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 [Chapter 190]

[Unable to Feel at Ease (3)]

After the death of <Saint of the Order> Iriya.

Eun-ha didn't know much about the saint who replaced her in the Mana Religion.

Iriya's image must have been so strong that she wasn't well-known.

She didn't make any notable moves that I would remember...

In the previous life, the new saint of the Mana Religion was extremely ordinary.

They say she was skilled in healing magic, but that was all.

Even that didn't match Iriya who claimed to hear revelations from the Mana God.

On top of that, Sindorim, who caused the ghoul incident in Yeongdeungpo-gu in an instant, was such a person with a strong image.

There was no reason to be interested in the saint who died caught up in Sindorim's magic...

But in this life, a different person became the saint.

<Myeongwang > Sindorim's younger sister Shin Yeon-su.

The future had changed.

Eun-ha, who was already paying attention to her, had no choice but to pay even more attention.

"─This floor is only accessible to people authorized by the Mana Religion. We also store materials needed for studying mana studies here."

"Ah, I'm sorry. We got lost while wandering around and ended up here. This guy has a bad sense of direction."

Shin Yeon-su demonstrated excellent skills in handling mana.

She easily discovered Eun-ha and Kim Min-ji who were hiding their presence as much as possible.

Fortunately, Kim Min-ji was able to avoid her suspicion by explaining the situation.

Though Eun-ha ended up being blamed as having a bad sense of direction.

"You directionally challenged idiot. I told you it didn't seem like this way!"

"...Sorry about that."

Slap.

Kim Min-ji hit Eun-ha's back hard as if this was her chance.

Eun-ha couldn't protest and had no choice but to go along with Kim Min-ji's act.

"You said you were looking for the way out, right? I'm heading out too, so I'll guide you."

"Ah, really? Thank you."

"No, Saint. I'll take these people outside."

"It's fine. And didn't you say you had other business, Priest? So I'll guide them."

"Ah... Yes, I understand. Then I'll be going now."

Meanwhile, Shin Yeon-su didn't suspect.

She seemed to believe Kim Min-ji's act.

Shin Yeon-su sent away the person who had just been brainwashed by Bong Gu-rae with a kind face.

The brainwashed person left without even realizing what had happened to him.

"Now, let's go. People often get lost here because it's so complicated."

Soon Shin Yeon-su guided them.

Eun-ha, Kim Min-ji, and Bong Gu-rae followed behind her.

Meanwhile, Kim Min-ji, who had gotten somewhat close to her, asked questions while hiding her intentions.

Shin Yeon-su kindly answered.

"You said earlier that materials for studying mana studies are stored, but what's the relationship between the Mana Religion and mana studies?"

"The Mana Religion was reborn as a religion as scholarship developed. So we sometimes solve difficult-to-interpret doctrines by researching mana studies. Saint Iriya received revelations from the Mana God, but since I don't receive revelations, I have no choice but to interpret through mana studies."

"What? Isn't a saint someone who hears the voice of God? I thought that way, but it seems I was mistaken."

"People usually think that way... It's a bit different. A saint means the person who most correctly conveys the will of the Mana God in the order after the leader and deputy leader."

"Oh my, so that's how it is. I thought they chose the most beautiful person in the order as the saint."

"What? It's not like that. I'm not pretty at all."

Kim Min-ji and Bong Gu-rae worked together.

Shin Yeon-su laughed awkwardly.

She spoke while adjusting her glasses.

She's just a kind and gentle person.

She doesn't even give off the aura of a saint.

She was completely different from Iriya.

She had an ordinary, modest, and unpretentious image.

Eun-ha, who had been silently following the three, judged her that way.

"So the reason I became a saint isn't because of anything special, but because I correctly interpret God's will. I was originally just someone who deeply researched mana studies. Then I was chosen as saint when Saint Iriya fell."

"""..."""

"Most believers who come to attend mass probably know this story, but it seems you haven't been in the Mana Religion for long."

