“What is Sinhyeok up to these days?”
I Gangyeol asked the chief researcher as he drove.
“Who knows. I hear he comes to the workshop now and then. But did you hear about the factory location? We ought to be careful with security on that one.”
Gim Hyeonsuk checked the legislator they were meeting next and gave the address.
“Turn there. We need to go to Ahyeon-dong.”
“Yeah.”
I Gangyeol spoke of the recent news he’d heard about Cha Gicheol.
“For the first phase, Gicheol’s people are keeping an eye on things, and the interior is completely covered with 5th Circle barrier magic.”
“Wow, doing that over such a wide area like it’s nothing. You must have mana to spare?”
“Yeah. Mana is the only thing I have in excess.”
Gim Hyeonsuk yawned and stretched.
“*Yaaawn.* The opposition party is more or less handled. Now is it the ruling party’s turn?”
“It won’t be easy with the President there.”
She loosened up her body as she spoke.
“Taking it easy has never been our style anyway. Let’s hurry. If words don’t work, we’ll have to convince them even if it means throwing punches.”
* * *
“Hyung, there are only four days left now.”
Sinhyeok had his head buried in ice water without a word.
He raised his hand to signal that he understood.
“How much have you made so far?”
Baek Arin asked I Chan.
“About enough for a million people?”
At that, Hong Juyeon made a surprised expression.
“You’ve done pretty well. Of course, it’s still far short.”
She picked up the potion Sinhyeok had made and looked at it again.
[Diluted Holy Water of Blessing][Rare]
=========================
A permanent physical ability enhancement potion combining diluted blessed water infused with the holy divine power of Aujar, High Elf infant formula for physical constitution improvement, and a top-grade courage potion. It awakens talent for supernatural abilities through the stable settling and permanent bonding of holy power.
By Aujar’s permission, holy power is unlocked.
※ Enables unlocking of the Holy Power stat
※ Slight physical ability increase
※ Disease healing effect
※ Enables the awakening of supernatural abilities related to Aujar in addition to holy power
=========================
“So this is something he can make.”
Sinhyeok pulled his head out of the ice water and shook off the moisture.
“Hooah. That’s a little better.”
Sinhyeok, who had been suffering from a throbbing headache, drank a blue potion and looked out over the spacious warehouse.
“Let’s get to it. No, should I rest a little longer?”
His motivation surged, only to crash back down at the absurd quantity.
Baek Arin sighed at the sight.
“Mister. You’ll really drop dead at this rate.”
Sinhyeok nodded.
“I might really.”
He plopped down on the floor and gazed at the mountain of ingredients and the piles of potions.
“How much is left now?”
“Right now, 19 million servings within four days, and 30 million servings prepared for the second phase.”
It was an enormous amount.
“We won’t use all of it, right?”
“Probably not. But you’re going to make them use it all, while barely taking their money.”
Sinhyeok smirked.
“Of course. There’s no such thing as free in this world. Anyone who says otherwise is a demon.”
His head throbbed more and more, and he flopped down on the floor.
“Ugh. The world is spinning.”
I Chan and Aujar approached to check on him.
“Hyung, are you dead?”
“Brother. Are you still among the living?”
“Not yet.”
Sinhyeok met Aujar’s eyes and was instantly drawn into his faint golden pupils.
‘Hmm.’
It was brief, but he felt something melting into him.
Sinhyeok sprang up and called for Hong Juyeon.
“The most wonderful fairy of the National Intelligence Service in the world!”
Startled by Sinhyeok’s flattery, Hong Juyeon drew her pistol.
The gleaming barrel, her eyes flashing murderously, fixed on Sinhyeok.
“Freeze! Open your mouth and I’ll put a bullet hole in your head.”
“Haha.”
Sinhyeok laughed and fled to a corner.
But she kept the gun trained on him until the very end.
“Any last words?”
“That Link method you mentioned before……”
“Haha, I’ll tell you when you die.”
She grinned.
“That would be quite difficult. And isn’t it fine since there’s no one else here?”
