Divinity (1)
The spark of war that could have plunged the entire continent into endless suffering once more.
After an ultra-wide-range mental wave that erupted from somewhere doused it in cold water, the situation began to be resolved in an orderly and rapid manner.
To begin with, this war itself had largely been forced through amid the confusion in each nation’s upper echelons, so once both sides withdrew their armies and attempted dialogue again, it proceeded without much difficulty.
In any case, it was true that the matter had been concluded without any casualties before it could become a catastrophe, and both sides also had some understanding of the circumstances behind this incident.
Thus, starting with the three-party meeting, the political situation quickly regained stability.
Not all conflicts had been resolved, but no one continued to call for war.
They had no choice.
After all...
“Absurd! How many practitioners were present there? How could such a thing be possible?”
“Hmm, if there had only been low-ranking practitioners there, I might understand, but... I heard there were also many general-class deep-level practitioners present. Yet to suppress all of them at once merely by emitting thought is a little...”
“Even a Heaven’s Gate practitioner would find such a miracle difficult without thorough preparations. And you’re saying it was a deep-level practitioner?”
“If he’s an otherworlder, you never know. Those people have all sorts of outlandish abilities. So what did you say his name was?”
“Hoon, was it...? It seems he is the secret weapon the Yun clan has been hiding.”
A new variable had appeared, one that could not simply be ignored if they insisted on pushing the war to the bitter end.
The source of the ultra-wide-range mental wave that had covered the Yun clan’s territory.
A mysterious being who, by his strength alone, had stopped a war just as it was breaking out.
There were far too many consistent testimonies about him for them not to believe it.
This time, he had used that power to stop the war, but if he were to participate in the war directly, what kind of ripple effect would he bring about?
And what if he were to go so far as to open the Heaven’s Gate?
Regardless of the situation’s resolution, it was inevitable that the unknown figure called “Hoon” would become a topic of discussion.
Not only in Hongsan-guk and Cheonghae-guk, but also within the Seongcheon Yun clan itself, debates about him continued day after day.
“Ms. Lucette? You look very tired.”
“Whew, it can’t be helped. Even so, I’m much better now. In the beginning, it was truly...”
Lucette, who had been spending busy days as a deep-level practitioner and one of the Seongcheon Yun clan’s core members, had come to visit Hoon as part of that flow.
The Yun clan also felt the need to maintain even closer ties with him through her, who had a personal friendship with him.
“They say everyone who showed abnormal behavior has been isolated and is undergoing a separate purification process. The ‘Delusion’ that caused the confusion may be difficult to detect early, but once it activates and symptoms appear, it isn’t that hard to identify. Of course, the same applies to the generals who led their armies in.”
“Hmm, I see. It’s fortunate they can be treated, at least.”
“Fortunately, no additional infected have appeared in our Yun clan. Since there was also the previous raid, it seems they must have used them all up then.”
Hoon nodded at the explanation that came up during their conversation.
Of course, the reason no additional infected had appeared in the Yun clan was entirely because he, Hella, and Ramyu had done the work in advance.
If not for that, they would have tried to make the matter bigger somehow, perhaps by responding from within right after the war broke out.
“At any rate, once again, on behalf of the Yun clan... no, on behalf of everyone in our world, I thank you. If you hadn’t stepped in, Mr. Hoon, things would have grown too large to handle.”
Lucette rose from her seat and bowed deeply.
When war broke out, the Seongcheon Yun clan would inevitably be in the greatest danger, so for her, who loved her clan dearly, it was only natural.
“Then I’ll be going now. If I don’t return and start working soon, I don’t know how many nights I’ll have to stay up.”
“...You have it rough.”
At his brief consolation, she gave a faint smile.
Seeing the dark circles that had descended almost to her chin, Hoon took an energy drink from his subspace and handed it to her. It was a special elixir to which the effect of 「Savior」 had been applied, so its effects would not disappear even in another world.
“Drink it. It should give you at least a little energy.”
“...Thank you. Ah, and the Council of Elders has approved a compensation plan for you, Mr. Hoon. You can really look forward to it this time. Since all the merits you’ve shown so far have been added together, the reward has grown accordingly.”
It had turned out this way because incidents had occurred one after another in such a short period of time.
Of course, for Hoon personally, this side was more beneficial.
Even if he received minor rewards, they would not be of much help, nor would there be anywhere useful to use them.
“Let’s go now, Sohui.”
“Yes, Sister! Then I’ll be going too. Ramyu, see you next time!”
