The Game Designer's Unconscious Manifestation
Kim Woojin's profession was that of a designer.
He lacked the talent to become a painter like Gogh or Millet, but instead, he drew characters and backgrounds for the world inside games.
◆ Objective: Exploration
◆ Reward: ???
Even now, in this world, the characters I modeled are alive and moving, and their continent is the very background and landscape I painted by hand.
"……Unconscious manifestation."
Then, is this current phenomenon the result of the unconscious triggered by the ego known as 'Kim Woojin'?
I pondered while gazing at the golden ore.
Its composition, form, size—all perfect lumps of gold. This item, retrieved by adventurers, was making my mind a bit complicated.
……Whoa. What is all this?
Ifrin marveled in a hoarse, raspy voice. Beside her, Maho and Drent nodded blankly in a daze.
I spoke.
"It is the magic circle for the mental fortitude test. Originally three hundred pages in length, but when fully unfolded, it takes this form."
A massive magic circle filling the manor library. With 'synthesis' and 'manipulation' as the main series, and 'harmony' and 'illusion' as the sub-series—a total of four series of magical theory.
By activating this magic circle with the Midas' Hand-applied Magitech Brainwave Detector, the 'test' that adventurers so desperately desire would be realized right here and now.
"I see~! Amazing, amazing~ So what will you do now, Professor~? I want to try this test too, I really do~"
Maho murmured with a beaming smile, while Ifrin squatted down to peer intently at the magic circle.
"……."
But I silently looked up at the night sky. Staring at the twinkling stars, I thought.
Kim Woojin.
A man not of this world, but from somewhere beyond that distant, dark expanse of stars.
He is undoubtedly the largest part that constitutes 'me,' and thus, this quest proves Kim Woojin's existence while also evidencing the presence of something 'outside' this world.
Then, if I clear this independent quest, will I learn that secret?
Will I understand the reason I came to this place?
However, is it right for Deculein to resolve Kim Woojin's quest?
……Professor. But what about Sylvia?
At that moment, Ifrin asked. I turned to look at her.
Still, my disciple with a heavy cold lingering. That dumb, vacant face snapped me out of my reverie.
I gave a small smile.
……Wh-why are you smiling?
I am Kim Woojin, and I am Deculein. I am swayed by neither, and I do not agonize.
Moreover, contemplation is not a virtue of the nobility. Wasting time on slow deliberation is mere intellectual vanity.
A true noble is one who possesses certainty about himself—a class defined by that conviction.
Thus, I am certain that I am among the chosen. Certain that I am distinguished from the riffraff and other trash. Certain that I hold a status worthy of the subjects' respect. Certain that I bear the responsibilities that come with it.
Even if it is a product of systemic personality traits, that certainty never fades.
It is a faith in nothing but myself.
"No."
I shook my head. I had nearly forgotten the most important thing due to the name Kim Woojin and the system's machinations.
"This test will be used as a means to control the adventurers. And I, too, am curious what lies at its end."
Independent quest: Kim Woojin.
What awaits at the end of the world of Kim Woojin that the adventurers will wander through?
Whether it is an event far in the distant future, or something approaching before I depart…….
Time will tell.
The next day, I began collecting identification and resumes from the adventurers and applicants. I instructed Yeriel to select a secure location in Hadekan for conducting the test safely and obtained permission from the Floating Island for 'magical space' creation.
At the same time, the Floating Island issued me an official document regarding rank promotion.
∵ Given that Monarch Deculein's achievements are drawing attention not only across the continent but also on the Floating Island, discussions on his rank promotion will take place at the upcoming addicts' conference and the Floating Island agenda committee.
∵ For agenda verification, an addict will be dispatched to validate your key achievement, 'magical space creation.' We request permission for their entry.
∵ The proposed promotion rank is Ether.
Monarch Deculein's age exceeds thirty-three, so the required approval rate for promotion is over 80%.
∵ Please sign below with a drop of blood enclosed.
∵ [ ]
Rank promotion review. In truth, when evaluating mages, age is a fairly important factor, so the younger you are, the less stringent the criteria.
