Chapter 192: Miracle. (2)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 192: Miracle. (2)
Strictly speaking, what has appeared in the sea right now isn’t a Dragon Vein.
A Dragon Vein is simply a special geographical feature formed by an abundance of mana, and a Mana Spring is merely a location where that mana gathers with particular intensity. However, the fortuitous encounter manifesting before our eyes is a treasure among treasures, incomparable to such things.
It is a nest created by a deity, born from the concentrated essence of all creation—the stars, or rather, the world itself.
It is a sanctuary a god crafted to prevent their own power from ravaging the surroundings.
Absorbing even a fraction of this energy would yield an effect similar to monopolizing an entire Dragon Vein.
Normally, the Twelve Zodiacs would seize this place and dye the ignorant spirit within with evil, but naturally, those who have already been erased won’t be showing up again.
This means that, under normal circumstances, I should be able to absorb this miracle without any particular interference.
[-Intervention by the Creator confirmed. The timing and content of the current episode have been altered.]
[-Please proceed with caution.]
The System—no, the Lord of Myriad Worlds—sent me a warning.
Of course, things in this world never go that smoothly.
“Yeah, I’m sure she wouldn’t want to miss this.”
I don’t know how many Calamity-class villains Seo-ha has taken as subordinates or how strong they are, but I’m certain of one thing: they are weaker than the entity inside that nest.
The being within was born with the destiny to possess the greatest power in this world from birth, yet it is a deity that has not been assigned a role.
It is powerful yet ignorant, capable of becoming anything, and therefore more dangerous than anything else.
In the original work, after the Twelve Zodiacs secured the pure spirit that knew nothing, they taught it malice first, then filth, and then every other ugly thing in the world in succession.
Once the spirit gained a sense of purpose, they trained it in the means of destruction, eventually raising it into the final boss that sought to destroy everything in existence.
The only problem was that they couldn’t control the evil god they had created.
As a price for daring to touch something they couldn’t handle, they suffered immense damage instead.
In the world before my regression, I tried to seize its power, but an accident occurred, and I failed to take it all.
Anyway, to put it simply, the being born there is an entity that, at least in this world, would find no equal. Naturally, Seo-ha would be desperate to make it an ally.
It is a being that was originally meant to be the final boss of this world.
If it joins Seo-ha’s side, it leads to destruction; if we can make it our ally, we can leap straight to a happy ending.
“So, you’re saying the original reason you came here was because you got information that a Dragon Vein might appear, and you were here for a preliminary investigation?”
“Yes, Professor. But putting aside the fact that it appeared sooner than expected, it seems what actually showed up isn’t a Dragon Vein, but a dungeon.”
I considered how to deceive her at first, but I decided to just be honest.
Professor Cathy is an A-rank Hero, so she has the right to enter and clear unofficial dungeons or those she gets caught in without facing punishment.
Honestly, I wished she would just suggest we go in, but given her personality, she would likely judge the dungeon to be dangerous and stop us from entering.
“It’s too dangerous. I cannot allow you to enter a dungeon with no rank or information.”
Yeah, I figured as much.
But I can’t let this slip away. If I want to monopolize it before the Association or other hunters catch wind of it, now is the only time.
So, swallowing my tears, I decided to use Plan B.
Actually, I had already asked Rose that if Professor Cathy adamantly refused, she should put on a mask and kidnap me the moment I gave the signal.
Rose mentioned that since she’s plant-based, she can even change her hair color!
In truth, I was being a bit careless at this point.
I should have been more on guard the moment the dungeon entrance, which usually appears in the deep sea, showed itself on the surface.
Even if it hadn’t turned the entire surrounding area into a dungeon, the fact that it appeared at a different time than in the original should have made me wary.
But like an idiot, I let my guard down. Intending to create some distance so Rose could kidnap me easily, I backed away toward the dungeon.
At that moment, with a sharp whoosh, something coiled around my body.
A lasso made of mana…? What is this?
“…So-hyun!”
“Hey!”
By the time I realized what was happening, it was too late. With a sudden sensation of floating, I was being dragged into the dungeon entrance.