“...Yeah.”
Yun Sohui, who had been talking with Ramyu, her peer, greeted them spiritedly.
Hoon and Ramyu saw the two of them off, then met each other’s eyes.
Then, with meaningful smiles, they shrugged.
“As expected, it doesn’t look like they noticed, right?”
“It seems that way to me too.”
“Good. All that practice we put in was worth it.”
“I do wonder if there’s really any need to go this far...”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about. How well you conceal yourself is directly tied to survival, you know? This is advice born from my experience, so make sure you remember it.”
At his sincere words, she nodded.
Others were focusing only on Hoon, who had directly stopped the war, but in truth, Ramyu was also an extraordinary existence no less than him. ...No, perhaps in this Saba Heaven, her influence might be even greater than his. ‘Even so, I really didn’t think she’d already be at this level.’ Hoon clicked his tongue and glanced toward Ramyu.
To be more precise.
His gaze was directed at the intangible something enveloping her small body. ‘A distortion at a level that deceives not only human perception, but the world itself. There probably aren’t many who can see through that and glimpse Ramyu’s true nature. At the very least, they’d have to be a Heaven’s Gate practitioner who has ascended to transcendence and can directly observe the flow of the world.’ It was a kind of barrier born from the intertwining of 「Spacetime Control」, the skills derived through 『Unique Skill Enhancement』, and the “World” chakra, which had reached the upper level.
Even Hoon likely would not have been able to easily see through it had he not been directly connected to her.
The reason she, who had only been at the middle level a few days ago, was already able to reach the upper level was simple. ‘As expected of the 『Elixir of Growth』. For its high price, its effect is certain. Not to mention how compatible it is with Ramyu.’ He had used the 『Elixir of Growth (7 days) (200,000)』, which granted an awakened person a massive additional correction value, on Ramyu.
What was more, that seven-day time limit was separate from the dream world.
Simply put, drinking the elixir once meant its effect would last for roughly seven hundred days.
Since several days had passed after Hoon stopped the war, it was not all that strange that she had reached the upper level. ‘Thanks to being with her, I was also able to firmly settle the deep-level realm.’ In reality, it had only been a few days.
But for the two of them, that time had been worth hundreds of times what it was to others.
“How is it? How much longer do you think it’ll take to reach the deep level?”
“...I don’t know. I’ve gotten a certain feel for the upper level, but when it comes to the deep level, I have no sense at all of what I’m supposed to do. It feels like I’ll need some kind of realization...”
However, the wall of the ultimate state known as the limits of humanity was not so thin.
Unlike Hoon, who could not be used as a point of comparison to begin with, she had to obtain realization entirely through her own power, so the process would not be as simply easy as it had been until now.
“Then from now on, take it easy and focus on governing your inner self. There’s no need to rush too much. Even where you are now has already far exceeded the level I expected.”
“Yes...”
At only barely in her early teens, she had reached the upper level.
On top of that, considering her unusual unique skill, even a deep-level practitioner would not be able to treat her carelessly.
It was not for nothing that Hoon had advised her to hide her realm. ‘It’s truly an absurd level. As if she were born from the start to become strong.’ The power to cross dimensions that she had possessed from the beginning.
That must have been involved somehow in the growth of her chakra and unique skill.
Perhaps it might not take very long for Ramyu to reach the deep level. ‘As expected, deciding to raise Ramyu was an excellent choice.’ He nodded with satisfaction.
And naturally.
The one receiving the benefits of her even more mature chakra was not only Hoon, but also the main body.***
The residence filled with dreams and ideals that I had prepared on the outskirts of Seoul.
Partly as a stroll, I made a circuit of the wide, neatly landscaped garden and checked its condition, then stretched and went back inside the house. ‘At this point, I suppose things in Saba Heaven can be considered more or less settled for now.’ Of course, not everything was over.
The conflict between the two great powers, Cheonghae-guk and Hongsan-guk, had not yet been patched up, and the Seongcheon Yun clan caught between them likewise had various problems of its own.
But since I had rooted out the foundation that had been causing chaos in the world, the remaining matters could be handled slowly. ‘That guy Unknown looked like he could be quite useful if handled well. I also obtained plenty of all sorts of treasures and spirit medicines while I was at it.’ Of course, that was literally just a bonus.
It had already been a long time since I had rejoiced or despaired over such material things.
What mattered now was the supernatural ability known as chakra, which had finally met specific conditions.
Crackle.
—A small spark leapt from the tip of my raised index finger.
