My setting is above yours!

Chapter 129: Setting the Anchor "Psionic Beacon," Heading to the "Void Age"! (4k7)

...What the hell is this?!

Looking at the version update announcement in the Dimensional Update Manual, Ron's legs went weak, his head spun, and he almost fell to the ground.

What is version 4.500? The expanding personal reality tore open the rift between reality and the spirit world, triggering countless giant voids that swallowed the world.
How is this any different from a doomsday countdown?
Looking at the text on the Dimensional Update Manual, Ron shook his head to come back to his senses, a wry smile appearing on his lips.

If he remembers correctly, he's currently on version 4.005, which is the starting point of the 4.0 major version; everything is just beginning...

He had assumed that by creating a new world, he would either insert a distant old era into history or create a distant new era in the future, with an inextricable span of time in between—

But this time, a new world has been created in version 4.500—which is still within the 4.0 major version!

Ron stared at the announcement in the Dimensional Update Manual, completely baffled. He wondered if it was because he had omitted a world setting and hadn't reached the capacity limit that this new era was so close to the present.

In Ron's foreseeable future, Ideal City is indeed very likely to move toward this future... Now that the Dimensional Update Manual has set the tone, it has become an absolute destiny. If one tries to interfere and change it, it will inevitably push the era toward this definite future.

Something really terrible has happened...

He pressed his throbbing temples, forcing himself to calm down:

'No, don't panic... Version 4.500 is still quite a distance away. Although I've pushed through two minor version updates in the past month, it's still a long way from reaching version 4.500.'

'In other words, it will take at least several decades before the entire Ideal City is swallowed by the void. If I act cautiously and avoid taking actions that push for version updates, this period could be much longer than several decades—'

'While it's not as far removed from the present as the "Potion Era," considering its location in the future, what we do there is unlikely to have a significant impact on the present... After all, how could what we do in the future affect the present?'

'The only problem is that after this world is created, there's version 4.500, which is anchored by the Dimensional Update Manual and where the Ideal City will inevitably be swallowed by the Void…'

Thinking about this, Ron couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

He knew perfectly well just how difficult it was to change the exact details in the version update announcements of the Dimensional Update Manual...

For example, after he used Idrila's clothes as a "shroud," which led to Idrila's inevitable death, Ron used [Light and Shadow] dozens of times to successfully save Idrila's life and prevent Ideal City from being corrupted by [Mystery].

That was merely the ending of a minor main storyline in the Evening Bell City area map... In major version updates, the trend is even more unstoppable. Ron didn't even dare to imagine how much effort he would have to put in to turn Ideal City back on the right track and prevent it from heading towards this inevitable abyss.

'Never mind...think of something good.'

After a moment's thought, Ron decisively put this terrible problem, which he was absolutely unable to solve with his current abilities, out of his mind, and didn't feel too much pressure.

Let's leave saving the world to our future, all-powerful selves.

Over several decades, even if Ron couldn't prevent such version updates from happening, by then his strength should have reached a point where he could protect himself and the people and things he cared about...

What he needs to worry about now is not how to prevent this apocalypse from happening, but rather what benefits he can gain from this seemingly doomed "empty age"—

As Ron carefully read the update announcements in the Dimensional Update Manual, a considerable longing arose in his heart.

After all, aside from the apocalyptic problem of the world being swallowed up by countless "historical voids," the ideal city in version 4.500 had clearly developed to a point that the current ideal city could never reach...

The Twelve Singularity Technologies clearly originate from the Knowledge-Seeking Experiments of the twelve sectors of the Central Intelligence, and represent the ultimate evolution of all the results of the Knowledge-Seeking Experiments.

Then, after the [Experiment of Seeking Knowledge] was completed, some unknown special effect occurred, which greatly amplified the personal reality of the superpowered individuals, causing their personal reality to expand to the point of directly tearing apart the boundaries between the spirit world and the mortal world...

To this end, the Dimensional Update Manual even introduced the [Ether Field], which specifically restricts personal reality, proving that personal reality in version 4.500 may have already possessed unimaginable power.

Perhaps, by then, superpowers as a power system will be comparable to, or even stronger than, the [Potion Sequence]...

Ron guessed what was going on, immediately grasped the key point, and chose his target—

Aside from singularity technologies like FTL, Ron also wants to find a way to research the so-called "etheric field," and ideally, have the opportunity to use the power of "etheric psionic energy"!

After all, there's no harm in using the existing version of the answer...

