Chapter 128 “Your Thing...? What Do You Mean Yours?”
After Baek Yiheon left, Isabel Silver stared at me in disbelief and asked,
“What, killing two birds with one stone. First, we'll recover the Fairy’s Eye from that guy, then head to the Veil. Your leader just needs to permit me to use that gem, right? Isn't that so?”
She couldn't muster any real counterargument to my words. She probably figured retrieving the gem took priority.
“Yeomhwa-ryeong.”
“Yes, Master!”
The Hidden Eater couldn't hide her shock at the flame spirit's appearance as she looked at me.
“You help Baek Yiheon investigate the forest too. If there are any other humans in the woods besides us, report it to me immediately.”
“Ahem... I can do it, but your divine power hasn't recovered yet, Master. If I use my abilities, it'll consume stamina instead. Is that okay?”
This was why dominating a subordinate god was crucial. While summoning required less divine power, if the summoner used divine arts, it would naturally dispel when divine power ran low. But when the subordinate god used them independently, they could continue even without the master's divine power—drawing from stamina, mana, and even vitality instead. If mishandled, it could lead to total exhaustion and death.
There was a way to unsummon, but if it kept using divine arts despite the master's command, it likely meant it had broken free of domination.
Strong gods are great, but what's more important is how well you can control them.
And the same went for Black Eye's kin-devouring ability.
“Doesn't matter. Just keep it moderate and gauge it yourself. I'll unsummon you if it gets dangerous.”
This wasn't a combat situation, so as long as we stayed within limits, it should be fine. Plus, as a lesser god, Yeomhwa-ryeong wouldn't drain too much stamina, making her perfect for scouting Geshutalt.
“Yes! Understood!”
Yeomhwa-ryeong put on a deliberately serious face, nodded slowly, and began flapping her wings.
Yeomhwa-ryeong uses Fire Command.
Whoosh—!
Flames erupted across her body in an instant, and she shot toward a shattered window of Geshutalt at tremendous speed.
“W-what the hell is that!?”
Unlike her usual calm demeanor, Isabel Silver recoiled in shock at the sight of Yeomhwa-ryeong, grabbing my arm and yelling as if she'd forgotten her pain.
“One of my subordinate gods. The deity who guarded the eternal flame of Muhama Plateau. Though unintentionally, that flame caused the cold air from the plateau's midsection to blanket the forest...”
“Sorry my ass. Without you, the forest and the whole area would've turned into an ice wasteland. She ought to be grateful. Looks like she got hit by Yukhap poison while we were on the plateau—better to freeze than die from venom.”
Baek Yiheon glanced indifferently at Isabel and remarked in a bored tone.
“First divine beasts, now gods... I got nothing.”
Isabel shook her head.
“Rest up a bit. I need to look into a few things. Can't move right now anyway.”
“Looking for what?”
“I came here originally for info on the lost gnome kingdom. Norpa said it might be here.”
“...”
“And I think I've found it. If the Fairy’s Eye is a fairy-gnome collaboration, there should be clues there.”
“So now?”
“Geshutalt's library was built by elves who inherited the Fairy King's knowledge. Each room symbolizes runes beloved by elves: Ur for destruction magic, Ansur for protection, and in Lagu's room, you might gain a new trait if you're lucky.”
Shrrk—!
I skimmed the covers of thick books scattered on the floor.
The Light of the WorldStudies in Essence MagicIntroduction to Natural Defense
“The Fairy King left his visions here for the elves. In terms of magical depth, he probably surpassed even Elvenheim's royal line.”
“Stop beating around the bush and just say what you're looking for here.”
Sharp as ever, Isabel sensed I was after something even she, a Veil member, didn't know about.
“Elves receive blessings from the God of the Veil, but the Fairy King was nearly a demigod himself. His knowledge is pure magic scholarship.”
“Fairy King's magic isn't for humans. If it were, Veil successors would've learned it first.”
“Right. Fairy magic is spirit arts and sorcery. Both stem from the Fairy King, so it's no wonder Mutsa covets the Fairy’s Eye. Yulmun's secret arts are in the same vein.”
“But you haven't learned spirit arts or sorcery. No matter how great the Fairy King's spells, if you can't use them, they're useless.”
“True. I can't learn them.”
Whoosh—!
At that moment, Black Eye appeared.
“The Fairy King's tomes are artifacts infused with his power. You get what I'm saying, right?”
I picked up one of the scattered books: Studies in Essence Magic.
