The sound of arrows whistled through the air. Following the memories that had newly surfaced in my mind from the first time I came here, each arrow found its mark, striking the wraiths hidden in the dense forest.
At that moment, it felt as if a clock was ticking inside my head, but the hands were always a few seconds ahead. I mimicked every action I had taken back then, surprised at the tattered state of my clothes.
Knowing where Past Ethan Zhang would appear, I immediately turned and waited. As soon as I received the clothes, I spun around and repeated the exact words I had said that day, imitating every gesture to perfection.
Then I started down the mountain. When I passed the patch of grass with the skeletal remains, I stopped to study it, recreating my actions based on the memories in my mind.
On the way down, I repeated my previous actions, echoed the same words, and entered Lee Hsing’s house to rest.
Though exhausted and deeply uncomfortable, I could only do my best to keep up. The entire night, I slept soundly, reacting according to the memories from my first arrival here.
Sure enough, at dawn, Rachel’s Shade woke me. I did everything just as I had before. What delighted me most this morning was the steaming bowl of porridge already set out in the room—last time, it hadn’t been there. Ecstatic, I forced myself to suppress my excitement and followed the images in my mind.
Afterward, I wandered around the village, then, after lunch, headed up the mountain. I found Future Ethan Zhang and hid with him by the roadside, waiting.
That afternoon, guided by the images in my mind, I reached the right spot and crouched in a patch of grass, waiting quietly. To my shock, three people came up the mountain from below. It was bizarre—there shouldn’t have been anyone here, yet I saw three figures approaching. I grew anxious, because without Future Ethan Zhang, those three would surely see me.
I watched silently, but soon relaxed, deciding to stick to the actions from my first experience. Gradually, I saw three people—one man and two women—coming up the narrow path, carrying tools. In an instant, I was stunned. The three had no faces at all, yet they walked past me as if chatting and laughing.
In my anxious wait, a blinding light suddenly appeared before me. Then, a faint, spectral hand materialized. Instinctively, I grabbed for it, but the moment I touched something solid, my consciousness slipped away.
When I regained consciousness, I was back in the afternoon woods. My eyes widened—the sensation of touching that hand had been real. But I forced myself to stay calm, acting out every memory in my mind exactly as before.
This was all I could do for now. Sure enough, when Past Ethan Justice appeared, I saw only a blurred outline. If I kept this up, maybe I could finally break out of this endless loop.
Once a person finds motivation, hope erupts with unnatural force. I spent the entire day cautiously following every step. After a night’s rest, the moment I woke at dawn, I was stunned—I saw crowds of villagers. But these villagers were like invisible people wearing clothes, each moving about on their own.
In the afternoon, I went straight to the woods, and sure enough, I saw a black robe trembling beside me. I could sense the presence of Future Ethan Zhang nearby.
Suppressing the joy inside me, I spoke exactly as the memory in my mind dictated, took the clothes, and asked the same questions.
Lying on the bed in Li Xing’s house, night had already fallen. I could finally sleep. Exhausted, I drifted off almost instantly.
The next morning, I woke up right on time, but today I saw only shadows wavering in the air. Still, I could only do what I did the first time I came here.
At noon, I went to the spot in the woods where I’d met Future Ethan Zhang before. I only sensed a chilling presence circling nearby—nothing else. But I knew I was slowly aligning myself with the correct timeline from my first arrival.
I yawned, watching three figures slowly climb the hillside. As they approached, I saw new features on their faces—mouths and noses had appeared, though still no eyes. They whispered and laughed softly among themselves.
The day was nearly over. I swallowed and waited, hoping for a miracle that would let me travel to Past Ethan Justice’s world. If I could reach that world, the Eye of Time would be powerless against me, because time there had already reached its end—it would never flow again.
As expected, a stronger light flashed before my eyes. Then, a faint hand appeared. I grabbed it instantly, and the moment I touched something real, I lost consciousness.
When I woke again, I was back in the afternoon woods. The sensation of grabbing that hand was not a dream. I held myself back and continued to follow the memories, repeating every action precisely.
This was all I could do. When Past Ethan Justice appeared, I caught a blurred outline. If I kept going, maybe I’d finally escape this loop.
Once a person finds motivation, hope erupts with unnatural force. I spent the day cautiously following each step. After a night’s rest, I woke at dawn, stunned to see crowds of villagers—like invisible people dressed in clothes, each moving about on their own.
Suppressing my excitement, I spoke as my memories dictated, took the clothes, and asked the same questions.
Lying in Li Xing’s bed, night had fallen. I finally allowed myself to sleep. Exhaustion overcame me in moments.
The next morning, I woke on schedule, but saw only wavering shadows in the air. I could only repeat what I’d done the first time I arrived here.
At noon, I went to the woods where I’d met Future Ethan Zhang before. A cold, sinister aura lingered nearby—nothing else. But I knew I was moving closer to the original, correct timeline.
Yawning, I watched three people slowly ascend the hillside. As they neared, I saw new features on their faces—mouths and noses, but no eyes. They whispered and laughed quietly.
The day was almost over. I swallowed and waited, hoping for a miracle to let me reach Past Ethan Justice’s world. If I managed that, the Eye of Time would be powerless, since time there had ended.
As expected, a stronger light flashed before my eyes. A faint hand appeared. I grabbed it, and the moment I touched something real, my consciousness faded away.
When I woke again, I was back in the afternoon woods. The sensation of grabbing that hand was real. I held myself back and continued to follow the memories, repeating every action precisely.
This was all I could do. When Past Ethan Justice appeared, I saw only a blurred outline. If I kept going, maybe I’d finally escape this loop.
Once a person finds motivation, hope erupts with unnatural force. I spent the day cautiously following each step. After a night’s rest, I woke at dawn, stunned to see crowds of villagers—like invisible people dressed in clothes, each moving about on their own.
A heavy silence fell over the room. None of them had any solution.
"We can only keep waiting."
Future Ethan Zhang spoke, but this time Past Ethan Justice smiled.
"Waiting won't help if we can't find a solution. You want the Eye of Time to compromise, but who knows how long that will take. The best way is to act. Come, Rachel Lan, I'll take you to see Isabelle Frost. She might be able to resolve all this."
I swallowed, nodded, and followed him.
"Wait."
Future Ethan Zhang stopped us.
"It's best not to let her see too many people from this world. She may not exist here now, but she might appear in the future."
I didn't understand what Future Ethan Zhang meant.
"Hasn't this world already reached its end?"