The Archlich Gains Independence
Void Projection summons the original form of a devoured essence.
For Lexy, a primordial species, it was the essence of the Tyrannosaurus buried along the Kongjwi-Patjwi route.
Ark was the manifested form of an enhanced trial boss monster.
“Local reinforcement has already proven successful.”
Black Wisdom.
A skill obtained by devouring the essence of the ‘Forbidden Fruit’ that Angelus had kept hidden.
A powerful ability that investigates and analyzes the mysteries of the outer universe.
In the Land of Fire, I had analyzed Void Projection and reinforced Lexy by enveloping her in True Dragon Armor.
Since primordial species fell under the dragon category, it applied without any resistance.
“What I’m about to do this time isn’t on that small scale.”
“Thanks to the Goddess’s words.”
I glanced at the purple gem embedded in my left hand.
The Shining Trapezohedron.
A structure with twenty faces.
Each face supposedly reflected multiple dimensions.
Because it held the power to peer into every dimension, Yog-Sothoth had embedded it to observe me.
If that was the case, then at the moment I had unraveled its structure with Black Wisdom and devoured it, I could also utilize the artifact’s abilities.
“It forcibly activates powers I couldn’t handle before because my durability was insufficient.”
Before that, however, I needed to reinforce Ark the same way I had reinforced Lexy.
◈ Raise Dead — Infused
◈ Avalanche — Infused
It wasn’t like transferring skills the way I had with Lexy. The Moon Priestess was a boss monster that commanded the dead through divinity. By instilling that concept into Ark, his ability to create undead had been strengthened. The Ice Witch’s essence worked by enhancing his magical capabilities.
『Ooooooh!』
Ark’s jawbone rattled with excitement.
“We haven’t even started yet, so don’t get too noisy.”
I needed to concentrate from here on out.
Black Wisdom activated.
Peering into the mysteries of the outer universe.
Using the ability that unraveled the secrets of the outer universe, I gazed into the Shining Trapezohedron.
A wriggling malevolence. The ‘something’ dwelling inside the gem reacted to Black Wisdom. It had to be the entity that served as the origin of the Hundred Hands.
It was still fine for now. What I needed right now wasn’t the thing lurking in the abyss of the Shining Trapezohedron.
The power to reflect multiple dimensions.
I applied that force to Void Projection, granting a physical body to ‘Ark,’ who had been manifested through mana and essence.
“Huu…”
After obtaining Black Wisdom and facing the power of an Outer God, I had freed myself from corruption. Yet the moment I properly wielded the holy relic’s power, it felt like my mind and body would be crushed beneath the pressure.
I just had to endure a little longer.
Whiiiiiiing!
The Shining Trapezohedron greedily devoured my mana, then spewed an eerie light from every one of its faces. The purple radiance that spread in all directions seeped into Ark’s entire body.
『Kuhahahahahat! Power… such overflowing power!』
Physical body granted to the entity manifested through Void Projection — Ark.
Ark has become an independent existence no longer subordinate to you.
All stats increased by 20%.
Summoning and unsummoning may be performed freely. The master-servant relationship is maintained.
However, if destroyed, regeneration will be impossible.
Durability of the Shining Trapezohedron consumed: 163.
Manifesting an existence created through Void Projection was an act comparable to creation itself; it demanded an appropriate price.
I thought I had replenished some durability with the Hundred Hands, but after manifesting Ark the number had shrunk again.
“Nothing’s ever free, huh.”
An independent entity.
That phrase was the core of the manifestation technique I had developed using the Shining Trapezohedron.
Originally, beings created through Void Projection had their stats adjusted according to my own specifications. Ark, a monster on the level of the 70th floor, had suffered a stat penalty, while Lexy, a primordial species, could now exert something close to her full power.
If my own abilities rose further, they would receive reverse correction, but the important point was that they had been bound to their master’s power.
Had they broken free from that tether?