The moment they arrived at the factory, I Gangyeol had suddenly appeared, cautioned them, plastered the surroundings thickly with magic, and left.
Thanks to that, security was absolutely nothing to worry about.
The necessary internal personnel were at least allowed inside after inspection by Deputy Director Cha Gicheol of the NIS.
“That’s that, but why do you want the Link?”
“I just have a feeling it might work.”
“There’s no real method to it. It’s simply a matter of hearts connecting.”
“Huh? Like love?”
“Are you crazy? It’s nothing like that, just something fundamental. You have to be born with the same ability.”
At those words, Sinhyeok looked at Aujar.
“Is it possible not with the same ability, but with something I made?”
She followed Sinhyeok’s gaze.
Seeing the priest standing there, she said with a bewildered expression.
“Same energy, you mean. Same attribute, similar origin.”
“Anyway, how do you do it?”
“Just stare each other down. If you do, the mental energy in your heads will react.”
She poked Sinhyeok’s head as she spoke.
“Mental energy is in this head. In murim terms, it’s the small energy of the ‘Upper Dantian.’ It’s generally difficult to develop or train.”
“Mm. If you use ‘Link,’ is it shared with each other?”
“Yes. If used well, you can even comprehend the other person’s abilities or skills.”
Sinhyeok made a surprised expression.
“Isn’t this totally broken?”
“Most people can’t use it to that extent. Do you think people who have awakened mental energy are common?”
“Aha!”
He made a disappointed expression.
Sinhyeok looked at Aujar with a hopeful thought.
“Hmm, I think this might work.”
“What?”
Sinhyeok approached him and locked eyes.
Aujar smiled benevolently and asked.
“Do you wish to attempt this thing called Link?”
“Yes. Would it be possible?”
He smiled and spoke.
“If that is what you wish, my lord.”
“Then I ask it of you.”
Suddenly, a staring contest began.
Everyone whispered as they watched.
“What’s with them, all of a sudden? Aren’t they going to end up fighting?”
Baek Arin refuted Hong Juyeon's question.
“I think the priest will win.”
“But hyung is a little younger, you know.”
Sinhyeok warned them as they chattered.
“We’re not fighting. We’re in the middle of Linking.”
Hong Juyeon spoke with a laugh.
“If that actually works, I’ll serve you for the rest of my life, keuheuheup!”
Her stifled scoff was audible as she barely held back her laughter.
But then, the two’s gazes became identical.
Oooooong.
They revealed identically faint golden pupils.
And at the same time, a golden energy began to emanate from both sides.
Everyone focused on the sudden anomaly.
“Don’t tell me……?!”
[A hidden secret technique has been discovered.]
[You have comprehended Soul Link, the sharing of soul with soul.]
[Through Soul Link, you can partially share the target's abilities and skills.]
[Warning. The target's rank is significantly high.]
[Linked stats and skills will be restricted.]
[Link duration is 1 minute.]
Sinhyeok closed his eyes briefly and looked over the warehouse.
“Ah!”
An infinite sense of omnipotence temporarily washed over him.
His headache subsided, and he had a premonition that the synthesis which was normally so burdensome would be easy.
He immediately stretched out his hand and performed it.
[Performing Synthesis.]
[Creating a large quantity of Holy Blessing Water.]
All the ingredients synthesized in midair, and the liquid poured into containers.
The miracle lasted for one minute.
When this series of processes ended, the golden energy disappeared as well.
[Link has ended.]
“Jackpot.”
Intoxicated by the euphoria, Sinhyeok threw his hands up and cheered.
A thrill enveloped his whole body and vanished.
“This is insane……!”
Thud.
His eyes unfocused, and he collapsed on the spot.
[……A backlash occurs due to the significant difference in rank.]
“Hyung!”
“Brother!”
“You crazy!”
“Mister!”
No matter how much they called out to Sinhyeok, he didn’t respond at all.
For a while, he couldn’t open his eyes,
and only when evening came did he open his eyes trembling and get up.
“……Ah, it hurts. Everything hurts.”
