My different world is game mode.

"Your Highness!"

"Miss Elena?"

Inside the City of Law.

The merchant left the collapsed mountain ruins and found the princess, who was still arranging work by the moat.

After just a greeting, Elena quickened her pace and asked:

"I received news from the Law Knights that Lindsay has stayed alone in the [Sea of ​​Lost Souls]?"

Yanafin shook her head and said:

"No, he has a companion with him."

Elena pressed on, asking:

"Does the City of Law have a way to bring them back?"

Yanafin looked troubled:

"The Sea of ​​Lost Paths is difficult to enter, and given the current state of the City of Law, it is almost impossible to do so."

Her Highness added:

"Based on the information I have, I have already sent people to [Moon Cry Mountain]. There are things left behind by Mr. Lindsay there, and since their power comes from the same source, they might be able to offer some assistance."

Hearing that Yanafin had already taken action, Eline still frowned.

The Sea of ​​Lost Paths is indeed difficult to enter, but is this all that the City of Law can do as the main city of the world can?

"Excuse my bluntness, but entering the [Sea of ​​Lost Souls]..."

Yanafin shook her head to interrupt, her tone bitter:

"There's not enough time, and we're also short-handed in terms of resources to forcefully open the passage into that world."

Elena then proactively reminded her:

"What about the [Dust Path World]? It's an unstable spatial node; perhaps there's a way there?"

After their conversation, Elena's attitude became clear.

At that moment, Yanafin also realized something, her expression changed, and she no longer used the polite tone she had just used.

She answered as she would with a friend:

"Of course I hope so, and I am willing to put in the effort."

"But in the current world of the [City of Law]... at least for the time being, no one will respond to my call."

Hearing this answer, Elena sighed.

She said to the princess before her:

"I had contacted other organizations before I got here."

"The Seven Seas Alliance informed us that their people have already participated in this performance—but excessive participation would cause a deus ex machina-like change, so they will no longer interfere with fate; through business channels, I submitted an application to Platinum City. With sufficient funds, they could definitely open a crack there, but this proposal is still awaiting commercial evaluation; as for other things, I heard that Lindsay and Volcano City..."

Upon hearing this, Yanafin shook her head and interrupted:

“I’ve already contacted them, and the Law Knight just gave me feedback.”

"Both the messenger and the life scholar have shown goodwill toward this incident, but haven't taken immediate action. Based on my analysis, they likely have their own plans, similar to your proposal to the Chamber of Commerce."

"..."

The two men stood solemnly by the moat.

Although the situation on the [Sea of ​​Lost Souls] is unknown.

But Lindsay's failure to return to reality is itself a warning sign, enough to make them take it seriously.

However, they themselves are currently unable to enter the [Sea of ​​Lost Souls], and the forces they can contact do not provide immediate feedback.

At this moment, Elena, who was deep in thought, suddenly realized something:

"By the way, Lindsay and I once had an adventure together. He asked me to help him find a girl."

Yanafin asked curiously:

"A young woman?"

Elena nodded:

"In Narkbondek, a legendary warrior has recently risen to fame, his name is 'Red'..."

……

On the turbulent, lost sea.

Lindsay is still piecing together the boat with Wala Wala.

A full week has passed since they parted ways with the Starfleet. The dangers on the Sea of ​​Lost Paths have also begun to reveal their sinister side to the two of them.

Within a week, they encountered sea monsters twice.

One of them was a younger Abyss Beast, and the two of them, relying on their immunity to petrification, easily dealt with it without much trouble.

But the second sea monster was a terrifying evil spirit that had no record of being in the outside world.

Lindsay and Wala Wala were pulled into the illusion and tormented for two days and one night before finally defeating it using the same methods they used to deal with ghosts.

As for the cost of this battle...

While they were engrossed in the illusion, the newly built ship had already sailed far away.

Now sitting on the brand-new raft base, Lindsay erected new sails while piecing together the hull, then activated the equipment, allowing the [Ecosystem Radar] to find the best location for the final battle.

"I encountered sea monsters twice in one week."

"This frequency is far more exaggerated than the previous sea voyages. Perhaps it's related to the experiences of the stargazers?"

During a break from work, Lindsay looked up.

Directly ahead of us, the sun slowly set, gradually overlapping with the afterglow of its rays on the sea surface, creating a blindingly bright effect.

"..."

"Lindsay, this is our fourth boat!"

Just then, a girl's voice called out from behind Lindsay:

“Building boats and fishing like this is pretty boring. How about we make a bet?”

Lindsay looked back:

"You want to bet... how about we build a few ships on the [Sea of ​​Lost Souls]?"

Wa La Wa La confidently patted the bottom of the boat beside him, holding up the wooden plank:

"That's right, and I bet this is the last one!"

"Speaking of which—we've been doing all this work, but the taskbar isn't getting any new content. It's really getting boring."

Lindsay shrugged:

"Players can choose whether to accept a quest, but sending a quest is not something we can decide."

As she said this, Lindsay took out the mission reward she had received earlier.

A rhombus-shaped crystal, shimmering with a faint light, floated lightly above his right hand.

【Accessories/Consumables: Focusing Stone】

【——Jewelry Function——】

[After equipping, all attributes increase by 20%, and you gain the status of [Light of Hope], [Illumination], and [Leader].

Light of Hope: Significantly enhances the holder's resistance to negative states.

Light: Within a 10-meter radius centered on the holder, the area will never be plunged into darkness.

Leader: Strengthens the willpower of holders and followers.

【——Consumables Function——】

[Consumes Source Essence to shatter the [Gathering Stone], awakening the light of hope in the environment to protect oneself or attack enemies.]

"Even the faintest light of the heart can create a great miracle!"

[A light-gathering crystal with an unknown manufacturing method; highly valuable.]

"..."

Just as Lindsay was deep in thought, he felt a slight weight on his shoulder.

Turning his head, he saw that it was Wala Wala who had come closer, patted his shoulder with a wooden board, and said with a serious expression:

"Did you hear that?"

"Huh?" Lindsay listened intently, but apart from the sound of waves crashing against the raft, he didn't detect anything nearby. "Your senses are stronger than mine. Tell me, what did you find?"

Wala Wala pointed in the direction they were sailing.

The sun's brilliance was almost completely submerged in the sea, and darkness gradually swallowed the end of the journey.

"Right over there."

"At a distance of about 13 times the maximum visibility, there seemed to be the sound of water being stirred."

"It sounds like... a whirlpool?"