[CHAPTER 65] [LAST TIME ON GAME QUEST]
[Faraday]
[Happy Birthday, Zoey!][Her Birthday was on the 14th]
Last time on Game Quest, many significant events unfolded across the universe. First, the universe is now divided between two powerful entities: the Nature Goddess and the Universe Itself. All female heroes are planning to create "leaders" of the higher dimensions. Meanwhile, Baryon is recounting her journey to locate a mysterious mist within the higher dimensions.
[Back to the story...]
Z says, "The absence of light in this case means that light doesn't exist and cannot exist. There has never been light in this area, and there never will be. There are stories about how a being of light would bring illumination to this place and free the trapped souls. You seem like the one who matches that description. Are you the one who will bring light here?"
Baryon ponders for a moment before replying, "Yes, I am the one who will bring light here." Despite this not being her original goal, she decides to go along with it, thinking it may help her uncover the source of the mist.
Baryon asks, "Do you know where we can read about the effects of this place?"
Z looks puzzled. "What do you mean by effects? I've already described what this dimension is like. Is there something I missed?"
Baryon responds, "Well, usually, there's some kind of inscription or card that describes the field conditions and effects."
She then uses one of her three wishes, revealing a card named "9th Dimension."
[9th Dimension] [Type: Field] If present on the field, the "darkness" condition (Type 1) applies. Everything within this field is destroyed unless it is classified as a "Choice Piece." If not, it is eradicated. Excludes "Soshin" and "LolitaEngine."
Baryon studies the card and remarks, "There's nothing in its effects that suggests it's ontology-based. That means we just need to remove the field condition, and this dimension will be freed."
Z hesitantly asks, "But how will you do that?"
Baryon makes two minor wishes—one for a galaxy to appear at a random location and another for a teddy bear to find a sad child. Then, she announces, "Meta Miracle Manipulation!"
With that, the entirety of the Ninth-Dimensional Space is cleared, and the trapped souls are freed. Z stands in awe as Baryon smiles confidently.
"How did you do that?" Z asks.
Baryon replies, "Through my power—Meta Miracle. Meta Miracle allows the user to do anything. Even things that seem impossible become possible under Meta Miracle."
Baryon concludes that the mist is merely a byproduct of the dimension itself. She then transcends to the 10th Dimension.
[The 10th Dimension]
The 10th Dimension exists beyond the 9th, extending deeper into the dark-step, where shadowy creatures reside. Baryon enters and sees nothing—yet she remains aware of everything occurring around her. Activating her natural night vision, she observes step-snakes slithering in the darkness. As she reaches down to pick one up, she hears a noise. The snakes immediately hide, trembling in fear.
From the shadows emerges a massive white serpent, seemingly composed of pure light.
Baryon watches carefully. "So this is the light... It seems to consume the darkness."
The serpent moves through the dimension, devouring everything in its path. Baryon quickly uses a wish to grant herself access to magic, then casts a purification spell on the serpent before it reaches her. The creature turns yellow, its form reverting to raw essence before retreating into the cosmic void. She recognizes that the serpent naturally respawns and chooses not to interfere further with the order of this dimension.
After investigating further, she determines there is nothing of value here. She prepares to ascend to the 11th Dimension.
[The 11th Dime—]
Wait. Stop.
"Baryon!"
A sudden voice calls out as a winged figure descends before her. The newcomer, a harpy-like being, urgently warns her.
"Under no circumstances should you travel to the 11th Dimension!"
Baryon frowns. "Why not?"
The winged being introduces herself as XAA and explains, "The place you're trying to reach isn't where you think it is. The 11th Dimension is no longer part of the dimensional hierarchy. It has been severed. If you try to enter, you won't arrive where you expect to."
Baryon, skeptical, attempts to subdue XAA, but she dodges the attack. A battle ensues.
XAA throws a punch—Baryon catches it. XAA pivots, attempting a kick—Baryon grabs her leg and slams her to the ground. Baryon moves to stomp on her, but XAA rolls away, sweeping Baryon's legs in retaliation.
Baryon sighs and uses a wish to enhance her combat skills. She lands two punches, a kick, and then dashes forward. Mid-air, she conjures a metal pipe and strikes XAA across the head.
XAA takes massive damage and considers transforming. Instead, she launches Mega Impact.
Baryon quickly wishes for a barrier, holding firm against the attack. XAA, desperate to win, presses on, assuming Baryon is trying to kill her.
Baryon exhales. "This is going nowhere."
She tightens her grip and channels her Meta Miracle ability. With a single thought, she nullifies all attacks for a few seconds. XAA's Mega Impact disperses into harmless light, leaving her stunned mid-air.
Baryon lowers her hands. "I don't want to kill you, XAA. But I will reach the 11th Dimension."
XAA, still catching her breath, glares. "You don't understand. The 11th Dimension isn't just dangerous—it rejects all who enter. It warps reality beyond comprehension. Even I don't know what happens to those who try to breach it."
Baryon considers this. "Then why guard it? If no one can enter, why does it matter?"
XAA hesitates. "Because something else resides there. Something that doesn't want you—or anyone—to reach it."
Baryon smirks. "That just makes me want to go even more."
Before XAA can react, Baryon uses her final wish to manipulate dimensional access. A shimmering doorway forms above them, pulsating with unknown energy.
XAA's eyes widen in terror. "You're making a mistake!" she shouts, lunging at Baryon.
But it's too late.
With one last glance at XAA, Baryon steps through the portal.
And the universe shifts.
[TO BE CONTINUED...]
Galactic Princess Faraday: "Now, let me tell you something about the 11th Dimension. It is not a place. Not a force. It is a concept unraveling itself, yet never ceasing to be. The 11th Dimension is not a realm one simply enters. It does not welcome, nor does it reject. It is. And in its being, it distorts all else. To approach is to feel the weight of unbeing, pressing against the edges of selfhood. To hear not a voice, but the absence of silence folding into itself.
Here, the Divine is neither seen nor heard, but realized—an awareness so absolute that it devours all lesser perception. Even the most powerful beings do not breach this boundary. Not because they lack the means, but because the means themselves refuse to exist in its presence. The 11th Dimension is not merely sealed.
It is forgotten by reality itself."