Chapter 30: The Void Apocalypse

"Because non-human races are not permitted to board the harbor, I stayed on the ship, but that is precisely when the trouble began." Bobot sighed as he spoke.

"A group of sharp-eared Ratmen—the same ones you wiped out this morning—had snuck onto the ship at some point. When they slipped off the vessel under the cover of night, they snatched me along with them."

"Pardon the interruption, but why would they abduct you?" Kana asked, curious.

It was evident that the group of sharp-eared Ratmen were refugees; abducting a round-eared Ratman for no reason clearly did not serve their interests. Upon hearing this question, Bobot’s expression turned noticeably disgusted and embarrassed. While it was strange to see such rich facial expressions on a mouse, Kana understood.

"Alright, I get it. You may continue."

The answer was easy to guess. It was difficult to distinguish the gender of Ratmen by appearance alone, but their voices were unmistakable. The difference between male and female voices was stark. He only just remembered that not a single one of the rats they had cleared out that morning was female. Yet, to establish a nest, both genders were essential. Sharp-eared Ratmen were wicked, and the females of their kind were typically nothing more than breeding tools—essential assets for any nest. For refugees trying to build a new colony, they were clearly lacking something. In such a situation, a round-eared female Ratman was a viable substitute.

Bobot could now see that Kana was indeed very knowledgeable about the Ratman race. Her expression shifted to one of relief, as if she had just escaped a grim fate. Thinking of the miserable life she would have led had she not been rescued, she couldn't help but offer her thanks once more.

"Thank you. If you had arrived any later, after they had established their nest, I would have been doomed."

Until a nest is established and the safety of the surrounding area is guaranteed, even sharp-eared Ratmen would not casually begin to breed, especially when they were in the process of setting up a new colony.

Bobot continued, "After that, we traveled all the way to those woods. Once they confirmed there was a small town on the other side of the river, they decided to build their nest there."

"Is the outside world safe?" Aliris couldn't help but ask.

Aside from their leader, who possessed some strength, all the other rats had been incredibly weak—or so it seemed to Aliris. The fact that Bobot, who had no power to resist, dared to travel the world alone, recording local customs and history, seemed a bit too daring. This led Aliris to believe the outside world might be safe, especially since even in their own country, walking through the wilderness carried the risk of being attacked by wild beasts or bandits.

Hearing this, Bobot shook her head repeatedly. "How could it be? Why would you think that? The outside is very dangerous. I feel it is not even as safe as your country, though there are reasons why your country is so secure."

"Our country is safe?" Aliris looked confused, scratching her head at the statement. If their country was considered safe, then just how dangerous was the rest of the world?

Aliris’s perception of the vast outside world underwent a slight shift.

Realizing the implication of her words, Bobot quickly added, "I am not weak; it is just... just that this place is far too barren." She sighed, though her explanation lacked conviction. "I know a bit of magic, but your country’s mana is too thin—the flow of magic is negligible. I have never encountered such a situation, and as a result, I cannot even cast a simple cantrip." Her frustrated words carried a hint of complaint.

"Magic? Like in the books?" Aliris was instantly interested; she had never seen magic before. "Do it! Let me see, I’ve never seen it."

Bobot’s face turned red with frustration. Was her point really that hard to understand? It was precisely because she couldn't use magic that she had been captured!

Kana shook his head with a faint smile. "Alright, let's talk about something else."

Bobot was visibly relieved. At that moment, a shout came from outside.

"Your Highness!" It was Black’s voice.

Hearing this, Kana stood up and walked outside, just in time to see Black approaching. Black’s eyes were filled with confusion and bewilderment.

"Come in." Kana didn't ask any questions, simply inviting him inside.

Black glanced at the two people and the mouse in the hall. After a moment of hesitation, he asked, "Earlier... what was the deal with those rats? My head still feels muddled, and from time to time, I can see purple light and patches at the edge of my vision." His expression was grim; such symptoms made him worry that he might have been poisoned or afflicted by something worse. Regardless, it didn't seem like a good sign. In his state, Kana, who had left a deep impression on him, was the only one he could turn to for help. After all, Kana had seemed to have some understanding of that purple light.

Kana looked at Black, then at the curious Aliris and the pensive Bobot. They had all witnessed how a dying rat had been transformed into a powerful creature under the influence of that purple light. They had all personally felt the impact of that violet radiance.

"That is the Void."

"The Void?" Bobot asked, puzzled. She was a scholar who had traveled to many places and countries, and she considered herself knowledgeable, but she had never heard of such a term.

"Yes, the Void."

"Do you know the specific structure of this world? Do you understand the world in its entirety?" Kana asked, though it was clear he was addressing Bobot.

Bobot nodded. "I have some understanding."

In the game, this world was not designed as a planet, but as a "heavenly circle and earthly square." The world had definitive boundaries—a ring surrounded by mist. This mist could be considered a protective layer for the world. Of course, the sky above did not connect to the mist, but to the Astral Realm, which could be understood as the universe.

"The Void is a biological entity from outside the world. They are like scavengers in the Astral Realm, specifically tasked with cleaning out worlds. Any world in their path will be invaded and purged. Very few worlds survive their cleansing, and even those that do are left as nothing but a desolate, scarred wasteland."

What Kana described was the lore behind the "Void" that would be revealed in later storylines.

"Since the Void has appeared in our world, it is practically certain that our world lies in its path, and we are among those to be purged. In other words, you can view this as an omen of the apocalypse."

Kana spoke without reservation, dropping a bombshell. Truth be told, he was also surprised; he had never imagined that the rat had been affected by the Void.

The "Void Invasion" was the main storyline of version 4.0—the stage where all the game’s narrative threads would reach their climax. It was a sword that had always hung over Kana’s head. When he played the game, he merely saw it as an important update. But if it became reality, it meant the arrival of a foreseeable apocalypse.

Now that he was a member of this world and unable to leave, he had to find a way to resolve this doomsday crisis. Otherwise, he would be buried along with it. Having finally regained his life, he had arrived in this world, and he did not want to die along with it.

"Apocalypse?" Aliris looked confused. Perhaps because Kana’s words sounded too exaggerated, Aliris and Black didn't feel panic, but rather confusion. As for Bobot, she didn't believe it at all.

"Yes, the apocalypse."