Inside the sandbox, the people remained kneeling for a long time even after the golden staircase disappeared completely from the sky.
The dark clouds slowly dispersed and the trembling in the air faded.
The divine pressure vanished alongside the apostle.
Yet no one dared to stand immediately.
For them, what they had just witnessed was not merely a farewell.
It was a miracle recorded directly into history.
The apostle chosen by the Creator himself had ascended back to the heavens before their very eyes.
Many people lowered their heads deeply.
Some stared blankly at the sky as if hoping the golden staircase would descend once more.
The Platform of Heaven’s Mercy had completely fallen into silence.
Only one figure remained standing.
Amal.
His eyes were still fixed on the sky, wet with tears.
His fists were clenched tightly at his side.
The wind brushed past him, causing his black hair to sway lightly, but he remained motionless like a statue.
His teacher had left.
Even if Saffa never acknowledged it- To Amal, he had always been his teacher.
The one who reshaped his life, dragged him to the limits of humanity, taught him about strength, command, survival, and discipline.
Ten years.
For ten entire years, he taught him and now… He was gone.
From a distance, Archon silently looked at his son.
His old eyes carried a complicated emotion.
As a father, he naturally understood Amal well.
He knew his son’s respect toward Saffa had long surpassed admiration.
His respect of a warrior toward the person who changed his life is beyond what words could describe.
Archon slowly walked toward him.
His footsteps were heavy.
The surrounding guards and ministers lowered their heads respectfully and moved aside.
None dared to interrupt them.
When Archon finally stopped beside Amal, he too looked toward the sky for a moment before speaking slowly.
“He may not think of you as his student…” Amal’s fingers twitched slightly.
“But in your heart, you have already accepted him as your teacher.” His voice was calm and gentle.
“But don’t let your emotions consume you.” Archon placed one hand on Amal’s shoulder.
“Remember why he came here.” “He trained you for ten years without holding anything back.” “Do you think a being like him would waste his time for no reason?” Amal lowered his head slightly.
His breathing became uneven.
“He came here for a purpose.” Archon’s eyes narrowed slightly.
“And now…” “He has entrusted that purpose to you.” The wind passed quietly between them.
Amal remained silent for a long moment.
Then slowly, his eyes regained clarity.
The sadness was still there.
But beneath it… A flame began to rise.
His father was right.
Saffa’s departure was not the end.
It was responsibility.
A responsibility handed down to him, The future of humanity… The burden of leading civilization forward… All of it had now fallen onto his shoulders.
Amal slowly knelt down toward the direction where the staircase had vanished.
His eyes reflected respect for his teacher.
“I will not disappoint you…” His voice was low.
“…Master.” Archon looked at his son silently.
Then for the first time in a long while- He smiled faintly.
The surrounding ministers and soldiers also lowered their heads.
With the departure of the apostle, a new era had begun.
– Outside the sandbox, Rex quietly observed everything.
A faint smile appeared on his face.
He had watched Amal grow from a curious child into someone capable of carrying humanity forward.
Now- The final push had become his lead to the future.
His father’s words had become the trigger.
The current Amal was no longer merely talented.
He had become a wave capable of carrying civilization itself.
“Alice.” [YES, HOST.] “Adjust the time flow to match reality.” [DING!] [TIME FLOW ADJUSTED TO REALITY.] The rapidly changing world inside the sandbox immediately slowed.
The movement of clouds became natural once more.
The lives inside returned to ordinary flow.
After doing this, Rex shifted his gaze toward Saffa.
The Saiyan Ancestor stood silently nearby.
His expression had already returned to its usual indifference, but Rex noticed something subtle.
Before leaving- Saffa had looked at the sandbox one final time.
Only for a brief moment, but that moment was enough.
Rex’s smile deepened slightly.
Even someone like Saffa, had unknowingly become attached to mundane.
“You completed one mission.” Rex stood up slowly.
“As for the second one…” “You will know tomorrow.” Saffa immediately lowered his head slightly.
“As you command, Master.” “For now,” Rex continued, “go to the Eastern Dragon Mansion and rest there for the night.” “I have already informed the people in charge.” Saffa nodded.
“I will await your orders.” Before turning around, he once again glanced silently at the sandbox observation panel floating in the air.
The expression in his eyes remained unreadable.
No one knew what he was thinking.
Not even Rex.
After a few seconds, Saffa turned around and disappeared into the darkness of the night.
