S?ccess
S?ccess
After the closing ceremony.
It was time to finish packing the last of our odds and ends and head to the Gate Terminal.
"You're going to the Association?"
[Yep.]
But I had somewhere to stop by first. The moment I mentioned it, the gazes of those packing their bags snapped to me.
"Ah, Association President's Proxy. Well... it's not that we mind you going, but how long do you think it will take...?"
Lee Ji-yeon stepped forward as the group's representative and asked, her voice laced with concern.
[It's fine. It won't take long. I'll be back before we depart. If I'm a little late, we can just meet at the destination Gate Terminal.]
"That's true, but..."
Lee Ji-yeon's expression became subtle. It was unmistakably a look of distrust.
...The others weren't much different. Their demeanor was brimming with distrust and anxiety.
I was about to pout, but stopped myself, realizing I had no right to.
"Goodness. Well~ how dare anyone object when the Association President's Proxy is going to attend to official duties?"
[You're objecting right now, though...]
"Hurtful words. I simply meant you should go and come back quickly, without any issues!"
Baek A-rin, who laughed while covering her mouth with her hand, patted me on the backside.
I let out a deep sigh and stroked the hair of Seo-yul, who was sitting on the sofa after packing her bags.
[Daddy will be back soon. Don't worry and just wait with the others.]
"...You promise you're coming right back?"
[Of course...]
...Even Seo-yul's eyes were clouded with suspicion.
Despairing at the fact that I wasn't trusted even by my own child, I nodded heavily.
Afterwards, leaving behind the lingering gazes of worry, I entered an empty room and manifested the Authority of Space.
The fluctuating spatial waves swallowed my body, and I flew into the connected space.
The destination was the place that still maintained the name Washington D.C.
It was the underground of the Association Headquarters established there.
"I have been waiting."
My legs, which had floated up for a moment, touched the ground.
It was a windowless room. Maxwell, who had been waiting beforehand, bowed his head deeply.
[Yes, it's been a while.]
As I bowed my head in return, Maxwell, a silent smile on his face, opened the door.
"A short while ago, I laid an Phantasmal Dream over the entrance of the dungeon you entered with your doppelganger. We are also operating an observation device, and personnel are on standby in case of an outbreak."
[Thank you.]
Following his guidance, I walked and listened to his report at the same time.
Grade 1 Dungeon, Clear Mirror. Since it was the dungeon containing the Curse-Lifting Jewel, it was a place I absolutely had to conquer.
But its grade was a staggering Grade 1. It was a dungeon with a terrifying internal mana concentration and scale.
And since I had placed a doppelganger inside, I had also prepared insurance, just in case I had to grab the Curse-Lifting Jewel and force my way out.
[How is the Reverse Side?]
"No specific issues have appeared. The closed hole is unverifiable to the naked eye, and there are no counter-flowing monsters or erosion phenomena whatsoever."
The Reverse Side, several months after suppressing its outbreak, was also without abnormalities.
I was at ease regarding this matter.
Originally, in the source material, the Reverse Side had never been blocked off to this extent.
I had been nervous because there was no precedent for crawling inside and completely shattering the will of the Reverse Side, but fortunately, this seemed to have been the right answer.
'Since it's a space where the will has vanished, I'll have to try using it later if I can.'
In terms of scale, the Reverse Side was a space far surpassing a Grade 1 Dungeon. If I could utilize it, it would be a great help.
Conveniently, my Authority of Space had also made significant progress, so it was worth visiting and attempting later.
Around the time I was thinking that.
The gaze of The Man, walking from the opposite side of the hallway, brushed against me. Dressed in the Association's official uniform, his lips were moving; he seemed to be on a call.
"—handle it as such, and the future policy will be decided on-site... si... Huk."
The Man's gaze landed on me.
In an instant, The Man, who had sucked in a breath, saw his eyes go wide, and immediately his waist bent in half.
"Ah, hello! Association President's Proxy, sir!"
[Ah, yes yes... thank you for your hard work.]
"It's an honor...!"
It was an unbearably overwhelming treatment.
Even when I awkwardly waved my hand to decline, The Man's waist showed no intention of rising.
In the end, I passed by The Man who showed me the top of his head, and only around the time I disappeared from his sight did his head rise again.
Such a scene repeated every time I ran into someone.
As I was awkwardly accepting their greetings and passing by each time, Maxwell let out a low chuckle.
[What are you laughing at?]
"Because your reaction is similar to what I imagined."
[Similar?]
"Yes. Did they not suddenly encounter the Association President's Proxy, who showed himself for the first time at the Reverse Side before returning to Siyoram, right here in the hallway?"
...Thinking about it that way, being flustered did seem like the appropriate response.
I had forgotten the perceived weight of the Association President's Proxy status.
Nodding my head, I flicked my finger. The recognition impairment spell covered my body. I additionally threw on a robe and went outside to the surface.
Exiting the main gate of the Association Headquarters, a wide park stretched out before me.
It was a park with bluish brick paths and statues of various great figures, where fresh lawns and vegetation harmonized.