Grade: Heroic
Type: Book
Durability: 5/100
Usable Level: 1+
An ancient tome recording part of Fairy King Mirage's fairy sorcery. However, without fairy-specific sorcery aptitude, it cannot be used or even read.
“W-wait... no way...”
“Can't learn it, but I can absorb the relic and devour the Fairy King's power inside.”
Isabel's face paled at my words.
“You're gonna eat the Fairy King's books!?”
Crunch—
Right in front of her stunned face, Black Eye demonstratively tore into the Studies in Essence Magic I'd tossed like it was meat.
Absorbing Fairy King’s tome Studies in Essence Magic.
The spirit power within has faded over long storage, leaving only trace amounts.
Absorbed spirit power converts to divine beast power.
Conversion will take a short time.
“...This mad bastard.”
The Hidden Eater cursed involuntarily while staring at Black Eye.
“Do you know how valuable these ancient tomes are!?”
“I do. That's why I'm using them for something this important. With all divine beasts extinct and spirits hard to find, this is the best way to boost Black Eye's divine beast power.”
Fully absorbed Studies in Essence Magic.
Absorbed spirit power (2) converts to divine beast power (2).
Acquired divine beast power (2).
It didn't take long, just as the alert said.
“Hmm... A Heroic book only gives 2? This one's got Fairy King Mirage's fog magic specialty—one of the most important in Geshutalt. Guess it's more about residual mana than content. Better to find fresher books.”
“Hmm... Eating books isn't pleasant... but if this hack boosts divine beast power, it's not bad. And I can check if it raises kin-devouring control too. Plenty to eat here.”
“Yeah? Music to my ears. Let's find a few more worthwhile ones.”
I nodded at Black Eye and began rummaging through the book piles. They were jumbled everywhere, probably from the search for the Fairy’s Eye.
“S-stop!!”
Isabel yelled at me, her voice trembling. Her uncovered cheek was flushed with panic.
“Geshutalt's books belong to the Veil now! You can't just feed them to that thing!”
She snatched the book I'd just picked up and shouted.
“Geshutalt's Elvenheim's, not the Veil's. Even if your leader's from Elvenheim's royal blood, that kingdom fell like the dwarves'.”
“Still, as Elvenheim royalty's property, it belongs to rightful heir Asera Tanubiel.”
Isabel glared at me.
“That's only if the nation's around. And what's wrong with using unlearnable books for something more valuable?”
“Don't be ridiculous. If you wanna feed that blue monster, come to the Veil and get Asera's permission. Until then, not a single volume.”
“...Wonder who's being ridiculous.”
I shook my head.
Well, even if I meet Asera, she's not interested in Geshutalt, so coming back after the Fairy’s Eye won't be an issue.
The Hidden Eater didn't seem to know her leader's personality yet. The Veil was shrouded in mystery, but fortunately, I'd met their leader Asera Tanubiel once.
Probably... fifth or sixth dream loop?
Remembering every detail across loops was tough, but I recalled the big events. I couldn't pinpoint meeting the Veil's leader because she hadn't helped much against the Destroyer.
While dying repeatedly to the Destroyer, I realized humans alone couldn't oppose the Calamity. Before unifying the continent, I sought out those with special powers.
The Veil and Yulmun were candidates, but both refused coldly. Yulmun didn't want to aid an enemy state, but the Veil's reason was absurd: no interest in continental affairs.
If I meet her again this time... maybe I'll learn why.
Fitting for Veil God followers, but the world had to exist for gods and faithful to persist—her choice still baffled me.
“Anyway, no more. I'm grateful you saved my life, but guarding Geshutalt's tomes is one of my duties too.”
“Hmm.”
Ignoring her injury and force-feeding Black Eye was easy, but to meet Asera Tanubiel beyond just the Fairy’s Eye, no need to burn bridges with her Veil connection. Plus, Namgung Yun factored in.
One step back for two forward. I shrugged and said,
“Fine. But reading while we wait should be okay, right?”
“...”
Isabel didn't object to that much.
Amid the empty shelves with books spilled everywhere, one lone volume stood out in the center.
Swish—
I pulled the last remaining book from the shelf.
Rumble... creak...
Then it happened.
“...Huh?”
As the book slid halfway out, a lock disengaged beneath the broken shelf—like it had wheels.
Click—
I nudged the shelf, and it slid aside.
Discovered remnants of the shifted Aynheri.
The moment the alerts appeared, I looked at Isabel Silver. Her expression showed she knew nothing of Geshutalt's hidden spot either.
Enter?
I pointed at the alert before us and nodded for her to follow.
“Let's go in.”