…This is strange. Can things really change this much? They should all take after their master and be non-hostile at first. Why are they suddenly kidnapping people?
Even when I was laying waste to this place before my regression, the dungeon residents couldn’t even bring themselves to attack me, only whimpering and failing to resist.
The dungeon entrance was even closing now, as if satisfied just by capturing me.
Ah, wait a second. If I’m dragged away like this, everyone will worry.
The people running toward me were each drawing their weapons and radiating energy, but it looked like the dungeon entrance would close faster.
Judging by the strange sense of dissonance, even if they broke the entrance from the outside and came in, they would likely be connected to a different location than this one.
“I’m fine…”
Ah, I should have said more, but it closed.
I only intended to pretend to be kidnapped, but I actually got kidnapped for real…?
Anyway, since it was a sudden abduction and things had gone completely differently from the plan, I should have been flustered, but strangely, I wasn’t that surprised.
I wasn’t particularly worried.
I have my artifacts stored in my pseudo-inventory at all times, so that’s not an issue, and maybe it’s because I don’t feel like I’d lose even if I fought?
No, that wasn’t it.
It was simply because I couldn’t feel anything that could be called hostility from this mana pulling me.
How should I put it? Rather than wanting to kidnap me, it felt more like they chose this method because they didn’t know any other way.
I wonder how long I was dragged.
As I reached the destination, my body floated up, and I landed without any impact.
“What, the entrance changed so I was worried, but the inside is almost the same.”
The culprit who kidnapped me was an old acquaintance… well, not exactly, but a being I had killed before my regression.
A giant made entirely of mana.
A monster that looked to be three meters tall just standing there.
It had a simple, crude form, as if a child had molded it from clay, but judging by the strength I felt when it kidnapped me just now, it couldn’t be called weak.
[Found… you.]
The sound it made wasn’t language, but the meaning of what it wanted to say was conveyed directly.
When I had stabbed the Twelve Zodiacs in the back and found this dungeon before my regression, this guy was the first to greet me then, too.
What did he say when I first saw him back then?
— A… guest? Welcome… Glad… you’re here.
Ah, right. Back then, I had come looking for them unilaterally, so I had driven my blade into the guy as he waddled toward me.
— Ah, it… hurts. Sorry… I… apologize.
Not exactly a pleasant memory.
Since his emotions and words were conveyed directly, and he didn’t even resist despite being strangely sturdy, I remember thinking he was a nuisance.
Even back then, it wasn’t a very pleasant memory when I had to cut him to pieces after he finally tried to do something upon realizing my goal was to harm his master.
“You found me, you say.”
Now, he spoke in a clumsy manner, saying he found me.
Was I the target from the beginning? If so, what is he after? Why didn’t he harbor any hostility?
[Want… Master… knowledge.]
“…What?”
Hmm, he spoke more fluently than this when I found him before. Then again, the master of this place must be like a newborn baby right now.
How impressive could the beings created by a newborn following its instincts be?
[Want… Master… knowledge.]
“I heard that just now. So, you’re saying your master wants to know more knowledge?”
[That… is so. Most… similar. You. To Master.]
…I’m similar to your master? I doubt it.
For a very brief moment.
I was worried that maybe this guy remembered his past life.
A delusion that he might have carried his past grudge into this world and was trying to take revenge on me.
If that were the case, would I have been able to fight him?
“…Well, it works out for me, since this was my intention anyway.”
However, I felt a bit sorry.
He doesn’t remember, but I am his enemy, and the enemy of his master as well.
Watching him lead me to his master again, I couldn’t help but feel pity.
It’s not much of a reward, but at least this time, your master won’t turn into an evil spirit.
I promise you. I will show your master more than just the ugly side and the wickedness of the world.
I will show the beauty and the wonderful things I finally found in this godforsaken world—the things I am certain are worth protecting in this soft, fragile world.
* * *
How long did I walk after that?
It was situated in the deepest part of the dungeon, as if it were sealed.
Since this dungeon was created because that entity didn’t want to harm its surroundings, it should indeed be viewed as a seal.
It was a black mass that looked like a slime.
