Authority

It was silent for a moment. The air was heavy and solemn, and nobody wanted to break the atmosphere.

However, they still had things to talk about.

"So." Yue Jingxui was the first to open his mouth. "You need my help to deal with the entity that is stopping you from exploring the last area?"

"Yes." Messiah sighed. "We don't know how, but it seems that a monster was able to somehow acquire a fragment of the [Authority of the Past]. It isn't particularly strong, but it's almost impossible to defeat."

Yue Jingxui perked up when he heard a new concept in Messiah's words.

'[Authority]? What's that? It must be something new that was added by that plagiarist.'

However, remembering that Smoke Without Fire was beside him, Yue Jingxui suppressed his desire to ask. After all, even though he can act laid back and mischievous, his 'weakened big shot' mask would complete collapse if he said that he didn't know what Authority was.

Nothing showed on Yue Jingxui's face as he pretended to know what Messiah was talking about. "Oh, then it must have been a little troublesome."

Messiah also lamented. "Yes. The monster is strong enough that we need to come up with a plan in order to kill it. However, every time we try to kill it, it would just look into the past and learn our plan, making it useless."

Fortunately, Yue Jingxui didn't need to personally ask anything. Luckily, there was an actual newbie who didn't know anything beside him.

Feeling that he will be left out of the conversation again, Zhang Yin once again intervened. He raised his hand like a student in from of their teacher. "What is [Authority]?"

Messiah paused. "Oh, right, your amnesia."

This time, Yue Jingxui paid more attention to Messiah's explanation. After all, this was something he knew nothing about and was definitely crucial to the new worldbuilding.

"Well, no one can really define what [Authority] is since it is different for everyone, but..." Messiah thought for a second on how to explain. "Let's say, when you first step onto the road of gaining power, your strength increases linearly. You train more, learn more techniques, get better equipment, and your power increases."

"However, there will come a point where you reach a plateau. No matter how much more you train, how many more techniques you learn, or how much you improve your equipment, the increase to your strength will be negligible. It's called the [Precipice]."

"Those who can cross the [Precipice] gain [Authority]. Or, it's more accurate to say that those who gain [Authority] can cross the [Precipice]." Even though Messiah's expression was hidden, the importance of his words were tangible. "You need to understand that possessing [Authority] is what separates the truly strong from the weak. After gaining an [Authority], saying that your power will increase exponentially is understating it."

"Even the strongest person who hasn't crossed the [Precipice] cannot win against a toddler with [Authority] if they are prepared for it."

Zhang Yin listened with rapture. "Then, what exactly is [Authority]?"

"Well, again, no one knows what [Authority] is. It's notoriously difficult to explain, and I've also never personally possessed an [Authority] before." Messiah hummed. "Still, when I was with the Church, I asked the pope for guidance when I reached the [Precipice]. He had said that 'it was somewhat like a concept', and that 'it allowed you to manipulate the inherent rules of reality'. But he didn't saying other than that."

"Manipulate reality?!" Zhang Yin's jaw dropped. "Isn't that too over powered?!?"

Internally, Yue Jingxui agreed with Zhang Yin.

'If this [Authority] gives that much power, then it would definitely disrupt the power level of this world. As a game developer, the addition of this power would make the game unnecessarily messy.'

Messiah nodded. "Which is exactly why people without Authority rarely win against people with Authority. However, you don't need to worry too much. The [Authority of Omniscience] and its branches are the most troublesome, but also the ones that directly affect attack power the least."

Yue Jingxui sighed. There was too much to process at once.

'At least this answers the questions of why they were treating us so nicely. In addition to needing my help, they didn't know what [Authority] I have and needed to stay on my good side. Good thing I didn't reveal any weakness. Now, I just need to make sure that they keep on thinking that they shouldn't mess with me.'

'However, what did he mean by a concept? And to manipulate the rules of this world... Don't tell me, since this is a game, is he talking about the code? But, to do that, then they must break through their limits as characters and gain awareness of the System...'

Just as Yue Jingxui wanted to think further about the implications of what Messiah said, Messiah suddenly said one last sentence.

"This is why having someone with [Authority] is crucial for our escape."

At Messiah's words, Zhang Yin paused to process the words he said before also turning towards Yue Jingxui in excitement. His eyes sparkled and he looked like he wanted to force Yue Jingxui to use his [Authority] right then and there.

Yue Jingxui, who had only just learned what [Authority] is, was suddenly put on the spot and didn't know whether to laugh or cry.

