Chapter 218
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 218
Chapter Title: Gleipnir -1-
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[Mindscape Entry]
▷Requests permission to enter another's mindscape.
▷Real time does not pass while in the mindscape.
The phrase "requests permission" in the description of the Mindscape Entry skill.
Isn't this like knocking to ask if it's okay to enter someone's mindscape using mana?
Forcing your way in with some other skill might have its advantages.
But politely asking for permission like this feels above board, which is a huge plus in a situation like this.
"Experiencing a mindscape entry twice in one day isn't something that happens every day."
And since the targets are different, curiosity bubbles up about what the differences might be.
I channel my mana toward Gleipnir, resting on the palm of my hand, and activate [Mindscape Entry].
A faint trickle of mana drains away.
"Do I have to wait again this time?"
Not knowing how long it'll take, I activate the skill and just sit there blankly, waiting.
Chaluk! Charuruk!
Gleipnir, which had been dangling limply, suddenly thrashes about in surprise.
"Wh-whoa! What's wrong?!"
This is the first time I've seen Gleipnir wriggling around of its own accord like this.
No facial expressions or words. Just the frantic twitching of its body conveys utter bewilderment.
After flailing wildly in every direction for a while, Gleipnir gradually slackens again.
"...?"
Its utterly limp form looks like it might have given up, or like some creature overwhelmed by confusion.
"No way."
A fleeting possibility crosses my mind, just a hunch.
-It's a shy and bashful child, so don't just shove your way in.
I recall the Martial God's final words, almost like a warning.
"Did it get startled because I asked for permission to enter its mindscape without any warning...?"
Simply put, picture this scene.
It might be like showing up unannounced at the home of someone who's shy around strangers, knocking on the door, and saying, "Hey, can we chat?"
Look at it even now.
Just the tip of the chain sways irregularly, like a person stomping their feet in agitation.
"...Not happening today, huh."
I'd told myself Gleipnir was different from ordinary divine weapons.
That it had emotions, so I needed to keep that in mind. Yet here I was, screwing up in the crucial moment.
"Sorry. That was too sudden, wasn't it?"
Charak—
Seeing it in such a flustered state, maybe I should send it back after all.
But even when I nudge it toward the spatial rift in the air, it doesn't go.
"...?"
Today's full of firsts, leaving me flustered too.
"Hmm."
It won't go even when told to, and just rolls around on my palm, seemingly lost in thought.
I wait with Gleipnir perched on my hand, unable to do this or that.
And wait some more.
How much time passes like that?
Despite no physical issues, my vision starts to whirl.
Gleipnir's permission has come through.
...
...
"This is fine?"
I'd worried about the same nausea-inducing dizziness from the Martial God's mindscape hitting me.
But instead, I land softly, like sinking into a fluffy cloud of cotton.
Steadying my slightly floating mind, I look around and can't hold back an exclamation.
"Whoa...!"
If the Martial God's mindscape was like a stark white psychiatric ward,
then Gleipnir's was a soothing, near-achromatic expanse that was easy on the eyes.
Somewhere between gray and pitch black, maybe.
And it wasn't empty space either.
Chains rose intermittently, stretching endlessly into the void above.
Charuk—
"Actual chains, huh?"
Reaching out cautiously to touch one, each has a vivid texture.
From barbed chains to ones with unique link sizes.
Even chains as thin as silk cloth—every shape imaginable.
"Gleipnir? Where are you?"
No response, just my voice echoing back with a hum.
Looking around for Gleipnir, I see no distinct lifeforms or objects.
I don't know exactly where it is in this vast, complex mindscape.
But thanks to our bond of ownership, there's a vague pull drawing me.
For now, I head on foot toward what feels like the mindscape's depths.
Toward the area thick with chains like a downpour of rain.
"What does it even look like?"
Shy and bashful?
Even hearing that, Gleipnir's appearance to me has always been chains.
It might not have a gender at all—like a formless flame or lump of light.
Even if it does have a form, it probably won't resemble a human like Tero—something entirely alien.
"If it's a cute animal, I could shower it with affection."
Like Tero, a reptile with big sparkling eyes would be great.
A fluffy dog or cat would be perfect.
A majestic wolf with sleek fur or a fox with poofy fluff like a hot dog would drive an animal lover like me wild.