From his head to his toes, he hurt as if broken.
“Hyung, are you okay?”
I Chan approached and asked.
Sinhyeok shed a single tear drop and barely spoke.
“It fucking hurts.”
Hong Juyeon sighed as she saw him awake.
“So why did you do it?”
“The backlash…… why is it so severe?”
“That’s just how it is. That’s why even those who know how don’t do it often. Afterwards, usually more than half end up crippled.”
At those words, Sinhyeok trembled.
“I-I……!”
As if to prove her words, the system warned in kind.
[Soul Link is sealed due to backlash.]
[Seal duration is 30 days.]
“Damn it.”
Sinhyeok hurriedly checked the stock.
“Arin! How’s our stock?!”
He shouted with difficulty while lying down.
Baek Arin peeked her head out and spoke.
“We hit the mark. The quantity is enough.”
Sinhyeok was relieved at those words.
“Haah. Then it’s fine. Then it’s fine.”
* * *
The residence of the ruling party leader, visited by I Gangyeol and Gim Hyeonsuk.
The two were meeting the ruling party leader and trying to persuade him for some time.
The party leader deliberately pretended not to know I Gangyeol and turned his head.
“Whatever it is, I don’t know, so leave. It’s not right for a soldier to act so disorderly and bypass all procedure like this.”
I Gangyeol suppressed his trembling rage and spoke.
“The current President’s declaration of alliance with the Demon Realm had no procedure. Were you notified in advance, Party Leader? Or did he receive prior National Assembly approval?”
The party leader flinched at those words.
But he suppressed his emotions and spoke.
“Even so…… he’s the President our party put forward. His will is our will.”
“They are demons. Not a common, intelligent, and reasonable race that happens to be called demons, but monsters. At the very least, don’t you know, Representative? Didn’t you witness that tragedy?”
The party leader flinched.
He was a fairly old politician and one of those who had witnessed the tragedy of the past S-Rank Gate.
“That Gate was also connected to the Demon Realm. It was a Gate no one knew how was closed or even handled afterwards.”
The ruling party leader sighed and gazed at I Gangyeol.
“Then is there another way?”
At the brief silence that followed, the party leader finally stood up.
“Just as you protect the country as a soldier, I protect it through politics. That’s that. I’m sorry, but I cannot.”
Gim Hyeonsuk, who had been standing by, checked the ringing notification on her phone.
She soon smiled and showed it to I Gangyeol.
The party leader opened the door and turned around to tell them to leave.
“Now…… leave.”
I Gangyeol looked at the party leader with an expression full of certainty.
“There is a way.”
“Hmm?”
To him making a puzzled expression, I Gangyeol explained the crazy scheme Sinhyeok had come up with.
“A nationwide Awakening service. An alternative to that has been found.”
“What do you mean?”
The party leader approached with a puzzled expression and demanded an explanation.
I Gangyeol showed him the PPT sent to his phone.
The party leader took out glasses from the table, put them on, and skimmed through it.
When the last slide finished, he made a peculiar expression.
He pondered, then took off his glasses with a blank expression and placed them on the table.
“A Holy Power subscription service. It certainly sounds good, great even, but it won’t do.”
I Gangyeol’s brows furrowed at the party leader’s refusal.
“Why is that?”
“The answer is, why do we even need this? It is the will of the President we elected. We must not waver. So you give up as well.”
With those absurd words, he turned around.
At that sight, I Gangyeol grew a bit frantic and frustrated.
“Assemblyman Bak Sucheol.”
“Leave. I didn’t hear any of this.”
“Everyone is already uniting their will!”
Assemblyman Bak Sucheol flinched at those words.
“In this absurd situation…… why are you silent!”
“I didn’t hear you. Our People’s Power supports the current President. That is my answer, and the direction of our party.”
When it seemed it would no longer work, Chief Researcher Gim Hyeonsuk quietly tugged at I Gangyeol’s sleeve.
“Let’s come again.”
Even so, looking at the silent party leader, I Gangyeol’s hand moved impulsively.
