Chapter 2203

2203 – Stages of Shock

Disorder

The Nascent Beasts retreated, the Young Beasts flinched and prepared, only the Adult Space Beasts in the back showed no reaction to Robin's appearance, but it was clear that their curiosity had increased significantly.

"…?!" Blokan also flinched, but for different reasons.

Seeing this army of beasts—an army capable of annihilating the entire universe, without exaggeration—retreating in such a manner… and why? Because a human had appeared?!

Blokan quickly turned his gaze back to Robin. Aside from his golden eyes, there was nothing different about him—no hidden aura, no strange array… nothing!

"What is happening here?" Althera asked in surprise. "…Did they fear your Eyes of Truth?"

"Hmm, my assumption was correct." Robin raised his head higher. "They feared my self-confidence."

"Huh?" Althera and Blokan were momentarily speechless.

"My suspicions began the first time the passage opened, when I noticed the reactions starting with surprise," Robin began to explain. "I realized then that their surprise was not due to our race as insignificant beings, nor from the incoming light and the Living Universe, which they supposedly had never seen before…"

Robin furrowed his brows slightly, then continued, "Their astonishment came from the fact that we appeared before them. They look at us like a mother who buried her own son ten years ago, then suddenly saw him standing before her... Their reaction is one of shock and amazement, as if they doubt that their senses have betrayed them."

"..." Blokan and Althera turned their focus back to the colossal Nest. Robin's explanation didn't seem far from what was truly happening.

"After the initial shock and the confirmation that what they see is real, curiosity takes over." Robin began to elaborate, "They wonder inside their tiny minds: Why did they appear here? How? Can I eat them now?... That's when the thirst for blood starts to seep in."

"After the initial stage of curiosity, caution knocks at the door," Robin chuckled, "They ask themselves: These humans aren't supposed to be here. Why are they here? How did they manage to break the wall? How strong are they? What should we do with them?"

Then he tilted his head slightly, "This particular stage is the most amusing and laughable in my opinion. I imagine those beasts like a dog guarding a farm. One day, it finds a rabbit outside the fence—a rabbit it has never seen before—and it starts wondering whether it should eat it, leave it alone, or just try to bring it back to the farm so as not to anger the owner."

Then his eyes shifted to a murderous intent, "And finally, their primitive minds choose the obvious option: move and kill. That's what they were created for. The opportunity came to them, even on their terms, so why wouldn't they seize it?"

"..." Blokan furrowed his brows deeply. "What a thrilling story."

"Do you have a better one?" Robin retorted immediately.

Blokan fell silent, "..." Indeed, that story seemed like he had just made it up on the spot, but he had no better explanation.

Robin shrugged, "Anyway, I built my conclusions based on the Cosmic Elder's words, plus my observation of those creatures' movements over the past years. I might only be 99% right; I won't claim I'm absolutely correct."

"According to what you're saying..." Althera let out a burst of energy, "They know about the existence of the universe, about us, but they're just surprised that we appeared to them, not the other way around?"

"Exactly." Robin nodded, "I don't know the purpose or meaning behind these creatures' existence, but it's clear we shouldn't be here. This goes against the orders they received, which is why they're stunned and go through those stages of slow thinking every time they see one of us."

"Orders?" Blokan couldn't stay silent.

"Do you have an explanation for why they all think exactly the same way?" Robin pointed toward The Nest with confidence and strength. "It's as if there's a Law engraved within their souls… They all think the same way; only the reaction differs based on their level of power."

"...?" Blokan kept his eyes on Robin's face, illuminated by the Eye of Truth for a moment, feeling that the level of this conversation had surpassed his own—a mid-level Monarch over a Fundamental Law!

"I don't know if your conclusions are correct, but I do know one thing: you've actually frightened them somehow." Blokan spoke calmly. "Let's seize the opportunity to escape and continue our talk outside!"

"That won't work." Robin shook his head. "All I did was return them to a state of caution. By appearing suddenly with confidence, a strong presence, and a shining eye that illuminated their darkness, they began to wonder if I was extremely powerful—if I had used my overwhelming strength to break the Laws rather than just escape them."

Then he chuckled. "But it's a matter of time… Soon they'll see that I haven't done anything and will return to testing the pulse and showing their bloodthirst."

Disturbance

Indeed, after Robin's words, a number of space beasts began to advance slowly.

"Damn it!" Blokan also stepped back.

But he soon stopped.

He noticed that the more he retreated, the more the space beasts advanced.

"Alright, we understand," Blokan turned to Robin. "Can we leave now? Use that method you used to move Althera and get us out of here," then he raised his voice, "or at least get yourself out and close The Gate!!"

"No need." Robin shrugged his shoulders. "After the Cosmic Elder killed a handful of the previous Nest, no adult or even juvenile beast dared approach the passage. We had a plentiful hunt without any trouble. They understood then that opening the passage was no coincidence and that they had to learn their manners... It's clear we need to do this with every new Nest. Even if we close The Gate here and open another elsewhere, the same thing will happen."

"...What do you mean?" Blokan's heart pounded violently.

"I mean, as long as the Cosmic Elder isn't present..." Robin raised his head, revealing a small smile.

*Fwoosh*

A massive number of Spirit Gates began to open, one after another.

"...then I will be the one to teach them manners."