A pure divine presence without a form, not yet knowing how to define itself.
A deity that deserved the world’s blessing but had no role because there was no place for it.
It showed interest in me with a small wiggle, and without hesitation, I spoke to the Authority residing in my heart for the first time in a long while.
“Now then, this is the person who’s going to be our master, so give me a hand.”
That’s right, Giant. This time, your master will absolutely not die.
Though, they’ll have to become an absolute ruler who reigns over the world instead…!
[…Mistake?]
The Giant, who should have no knowledge, tilted his head and looked at me as if he had made a mistake.
Uh-uh, no take-backs. Who told you to kidnap me!?
The passage forged through the Authority connected me and the deity, and my consciousness began to flow in.
[What is this?]
Oh, it shouldn’t have even seen a living creature other than fish yet, but it seemed to have learned language first the moment it connected with me.
“Hello?”
[Greeting. This is a greeting.]
“Yes, that’s right. I’ve come to teach you the things you don’t know yet.”
[I have many things I’m curious about.]
“Yes, I’ll answer all of them. We have plenty of time, so I’ll explain everything slowly and in detail.”
It’s not much different from dealing with a child.
It’s just a matter of explaining things to a child who knows nothing yet.
* * *
“We don’t have time for this! I’m telling you, we have to go in now!”
That was right. Time was pressing. Several minutes had already passed since he was sucked into the dungeon.
Kang Ha-ni wanted to ignore everyone who was stalling and enter the dungeon entrance alone, but she was only holding back because she knew rescuing him without the help of others wouldn’t be easy.
For the record, not only herself but also the Professor and Ga-eul shared the same opinion, but Lilac and Cheon Yu-hak were being frustrating, insisting they needed more definitive combat power.
“He’s the type to be more cautious.”
“I know you’re worried about So-hyun. But I absolutely cannot allow you to charge into enemy territory while you’re emotional. You’re not going in until you’ve calmed down.”
“Who are you to give orders? The person in charge here is the Professor.”
Ah, I shouldn’t talk like this, but the words are coming out harsh.
“Whew, I’m not saying we won’t go in. But honestly, I can’t take non-combatants into a dungeon where he was kidnapped without being able to put up any resistance. It means our strength alone won’t be enough.”
“And what if we’re too late like last time…!”
Lilac’s expression contorted.
He must know as well—that both sides had valid points.
Honestly, he also wanted to rush into the dungeon right this second.
The image of So-hyun dying in the Alchemist of the Rose’s dungeon was still vivid in his mind, and he didn’t want to abandon his friend.
But could he dare to push his friends into a place that might be a death trap based on his own judgment?
“So-hyun…”
What would his friend, who was always so full of himself, have done in this situation?
Surely, he would have come up with a brilliant move that Lilac couldn’t even imagine.
“You’re hesitating, boy.”
“Huh?”
“Do you perhaps need my help?”
Before they knew it, that man was standing in front of them.
“It seems the boy I’ve picked as my successor has been dragged into a dungeon, so why are you hesitating?”
“That’s because… that dungeon is unverified, and the rank isn’t certain…”
“No, that’s not it. You’re weighing things right now. Whether you can ask everyone to risk their lives to save one person, and whether it’s okay to ask others to follow you.”
“…Ugh.”
“Boy. Such things aren’t for you to agonize over alone. Don’t keep it bottled up; speak it out first.”
“Pardon?”
“Do your comrades look like people who would give up on you, or your friend? They look like they want to go in right this instant.”
“But with just us…”
“What of it? I’ll go with you.”
“…What?”
The Legendary Farmer, Ban Gi-san.
He shouted confidently, his muscles rippling.
“The things I usually do might be a bit much, but for now, my hero license hasn’t been suspended yet! A hero is one who helps those in crisis and crushes that crisis. Naturally, if I can help, I will.”
Lilac looked at the others in a bit of a daze, but putting aside the fact that he was a strange person, his skill was undeniable. Since they weren’t in a position to be picky, they eventually nodded.
“Now, the rescue team sets off…!”
It was news that would have made Kang So-hyun faint if he had heard it.