Ron can use the overpowered ability [Illusion Dissolve] to go back to the "Potion Era" and bully the superhumans who were targeted by the [Anti-Mystic Formula], and he can also use the power of "Etheric Energy" to go back to Ideal City and bully other superhumans.

Being numerically superior is not true strength; being strong by adapting to and countering the game's mechanics is the real deal!

'It would be best to also find an opportunity to figure out the root cause of the personal reality augmentation and inflation during the [Void Age], and see if it can be replicated in the current Ideal City...'

'Thanks to my enhanced personal reality and [vector manipulation], my superpowers shouldn't be as weak and unreliable as those of normal superpowered individuals; instead, they should have sufficient numerical strength…'

'By then, with the [Potion Sequence], [Superpowered], and [Etheric Field] trinity... wouldn't I have special attack mechanics available for all three versions?'

Thinking of this, Ron couldn't help but smirk. At the same time, the text on the Dimensional Update Manual disappeared, and a new notification popped up:
[Charge the "Psionic Beacon" with etheric energy to open a portal to the created world, the "Void Age."]

Current charging progress: 0%

...“Psionic Beacon”?
Ron was slightly taken aback, only then realizing that the skeletal finger bone in his hand, which served as the anchor for the setup, had changed at some point, just like the magic book that had previously been nothing more than a roadside novel, silently transforming into something else entirely—

Now, a translucent, bone Möbius strip pendant, strung on a delicate silver thread, lies quietly in Ron's hand.

This cool, icy pendant possessed a mysterious allure; just looking at it, Ron felt an eerie sense of stagnation—

It was as if everything was stagnating, regressing, and endlessly looping. Ron looked at the pendant and his consciousness wavered for a moment, as if he felt his consciousness regress to a second ago. But he quickly came back to his senses and left this strange influence.

'interesting……'

Looking at the "psychic beacon" in his hand, Ron raised an eyebrow, a hint of anticipation rising in his heart.

After all, the magic book "Introduction to Mysticism" provided him with immense benefits as a setting anchor, allowing him to quickly enter the [Potion Sequence], and thus embark on the path of the extraordinary.

So... what benefits will this seemingly unusual "psychic beacon" bring to Ron?
Although all the effects of "Introduction to Mysticism" are only effective for creations of the "Potion Age," it's likely that "Psionic Beacon" will only work on everything of the "Void Age"...

But as long as Ron can be supported in his exploration of the "Hollow Age" and given a magic book like "Introduction to Mysticism" as an aid, that would be enough to satisfy him.

'But how do I charge it...'

How can I obtain items from version 4.500 ("Etheric Psychic Powers") in version 4.005?

Looking at the four large characters "etheric energy" required in the dimensional update manual, Ron was quite troubled for a moment.

I never imagined that when I first started using the Dimensional Update Manual, I was stuck on how to charge the spellbook, and now I'm still stuck on how to charge the "Psionic Beacon"...

But before Ron could even feel the worry, another new notification popped up on the Dimensional Update Manual:

[Charging progress +0.01% +0.01% +0.01%...] [Current charging progress: 0.07%]

'Where did this charging come from? Is the surrounding etheric energy being directly absorbed by the psychic beacon?'

Ron frowned, unable to understand the situation for a moment.

But after a moment's thought, he suddenly paused, and subconsciously looked up at the sky—

The fine cracks left behind by the large cavity in Area D still exist, and one can vaguely see translucent mist escaping from it...

Suddenly, a thought flashed through Ron's mind—he remembered something he had seen countless times but never knew what to call it.

"Void Power"!
When Ron first met Ms. Irina, he touched a magical material from the [Void of History]...

At the time, the Dimensional Update Manual specifically gave him a differentiation prompt, indicating that [Fantasy Dissolution] was being eroded by two different forces: "Mystic Influence α" and "Mystic Influence β".

Later, Ron discovered that the creations within the void were all shrouded in a semi-transparent power. This power was extremely effective against superpowers and [Illusion Dissolve], and could cause them immense damage.

In that case, shouldn't this "void power" itself be the "etheric energy" mentioned in the Dimensional Update Manual?

'That makes things much easier...'

Ron breathed a sigh of relief and immediately took out the extraordinary properties of "Potion Master" and "Mithril Knight" and placed them next to the "Psionic Beacon".

As products of the [Historical Void], Heroic Spirits and their relics inherently carry indelible "etheric energy".

This power has no effect on potion brewing, and taking it won't affect Ron's advancement in the [Potion Sequence], so he can freely use all the "etheric energy" on it to recharge...

[Charging progress +48% +0.01% +0.01%...]

Current charging progress: 49.27%

'Is it only about fifty percent...?'