Excluding the novel species Tero, those are probably the popular spirit forms from games.
With swelling anticipation, I press on—and there it is.
Not single strands.
Tens of thousands of chains tangled and fused into a massive pillar.
"That's it!"
Nowhere else it could be but the mindscape's core.
Step. Step. Step.
The feeling grows stronger, quickening my steps naturally.
Gleipnir must sense it too—the sensation of us drawing closer intensifies.
The closer I get to the pillar, the stranger the atmosphere and vibe.
"...Wow."
Arriving close, the mindscape's core right before my eyes is grand and majestic.
The colossal bundle of uncountable chains stretches endlessly, like a skyscraper.
It feels like the pillar holding up Gleipnir's entire world.
Lowering my gaze, neck stiff from craning up,
I spot two lengths of iron chain, shattered at the links, lying on the ground.
"Scratches from damage...?"
Moving closer to pick them up and check the status,
Zzirit! A sharp jolt hits me.
Busureuk—
At the same time, something rustles nearby.
"It's here."
Gleipnir's hiding close by.
Not through reading presence like with qi, but a direct sense of something unseen.
Behind that massive pillar of chains.
It was hiding well, but felt this connection just like me and moved in startle.
"Hmm~"
From experience, charging in first to ease wariness is a bad move.
Best to just wait patiently for Gleipnir to come out on its own.
I stop advancing and plop down right there.
"It'll come out eventually."
As the skill description says, this is a mindscape—no time passes outside.
No rush at all, and as an adventurer, I've honed the art of waiting.
I've got permission to be here, so until Gleipnir's ready...
An hour, a day—simple as waiting it out.
"Hyup—"
I sit and pull out Count Marloi's research journal.
It's dense with tough content, so I've got a dictionary for the magical script ready too.
To truly grasp it, I start from the beginning, scribbling messy notes over unfamiliar terms to pass the time.
"Isn't this kinda cheat-level? No time passes outside?"
If I can come and go freely with permission, wasted time on books or paperwork drops near zero.
Lost in such thoughts, I'd covered about a third when...
"...Hiiiing."
Charuk. Charuruk.
Gleipnir, lurking behind the thick chains, lets out a small-animal whimper and starts moving.
I tuck the book away to match, waiting.
"Huh?"
Peeking out from behind the pillar, Gleipnir isn't some cute or noble animal.
Nor a formless light, flame, or liquid blob.
Simply...
the form of a beautiful girl.
When her master, who'd sent her away before, called her back.
She'd relaxed, thinking it was time to comfort and pamper her wounded self.
But then...
How flustered she'd been when he asked if he could enter her inner world.
In her utter shock at the unforeseen situation, she'd thrashed about wildly.
Once she'd calmed from the frenzy, an endless chain of worries.
"Wh-what do I do...?!"
Of course she wanted to meet him. She had mountains of things to say.
Stories she'd held back until now, questions she was dying to ask.
After agonizing, she finally let him into her space.
But feeling him approach the core now, she wondered if she was really ready to face him.
She could chase him out even now if she wanted... but after calling her and then kicking her away again?
That would go beyond teasing—straight-up cruel.
"Hnnn..."
Crouched behind the core, Gleipnir agonized.
Her heart flip-flopped in turmoil.
The Martial God had introduced her as shy and bashful.
But wasn't she a bundle of contradictions, too messy to wrap in such kind words?
"...He's here! ...H-he's coming!"
Her master drew steadily closer to the core.
She'd suppressed her presence to hide, but the zzirit! jolt hit when he stepped into the core's domain.
Her body shivered involuntarily,
and her draped garb rustled with a busureuk.
"...!!!"
She was definitely caught.
Master and she were aware of each other now.
"Hmm~"
Her master's voice, deep in thought.
She froze, expecting him to come her way,
but he just plopped down on the spot and started reading a book.
"... ."
That he didn't look back or come grab her was a huge relief.
But it seemed he'd wait forever like that.
"I-I have to go out, right?"
After truly agonizing forever, she steeled herself—but her legs wouldn't support her from the tension.
Stumbling as she rose, she grabbed a chain for support.
Charuk.
"...Hiiiing."
Gathering her courage, she crept out slowly—and her master stared at her with a blank face.