The Transmigrated Author-Chapter 286: Central City

As the Soul Forger outlined his requirements, the world beyond the central city continued to shift and change.

Time passed differently within the Orb of Phantasmal—what felt like days in one region might be months in another.

And while Rel, Anouz, and Christian made their preparations to infiltrate the central city, others were completing their own journeys.

…

…

…

SHING!

The sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the scorched battlefield.

Jan stood alone within the devastation, his breathing steady despite the hours of combat that had led to this moment.

Before him lay the broken form of the Shadow Lord, once the most feared ruler in the eastern territories, now nothing more than a defeated enemy.

Jan sheathed his sword with a practiced motion, the blade sliding home with a satisfying click.

The last six months had transformed him—not just physically, though his body was now rough with lean muscle and his face bore the weathered look of a seasoned warrior—but in ways far more profound.

He had entered this region a student, uncertain of his abilities and reliant on techniques taught by others.

Now, as he surveyed the fallen lord and the scattered remnants of the once-mighty Shadow Army, he stood as a master of his craft, creator of his own path.

"It's finally over," he murmured, running a hand through his sweat-dampened hair.

The journey had been tough, filled with countless battles against monsters that lurked in the darkest corners of the region.

Each victory had taught him something new, each defeat had forced him to adapt and grow.

But it was the final confrontation with the Shadow Lord that had pushed him beyond his limits.

During that desperate battle, when his conventional techniques had failed against the lord's shadow manipulation, Jan had been forced to create something entirely new—a technique born from desperation, refined through intuition, and perfected in the heat of combat.

"Eternal Crescent, Unbound Crux," he whispered, feeling the power stir within him at the mere mention of the technique's name.

It was unlike anything he had ever created.

A slash that seemed to exceed the very boundaries of space itself, cutting through not just physical matter but the fabric of reality.

When he had unleashed it against the Shadow Lord, the very air had seemed to shatter, and his opponent's impenetrable shadow barrier had been cleaved in two as if it were nothing more than mist.

A notification appeared before him, confirming what he already knew:

WOM!

[Region Cleared: The Whispering Shadows]

[Monster Clear: 100%]

[Overall Monster Clear: 75%]

[New Skill Acquired: Formless Technique: Eternal Crescent, Unbound Crux]

[Description: A formless technique that transcends conventional boundaries. This slash exceeds space itself, cutting through physical and metaphysical barriers alike.]

Jan dismissed the notification with a wave of his hand, his thoughts already turning to his friends.

He knew he couldn't linger any longer.

The Shadow Lord's defeat marked only one step in their greater mission.

With a final glance at the battlefield, he turned and began the long journey toward the neighboring region where his friends should be waiting.

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Months had passed since they'd been separated, thrown into different territories within the Orb of Phantasmal.

In that time, Jan had grown stronger than he'd ever imagined possible.

The countless battles, the endless training, the moments where death seemed certain—all had forged him into something new.

As he crested the final hill separating the Shadow territory from the Golden Scales region, Jan spotted familiar figures in the distance. His heart leaped in his chest at the sight of his companions gathered at the border checkpoint.

"Jan!" Bazz was the first to spot him. He nudged Camila, who looked up from whatever conversation had occupied her.

One by one, they turned to watch his approach—Valencia, Lyra, Alice, and Jae.

His friends.

His comrades.

Despite everything they'd been through, they were all still alive.

"Look who finally decided to show up," Valencia called out, her tone sharp but her eyes warm with relief.

Jan quickened his pace, closing the distance between them with long strides.

"Sorry to keep you waiting," he replied, unable to suppress his smile.

When he reached them, Camila immediately threw her arms around him in a tight embrace.

"We were worried about you!"

"Six months on your own," Bazz said, clapping him on the shoulder when Camila finally released him.

"And you're still in one piece. Impressive."

Jan looked at each of his friends, noting the changes in them.

They all carried themselves differently now—more confident, more focused.

Whatever trials they'd faced in their assigned regions had changed them, just as his own journey had transformed him.

"How have you all been?" he asked, genuinely curious about their experiences. "Did you encounter any difficulties clearing your regions?"

Jae laughed, the sound tinged with exhaustion.

"Difficulties? You could say that. The Golden Scales nearly had us outmatched until Camila figured out their weakness."

"It was nothing," Camila interjected modestly. "Just a matter of observing their patterns."

"She's being humble," Lyra added. "Her strategy saved us all."

Jan was about to ask for more details when Valencia stepped forward, her expression serious.

"We don't have time for that, Jan. We need to move immediately."

"What? But we just—"

"Every region has been cleared," Valencia interrupted, her voice tense.

"Ours, yours, and even Louise's. Bazz and Alice traveled to his territory and confirmed it themselves."

Bazz nodded solemnly.

"The Crimson Flames region was tough, but Louise had already dismantled most of their forces by the time we arrived. The remaining monsters were simple cleanup."

Jan's brow furrowed with concern.

"Where is Louise now? Is he waiting for us somewhere?"

Valencia's expression darkened.

"He went ahead to the central city three days ago. We haven't heard from him since."

"Three days with no contact?" Jan straightened, immediately understanding the gravity of the situation.

"That's not like him at all."

"Exactly," Valencia said, already gathering her supplies.

"Which is why we need to head there immediately. Something's wrong."

The group fell into a tense silence as they prepared to depart.

Jan hesitated, a question weighing on his mind.

"What about Rel and the others? Have you heard anything from them?"

Valencia froze at the mention of Rel's name, her hands stilling on the straps of her pack.

For a brief moment, her carefully maintained composure slipped, revealing a flash of emotion in her eyes—worry, longing, fear.

She quickly masked it, but Jan had caught it nonetheless.

"Rel... is more than likely fine. He's the smartest person we know." She resumed adjusting her equipment, avoiding Jan's gaze.

"By chance, we'll probably encounter him along the way or at the central city."

Jan studied her for a moment, noting the slight tremor in her hands that belied her confident words.

He knew better than to press the issue.

Whatever feelings Valencia harbored for Rel, she clearly wasn't ready to confront them.

"You're right," he said simply.

"If anyone can handle themselves, it's Rel."

This seemed to reassure the group, and they quickly finished their preparations.

Within minutes, they were moving at a brisk pace toward the central city, leaving the border checkpoint behind.