Chương 49: From the Archive no. 1: Opportunities and Dangers in Worlds Undergoing Integration

Tr. SP: Opportunities and Dangers in Worlds Undergoing Integration The connected universe continues to expand. This expansion becomes particularly evident through the emergence of new Gates in worlds previously visited by Travelers. During my journeys, I returned to previously explored worlds several times and, in two cases, encountered new Gates leading to worlds previously unknown to me. Another significant aspect of this expansion lies in the monumental process of integration.

Integration marks the incorporation of new worlds into the vast and ever-growing network of mana worlds. This process unfolds in a constant stream, one world after another. Given the inconceivable breadth of the universe—some theorists even suggest its scope is infinite—the number of worlds currently undergoing integration may be far greater than can be realistically imagined. My experience with worlds in the process of integration left an indelible impression on me.

The first such experience came during my youth, in my home world. At that time, our society had reached an advanced technological stage, with nanobot medical systems treating complex conditions and energy shields protecting entire cities. At that stage of my life, I remained unaware of my innate potential as a Gate Traveler. The knowledge was lost when one of my ancestors withheld this vital piece of information, preventing subsequent generations from venturing through the Gates.

At the beginning of the integration process, I unexpectedly received the Archer Class. This unforeseen development allowed me to survive the catastrophic loss of my family and friends, who all perished during the collapse. During the initial outbreak of chaos, the weapons systems upon which our society depended—plasma rifles, laser blades, and energy cannons—ceased functioning without explanation. Soldiers found themselves defenseless as the once-reliable weapons either malfunctioned or ceased to function.

The consequence was our complete vulnerability to the increasingly hostile mana beasts that roamed through the cities. As I fled from one of these creatures, I sensed a nearby Gate and discovered my ability to traverse such portals. Confronted with a crumbling infrastructure and the failure of every technological safeguard, I had no choice but to act swiftly. I gathered what equipment I could salvage and departed through the Gate to seek safety and understanding in another world.

The impact of this event remained with me for centuries. Eventually, I resolved to study the integration process in greater depth. Presently, at over 750 years of age, I have observed two worlds during integration and remained there to record the process thoroughly. I have also conducted numerous interviews with other Gate Travelers who witnessed worlds at the edge of, or already undergoing, integration. The Integration Process The phases of integration generally span 15 to 20 years.

The variation in time is explained by differences in how worlds measure time and the gravitational influence on seasonal cycles. Initial Stage In the initial stage of integration, Gates appear in significant numbers across the globe. The majority of these connect to mana worlds, though this is not exclusively the case. The earliest and most definitive sign that a world is approaching integration is the appearance of over 100 Gates, increasing to approximately 200 as the process advances.

Second Phase In the second phase, mana levels rise. A world entering integration typically starts at mana level zero, which increases gradually with time. As the mana levels rise, the number of Gates appearing also grows, further altering the landscape of the world. Third Phase The third phase begins when mana levels reach five or six. It is at this point that the inhabitants of the world experience phenomena that indicate integration.

Advanced technological devices begin to fail, and structures built with advanced materials reveal signs of unexpected deterioration. For example, in one technologically advanced world, skyscrapers composed of an alloy known as Tetrud-Duranius—renowned for its durability and resistance to extreme conditions—developed stress fractures without apparent cause. Engineers were unable to explain these structural failures, which seemed unrelated to external forces or environmental changes.

In a different world, residential complexes constructed with Nano-Resin, a self-repairing material designed to mend minor damage autonomously, deteriorated rapidly. The resin lost its ability to repair itself, resulting in walls crumbling without warning. Devices once considered infallible began to fail. Quantum Translocators, once used for instantaneous transportation with failure rates as low as one in a billion, suddenly became unreliable and, in some cases, disintegrated entirely during use.

Another instance of technological failure was the Bio-Synaptic Interface, an advanced medical tool designed to repair neural damage and enhance cognition. These devices degraded to the point of inefficiency, and in severe cases, caused additional harm to patients. Such examples illustrate the profound effect of rising mana levels on advanced materials and technologies.