It's the established theory that a mage's talent typically shows its buds before age ten, reveals its potential before twenty, and reaches completion around thirty.
Thus, promotions after thirty—when one has already hit their limit—are exceedingly rare.
◆ Mana +300
◆ Acquire Magic-Related Trait
Thanks to that, the rewards are no small matter.
I signed the Floating Island's document. I let a drop of blood fall to seal it.
"……."
Then I checked the clock.
The time was midnight.
The date was April 9th.
The world would no longer regress.
However, it wasn't entirely good news. The fact that regressions no longer repeat means the Altar has gotten what it wanted.
"Master. The materials you requested."
At that moment, a shadow beneath the study floor mimicked Ren's voice. I glared indifferently in that direction.
"What prank is this now."
"Hehe. My lord~ It's been so long."
Yuseffin.
She approached with a twirling waltz-like spin and placed the documents on my desk.
"This spring will be dyed in the blood of purges."
"Did you handle the matter thoroughly?"
"Just as you commanded, my lord. I pulled every string from the underworld as well."
A ledger compiling all the imperial palace lackeys—roughly a few hundred—who had joined the Altar before the regression.
"……."
I read every detail of the documents from my seat. Speed reading was my specialty, so ten minutes sufficed.
"How is it?"
I nodded at Yuseffin's question. She beamed in response.
"I'm glad~ But there's still one problem left."
"Problem."
"Julie keeps digging into you, Professor."
"……."
"She's sharper than you'd think. If I hadn't interfered, she might have uncovered the truth alone. She's getting cooperation from the Intelligence Agency and has a few agents attached."
I silently picked up the radio.
Click—it connected somewhere.
"Intelligence Agency? This is Deculein."
—Yes. This is—
"Put the Director on."
—……Yes.
Whoa~ As expected of my lord~ Yuseffin widened her eyes in feigned admiration.
—I've switched.
"Director?"
—Yes, Professor. What brings you at this hour?
Tap, tap, tap. I drummed my fingers on the desk as I spoke.
"I've heard rumors that the Intelligence Agency has been cooperating with Knight Dayah lately."
—Yes. By His Majesty's order.
"His Majesty's order was merely to issue information access warrants."
—……Yes. As for the matters Knight Dayah is investigating beyond that, our agents are assisting of their own accord, deeming them 'justified.'
The Director's voice was surprisingly firm.
"Justified."
—Yes. It is justified.
"Then, you plan to continue cooperating?"
—……We are an independent agency. The only one who can command us is His Majesty.
"And yet I am a subject who follows His Majesty."
I leaned back in my chair. The Director's tone turned openly hostile.
—Yes. You are a subject, Professor, not His Majesty. Do not mistake that. Moreover, the Intelligence Agency operates based on 'information'—valid claims and evidence—not pressure from nobles or families.
"……Is that so."
—Yes.
"Understood. We'll speak later."
Click—I turned off the radio.
Yuseffin furrowed her brow in disappointment.
"My lord. Even the Yukline prestige doesn't sway the Intelligence Agency?"
"Yuseffin."
I gazed at her and spoke lowly.
"Didn't you read the list? The Director is in there."
"……?"
Yuseffin picked up the ledger she'd handed me. She skimmed a section, then looked back at me.
"……There's no Intelligence Director—"
"No."
I cut her off.
"He is in there."
"……."
Yuseffin's expression hardened slightly.
Suddenly, pale moonlight from dawn seeped through the window cracks. A chilling wind rustled the curtains.
"……Fascinating. Do you desire bureaucrats who follow you blindly, my lord? Or……."
"Obeying my words is the path to serving the Empire and the continent."
"……."
"So whether they're on this list or not—it's all up to me. Isn't it?"
Yuseffin let out a small laugh. She gazed at me intently and shook her head slowly.
"Of course?"
"He's just a replaceable head. If he insists on being this difficult to use."
The Intelligence Agency Director. Due to the agency's characteristic secrecy and anonymity, from the moment he took the position, he was known only as 'Director' without a name.
"I'll cut him and install a new one."
