Chapter 72

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Translator: Ace

Chapter: 72

Chapter Title: Ether Insights and the Consciousness Net

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After returning from the north, I finally had some real time to spare, so I dove headfirst into my research.

First up was the new field: Ether Exploration.

The rush of euphoria and pleasure hit me right on cue as the research wrapped up.

Along with it, knowledge about Ether flooded into my mind.

What is Ether?

Ian could now define it in a single sentence.

'Ether is the collective term for non-material forces.'

According to the info dumped into my head, mana was Ether, holy power was Ether, and even demonic energy was Ether.

Ether Exploration was the field that delved into how ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠to handle all these forces through alchemy.

...Or so it said, but that didn't really matter to Ian.

What counted was what this research let him do.

The 'Ether Exploration' field didn't unlock any game-changing recipes.

It was more like a foundational upgrade, boosting overall performance to match a master alchemist.

Understanding Ether meant better mana comprehension, and that meant getting better at alchemy itself.

'Hmm.'

A small epiphany washed over me.

I finally had a vague sense of how alchemy could synthesize things that nature never could.

Not fully, but dimly.

'Alchemy really is a branch of magic.'

After all, both shaped mysteries from mana.

The epiphany brought a mental rush—not physical pleasure, but profound satisfaction, a fullness of the mind. Ian closed his eyes and savored it for a long while.

'This must be what they mean by needing enlightenment to become a true Sword Master.'

The thought crossed his mind.

If alchemy were a mainstream discipline, this level might be called 'Alchemy Master.'

This breakthrough brought an unexpected bonus.

'Why is my mana flow so damn fast?'

Mana circulation speed was insane—at least double the norm.

What did that mean?

Casting speed for spells was at least twice as fast.

Ian tested it with Blink. In the blink of an eye—literally—his body teleported to the edge of the mansion. He jumped in surprise.

'Holy shit. This is basically instant cast.'

Thought to activation, no delay.

'Mind Sword? Nah, more like Mind Instant Kill.'

It wasn't that overpowered—dragons wouldn't drop dead from a thought.

'One more test.'

Ian headed to the backyard garden, propped up a wooden plank from the shed as a target, stepped back, and cast.

Whoosh!

Boom!

"What the hell."

It was nuts. Undeniably nuts.

No exaggeration: it formed in under a second and streaked like a laser.

Ian shook his head at the splintered wreckage of the plank.

'Power's up too.'

This was at least 4th-circle destruction level. Minimum double the output.

Partly from speed, but mostly raw mana potency boost.

'I could hang with knights now.'

Even Ian couldn't take knights lightly—they were mages' natural counters.

But this speed and power? He'd give skilled ones a run for their money.

'Maybe even Masters.'

Of course, theory only until tested.

He wrapped up magic tests and plunged back into research.

Next, after Ether Exploration...

"Ughhh."

The pleasure surge was massive—this was high-grade stuff. Bigger rush meant tougher research.

'Damn, this feels insane.'

Ian steadied his breathing. The afterglow lingered.

'No wonder I can't quit research.'

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

Consciousness Expansion got as much effort as Ether work. It was the next tech after 'Group Soul Network'.

Let's see the changes.

'Holy crap. Soul Control leveled up!'

Specialization levels were stubborn as hell—this was huge!

Soul Control now at Lv.3. Related stats boosted accordingly.

Success rates up with soul stones? Gotta test it.

But the real prize:

[Skill 'Consciousness Link' has been enhanced.]

Proficiency gains faster, higher limits, but Ian eyed the new functions.

'Finally, I can do this.'

Time to turn fantasy into reality.

Maybe.

Using Consciousness Link felt like a massive map unfolding in my mind, threads scattered everywhere. You'd gather them and link to targets.

That was before.

'What the hell is this?'

Post-Expansion, the mental map was transformed.

'Not threads... a net?'

A huge net, like from a fishing dock. House-sized.

'What am I supposed to do with this? Link with the net instead?'

No choice—only the net was there. He scooped it up and flung it over the map's creations.

Big enough to cover all.

'Did it work?'

"Ah, can you hear me?"

No response.

Wrong?

"Ddol Ddoli?"

Yep, Ddol Ddoli. But not just him.

Lara's voice—clear and bubbly, pure fairy cheer.

Arkbon's eerie monotone, flat and chilling.

Kez, panting like a creep.

'It works.'

Ian chuckled. Just linking minds felt good.

'Group chats are way more fun.'

The chaotic vibe of a party line—he'd recreated it.

Hmm.

Pretty noisy.

Arkbon stroked his smooth skull. It felt like a headache coming on.

Undead didn't get headaches—pure mental fatigue.

'Noisy.'

So noisy.

Really noisy.

A flood of voices in his head.

Not unwelcome, but exhausting nonstop.

'I can block it.'

Father taught him: cut mana supply to the mind, chat ends. Restore to resume.

Did it—silence. Arkbon sighed in relief.

'Finally.'

Now, focus. Critical moment ahead: full war with Graveborn, one of Black Wasteland's top powers.

Addressing troops:

Silence.

More silence.

The order dropped.

Thus began the war between the Black Wasteland's hottest new force, the Immortals, and one of the big three old powers, Graveborn.

"Hah... huff..."

Holy Knight Thomas staggered on, gasping. His body felt like lead.

'Damn... if I hadn't fallen behind the order...'

A week ago: Church of Light ordered his Silver Shield Paladin Order to hunt black mages who'd hit the Holy Kingdom.

Thought it'd be easy. But they slipped away every time.

Fuming, he chased. Snapped to: deep in the forbidden Black Wasteland.

'Should've turned back... wouldn't be like this... ugh.'

He pushed on. Duty first. Ache or not, he'd fulfill the mission. Capture those evildoers.

Time dragged. Demonic aura crushed him like tons of weight. Consciousness fading, just stumbling gasps.

Then.

"...Huh?"

Steps halted. Half-lidded eyes snapped wide.

"W-What's that?"

Something. Out there.

What?

'What... huff!'

Eyes fully open.

An army. Skeleton legion.

Vast ranks marching in perfect formation.

That wasn't the issue—this was their turf.

The real horror: thick demonic energy oozing from them.

And beyond.

The commander leading them.

As a holy knight, he sensed it. Immense evil radiating from that leader.

"N-No way... evil this massive..."

Instinct screamed: turn back.

One glance confirmed—he couldn't fight it.

Forget the sinners.

"G-Gotta warn them."

The Church had to know.

'Can't let it live. No matter what...!'

Too deep now, wasteland exit invisible. He ran endlessly toward it.