And on top of that, it had helped him step onto a Path.
Although this Path sounded like one that wasn't particularly combat-oriented…
Don't make the mistake of thinking that the Path of Erudition lacked fighting power.
Under the Path of Erudition existed an organization known as the Genius Society.
This was not the same thing as the Corporation's Intelligentsia Guild.
Every genius within the Genius Society was a monster among monsters.
Take the 64th seat of the Genius Society, for example—
a man known as Dr. Primitive.
He loved conducting blatantly inhumane research.
Such as forcing humans, while retaining human form, to undergo atavistic regression experiments.
The final result?
Their minds degenerated into something closer to monkeys.
Among the followers of the Hunt, there was an entire group that had been hunting Dr. Primitive nonstop.
Then there was Herta—no need to elaborate.
The true owner behind the space station orbiting Blue Planet.
From age-reversal experiments to the Simulated Universe algorithm, she had become a genius whose name echoed across the cosmos.
And she was an Emanator.
Even if she was only ranked at the 81st seat.
Beyond her, there were even more outrageous figures—
Ruan Mei, who loved researching life itself.
That "Emperor" who created the Scepter System.
And Kakamo, the genius who had killed more geniuses than anyone else.
Every single one of them was terrifying beyond measure.
So no—
never underestimate a Pathstrider of Erudition.
Especially when the energy granted to Evan by Nous—
Though not yet Emanator-level,
was only a tiny step below it.
In short, he now had solid life-saving capital.
And besides…
Who knew whether, as a treasure hunter, he might one day open a chest that contained an entirely new Path?
After all, he had a system.
Sooner or later, he'd be opening treasure chests right in front of the Aeons themselves.
"…Still, the Digging Machine is kind of underwhelming."
"How about I give Little Hook a brand-new toy instead?"
Now that he had mastered the Herrscher of Reason authority,
It was only a matter of time before he fully understood and controlled it.
And with Nous's blessing—
his "battery capacity" had expanded massively,
giving him far more stability in both combat power and energy supply.
It felt a bit like—
I'm already a millionaire; what's the harm in giving you a motorcycle?
So—no hesitation.
Just do it.
Bang! Bang!
Just as Evan was about to get started,
urgent knocking suddenly sounded at the door.
He opened it, and a familiar face appeared.
"Evan! Something's wrong—Hook is missing!"
...
Belobog — Underworld.
Originally, the Underworld existed to supply energy through mining operations.
Not long ago, however, Cocolia, the Supreme Guardian, had issued a lockdown order—
severing all contact between the Overworld and the Underworld.
From that point on, communication between the two districts was completely cut off.
As time passed, the Underworld's mineral resources began to dwindle.
People lost their jobs.
And drifters began to appear, roaming the abandoned mines in search of survival.
Meanwhile, Rivet Town, which once functioned as a settlement, was forced to evacuate due to the Fragmentum crisis.
Most of its residents relocated to Boulder Town.
But much of the supplies were left behind.
With shortages came disputes.
As a result, Natasha's Clinic was constantly filled with wounded patients.
Some were injured from fights.
Others suffer from long-standing occupational illnesses.
Before long, the medical supplies scavenged from Rivet Town were completely exhausted.
—
Boulder Town.
Natasha's Clinic.
Hospital beds filled the room, many of the patients looking familiar.
After all, Evan had been in this world for half a year now.
"What happened?"
Evan jogged behind Seele as they moved.
Although he had just stepped onto a Path, he still wasn't familiar with using its power.
Besides, even Bronya, as the Herrscher of Reason, spent most of her time floating—
so it was perfectly normal that Evan couldn't keep up with Seele's speed.
"The medical supplies ran out. Originally, we planned to have Seele go to Rivet Town to retrieve more."
"But somehow, Hook overheard our conversation."
Natasha spoke with a helpless expression.
The woman in the white coat was none other than—
the true leader of Wildfire,
the boss of the Underworld.
"Hm?"
Evan suddenly noticed a familiar face lying on one of the beds.
Old Man—Hook's adoptive father.
Hook had been an orphan. Her parents died young, and she was raised by Old Man.
He doted on her deeply.
But age, combined with years spent in the mines, had taken a heavy toll on his body.
Not long ago, he had collapsed and been sent here.
No wonder Hook had rushed toward Rivet Town the moment she heard the clinic lacked medical supplies.
However…
Evan turned to look at Natasha, his expression growing subtly strange.
[Beep—Beep—Beep!]
[Treasure chest detected nearby. Location marked.]
[Location: Natasha's Clinic]
[...]
Right before Evan's eyes—
just behind Natasha—
a treasure chest slowly descended onto the floor.
It almost looked like it was waving at him.
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