“Teleport.”
“Hey!”
In an instant, Bak Sucheol, the leader of People’s Power, and I Gangyeol disappeared.
“Uwaaaaah!”
I Gangyeol grabbed him and took him inside a Gate.
“W-what do you think you’re doing!”
Assemblyman Bak Sucheol trembled.
I Gangyeol held him suspended in midair and pointed below.
“Is this what the President you support wants? Is this what you so desperately wish for?”
When he looked below, inside the Gate, he could see the one-sided massacre by monsters.
A blackened orc was tearing people apart mercilessly.
Among the corpses being kicked beneath the monsters’ feet were soldiers, but there were ordinary civilians as well.
“This is Korea as it is now, and what it will become. This is what that Demon Realm you claimed to support is doing.”
He slowly turned his gaze.
Staring at Lee Gangyeol, he brought up the fate he had heard of.
“There’s no helping it! This land—no! Before long, the entire Earth will be occupied by those bastards, so we have to prepare in advance!”
Lee Gangyeol’s expression twisted at his answer.
“Who told you that?”
At the sight of him approaching so frighteningly, Assemblyman Park Sucheol flinched and waved his hands.
“The President! I heard the same thing!”
It was obvious to Lee Gangyeol whose scheme this was.
“Did the Association Chairman show you that?”
“Yes! That man showed me Korea’s future! If I wanted to survive, it was only natural that I had to do it!”
Seeing Lee Gangyeol’s hand shoot toward him, Assemblyman Park Sucheol squeezed his eyes shut and covered his face.
“If, if an Awakened hits a civilian, the penalty is aggravated!”
Tap.
Lee Gangyeol grabbed him by the collar and cast magic again.
“Teleport.”
“Aaagh!”
Space shifted once more, and Lee Gangyeol, gripping the party leader by the neck, approached the cat woman.
The party leader, dragged along as if being hauled across the ground before being thrown down, asked in shock.
“Wh-what is this!”
Lee Gangyeol looked at the cat woman with pleading eyes and asked for her understanding.
“Nyaaang. You ended up bringing him after all, nya.”
“If you have already seen it, may I ask for your help?”
“I can do that much, nya.”
She stretched and rose, then looked at Assemblyman Park Sucheol.
He flinched when he saw the cat woman.
“Wh-what are you! You monster—!”
Lee Gangyeol said quietly.
“She is the Cat Goddess who observes fate. She will show you the true nature of that fate.”
“What?”
She smiled and lightly tapped his forehead.
“Fate is nothing more than countless scenarios, nya. It is just that most of them tend to flow in a single direction, nya.”
Assemblyman Park Sucheol’s eyes went blank.
A moment later, he looked at Lee Gangyeol with unfocused eyes.
His closed mouth slowly opened.
“Th-that wasn’t the end……?”
“It is true that the Demon Realm will occupy this land. However, it has not happened yet, and there are many fates in which we win.”
He understood the true nature of fate.
“Ah, so it has not been decided yet. We are still in the process of deciding it?”
When Lee Gangyeol saw that he had understood correctly, he nodded with difficulty.
“B-Brigadier General Lee Gangyeol.”
The look in his eyes changed.
The party leader pushed himself up from the floor and made a request of Brigadier General Lee Gangyeol.
“Our party will lend its voice as well. I’ll leave the rest to you. Even if we try to stop him, the President will push ahead on his own.”
“Understood.”
Lee Gangyeol took him and returned to the mansion.
She glared at Lee Gangyeol, who had disappeared.
“It ended well.”
“It ended well.”
* * *
The two quietly left the mansion.
They got into the vehicle side by side and immediately called someone.
“Gicheol. The persuasion is over. Approach all of them and coordinate the differences in opinion.”
“Yeah, yeah. Okay.”
Lee Gangyeol hung up and smiled meaningfully.
Seeing that smile, Kim Hyeonsuk reclined her seat and stretched.
“Nngh. Now tell Sinhyeok to take care of the rest himself. Haaam.”