Tower of Observation (1)
Tower of Observation (1)
Lee Ha-yul circled the observation post once, repairing the large observation devices.
The observation post had ten large observation devices in total.
He repaired the three that had been taken offline, including the one he had just finished, and meticulously overhauled the seven that were being overworked to the point of abuse.
All ten large observation devices returned to normal operation.
- Dingdingdingding!
Data began flooding in at a frenzied pace.
At the festival of holograms erupting with such force that it seemed to blanket the sky, one observer's eyes trembled faintly.
"Have my eyes gone bad? It's measuring all the way to the edge of the Demon Realm..."
"Did the Second Cataclysm break out or something?"
"Don't even joke about that."
Heaving a sigh, Bellomina removed her heavy, cumbersome hat. Among the few Seoseong observers, Bellomina was the most presentable, so she had worn it as a courtesy for receiving guests, but she no longer had the presence of mind for that.
- Fuuu...
"......"
Lee Ha-yul, who had just fixed the tenth observation device, let out a long breath.
The act of releasing that delicate breath blended with his striking appearance and aura, creating a scene more arresting than any painting.
The gazes of those reeling from the holographic onslaught snapped toward him in an instant.
[That's all the large observation devices fixed.]
"Y... yes."
Bellomina, who had belatedly pulled herself together, nodded, then looked at Lee Ha-yul with fresh eyes.
It was exactly as Bergol, the Twin Star Observer dispatched to the Erteria archdiocese, had reported.
Lee Ha-yul had repaired observation devices imbued with Observation Authority.
The implication was simple.
Lee Ha-yul was exercising the authority that belonged to the founder and head of the observation post, the Director. The authority the Tower Master of Observation should possess.
'...If that's the case, isn't he effectively the Director?'
The Director was the Tower Master of Observation.
Yet Lee Ha-yul held Observation Authority.
She didn't know the causality behind it, but here, no one could claim a higher rank than the holder of Observation Authority.
Besides, there was a message the Director had left before going into seclusion...
[Then let's get on with the work.]
"Pardon?"
Lee Ha-yul stretched thoroughly and sat down on thin air.
[Now, please bring the small observation devices from storage as well.]
The observation post operated two types of observation devices.
Large observation devices observed comprehensive data across the widest possible range.
And small observation devices were portable and carried out detailed observations over a specific area.
There were only ten large ones, but the small ones numbered around three hundred.
'They really did pull out the pillars during the Reverse Side incident.'
At the time of the Reverse Side incident.
The observation post had allocated one large observation device and dozens of small observation devices wholesale to the Reverse Side.
Considering the post's circumstances were strained even then, it meant they had accepted a major bleeding of resources.
'Ah, could the reason that one large observation device's lifespan was hanging by a thread be...'
The Reverse Side, which erupted earlier than in the original, had likely accelerated the device's lifespan.
"You've only just finished the repairs—wouldn't you like to rest for a bit..."
[It's fine. I'm not particularly tired. There's still plenty of work, and I'd rather finish quickly and rest, now that I'm at it.]
Lee Ha-yul answered with a faint smile. Faced with that smile, she couldn't bring herself to voice a refusal, even before considering his status.
[I'll also touch up the overall internal formulas and the barrier. I checked on the way here and spotted points for improvement there as well.]
When Lee Ha-yul tapped the air, a hologram projected.
It was the administrator access window for the observation post. Of course, it was secured. Bellomina approached Lee Ha-yul.
"Ah, let me configure the administrator settings right away..."
Her voice trailed off. As Lee Ha-yul placed his hand on the hologram, subsidiary screens unfolded one after another.
[Access Complete]
[Access Authority: ｢Association President's Proxy｣ ｢Director's Proxy｣]
"...The settings weren't necessary."
Bellomina stepped back, flustered.
Lee Ha-yul let out a small laugh and immediately began operating the holograms without hesitation.
He hadn't ridden here on horseback instead of using Spatial Leap for nothing.
He had observed the facilities and already determined every section he needed to touch.
'There's nothing to adjust on the astrology side of the barrier. I just need to neatly slot in new formulas so they're compatible with the existing ones. For the interior of the observation post, I'll leave the astrology components and supplement only the magic...'
The winged garment split into dozens of strands and manipulated the holograms alongside his hands.
- Ding-a-ling-a-ling!
Information update windows began popping up in succession next to the output data.
Bellomina, wide-eyed at the immense administrative processing power, narrowed her eyes.
His hands and the winged garment operated the holograms at tremendous speed.
It was so fast that it was hard to track, but upon closer inspection, a great many of the holograms were being manipulated without his hands or the winged garment even touching them.