"Yes, we joined today. This friend is very heartbroken."

"That's right. Our honey has been very hurt."

"Ah... Perhaps in the Seoul invasion..."

"Yes, that's right. My younger brother went missing, and my family..."

"It's okay. They surely found rest in the embrace of the Mana God."

They climb the stairs.

As they conversed, the group was soon able to come up to the 1st floor.

Meanwhile, after hearing Kim Min-ji and Bong Gu-rae's story, Shin Yeon-su turned to look at Eun-ha.

She made a regretful face.

Of course, Eun-ha inwardly clicked his tongue hearing the story the two had made up arbitrarily.

He decided to go along with it reluctantly.

"...I just hope I can find my younger brother."

"I'll help the believer as much as I can too. I also lost my older brother in the Seoul invasion. I understand."

"Yes, thank you, Saint."

He sells a non-existent younger brother.

Instead, he gained the saint's sympathy.

She held both his hands.

"Please tell me your younger brother's name. Many people join the Mana Religion after losing family like you, so I'll check if he's on the list."

"Ah... Jean Valjean."

"Jean Valjean... That's a nice name."

"...Yes, it's a nice name."

"What's your name?"

"Jang... Dong-gun."

"Jang Dong-gun... It seems you don't use the same character in your names. Yes, I'll go check."

He felt sorry for deceiving Shin Yeon-su.

But Eun-ha said whatever came to mind.

She emphasized that she would remember, reciting the names several times.

After she left for somewhere else─

"─When you can't think of a name, you come up with Jang Dong-gun?"

"Don't laugh."

"Want me to lend you a mirror?"

"Ah, stop teasing me."

"Yes, I heard the sound of ice cream melting very well!"

Kim Min-ji, who had been holding in her laughter until then, burst out laughing.

Eun-ha made a "kuk" sound.

☆

The gain from infiltrating the Mana Religion was just finding out what kind of person Saint Shin Yeon-su was.

That alone wasn't enough information.

Can't be helped.

I'll have to ask Twenty-five.

He had no choice but to compromise.

Eun-ha decided to borrow Twenty-five's power while considering the gaze of darkness.

What he gained from such passive investigation was only that the Mana Religion regularly purchases books on mana studies.

Besides that, he learned they were obtaining ritual tools and materials to be used in the soul-returning ceremony.

It's hard to judge with just this.

Something feels off but there's no proof.

There was nothing suspicious on the surface.

The possibility that they were plotting something seemed extremely low.

They were simply purely exploring mana studies and purely holding a soul-returning ceremony to honor souls.

That's the kind of thought that naturally came to mind.

Nevertheless, Eun-ha couldn't draw that conclusion.

"─It seems I won't be able to feel at ease until I see the soul-returning ceremony with my own eyes."

After long deliberation.

Eun-ha decided on a policy.

As long as he couldn't understand the intention of the soul-returning ceremony, he had no choice but to participate in it.

They say to prepare for danger in times of peace.

There was nothing bad about being prepared.

I have to move assuming the worst.

I have to consider the situation where Yeongdeungpo-gu is half-destroyed like in the previous life.

So I can't move alone.

He needed the help of clan members.

But to send clan forces to an area outside their jurisdiction, he needed a 'plausible' justification.

It could provoke backlash from clans located in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Furthermore, he also needed a justification to be able to participate in the soul-returning ceremony.

Fortunately, there was a plausible justification.

─The Mana Religion requested escorts from Yeongdeungpo-gu clans for the soul-returning ceremony.

When many people move, mana also moves.

And it becomes biased.

So when large-scale group actions are taken, it's mandatory to hire a certain number of players.

The Mana Religion couldn't be free from the Fairy government's laws either.

So the Mana Religion had made requests to the clans in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

So we can participate in the soul-returning ceremony by dispatching our clan members in that form.

Moreover, the Mana Religion was showing extreme wariness towards the Pandora Clan.

It was almost inevitable to act disguised as another clan.