"Do you have a head ready to replace him?"
"……."
Yuseffin held out the Intelligence Agency roster. I read the names silently.
"We'll see."
No standout names caught my eye. However, the Intelligence Agency surely had 'them' infiltrated like moles.
Altiegue, residing in the desert and rejecting the Altar.
The last flame of the 'Grand Elder' led by Elesol.
"I'll find one through interviews."
I planned to hand them at least one helmet.
……A storm of blood was sweeping the Empire.
In a single night, nobles of all families, statuses, and officials were arrested without discrimination; merchant guilds and companies were disbanded; and officials' corruptions were exposed in detail.
Among the 'names' on that extermination list were major figures who had long manipulated the Empire. There were far more influential ones than low-level pawns.
They each justified their lives, but gasped in shock upon hearing their backers. And despaired.
"……Deculein. That bastard……."
Imperial veteran Romelock. A pillar of the palace faction that had served from Krevaim to Sophien across two generations, he sat trembling in his room.
All because of a single letter that arrived at his family this morning.
[Think of your children and grandchildren, and if you care for your family, retire now. The mundane world has grown too perilous.]
A blatant and clear threat, penned in Deculein's handwriting.
The damned professor who had not only sweet-talked the Emperor but now sought to devour the entire palace.
"……I knew it would come to this."
Romelock pressed his temple with his wrinkled, age-spotted hand. His old fingers trembled incessantly.
"What must I do……."
Now, he thought of Deculein.
A noble who would sever all subjects' necks, sit upon a throne stained in blood, and rule tyrannically.
A great evil rotten to the core, wielding the Emperor as he pleased and devouring the Empire.
That tyrant's treacherous visage.
"His late Majesty. Your servant Romelock asks—how should I face such a despairing villain……."
Romelock closed his eyes, praying to the distant heavens for an answer.
…….
"It's April 9th today."
Meanwhile, the oblivious Ifrin snickered and said to Deculein. Deculein straightened his tie and nodded.
"I know."
"Good! It's really over for sure. ……Right, you're getting promoted to Ether rank, yeah?"
"The vote is ongoing."
Deculein adjusted his tie. He packed various documents into his briefcase and received a report via radio.
—We have captured the Intelligence Agency Director. We will proceed with interrogation.
"……Captured? Interrogation?"
Ifrin blinked.
"Don't worry about it. For now, think only of Sylvia."
"Ah, yes."
Sylvia was in the Voice. It was Ifrin's role to devise a way to reach the Voice as quickly as possible.
"I'm modifying the magic for the magic tournament submission in that direction right now."
Deculein gripped the office door handle and nodded.
"……Report later."
"Yes. Have a safe trip!"
……With that, Deculein left, and Ifrin stealthily checked her surroundings.
Ahem. Ahem.
She cleared her throat and cracked open the office door.
Ding—
The elevator arrived just in time. As Deculein boarded, Ifrin stepped out and opened the assistant lab door.
Then she whispered softly.
"You can come out now."
"……Mm."
From beneath the desk, red hair slithered up. Ifrin straightened as she faced her.
"I pay respects to Your Majesty……."
Emperor Sophien. Ifrin had 'accidentally'—though planned for Sophien—encountered her.
The location was the library.
While searching for a book, Ifrin had clumsily bumped into Sophien, causing her disguise to unravel in that instant…….
"It's done. Now, let's tail him. I'm always curious about the death anniversary of Deculein's former fiancée anyway."
"Y-yes."
Today's purpose for the two—no, Sophien's deliberate reason for seeking out Ifrin—was singular.
The death anniversary of Deculein's former fiancée.
"I don't like feeling like a peeping tom, but whatever. Considering what that guy is doing in the palace right now."
Who was the woman that cold-blooded, bloodstorm-wielding brute Deculein loved so dearly? And what face would he show at her grave?
Sophien was curious about it all.
"Y-Your Majesty. But please exclude me……."
……Gulp.
Ifrin bowed repeatedly with a face full of tension. Sophien looked at her fondly and replied.
"It's nothing serious. You just guide me. I'll handle the rest……."