Ron frowned, but didn't pay too much attention, and put away his extraordinary ability.

After all, as long as the "Mysterious Revival" DLC doesn't suddenly disappear, "Aetheric Energy" will always dissipate from the rifts left behind in the [D-Sector Great Hollow]. Ron doesn't even need to do anything; he can simply wait for the "Psionic Beacon" to be fully charged.

Having been working overtime to prepare for the monthly exams recently, Ron was happy to take a break.

This rest lasted for two days.

Ron took two days off and holed up in his dorm room, indulging in his primal human desires. He slept soundly for two whole days, washing away the heavy fatigue he had accumulated over the past few days.

However, although he was fast asleep the whole time, Ron didn't actually sleep for a full forty-eight hours; there were always moments when he was awake.

During these two days, he would occasionally wake up to chat with An Hui or read the campus news, and he learned quite a few interesting things.

Although most people can't pass the exam as quickly as Ron, this monthly exam was short and finished yesterday.

After the monthly exam, Wang Yi, who had been so arrogant, seemed to slink away, clutching his backside. He would occasionally twitch, and his whole body would tremble as if he were having an epileptic seizure. He didn't stay any longer.

Before leaving, he seemed to have uttered some harsh words, such as "You ignorant superpowered individuals will inevitably pay the price" and "Ron, I'll remember you. Go back and wait for a call from [Tian Ting Media]." But in the end, no one paid any attention, and he could only slink away in disgrace.

Afterwards, the physics students seemed to have held some kind of celebration party, which was initiated by Ewan... He even sent Ron an invitation to the party, but Ron declined, citing his busy studies.

Besides that, there's An Hui's current situation—

She was very lucky. The magicians in the Electrical Engineering Department didn't have the kind of strength that Wang Yi possessed, which would leave ordinary candidates in despair. Relying on unexpected physical enhancements and simple, unadorned punches, Huihui became invincible in the Electromagnetic Engineering Department and won first place in the monthly exam.

As a result, she inexplicably received the same relic reward prepared by 404, just like the top student in the physics department. She is still wondering what the meaning of this thing is to her.

However, according to her, because of her outstanding performance in the monthly exam, a magician who is also a lecturer from the Clock Tower and a councilor of the Moen City Government is very interested in her and wants to take her on as a disciple and train her to become a magician.

If she so desires, the magician will perform the appropriate magical ritual for her, giving this relic a purpose and allowing the heroic spirit to possess An Hui's body...

To be honest, this is a really good thing, and the potential dangers are minimized because they do not come from [Tian Ting Media] and [Noah Pharmaceuticals].

After all, compared to the other two giant corporations, Moen Commercial, which has now transformed into the Moen Municipal Government, still has some dignity to maintain.

After checking on the senator and confirming that he was harmless, Ron lowered his guard slightly and suggested that if An Hui really wanted to delve into the path of magic, she could consider becoming this person's apprentice.

Although I don't know what An Hui's current choice is... it seems like she won't suffer any losses.

'It should be fully charged soon...'

Ron pondered silently, clutching the "Psionic Beacon" in his hand, constantly watching the text on the Dimensional Update Manual.

[Charging progress +0.01%]

Current charging progress: 100%

[The anchor, "Psionic Beacon," has been fully charged, its seal unlocked. Its charging attribute is now biased towards the anchored world, "The Void Age," opening its doors.]

'Finally charged!'

The last unselectable option on the manual's screen finally lit up. Ron, who had been waiting for so long, perked up and immediately clicked "Enter World Save" without hesitation.

"..."

Instantly, Ron felt a slight dizziness, his vision went black for a moment, and then he saw the cold neon lights reflected in his eyes.

The silvery-white color covered the entire land, and the technology, which was obviously more advanced than that of Ideal City, formed a floating steel jungle. People with various mechanical modifications flew low over the sky, competing with the tidal wave of floating vehicles.

In the distance, floating islands, appearing out of nowhere and obscuring the sky, are slowly drifting in. A giant tower and a significantly more advanced, dreamlike city can be vaguely seen atop them...

But outside this gleaming megacity, a clear, pitch-black, gigantic breach can be seen swallowing up everything in sight.

Countless historical voids have swallowed up the vast borders of the world, leaving only this tiny corner belonging to humanity, which, with its infinitely advanced technology, displays an unimaginable brilliance.

Standing in the middle of the crowd, looking around, Ron was stunned when he saw these people who looked similar to but different from those in Ideal City. He then realized what was happening.

The "Era of Emptiness" has arrived.

(End of this chapter)