After that, Eun-ha looked for a clan in Yeongdeungpo-gu.

He looked for a clan that could cooperate with the Pandora Clan and had matching tendencies.

There happened to be one.

Dangsan Clan.

He decided to borrow their name.

"We'll borrow the Dangsan Clan's name nominally and watch the soul-returning ceremony up close. If it's like this, the Mana Religion won't be able to openly refuse."

Later, Eun-ha was cursed by clan members for bringing work when they were already busy.

☆

Meanwhile, Eun-ha wasn't just focusing on the soul-returning ceremony.

He didn't skip personal training either.

─Doppelganger

Last year, after receiving vague advice from Hwang Jin-hee at the academy.

He came to think about the idea of turning a microcosm into a macrocosm.

"It seems when I use it while equipped with the fire chicken, the avatar also appears equipped with the fire chicken."

"That's true, but it seems we can't change the equipped fire chicken into a familiar."

Pandora Clan Hall underground 4th floor training room.

Eun-ha created his avatar with Doppelganger.

No Eun-ha wrapped in a cloak of flames.

And avatar Jean Valjean.

The two looked over each other's state and talked.

Peep peep!

"What does the fire chicken say?"

"...It says there can only be one fire chicken under the sky."

"Sounds like something we can ignore."

Peep peep!!

"What does the fire chicken say?"

"Just ignore it."

Ignoring the cloak that felt hurt.

The two soon began training.

Since they shared thoughts, there was no need for long conversations.

Eun-ha manifested his internal mana.

It's similar to how I turn external mana into my mana to reduce mana consumption.

The difference is that instead of taking it into the body, it dyes the world as it is.

External mana was activated to the point of being visible to the naked eye in response to internal mana.

They gathered into internal mana.

Eun-ha transformed them into his own mana with excellent control.

As a result, mana dyed in Eun-ha's color came to encroach on his surroundings.

Whoosh!

With the fire chicken's power.

The world bursts into flames.

He converted mana into flames.

"I'm stuck here."

"At this rate, it's no different from just creating a sea of fire."

"But all the mana located in this space is made up of my mana."

"Then an opponent in this space would likely not be able to expect help from external mana. They would have to use magic with only internal mana."

"Or steal my control."

"Since the mana encompasses the space, it would be a task to maintain control. Still, there must be a hole somewhere. It would be difficult to perfectly place the space under one's control."

"That's right. I could block it if just one person tries to steal control, but as the number of people increases, I won't be able to block it with my power."

Eun-ha affirmed Jean Valjean's words.

At this rate, he had merely dominated the space.

There was no particular advantage.

At this rate, he would easily have his control stolen by the opponent while just consuming control.

Still, theoretically there are many advantages.

If only the mana dominating the space isn't stolen by the opponent─

─He can freely use magic without mana consumption.

Above all, his imagination would be implemented directly in the space.

That would mean─

"─If that happens, you would become no different from a god. In a way... this space would be no different from a world you created."

He would become an omnipotent god.

Eun-ha nodded.

But that was only something that could be said 'theoretically'.

Reality wasn't so easy.

As soon as Jean Valjean interfered, the space easily shook.

The control and domination weren't perfect.

It was inevitable with a human vessel.

Is there no way to completely dominate it?

Nevertheless, Eun-ha pondered.

In a way, the space he dominated was his world, that is, a microcosm.

And Jean Valjean affected Eun-ha's microcosm with his own microcosm.

The same was true for Eun-ha's microcosm.

In other words, microcosms have the property of mutually interfering with each other.

<Sword Empress>'s words are right. The world must have been created by microcosms mutually interfering like that.

Eun-ha recalled Hwang Jin-hee's advice.

And he reached the part about encroaching on microcosms with microcosms to become a macrocosm.

"...Mutual interference can't be thought of as just having a bad meaning."

"There are also relationships of mutual improvement. That's how they enhance each other."

"Not everyone in this space can be called an 'enemy' except for me."

"Allies could be in here too."