It meant Ark was no longer confined by his original limits. He could now look even higher.
His current stats were lower than his original form, so the meaning wasn’t huge yet, but the fact that he had gained room for growth was what truly mattered.
“The penalties are pretty clear too, though.”
Any being reflected into reality through the Shining Trapezohedron would vanish completely upon destruction.
『Master. If you create a Life Force Vessel, there will be no problem.』
“Not you. If I manifest Lexy and she dies, it’s permanent extinction.”
Void Projection had a cooldown of 180 days. I hadn’t realized how precious each use was. Since I didn’t have enough durability to manifest Lexy right now anyway, I would have to think about it slowly.
One more reason to use Hundred Hands on a regular basis had appeared.
“Bear with it. There’s no other choice.”
The ability to grant a real body instead of simply increasing specs with the power of the void was truly something else. I had received something incredible from Yog-Sothoth.
『There is something I wish to request.』
“Speak.”
『Now that I have received your call, maintaining my legions will no longer be an issue.』
『With the restrictions gone, I wish to rebuild the army of the dead and become your strength, Master.』
An army of the dead. He wanted to command undead in bulk, just like the ones we had faced in the Tower’s trials.
“We can’t raise undead on the island, can we?”
『That is correct. Please lead me to a battlefield where blood flows.』
There was no such place on the already cramped Korean Peninsula. I was about to rebuke Ark when a decent idea suddenly flashed through my mind.
『Master?』
“I’m thinking. Hold on for now.”
『As my Master wishes.』
If things went well, this could become a pretty good business model.
The Player Association building in Bundang.
The automatic doors slid open with a mechanical hiss, and a cacophony of voices immediately washed over me.
“The Gate that opened in Gapyeong—who’s in charge?”
“When is Special Task Force Team 1 coming back?”
“Theft that looks like it was done by a Player? Ha.”
Work, work, and more work. As an organization dedicated to Player-related affairs, their workload was piled up like a mountain.
The first floor was a lobby, not an office. Yet just listening to the conversations of the people coming and going made my head spin.
When I reached the Special Task Force department, even greater chaos greeted me.
“You said he went to Gimpo’s Janggi-dong? The Gate opened in Incheon’s Janggi-dong!”
“Team 3 has gone to support them, so they should link up soon. Just keep the Break from exploding.”
“The support team is on their way down. Please wait just a little longer.”
…….
It was a murderous atmosphere reminiscent of a battlefield. No matter how many times I saw it, I couldn’t get used to it.
“The director is inside.”
A staff member with heavy smoky makeup pointed toward the director’s office. Was having dark circles under the eyes in fashion these days? Ellen had them too. Strange times.
Inside the director’s office, a panda was hammering away at a keyboard.
“I thought I walked into a zoo.”
“If you came here to make fun of me, please leave.”
“Why are you so prickly?”
“I’m currently negotiating with the Korea Customs Service over the items the Special Task Force brought in.”
Han Suchang — Director, Special Task Force
Status: Exhausted, Overworked, Mildly Annoyed
“Why are undead even going through customs?”
“Do they breathe? Those friends of yours.”
“They’re dead, so no.”
“Then administratively they’ve been classified as goods. That’s the conclusion.”
Good grief. Undead were now being treated as imported products?
“We won’t actually charge you tariffs, so don’t worry.”
“I’m so moved I could cry.”
“I’m not joking. I stopped them from slapping tariffs on the Flame Giant corpse according to its assessed value.”
Ugh. He was serious. What a scary country. K-Customs Service, you’re amazing!
Han Suchang pulled an espresso from the coffee machine, added ice, and held it out to me.
“Wow. I’m honored. Coffee personally made by one of the Association’s key figures.”
“It’s one of my treasured capsules. Enjoy.”
Han Suchang sat back down and stared at me intently.
“The Hell Giant storage issue is almost wrapped up… What brings you here today?”
