Chapter 230
It lay above the hour, minute, and second hands, yet its rotation frequency was completely out of sync with those hands.
This gear was clearly not part of the watch's mechanism; rather, it seemed like a decorative component, independent of the pocket watch itself.
After a moment's hesitation, Shaer placed her hand on the gear.
Even if it was merely ornamental, it was a "unique" decoration, surely it must possess some special abilities...
The instant Shaer touched the pocket watch, a familiar system panel appeared before her.
【【Echo of the Silver-White Timebinder (Damaged)】: Exclusive sealing item, already bound, can gain more abilities as the sealing item is repaired】
【Current Ability: 【Echo of Time Lv.2】】
【Echo of Time Lv.2: Records the host's individual time at this moment, allowing the host to return to the recorded time within 15 seconds, or when life is threatened, removing all negative states】
【Side Effect: Within forty-five minutes after use, the host's individual space-time will be chaotic, causing the host's state to jump between different save files】
【【Overlimit Gear Lv.1】】
【Overlimit Overload: Rotates the gear, allowing specified skills, items, or sealing items possessed by the host to enter an 【Overlimit Overload】 state, unleashing abilities beyond their limits and ignoring side effects, lasting for 1 minute】
【Side Effect: Skills, items, or sealing items enhanced by 【Overlimit Overload】 will enter a 72-hour 【Overload Damage】 state, becoming irreparable】
Overlimit Overload?
Beyond limits?
And it can apply to any skill, item, or sealing item?
As long as it fits these three concepts, anything can be overloaded?
Just reading the description, Shaer realized the power of this gear.
Its strength lay in its conceptual nature.
The gear placed no restrictions on what could be overloaded, meaning anything could be enhanced using it.
But how was "ownership" determined?
If only items exchanged in the system shop counted as owned, then Shaer's options would be severely limited.
Ignoring item types and limits for overload... If what she possessed was already a high-tier item or sealing item, then overloading it would push it beyond its limits.
Most importantly, during that minute, it ignored the side effects of those items, sealing items, and skills.
If paired with a particularly powerful sealing item or skill, Shaer would essentially have one minute of unrestrained, frenzied offensive time.
That was quite a powerful card to hold... As for other potential uses, she'd have to explore them later.
So that raven relied on this overload to unleash abilities beyond its own strength, summoning meteors, huh...
A sharp pain in her head interrupted Shaer's thoughts, forcing her to pause her mental replay of recent events.
Just as she was about to focus on the system's countdown to calm her mind, she heard hurried footsteps approaching.
“Shaer?”
Hearing that familiar voice, Shaer, leaning against the door, felt her tension dissipate. The moment her mind relaxed, she fainted.
Before losing consciousness, she felt a soft embrace.
...
So hot...
In her unconscious state, Shaer was engulfed in a heavy, feverish sensation that made her head spin. The throbbing pain felt so intense that she wished she could just smash her head to find relief.
Time passed, and when a cool sensation finally washed over her mind, the turmoil began to fade.
This change was reflected in Shaer's expression; her previously furrowed brows began to relax.
Kneeling beside her, Aivina was sweating profusely, her lips trembling, and her face pale, as if she had just experienced a fright.
At that moment, Shaer lay before Aivina, her head resting on Aivina's soft thigh, eyes tightly shut.
After about ten more minutes, Shaer's eyelashes fluttered slightly as she slowly opened her eyes, meeting Aivina's concerned gaze, her hands resting on Shaer's forehead.
Compared to before, the swelling and dizziness in Shaer's head had significantly subsided, and even the volume of her mumbling had noticeably decreased.
Shaer slowly raised her hand, grasping Aivina's slender wrist, gently moving her hand away from her forehead.
“A therapist isn’t exactly suited for combat,” Aivina thought, her physical strength was no match for Shaer. Though she struggled a bit, Aivina's hand was eventually moved aside.
The healing was interrupted, and Aivina's eyes flew open, scanning the surroundings with lingering fear. Once she confirmed there were no fog or monsters, she took out a handkerchief to wipe the sweat from her brow.
Aivina looked down, her gaze meeting Shaer's, which held a hint of weakness.
“Shaer…”
Aivina wanted to say something, but Shaer interrupted her.
“It’s okay…”
Shaer forced a smile as she spoke.
“It’s over now.”
After Shaer released her grip, Aivina's hands hovered uncertainly, unsure where to place them. After a moment's hesitation, she slowly rested them on Shaer's shoulders and asked, “How are you feeling now?”
At that moment, Aivina hadn’t fully processed Shaer’s “It’s okay,” still worried about her condition.
Even without touching Shaer’s forehead, just resting her hands on Shaer's shoulders, with her thumb near Shaer's cheek, Aivina could feel the heat radiating from her.
“I’m alright... just a bit dizzy.”
Shaer shook her head, but even that simple motion sent waves of dizziness crashing over her, making her feel nauseous.
Noticing Shaer's struggle, Aivina gently supported her neck, shifting her position. With one hand cradling the back of Shaer's neck and the other slipping under her legs, she prepared to lift her.
Huh?
Just as Aivina was about to pick Shaer up in a princess carry, her body froze slightly as she tried to stand.
Though Shaer was light, Aivina found she couldn’t lift her right away...
Aivina was unsure how to lift someone lying down directly. Carrying her face-to-face felt awkward... Time was slipping away, and Aivina didn’t know what to do.
But that brief moment allowed Shaer to regain some of her composure.
She pushed against the ground, attempting to stand.
Seeing this, Aivina quickly supported Shaer's shoulders, helping her rise slowly.
“Shaer, just hang in there. The carriage will be here soon.”
Aivina whispered.
A carriage?
In Shaer’s muddled mind, she envisioned the jarring ride of a carriage... Getting into one now might just be the end of her.
“I don’t want to take a carriage…”
Shaer spoke slowly, “Can you help me walk home?”
Home?
Where was home?
Her own place? Or the rented room on Gem Avenue? Neither was a distance Shaer could manage right now.
But there was one place Shaer could still make it to.
“Nanbei Stone Street?”
Aivina asked tentatively.
“Yeah…”
Shaer nodded slightly.
“Okay, just hold on a bit longer.”
Aivina supported Shaer as they slowly made their way toward the factory exit.
At this hour, aside from delivery carriages and a few children running about, there were hardly any pedestrians.
The street still reeked of an indescribable sour odor, but Aivina showed no signs of disgust. She focused intently on the path, avoiding puddles, pedestrians, and carriages.
What should have been a six or seven-minute walk took them nearly twenty minutes, but finally, they arrived at the entrance of No. 144, Bell Tower Alley.
Shaer reached into her pocket, fumbled for a moment, and pulled out a key, inserting it into the lock to open the door.
As she swung the door open, no cloud of dust rushed out as she had imagined; the interior was spotless, as if someone had been regularly coming to clean.
After helping Shaer to the sofa, Aivina returned to close the door, then headed toward the kitchen, searching for a kettle, but found none.
Some kitchenware and the kettle had been taken away, leaving only the furniture that the landlord had left behind, which couldn’t be moved.
Table of Contents
