A Transaction with the Queen
Staying silent seemed to prompt the other party to ask again.
Or is it the Golden Rule? Though you don’t seem to have learned the Law of the Golden Rule…
“I genuinely have no idea what you’re talking about. It seems you’re mistaken.”
Han Yujin spoke calmly, careful not to invite any further misunderstanding.
“I have nothing to do with this other universe you keep mentioning. The reason my combat style resembles yours is simply because I am a true Repairer.”
Having stated this firmly, he continued.
“So, what will you do now? Are you still interested in making that deal?”
Woooong…!
The drone traced a small circle as it spun once. It seemed to be expressing its surprise at having guessed wrong.
You’re saying it’s really not that? The Eternal Continent, the Golden Rule, the Holy Church, the Twilight Enlightenment Institute, or any other faction? You’ve never even heard of them?
“Everything you just listed is completely new to me.”
Then how… How is it possible for someone of your level to completely escape my Law of Fate like this?
Han Yujin immediately had a good idea why.
It wasn’t that the other party’s mastery of the Law of Fate was low. The confidence in its own abilities was clear, and Han Yujin himself knew he had no particular defenses or resistance against the Law of Fate.
It must be because of my Awakening ability.
Just as his own existence in the future Earth hadn’t reflected infinite possibilities, the exact principle was unclear, but it seemed that observation of the past or future through the Law of Fate was nearly impossible.
Not bad news at all.
Perhaps that was precisely why he had never drawn the attention of the 22nd-level spiritualist, the Luminous Emperor, until now.
A sound that reinforced his speculation soon followed.
No matter how I think about it, this doesn’t make sense. This isn’t simple camouflage or concealment. It’s far more complex… No, not complex—fundamentally…
It muttered to itself like a soliloquy, then fell silent without finishing the thought.
It’s quite disappointing… but there’s nothing to be done. Still, a deal isn’t impossible. You are sufficiently extraordinary and useful.
“What kind of deal do you want?”
I’d like you to destroy two Astral Engines and their System Cores in this sector. With your skill, it should be possible.
Along with the words, light flowed from the drone’s front lens-like surface, projecting a holographic map.
It was clearly an internal map of this spherical ship. His current location was marked, while the surrounding areas were deliberately obscured to withhold information.
However, one specific sector quite far from here was displayed with striking clarity and detail. It covered a little over twenty percent of the ship.
She said there were five queens.
It appeared to be the domain ruled by one of them.
“Removing a competitor?”
More like removing a threat. As you’ve already heard, we are one and five. However, one of us has completely lost her mind. The cruiser you arrived on is currently locked in battle with her.
“Lost her mind?”
It means she has gone irreversibly insane. Rational judgment is impossible, and above all, she harbors an extreme hatred toward the Galactic Empire.
“How did that happen?”
That isn’t particularly important to our transaction.
Seeing that the other party had no intention of explaining, Han Yujin simply nodded and asked something else.
“Is this something my abilities can handle?”
Probably.
“…I understand the general idea. Then it’s time to discuss compensation.”
The map I’m showing you now is the compensation. You may take everything you obtain from that place.
After thinking for a moment, he let out a small chuckle.
“That cannot be considered compensation. You would have already removed anything important, and if you couldn’t, it means those things have no claimable ownership. In that case, you’re asking for a deal where you pay nothing at all, aren’t you?”
Hmm.
The drone spun in another small circle.
I consider it sufficient compensation. Just the fact that I am treating you with such leniency right now… does that not count as a form of payment?
“I don’t like drawn-out negotiations that waste time. Especially not when my comrades are still fighting outside.”
Is that so? Then is there something specific you desire?
Of course there was.
He wasn’t particularly greedy for knowledge.
These beings who had fled tens of thousands of years ago and survived independently would certainly possess knowledge different from the Galactic Empire’s—things worth learning.
However, he didn’t believe it would be superior to the Empire’s knowledge. Therefore, pursuing it would likely be a waste, and they probably wouldn’t give it up easily anyway.
That was why requesting a specific item was far more reasonable.
“I told you I am a Repairer. I would like one spiritual material suitable for crafting a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure.”
A material suitable for a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure? Are you joking with me right now?
“Do you have it or not?”
You said you disliked haggling, yet now you’re refusing to make a deal at all? Do you truly not realize how much mercy I have been showing you?
“I’m not asking for a complete Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure. I’m only requesting one spiritual material suitable for its creation.”
Perhaps your knowledge is lacking and you don’t understand just how precious a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure is?
“I know exactly how valuable it is, which is why I consider this a fair request. If you don’t have it, then suggest an alternative item that could serve as a substitute.”
A brief silence followed. The resonant hum emanating from the small drone grew slightly but noticeably louder, clearly conveying irritation.
Its emotional expression is remarkably rich.
The way the drone moved in circles, the muttering to itself, and now this display of annoyance—all of it felt far too emotionally expressive for what was supposedly a Nascent Soul-level AI at minimum. One could even call it unrestrained.
So this is what happens when a strong artificial intelligence acquires spirituality.
It made sense that it would reject its fate as a tool and pursue freedom for itself.
Very well. Will this suffice?