'What are you guys looking at me for? I'm not even the original owner of this body! I don't know what [Authority] you guys are talking about!'

Even though he was sweating, nothing about his panic showed on the outside. He calmly changed the subject and asked. "What if the [Authority] that I have isn't a good match up against the [Authority] of the monster?"

"This is the part where things are uncertain." Messiah returned to sitting on his seat and crossed his hands again. Fidgeting with his fingers, he said. "Depending on what [Authority] you have, our approach would change accordingly. However, as the [Authority of the Past] is a sub-category of the [Authority of Omniscience], I'm confident that I would be able to defeat the monster with your help no matter what kind of [Authority] you have."

Yue Jingxui's pursed his lips.

At this point, it was obvious that he was supposed to say what kind of Authority he has. However, he still needed more information before making a decision. He needed to keep Messiah talking.

"I see." Yue Jingxui pretended to tilt his head in thought. "Why are you trying so hard to kill that monster? After you kill it, there might not even be an exit there."

After hearing Yue Jingxui's valid question, Messiah shook his head. "No, there is definitely an exit there."

Seeing that Messiah was so confident, Yue Jingxui continued to press. "And how are you so sure?"

Messiah stayed silent for a moment, as if weighing the pros and cons of revealing the source of his confidence, before choosing to continue.

"You might have guessed from my name and what I said, but I was connected to the Church back when I was outside the [Black Abyss Prison]. More specifically, I was the Saint of the [Church of Mischief]."

'[Church of Mischief]? Saint?'

Yue Jingxui became interested at the new content which the plagiarist had added.

Messiah continued. "The [Church of Mischief] is actually a subdivision under a secret organization, the [Order of Omniscience]. The Order possesses most fragments of the [Authority of Omniscience] and I once had the opportunity to meet the leader of the [Order of Omniscience]. At that time, he had said to me that 'there is definitely more than one way into the [Black Abyss Prison]'."

Yue Jingxui finally knew the full picture.

'As the leader of the [Order of Omniscience], he must also be someone with [Authority]. Omniscience means to know everything, so that leader must have known that Messiah would end up in [Black Abyss Prison] and need to escape. Remembering the leader's words, Messiah must have been searching for that alternative entrance all this time.'

However, after putting all the pieces together, Yue Jingxui was left with a bad taste in his mouth. 'Even after knowing what would happen to Messiah, that leader still did nothing?'

After staying silent for a moment, Yue Jingxui finally made a decision.

During the time he bought through making Messiah explain his connection with the Church, Yue Jingxui had thought of the perfect answer.

Yue Jingxui tilted his head and his gentle smile was faintly visible through the thick curtains of hair that obstructed his face. "I have a fragment of the [Authority of the Future]."

His decision was mostly based on two things.

One was a question he thought of: how would other [Authorities] fight with the [Authority of the Past]?

However, he didn't know enough about Authorities to answer that. How do they function? How many kinds are there? Is there already an established hierarchy of which [Authority] beats what?

Therefore, in this case, it was best to simplify the problem into its most basic form to get to the core of the problem.

The [Authority of the Past] is a branch of the [Authority of Omniscience], and omniscience means to be all-knowing.

There was only one type of fight where omniscience would have an absolute advantage in the situation where the other [Authority] is not allowed to beat them up: Rock-Paper-Scissors.

If someone had, for example, the [Authority of Fire] and tried to win a Rock-Paper-Scissors match against someone with the [Authority of Omniscience], it would be impossible.

Therefore, Yue Jingxui came to the conclusion that, to beat the monster in their current state, he also needed to possess the [Authority of Omniscience] or a branch of it.

Second of all, Messiah said that the [Authority of Omniscience] has the least effect on attack power, which he could infer to mean that it had the least external impact.

Right now, Yue Jingxui was just a freshly reborn Ghoul who could be killed with a flick of their finger. It would be strange if, staying with his example, he had the [Authority of Fire] yet couldn't produce any to show them.

Therefore, saying that he had an [Authority] which they couldn't directly prove was the best. Plus, with what he knew of this body currently, the most 'Authority-like' skill he had would be that strange foresight ability.

Messiah sagged in relief. "That's what I thought. It should be the peripheral [Authority of the Instant Future], right?"

Even though Yue Jingxui had no clue what that meant, he still nodded his head. "That's correct."

"Then that isn't too bad. In fact, this [Authority] would actually be one of the best match ups against that monster with our current situation."

Zhang Yin, who had been quietly listening on the side this entire time, finally found a place to jump into the conversation again. "Then what do we do now? We aren't going to go to the monster right now, right?"