Rex watched him leave quietly.
Then he closed the observation panel.
The cool evening wind brushed past him gently.
Only then did he finally stretch his body slightly.
For some reason… he felt mentally exhausted.
Not because of physical effort, but because of everything that happened inside the sandbox.
He had once treated it as merely a miniature world, a game.
But somewhere along the way- It had started becoming real.
The people there had emotions.
They had dreams for future and fear for unknown, reverence for strength and mockery for the weak.
They had both compassion and arrogance.
Somehow… without realizing it… he had started caring for them.
That realization made his eyes narrow slightly.
“…Troublesome.” He muttered softly before walking back toward his house.
– Inside the house, warm light illuminated the room.
His parents sat together drinking tea while quietly chatting.
The atmosphere was peaceful and strangely comforting.
The moment Jasmine noticed Rex entering; she smiled warmly.
“You’re back?” Rex nodded lightly.
His father also looked over briefly before continuing to drink his tea.
Rex himself had never liked tea much.
Even in his previous life, he rarely drank tea.
But tonight- Looking at his parents calmly talking together… he suddenly did not feel like rejecting it.
Jasmine poured another cup before handing it toward him.
“Here, have some.” Rex accepted the teacup silently.
The warmth spread into his hand as he took small sips like a kid.
It was bitter but not unpleasant to his taste.
After sitting down beside them, he asked casually, “What were you talking about?” Jasmine smiled lightly.
“Nothing important; just your father’s workplace and some village matters.” Rex remained silent for a moment, then suddenly said, “If you think I don’t know about what Ragnar did then you are underestimating me.” Even his father’s hand paused halfway.
Rex calmly continued, “I knew the moment he approached the old house and probably one or two things about uncle’s past as well.” His eyes narrowed slightly, “Especially regarding Sister Irene.” The expressions of both his parents changed immediately.
They didn’t know what to feel.
His father slowly put down the teacup.
“How do you know these things?” His tone became a little serious.
Rex simply leaned back slightly.
“I know far more than you think.” Jasmine frowned slightly.
“We didn’t tell you because we didn’t want you involved in that darkness.” “There are things better left untouched.” Rex looked at them quietly and faintly smiled.
“In a few days… I have a surprise prepared for both of you.” His mysterious tone only made them more confused.
Jasmine sighed helplessly.
“You’ve really changed these past few years.” His father also stared at him deeply.
Sometimes- Even he felt that his own son had become difficult to understand.
It was unlike someone his age.
He was more mature than his peers.
Jasmine eventually shook her head lightly.
“Fine, we’ll wait for your surprise.” Then her expression became serious.
“But promise me one thing.” “Whatever you do…” “Don’t dig too deeply into your uncle’s matters.” Rex lowered his gaze slightly and nodded.
“I understand.” But inwardly- His eyes were cold.
It’s too late.
He had already started digging long ago.
After finishing the tea, Rex returned to his room.
The night outside had already deepened with the moon shining brightly.
However, just as he sat down- his phone rang.
Looking at the screen, he immediately answered.
The moment the call connected, Sandy’s teasing voice rang out.
“So what is our young master doing right now?” Rex rolled his eyes slightly.
“Get over your sarcasm.
Come to the Eastern Dragon Mansion tomorrow morning at eight.” The other side immediately became quiet.
“…Why?” “You’ll know when you arrive.” Sandy instantly became suspicious.
“…You’re definitely planning something.” Rex smirked slightly.
“And don’t even think about making excuses.
I already talked to your mother.” Hearing this, Sandy immediately exploded.
“You shameless bastard!” “You even went behind my back?” Rex chuckled lightly.
“You’re coming tomorrow.
That’s final.” Sandy clicked his tongue.
“…Fine.” “Actually I’ll just come to your house tomorrow morning.
We’ll go together.” “Sure,” Rex replied calmly.
“Be my guest.” After ending the call, the room returned to silence once more.
Rex slowly laid down on the bed.
The moonlight entered faintly through the window.
His eyes remained fixed on the ceiling.
Tomorrow… Everything would begin moving toward a completely new stage.
The sandbox world was progressing steadily as humanity had begun developing properly.
The real world was also nearing a major turning point.
All the hidden pieces were finally beginning to move together.
Rex slowly closed his eyes.
A faint smile appeared at the corner of his lips.
“…Tomorrow…” His voice was soft.
“…will be the beginning of something new.”