Among the people strolling in the park were not only Association staff but also a few civilians.
"Thanks to the well-developed grounds, civilians also visit frequently. It was a place constructed with the intention of reducing conflicts between superhumans and ordinary people in the past."
[Aha, I see.]
Agreeing with Maxwell's explanation, I subtly observed the rear.
The Association Headquarters I had just walked out of was a pair of towers... twin buildings.
I heard they built it like that with the fact that there are two Association Presidents in mind.
The security and defense were also terrifyingly solid. It was a citadel in itself, built by pouring in all available materials and manpower.
On the outside, it just looked like thick, long skyscrapers, but it was an impregnable fortress that ordinary defense facilities couldn't even compare to.
'Though it couldn't stop the 11th Iteration...'
That was unavoidable, anyway.
It was something like a natural disaster.
How could one stop that iteration, which had half-destroyed Siyoram where the Vice Headmaster resided, invaded the territories of the Three Great Families, and even physically shattered the Towers...
[I'll go to the Tower of Space first.]
"Yes."
I urged Maxwell on and quickened my pace.
The city that came into my observation was exceedingly affluent.
Washington D.C. was firmly playing the role of an economic hub, with branches of various factions being established there.
Part of the reason was that the Association Headquarters was located there, but it was also because it was the place where the five Towers were situated.
I stopped walking. Maxwell silently stepped aside.
A structure located directly in front.
Its height soared beyond the sky, flaunting its majesty. Its surface was a mix of dark and light gray.
It was the Tower of Space, one of the five Towers.
'The Tower of Harmonization is over there.'
The Tower of Harmonization was located a short distance away. It was within walking distance, because it was in the same Washington D.C.
'I know that the Tower of Harmonization was installed later on.'
The Tower that originally soared in Washington D.C. was the Tower of Space.
However, after the Association was established and its Headquarters were set up, the Tower of Harmonization was also relocated nearby.
Thus, in a triangular formation, the Association Headquarters, the Tower of Space, and the Tower of Harmonization were located at each vertex.
It was a safe zone where not a single monster, let alone a dungeon, could enter. It was an environment bound to have excellent public order.
I cut off my idle thoughts and approached the Tower of Space.
Standing right beside it, its immense size felt even more acute.
'There's no entrance.'
Unlike the Tower of Growth or the Tower of Knowledge, the Tower of Space had no entrance.
'The Tower of Growth was for entering the tower. The Tower of Knowledge had to let me in at least once according to the plan.'
The Tower of Growth could provide clear growth through periodic entry.
From the Tower of Knowledge, I had heard the general outline of the situation from Lady Ariel, and received training to elevate my magical skills to the level of a Mage before coming out.
The other Towers weren't really like that.
There was nothing special for me to gain by entering. I'd heard that they didn't have the leeway to let me in, to begin with.
The Tower Masters of Space and Observation had given me Authorities and were bearing the duties in my stead, and the Tower Master of Harmonization was in charge of my Status Window.
...Of course, the Status Window was in a biiit of a weird state, but the correction was functioning perfectly, so it was fine.
After all, the Status Window was the force that provided a massive correction when I was grappling with the Tower Master of Purgatory.
'Hm.'
I gently placed my hand on the Tower. The gray surface was smooth. Instead of a tactile sensation, it greatly amplified my spatial awareness.
'Just as thick as I expected.'
The Tower is a kind of subspace. Though absurdly massive in scale, it is an independent space separate from the world.
The wall dividing space from space. For the Tower of Space, that wall was exceptionally thick compared to the other Towers.
Maybe its name was a reflection of that? The security was no joke.
'Still... it's not impossible to penetrate.'
If I hadn't recently been taught the technique by Sierra, it would have been impossible.
I nodded to myself and raised my hand.
I manifested the Authority of Knowledge. The library settled within my mindscape. I pulled out a single book stored inside.
- Shrrrk!
Mana and records intertwined, and a book popped into existence from thin air.
A black cover and a thickness hard to grasp with one hand. I gently lifted the book and brought it to the Tower's surface.
'Manifest, Authority of Space.'
I put strength into the hand I had placed on the Tower. The spatial security function applied to the Tower. I knew well how to undo it.
- Vwooom!
The section of the Tower touching the book rippled. The spatial fluctuation rolled across the Tower's surface like waves.
The change was visible to the naked eye. A commotion stirred nearby, but trusting Maxwell and the Association staff, I didn't lose focus.
The book was gradually buried into the Tower. As the ripples rose and fell on its surface, the book was slowly swallowed.
- Sluuurp...
'Done.'
When half of it was finally buried, the remaining half sunk deep in an instant. Freed from my fingertips, the book permeated into the Tower of Space.
- Hoooh...
I let out a deep breath, slightly heated from drawing up my Heart Power.
I had expected to succeed, but the little remaining tension melted away with the success.
Either way, it was a success.
I smiled brightly and stepped back a few steps.
Then Maxwell, who had been talking with the Association staff in charge of guarding the Tower of Space area, approached.