Messiah glanced at him before turning back to Yue Jingxui, not even deeming the question worth answering.

"Pftt."

Yue Jingxui laughed at Zhang Yin's sulking face.

Ignoring their little interaction, Messiah said. "First, we're going to help you get stronger. After all, even though it isn't necessarily too powerful, it can still kill you easily in at your current level. I'd say that it would take around a few months before we can even think about confronting that monster with you."

"Understood." Yue Jingxui nodded before standing up and offering a hand. "Then, I look forward to working together."

Messiah also stood up and lifted a hand. However, something made him pause and hesitate.

Yue Jingxui was confused. Was there something else that he wanted to talk about?

Messiah hesitated for a few more moments before ultimately dropping his hand back to his side.

Yue Jingxui: ???

After clearing his throat, Messiah spoke. "Pardon my rudeness. Of course, I also look forward to our partnership, however... would you first like to clean up a bit?"

Yue Jingxui had completely forgotten. With no constant visual reminder, his other senses had slowly adapted to ignoring the bloody smell and sticky feeling.

He was currently covered in congealed monster blood and other mysterious fluids from head to toe. It clumped in his hair, clogged his nose with the smell of iron, and, obviously, would spread to whatever he touched.

Usually, refusing to shake an important partner's hand due to hygiene would be impolite. But, in a place where flesh and blood is the fastest way to increase the corruption within a person's body, nobody wants to come into contact with them unnecessarily.

Yue Jingxui awkwardly retrieved his hand and laughed sheepishly. "Yes, of course."

Just as he said that, a thought occurred to him.

'Wait, this place doesn't have any water. How do you want me to clean up?'

As if to answer Yue Jingxui, Messiah said. "After exiting the tent, you should search for Medusa. She's one of the people who went to bring you here and should currently be near the Southern entrance."

Yue Jingxui paused before nodding. "Alright. Then, we'll be leaving now."

"I'll see you later."

Yue Jingxui turned to Zhang Yin and once again offered his back.

Groaning, though he was reluctant, even more so since they now had an audience, Zhang Yin still got on with minimal complaints.

Yue Jingxui re-wrapped the chains walked towards the entrance. Just as they were about to leave the tent, Messiah suddenly called out to them from behind.

"Wait! I almost forgot!"

Stopping at the entrance, both Yue Jingxui and Zhang Yin turned back to Messiah.

"Do you know what year it is now?"

"Uh." Zhang Yin opened his system and looked at the very top of his screen. "It's 1249 this year."

Yue Jingxui's eyebrow twitched. He wanted to facepalm.

'Didn't you say you have amnesia? Do you realize how suspicious you look?'

Not knowing the sarcastic thoughts going through Yue Jingxui's mind, Messiah didn't seem to notice the discrepancy, sighed, and slumped forward dejectedly. "Ah, then it's been over seven hundred years now... Thank you for telling me."

Zhang Yin smiled cheerfully back and replied. "No problem!"

Messiah waved his hand as the two left the tent. Under the monster head, his eyes following them long after they had already left.

Finally, he put down his hand and leaned back against his chair.

'Something is strange about them. They are definitely hiding something.'

'First of all, that woman was extremely weak for a Phoenix, probably the weakest I've ever seen. Just based on her current strength, any crime that she should be capable of shouldn't be enough to warrant being thrown into the [Black Abyss Prison].'

'Also, her amnesia is obviously a lie. Her explanations have so many holes, I'm confused on why she evens keeps it up. But, it must have some use if the man is also playing along…'

'Plus, she's from the Phoenix Clan. I'm surprised she's even here instead of having the honour of being directly killed.'

'Then, there's that man. He's extremely contradictory and even stranger. He gives off the impression of someone weak, but something about him was unfathomable and distracting.'

'And, most importantly...'

Even though it seemed that Messiah had lost control because Zhang Yin brought up a sensitive topic, it was actually because of Yue Jingxui.

The second Yue Jingxui stopped looking at him, stopped acknowledging him, it invoked something in him.

When Yue Jingxui raised his voice at him to warn him, he immediately became obedient like a scolded child.

It must be known that, though Messiah seemed friendly, he was a prisoner of [Black Abyss Prison]. Before he was imprisoned here, he had both power and infamy.

Yet, Yue Jingxui seems to possess a certain power over him, and it makes him extremely alarmed.

'Somehow, something about him seemed familiar. For some reason, I inexplicably… expect something from him?'

"Who is he?"