“Director. It hurts my feelings when you look at me like I’m some kind of plague god.”
“I’m just curious what kind of new workload you’ve brought this time.”
Sharp as ever. As expected of the man who rose from non-awakened administrator all the way to vice president.
“The Yeokcheon Guild has been expanding its activities across the globe lately, hasn’t it?”
“Yes. Thanks to the Special Task Force director’s efforts, our country’s international standing has risen quite a bit.”
Despite his words, Han Suchang’s face clearly read, What scheme are you cooking up now?
Wow. Did he learn mind reading or something?
“While I was staying in Europe, I heard a lot of stories.”
The ice in my glass clinked lightly.
“They say Player forces have been weakened to the point that managing Gates is already overwhelming.”
“Everything is fine except the part where you emigrate to Europe.”
“You reached that conclusion awfully fast. Who exactly are you trying to send?”
I wouldn’t gain anything by moving countries anyway.
“During my travels through Europe, I decided to contribute to world peace.”
“That doesn’t sound like a presidential campaign slogan.”
“It’s not that grandiose. I’m thinking of doing some talent donation with undead.”
Han Suchang blinked.
“…Pardon?”
“The land where a Break occurs continues to suffer erosion.”
“Yes. Monsters keep popping up like daisies.”
“There are quite a few eroded regions in East Asia as well, aren’t there?”
Siberia. And Manchuria.
During the first Great Erosion, Russia couldn’t manage all their Gates because their population was too small for their vast territory. Erosion was especially severe in sparsely populated Siberia. As for Manchuria, the Chinese government’s initial response failed, leading to massive damage. With such a large population, the Gate generation density was high, but trying to handle everything with only government-affiliated Players caused the situation to explode.
“To summarize, you’re suggesting we pour undead into Siberia and Manchuria.”
Han Suchang has entered a state of extreme mental fatigue.
“Yeah. Sounds good, right?”
“Please allow me to say one curse word.”
“If it’s an exclamation of admiration, I’ll understand.”
Han Suchang ruffled his hair wildly with both hands.
Wow. My idea must have moved him deeply for him to be this happy.
He looks like he’s writhing in agony, though.
Nonsense. It’s a dance of joy.
We could put Russia and China in our diplomatic debt while also building an image of contributing to world peace. The sense of duty must be pouring out of his pores.
After letting out a long, silent scream, Han Suchang suddenly froze.
“Did it break?”
“Please stop treating people like machines.”
“I thought maybe you had an overdose of dopamine and something bad happened.”
Han Suchang glared at me with venomous eyes.
Why are you like this, sir?
“…I’ve already coordinated with three departments just on the undead import issue.”
“I’m always grateful for Director Han’s hard work.”
“Dispatching undead to other countries will require far more coordination.”
“Wow. I’m truly thankful to have such an excellent partner.”
“Let me ask just one thing.”
Han Suchang leaned forward. A fierce light swirled in his eyes.
“What exactly do you gain by going this far?”
If I answered “world peace” here, I’d be in big trouble.
“If I turn monster corpses into undead, I can build an army of the dead.”
“In Siberia and Manchuria.”
“Those two countries won’t have to waste Player forces on erosion problems, and we obtain a powerful card.”
“You’re even keeping North Korea in mind with this move.”
North Korea had essentially entered a state of collapse. They had enforced strict control under the excuse that Player management was difficult. Nearly half their territory had been eroded during the first Great Erosion. That was why there had been no reaction from North Korea even when we did the Eldritch Dragon raid at the DMZ.
A bomb that could go off at any moment. The army of the dead would serve as a card to respond to that variable up north.
“I will bring this matter to the Association President.”
Good. Convincing Director Han was enough. He was the type who would push it through if he believed it was right.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“Next time, please bring me a lighter workload, I beg youuuuu.”
Yeah. No can do.
How could I not exploit a capable person who rose all the way to vice president through nothing but desk work?