"I've brought all the small observation devices from storage."
[Leave them beside me.]
Around that time, the small observation devices arrived.
The small observation devices, resembling round crystal orbs, were piled high in the boxes placed next to him.
Excluding those currently lent out, about a hundred remained.
He grasped a small observation device with his winged garment, channeled Observation Authority into it, and solidified its form.
Woong! A bright light illuminated the previously hazy device.
He placed the improved small observation device into an empty box that one quick-witted staff member had brought over, then picked up a new one.
Everyone's mouths fell open at the absurd multitasking, close to a circus act.
"Doesn't your head hurt...?"
[I'm okay.]
At Daera's murmur, Lee Ha-yul smiled and shook his head.
Harmonization, Knowledge, and Observation.
By using these three Authorities appropriately, this wasn't burdensome work.
Actually, even with only Harmonization Authority, this level of work would be manageable.
'Lord Gracia also handles work with Harmonization Authority.'
When I visited the Tower of Harmonization, I saw that their work processing speed was incredible.
It wasn't for nothing that Harmonization Authority was used to create the Status Window.
At that level, I could understand how they became a Tower Master for administrative roles even if their individual combat power was lacking.
- Ding
My eyes opened at the unusually clear alarm. A Status Window appeared sharply in the corner of my vision.
[The Tower Master of Harmonization flares up]
[No! Me, a field agent!]
'Ah, you were a mid-to-high-rank superhuman before becoming a Tower Master.'
[The Tower Master of Harmonization bites their lip]
[Back then, mid-to-high rank was... it meant you were an incredible elite...!]
That was true, but still.
Gracia's reactions coming through the Status Window were simply too entertaining.
Chuckling, Lee Ha-yul let the sounds of stifled breath around him drift by and slid a hologram away.
'Searching this way is definitely more convenient.'
With the ten repaired large observation devices operating simultaneously, an overwhelming amount of data was pouring in.
It wasn't ultra-precise data given the scale of the range, but after narrowing the criterion to 'fairy,' a satisfying amount was accumulating.
Relieved by the fact that he didn't need to circle the globe, Lee Ha-yul glanced at the Status Window.
'Lord Gracia.'
[The Tower Master of Harmonization pouts]
[What is it, Savior?]
The Tower Master of Harmonization had gotten sulky.
Had I teased them too much about being mid-to-high rank? Feeling a bit guilty, Lee Ha-yul murmured carefully internally.
'What kind of person is the Tower Master of Observation?'
I was about to enter the Tower of Observation soon.
The Tower Master of Observation, along with the Tower Master of Space, was under severe restrictions, but I still intended to meet her directly once.
Before that, I planned to learn a bit about the Tower Master of Observation.
[The Tower Master of Harmonization opens their mouth]
[A social cripple with no friends]
'?'
For a very brief moment, his hands and the winged garment stuttered at the exceedingly caustic answer.
[The Tower Master of Harmonization moves their lips]
[She loathes outside activity, just wants to stay holed up in her room—a total lost cause. Her voice is so gloomy I nearly threw a punch when I first met her because I thought she was casting a curse.]
'Not an answer like that... Talking badly about people is wrong...'
[The Tower Master of Harmonization shrugs]
[What can I do if it's true? And it's not even talking behind her back. She's listening to this too. She just can't answer the Savior.]
If it's not behind someone's back but right in front of them, does that justify calling someone a social cripple?
Morally, it wasn't right, but the emotion being conveyed wasn't malice—it was mischievous playfulness and affection.
Since it was essentially the air of teasing a close friend, Lee Ha-yul hid his bewildered expression.
[Oof-da-da]
[Stiiiff]
Some time later.
Lee Ha-yul swept away the last hologram and stretched both arms up wide. With the barrier modifications, all the work was finished.
"Good work."
As he had been stretching for a while, Lee Seo-yul approached from behind and placed both hands on his shoulders, massaging them.
The polite tone she had adopted for the sake of others' gazes felt unfamiliar for a moment. His body relaxed from the refreshing sensation spreading from his shoulders.
[Thank you, Seo-yul.]
[Refreshing]
Smiling wordlessly, Lee Seo-yul kneaded a few more times and then stepped back.
"Was that the last of it?"
"Yep... there's nowhere else that needs fixing right now."
Atra, who had been waiting quietly a little distance away so as not to disturb them, also came over.
Lee Ha-yul, who had lifted himself from the air, looked intently at Atra.
The wordless request in his gaze was blatant. A blush coloring her cheeks, Atra glanced around at the gathered observers.
In the end, she spread her arms slightly, and Lee Ha-yul, beaming, immediately burrowed snugly into her embrace.