Although less advanced worlds may not experience as dramatic a collapse of infrastructure, the same process occurs, signaling the progress of integration. Phase Four When mana levels reach seven or eight, the integration enters Phase Four, and the effects intensify. Technological devices fail more frequently, advanced structures collapse at an accelerated rate, and natural disasters become more frequent.

Although these disasters vary from one world to another, the most common examples include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, sandstorms, lightning storms, tornadoes in unusual regions, climate warming, and disrupted oceanic currents. In one world, massive earthquakes destroyed skyscrapers and opened chasms that swallowed entire city blocks. Volcanic eruptions occurred frequently, spewing ash and lava that buried entire regions and plunged cities into darkness.

Tsunamis repeatedly struck coastal settlements, with immense waves sweeping away entire neighborhoods. In another world, violent sandstorms struck deserts. These storms charged with mana could scour surfaces clean and reshape entire landscapes. Regions previously mild in climate suffered unprecedented lightning storms. The intensity and frequency of these strikes destroyed infrastructure, set forests ablaze, and forced populations to retreat.

Tornadoes appeared in regions where they had never occurred before, causing widespread destruction in towns and cities. Climate warming accelerated the melting of polar ice, raising sea levels and prompting populations to relocate inland. Changes in sea currents disrupted marine ecosystems, collapsing fisheries and displacing entire coastal communities. This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

In one striking example, mana-infused cyclones of extraordinary strength devastated an ordinarily temperate region. These storms uprooted ancient forests, demolished centuries-old structures, and left populations unprepared for such extremes, struggling to survive. These examples collectively demonstrate the catastrophic environmental consequences that arise during the Fourth Phase of integration. Phase Five: Mana Level Nine When mana levels rise to nine, the integration process enters its most decisive stage.

Waves of mana sweep across the world through the Gates, creating regions of uneven mana saturation. Some of these areas resemble low-mana environments, while others replicate the conditions of extremely high-mana worlds, complete with dangerous beasts and monsters and, in extreme cases, even sentient fauna and flora. During these waves, all technological systems cease functioning. The air becomes saturated with mana, and the inhabitants of the world begin to develop magical abilities and receive Classes.

After the mana waves pass, some technologies may resume limited function, but many are rendered permanently inoperable. Structures built to house millions, such as massive arcologies, floating cities maintained by anti-gravity systems, and subterranean metropolises powered by geothermal energy, collapse under the strain of the mana floods. Vegetation experiences rapid and uncontrolled growth, and local animals mutate into mana beasts. The majority of these newly created creatures become frenzied and violent.

Even those who do not succumb to madness grow more aggressive, losing their prior fear of humans. After a mana wave passes, residual mana accumulates in localized areas, spawning monsters. Initially, these creatures appear at low levels, but they grow progressively stronger with each successive wave. Prolonged accumulation of mana in certain regions often results in the emergence of dungeons, which themselves strengthen over time.

Phase Six: Mana Level Ten At mana level ten, technological collapse becomes permanent. All remaining advanced structures fall, and no technology continues to function. Natural disasters, however, cease at this stage. The world stabilizes by cyclically absorbing and producing mana, comparable to inhalation and exhalation. In this way, the world establishes balance, absorbing excess mana from the atmosphere and releasing it in a steady stream. The number of active Gates decreases to between fifty and seventy.

Although mana waves persist and monsters and dungeons continue to appear, stability gradually returns as the world itself becomes the primary source of mana. Areas of varying mana levels remain for some time, ranging from low-mana safe zones to high-mana regions filled with danger. Eventually, the distribution of mana stabilizes across the globe. The integration process, lasting fifteen to twenty years, concludes with the establishment of the world's final mana level.

Opportunities and Dangers Dangers The dangers of integration are numerous and multifaceted. Natural disasters arise with sudden force. Technological systems collapse entirely, leaving societies defenseless. Mana beasts created through violent mutation become increasingly aggressive. Pockets of concentrated mana foster the appearance of dangerous monsters. Newly formed dungeons grow stronger if left uncleared and present a direct existential threat to local populations. Another danger arises from human behavior.