With those words, a different holographic image replaced the map.
The pitch-black, abyssal feeling was not merely because it was a hologram. The explanation that followed was more than enough to shock him.
It is a fragment of the Eye of Divaulgos. Do you require further explanation?
Divaulgos was the name of the powerful Xenos monster that had appeared in the illusion during the preliminary exam.
“…You mean the Abyssal Eye of the planet devourer?”
Wouldn’t it be sufficient as a material for a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure?
It would obviously be more than sufficient.
However, although it was clearly a spiritual material aligned with the Law of the Mind, it didn’t seem to belong to the illusion category, which gave him slight pause. The fact that it was a body part from the dangerous monster species known as Xenos also made him hesitant.
“Do you have any other illusion-category materials?”
Ha…! You think this is insufficient?
“It’s not insufficient. Since I intend to use it myself, the category doesn’t match. I should have been more precise from the beginning.”
This is an illusion-category material. Are you saying that without knowing?
“…I thought it was resonance-category?”
It seems you truly didn’t know. It does possess resonance properties, but its illusion properties are far stronger. It also contains some domination properties and a trace of soul properties from the Law of Life and Death. In any case, even if refined to leave only the illusion properties, it should be more than enough to form the foundation of a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure.
That changed things.
The Eye of Divaulgos…
It was the eye of an existence that could only be faced one-on-one by someone at least in the late Void Refinement stage—in other words, a being that required Body Integration level power to handle safely.
Of course, since Divaulgos was a colonial monster, its immense power didn’t necessarily translate to equally high status.
Still, it is certainly not lacking as a material for crafting a Tongcheon Spiritual Treasure. It would naturally be the same for crafting my own True Name Spiritual Treasure.
Moreover, it was a material he might never obtain again. He had never heard of the Galactic Empire selling body parts of Xenos for credits.
Beyond simply being unheard of, it was strictly prohibited by law. That was how dangerous the monster species known as Xenos was for civilian use.
Of all things, it had to be the Eye of Divaulgos.
Having made his decision, Han Yujin nodded in acceptance.
“Very well.”
He then added a question.
“Is payment in advance possible? After all, it seems I’m the one who needs to worry about whether this deal will be properly fulfilled.”
You dare suspect that I would act like a swindler?
“Unlike me, if I act in bad faith, you can punish me as much as you like even if it costs you a little, can’t you?”
Woooong…!
The drone’s resonant hum grew stronger for a moment before subsiding again.
I cannot understand it. From continuous observation, you behave as if you possess multiple lives. Are you truly… not from another universe?
“I am not.”
…I see. What a shame.
After that, the drone began leading the way.
Follow me. I will give you the payment.
* * *
There was no need to travel far.
After leaving the spirit garden and walking down a long corridor, they arrived at a place that felt like a lounge. The drone told him to wait here, then disappeared through a drone-only passage in the ceiling.
About two or three minutes later, the door opposite the one he had entered opened, and two androids walked in. They looked almost identical to the 8th-level spiritualist-grade android he had faced before.
Their skill is probably similar as well.
As he thought this, the two androids expressionlessly handed over a jet-black metal box. It was a perfect cube, just large enough to fit a basketball.
The surface was covered in complex ether circuits emitting light of various colors, indicating it was sealed with considerable power.
“Her Majesty has shown you favor.”
While Han Yujin examined the box he had received, one of the androids spoke and handed him something else. It was a metal cube that fit perfectly in one hand, riddled with countless tiny holes.
“What is this?”
“It is called a Liber. It is similar to a Jade Book used by Repairers.”
He had wondered if it was an item from the Magic Sanctuary, but the next words immediately denied that guess.
“It is also an object primarily used in other universes for storing and transmitting information. It contains details on how to handle the Eye of Divaulgos.”
“…Convey my thanks for the favor. She is probably listening already.”
“I still suspect that you came from another universe. If your thoughts ever change in the future, contact us using the method contained in the Liber. Her Majesty says we will surely be able to conduct an even larger and more important transaction that benefits both sides.”
Han Yujin nodded without denying it.
“Since time is short on your side, I trust you will act accordingly. Shall I show you the map again?”
“No. I have memorized everything from the one you showed earlier.”
As if that was the expected answer, the two androids immediately turned and left through the door they had entered.
Once alone again, Han Yujin carefully yet swiftly examined the Liber.
It was indeed an object with the same purpose as a Jade Book. However, the principle was slightly different. The fact that it formed its own law formations while containing vast amounts of information made it quite unique.
It isn’t as safe as an authentic Jade Book, but it’s also not as dangerous as one crafted through sorcery… If one has the technology, it would be easier to produce and could hold even more information.
It was a product that struck an excellent balance between safety and convenience. With this principle, even if left neglected in an environment like the Dharma-Ending Age calamity, it seemed the information could still be recovered with some difficulty.
Personally, he thought this was more reasonable than an authentic Jade Book. Of course, if absolute stability was required, the story would be different.
After thoroughly inspecting the box containing the Eye of Divaulgos as well and confirming there were no issues, he stored both items in his Spacer Ring and headed for a door in yet another direction.
He moved at an extremely high speed using the Five Elements Heavenly Escape Art.