that too? I’m growing more impressed by you. Little girl, can you tell me what kind of half-orc you are? This is the memory of a half-orc’s legacy; no half-orc could mistake their own race.”

nJelia gave a name.

nThe figure chuckled dryly, “No wonder, no wonder you could trigger the legacy without being a magus, no wonder you could see through my arrangements. I was rude before; I will open the exit for you right away.”

n“Your time and life should belong to someone more worthwhile.”

n“You finally said something useful.”

nJelia smiled and then asked, “What about Roronora? Do you plan to keep him locked up forever? He won’t die, will he?”

nCode 1 slowly said, “As long as he hasn’t given up, the mice won’t completely disappear. Even without mice, there will always be other food. After all, living in his own obsession is enough for him.”

n“How cruel.”

n“I have no heart. Compassion, such a luxurious emotion, does not belong to me.”

n“Then how about handing Roronora over to me?” Jelia ventured, “Give the legacy to him, then hand him over to me. This way, your legacy isn’t lost, and there’s someone to discipline him.”

n“Is that what you were planning?”

nCode 1 smiled.

n𝑖𝘦.𝑐𝘰𝘮

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