Some communities attempt to rebuild and preserve order, but others exploit the collapse to engage in violence and criminal acts. At times, these predatory groups pose a greater danger than the process itself. There are also external threats. Travelers possess the exclusive ability to traverse Gates, but there exist powerful wizards and individuals from very high-mana worlds who, without Classes, still command formidable magical abilities.

Such individuals are capable of creating portals, either temporary or stable, to reach integrating worlds. In many cases, they seek resources, including slaves. I have heard of one case in which a Traveler was captured and enslaved but later escaped. Although I could not verify this story directly, two separate Travelers claimed to have met the survivor personally. Based on the integrity of the individuals involved, I accepted this account as credible and included it here.

Opportunities The integration process also presents extraordinary opportunities. The most significant among them is the ease of gaining Ability Points and Classes. In integrating worlds, Ability Points are awarded with remarkable ease. A brief instruction or a single simple action can suffice to earn a skill or a Class. In normal circumstances, earning a skill requires years of study under professional guidance, with recognition only upon mastery.

In contrast, during integration, the requirements are drastically reduced. To illustrate, acquiring the blacksmithing skill ordinarily requires two or three years of apprenticeship. In an integrating world, one may gain the skill or even the Profession after being shown how to strike an anvil with a hammer and melt metal, especially if mana levels are high. At mana level nine, the process is even more accelerated, and performing an action once or twice without instruction may suffice to acquire the skill.

Another opportunity lies in collecting resources. During integration, societies prioritize survival, seeking food, shelter, and weapons rather than technological goods. As a result, vast quantities of advanced technology remain abandoned and slowly deteriorate under mana waves. Travelers can collect and transport these goods for profit to other worlds. Dungeon cores represent another highly valuable opportunity.

In stable mana worlds, authorities such as noble families, guilds, or governments strictly control the dungeons. Removing a dungeon core is prohibited and often punishable by death. In integrating worlds, however, thousands of new dungeons emerge without regulation, enabling Travelers to claim the cores freely. Furthermore, the rewards gained from clearing dungeons in these environments are often greater than in established mana worlds, at times exceeding the value of the cores themselves.

The demand for weapons in integrating worlds also provides lucrative trade opportunities. Local inhabitants desperately require weapons, and Travelers with sufficient inventory can trade them at a significant profit. The remnants of advanced technology and knowledge also provide opportunities. Travelers may collect and document such discoveries, which hold immense value in mana worlds that are less advanced. Travelers may further contribute by creating safe havens.

Using their knowledge and abilities, they can establish fortified settlements for local populations, which can then evolve into trade centers, bases of operation, or even regional powers. Mana-rich environments promote the development of alternative forms of agriculture. Unique plants and crops imbued with mana properties can be cultivated, creating new markets and opportunities for trade. As stabilization occurs, opportunities for environmental restoration and mana management arise.

Skilled Travelers can assist in redirecting mana flows, rehabilitating ecosystems, and constructing sustainable environments. Such efforts bring gratitude from local populations and open avenues for collaboration. Ultimately, integration offers a unique opportunity for research and discovery. The effect of mana on organisms, materials, and ecosystems is still incompletely understood.

Integrating worlds present a natural laboratory in which to study these transformations, advancing knowledge for the benefit of all mana worlds. Conclusion The integration process is both perilous and promising. It is marked by catastrophic natural disasters, the collapse of technology, the emergence of aggressive mana beasts, and the appearance of powerful dungeons. At the same time, it presents extraordinary opportunities for Travelers who navigate the process with wisdom.

The accumulation of Ability Points and Classes, the collection of valuable resources, the establishment of trade and safe havens, and the advancement of scientific knowledge are all made possible through engagement with worlds in the process of integration. By understanding the dangers while pursuing the opportunities, Travelers may not only survive but also contribute meaningfully to the future of integrated worlds.

As new observations and data emerge, this record will be revised to reflect the ongoing expansion of knowledge about this transformative phenomenon.