Soon, the lightning that gradually grew in scale and wrapped around my entire arm began to writhe fiercely. ‘Next.’ Then it changed into a hot flame, a faint fragrance, and a sharp aura...
Finally, it became “World,” then scattered into the distance.
“Tsk, it still isn’t perfect. Well, since I copied it from someone else, it’s bound to have flaws compared to the original.”
Ramyu was not the only one who had grown through training in the dream world.
The communication chakra that had reached the deep level, 「Mental Resonance」, and 「Mimicry」 working together.
That had granted Hoon the ability to look into another person’s inner image, understand it, and copy their chakra. ‘And that ability was passed on intact to me, the main body.’ There was no need to use 「Individual Projection」 and completely overwrite myself with Hoon’s form.
Now, this much was possible with only the constant enhancement that was its additional effect.
“Then I should be able to start soon.”
It would have been even better if the communication chakra had reached the Heaven’s Gate, the realm of transcendence.
But even now, having reached the mature deep level, it was not too bad.
In any case, it had satisfied the minimum conditions to draw resources from the other avatars.
“Whew.”
A training room filled with all kinds of spell formations and magic tools.
Sitting cross-legged at its center, I took a deep breath and raised my chakra.
Wooooong.
—Through the microcosm of my inner world, the chakra that poured out ceaselessly began to rotate fiercely and resonate with the surroundings.
And at last.
It dug deep into my inner self and began to stretch out toward the dozen or so image worlds that had split off from the main body. ‘Strictly speaking, the communication chakra is an ability I need more than Hoon does.’ No matter what anyone said, the control tower of these 「Avatars」 was the main body, Han Seonghyeon himself.
Naturally, the communication ability that connected everything was also the supernatural ability most suited to him. ‘Well, it doesn’t matter much which side learns it first.’ After all, all the avatars, including Hoon, were ultimately myself.
The communication chakra extending from the main body formed firm connections with the twelve avatar entities.
Like a highway that had been cleanly opened in a straight line.
It was an even firmer bond than when Hoon used 「Root of Ideals」 to draw up power.
Then.
Through that highway, the divinity accumulated in the main body and the divinities dwelling in each entity began to connect into one.
“Urgh!”
A line of blood flowed down between my tightly clenched teeth.
The shock generated as heterogeneous divinities influenced one another was shaking my body. ‘Was it too early after all? Should I have tried this after opening the Heaven’s Gate?’ I forced away the weak thought that crossed my mind and focused once more on the work of connecting the image worlds.
The avatars that held divinity, of course, and even the entities that did not hold divinity were no exception.
At a glance, the plan might have seemed like needless overexertion.
However, this plan was something I had been thinking about ever since I first learned the communication chakra. ‘In truth, a situation like mine, where divinity is scattered separately, isn’t normal.’ Divinity was the proof of divine authority.
In such an incomplete state, there was no way I could ascend to the supreme position of a “god,” who had to be more perfect than any existence in the world. ‘The reason I haven’t been able to properly sprout the seeds of divinity held by the avatars must also be because of this.’ In the end, it meant this was something I absolutely had to go through in order to head even higher.
All the more so in the current situation, where I had no idea when the leader of the Beoncheon Society would begin moving in earnest. ‘Ah, but I don’t think this is going to work.’ Even so, I could not help my heart weakening at the anxiety that surged up from time to time.
Divinity was a kind of qualification born only when not simply the mind, but also the body and energy containing it, all formed harmony.
Just as Hans’s divinity, built up through death, could only be properly used with Hans’s body.
Moreover, hadn’t the main body built firm walls with 「Mind Hub」 and 「Soul Firewall」 to prevent mental contamination through the other avatars all this time? ‘It’s fine. Theoretically, it’s fully possible.’ Removing the walls that had been blocking it until now was far too dangerous.
If something went wrong, the avatars’ individuality might backflow all at once and drive me mad before I completed divinity.
But the seeds of divinity could grow only in soil suited to each of them.
If so, there was only one thing I had to do. ‘I’ll have to build a greenhouse so they can grow in other environments too.’ That greenhouse was the ability to copy another person’s image.
A clever move that minimized the danger of mental contamination while constructing only the limited environment in which divinity could take root.
Whatever the case, the avatars were also me, so in terms of completeness, it was far superior to copying another person’s image. ‘...Finally.’ How long had I been sunk deep within my inner self?
The seeds of divinity that had remained firmly hardened while each establishing its own domain began to respond little by little.