"You succeeded. Congratulations."
[Yes, it went well. But how did you know?]
"Your complexion seemed bright, as if you had succeeded."
Was that a backhanded insult saying I'm easy to read? There was no malice, but it sounded a bit weird. With an odd expression, I shrugged my shoulders.
[Then I'll be heading back...]
I tilted my head for a moment.
[Hmm... no. While I'm here, I'll visit the Tower of Harmonization too.]
"Understood."
Maxwell led the way without a word. I followed, adjusting the robe over my head.
Even though they were in the same city, there was some distance, but hopping along with a superhuman's gait, we arrived in no time.
'Heuh.'
The Tower of Harmonization looked similar to the other Towers.
A height that pierced the sky. A Tower thicker than imagination.
The overall color was sky blue.
The color was very familiar. Comparing it through Observation, I could easily figure out why.
'It's the hologram color.'
The holograms output by smartwatches and such. The default color was sky blue, and it matched exactly.
I placed my hand on the Tower and gently stroked it.
'The security... is insanely thick as well.'
No matter how much I squeezed the Authority of Space, entering was impossible. I estimated the same was true for the Tower of Space earlier.
Of course, if I tried everything, I could make a crack...
'...Because I don't know how the restrictions placed on the Tower Masters might react.'
If I'm not careful, it might harm the Tower Master. So I couldn't just try it recklessly.
I came just in case, but there was still no clear way.
I clicked my tongue lightly and turned around.
- Ding!
'?'
Just then, an alarm rang in my ears. The hand that was naturally reaching for my smartwatch stopped.
The source of the alarm was different. It didn't travel from my wrist through the bone; it rang directly in my head.
'The Status Window?'
- Ding! Ding! Ding!
The alarm sounded repeatedly, as if affirming my thought. I half-withdrew my hand from the Tower and tilted my head in an awkward posture.
It hasn't been ringing much recently, why is it doing this all of a sudden...
'...The Tower of Harmonization.'
The one who configured and managed the Status Window is the Tower Master of Harmonization. The one I currently have my hand on is the Tower of Harmonization.
'A signal?'
I didn't know the reason, but I started thinking hard while keeping my hand on it.
Ding, ding, ding... How many more times did the alarm sound?
I blinked. A tickling sensation was felt on my palm.
'The space...'
The Tower's surface rippled. Superficially, it was a phenomenon similar to the Tower of Space earlier.
Sensing it with the Authority of Space allowed me to know exactly what the phenomenon was.
The wall was thinning. Confined to a very small area, the wall crumbled, and a crack formed as if creating a door.
Exactly where my hand was touching.
- Scree...
The change suddenly stopped. The crack that was almost completely drawn trembled and halted.
'Is this... trying to let me in?'
I couldn't think of any other intention. But it seemed to be straining, as if overwhelmed by the effort.
Soon, I felt signs of the wall trying to thicken again.
'Ah.'
Observing the situation, I pressed my palm flatly onto the Tower.
'I should enter first, right?'
I didn't know the exact details, but I couldn't miss the chance to be let in.
I invoked the Authority of Space. As if extending the trembling crack, I opened the space.
- Sluuurp!
The hand pressing against the Tower was sucked in with a slurp. A suction force acted upon it. My body was buried inside.
"Sir Lee Ha-yul!?"
[Ah! Don't worry!]
Maxwell and the Association staff, approaching in alarm, stopped in their tracks at my restraint.
[I'll go in for a moment. It won't... take long.]
"Pardon?"
Maxwell asked back with an uncomprehending expression, but there was no time to explain in detail.
My eyes widened, but I didn't resist the suction. Soon, my body was completely sucked into the Tower of Harmonization with a plop.
.
.
.
A familiar sensation.
Similar to being submerged in water, but more viscous and heavy.
A sensation of swimming through empty space. My body was naturally drawn along the current. This was the identity of the suction force.
'Where am I going?'
I blinked and operated Observation.
The interior of the Tower of Harmonization.
It was different from the Tower of Growth.
Inside the Tower of Growth, it was divided into multiple floors, and I observed countless layers like stars embroidered in space... but the Tower of Harmonization was filled only with darkness.
- Vwoom!
A moment of observing the space and being drawn by the current.
As the bizarre and uncanny sensation unique to Spatial Leap climbed up my legs, my feet simultaneously touched the ground.
"Aaaaah! It worked! It worked! It really worked! I did it! You really came in!"
[Startled]
A strangely exuberant woman's voice struck my eardrums at the same time.
Startled by the voice slamming against my eardrums from close range, I turned around.
Some woman was kicking her chair back and jumping up and down.
A tall woman I had grown used to seeing.
Every time she jumped, her slightly wavy, sky-blue hair swayed, and her large chest bounced buoyantly.
[...Tower Master of Harmonization?]
"Yeah! Hello, hello! Finally! This is the first time we meet!"
An answer came back to the question I had asked just in case.
The woman, the Tower Master of Harmonization, smiled brightly and waved both arms wildly over her head.
* * *