"...Hrm."
The surrounding gazes were layered with shock and envy. Naturally, the most vivid gazes were Lee Seo-yul's and... Daera's.
Feeling a strange sense of superiority, Atra gently stroked Lee Ha-yul's hair.
"There, there. Was it a bit tough after pushing yourself?"
"Nnn... it wasn't tough..."
"Then why are you doing this?"
"Just, since I worked a little... this is my reward."
He buried his face in Atra's chest and slowly inhaled.
Amidst the softness and warmth filling his face, a faint, sweet milk-like scent spread.
[Softness]
[Cozy]
[Milk...]
"Child, this child? Quiet down a little... outside..."
As he breathed in Atra's body scent, the slight throbbing in his head dissolved in an instant.
Lee Ha-yul, who had been acting spoiled in Atra's arms for a while, smiled brightly.
[Resurrected!]
"...I'm glad you've got your energy back."
"You call that getting your energy back?"
Pretending to be nonchalant, Atra straightened her disheveled front. Brushing off Daera's nitpicking, she tidied Lee Ha-yul's hair for him.
"So, are we heading back now?"
[No, I'll just pop into the Tower of Observation and come back.]
"Into the Tower of Observation...?"
Bellomina, who had been waiting because it wasn't the right moment to interrupt, reacted. The other observers also opened their eyes wide and looked at Lee Ha-yul.
[It probably won't take long. A few hours at most? I'll return quickly, so in the meantime, Master, Senior Daera, and Seo-yul, please rest for a bit.]
He didn't bother telling the observers to rest.
They were so backlogged they couldn't rest even if told to.
.
.
.
The observation post was built as if encircling the Tower of Observation.
In other words, the Tower of Observation stood at the center of the observation post, on a wide, empty expanse of snowfield.
Standing before the Tower of Observation, Lee Ha-yul tilted his head.
'The Tower of Observation is gray.'
The Tower of Growth was a faintly yellowish ivory.
The Tower of Knowledge was white.
The Tower of Harmonization was sky blue.
The Tower of Space had been black.
Whether by coincidence or not, none of the colors overlapped. Entertaining such idle thoughts, Lee Ha-yul waved his hand softly to the party that had followed him this far.
[I'll be back.]
"Be very careful, just in case."
"Yep."
Atra, whose trust in the Tower Masters had significantly plummeted recently, offered a word of concern. Her worry also encompassed Lee Ha-yul's own low level of caution.
Laughing awkwardly, Lee Ha-yul waved his hand at the three of them once more, then placed his hand on the Tower of Observation.
'The walls really are thick, like the Tower of Space.'
It was indeed evidence of strong restrictions.
But not to the point where he couldn't break through. Even more so since he wasn't breaking through but simply burying himself into the wall alone.
- Shloop
As he dismantled the wall with Space Authority, his arm slid right inside the tower. As his arm was sucked in, his body followed after.
The tower's interior was the same as before.
A pitch-black, empty space like the cosmos.
The difference was that it felt even more like the cosmos than the other towers. Mana shone densely, looking just like stars.
Now practiced, he propelled his body toward the space where the Tower Master resided.
He was still feeling the sensation of drifting through space when his foot met solid ground.
- Tap
His legs touched the ground.
Lee Ha-yul absently raised his head, instantly activating observation.
Though his eyes could not see, the information was conveyed.
The ceiling was a night sky. It was similar to the space earlier, but far denser, and more varied stars shone as they drifted across it.
Star trails stretched behind the slowly moving stars.
If one were to manifest the most ideal and beautiful night sky, would it look like this?
Just the observed information alone gave such an impression; seeing it directly with his eyes would likely bring even greater emotion.
"......"
At that point, Lee Ha-yul lowered his head.
A flat floor lay beneath the constellations. At Lee Ha-yul's feet, as if it were the most natural thing in the world, there was a woman taller than him.
More precisely, she lay prostrate as if bowing her head deeply.
Black clothes that looked light and comfortable.
Hair as black as the night sky streamed down on either side of her slender waist, and her buttocks, which the hair couldn't completely cover, revealed their substantial mass even through the fabric.
Her respectfully clasped hands pressed against the ground, and her large chest was crushed against the floor, squeezed out and protruding to the side.
"F-for my... inept response... th-th, threatening your life, Lord Savior... I offer... my words of... apologyyyyy..."
The Tower Master of Observation, Ast Watchioba, murmured, trembling like a leaf. A deep terror was starkly evident in her small voice.
At the sudden situation, Lee Ha-yul shut his mouth.
'This feels like a situation I've seen a lot somewhere...'
[The Tower Master of Harmonization silently covers their ears]