"Then if an 'enemy' tries to steal my control and collapse this space..."

"Then an 'ally' could reinforce the control and lend strength."

""...""

One person's microcosm.

Making its very existence solid through another person's microcosm.

Then wouldn't a microcosm formed by the wills of multiple people become a macrocosm?

The two looked at each other.

Whoosh!

Eun-ha dominated the space again.

And unlike before, Jean Valjean took on the role of complementing the parts where control was weak.

Perhaps because of the relationship between the original and the avatar.

The mana of the two had good compatibility.

Without any particular difficulty, Jean Valjean's will-infused mana complemented the gaps.

Then─

───!!!!

The flames suddenly intensified.

Not only that.

The color of the flames deepened even more.

The walls that had withstood even Eun-ha's flames began to melt.

Eun-ha's confidence in his own magic.

And Jean Valjean's confidence in Eun-ha's magic.

The magic that had been filtered in the implementation process by the will of people in the world was almost fully implemented in a world made up of the two people's wills.

"So this is how it's done."

"Seems so. But matching wavelengths with each other would be a task too. It's a matter of drawing in other people's wills while making them entirely your own will..."

"How are we supposed to do that when people will have different thoughts?"

Nevertheless, the world he created was still woefully incomplete.

He could only vaguely understand the concept of a microcosm becoming a macrocosm.

☆

 Somewhere in Yeouido, Yeongdeungpo-gu.

Shin Yeon-su entered the 3rd basement floor.

She opened the iron door with magic on it.

Click clack

Books related to mana studies.

Monster mana stones, skill stones, etc.

And tools to be used in the soul-returning ceremony.

She passed by all of those and headed inward.

There were stairs.

An environment that gave off a gloomy atmosphere.

Click clack

Except for the leader and deputy leader.

No one knew this path.

She lit up the darkness with magic as she descended the stairs.

"..."

Saint Shin Yeon-su.

She didn't think of herself as a saint at all.

She wasn't the type who liked to stand in front of people either.

Nevertheless, the reason she decided to become a saint was not unrelated to 'that' at the bottom of the stairs.

Eventually─

"─I'm here, oppa."

She arrived in front of 'that'.

There was a coffin.

A coffin with magic cast by the deputy leader to prevent the corpse from decaying as much as possible.

She opened the coffin lid with familiar hands.

"Just wait a little longer. It won't be long now."

Her older brother Sindorim.

Sindorim's corpse was there.

Shin Yeon-su looked into the coffin and contorted her face.

Sindorim was her only family.

That oppa died saving her in the Seoul invasion.

For her, it felt like the world was collapsing.

At that time, people from the Mana Religion appeared and told her:

─With your power, you might be able to resurrect your brother.

It sounded not like God's salvation.

But like a devil's temptation.

But Shin Yeon-su grasped their hands that rejected death.

So she left her brother's corpse here, and waited for this day while researching mana studies.

"─I'll definitely bring you back to life, oppa."

With a face that looked like she was about to cry.

Shin Yeon-su renewed her determination once again.

☆

Memories, emotions, thoughts.

Those are the elements that make up a soul.

That was the result the deputy leader, no, Armageddon had discovered through research so far.

"Then doesn't that mean if we filter out just those things dissolved in the world will, we can completely filter out that person's soul? Tsk tsk."

If you add a 'vessel' that can filter out and contain that soul, theoretically resurrecting a person is not impossible.

When that becomes reality, finally─

─I will transcend complete death and become a true god.

That's what Armageddon thought.

So after great effort, the old man made Shin Yeon-su, who was poor at dealing with people, into a symbol of the Mana Religion.

If Iriya had martyred herself for the Mana Religion as originally planned.

He would have quickly given up on making Shin Yeon-su the saint.

In fact, Shin Yeon-su was a 'scholar' type person who excelled at studying mana studies rather than saint duties.

But as Iriya converted, he had no choice but to put forward Shin Yeon-su as the saint.

Nevertheless─

"─It's been 2 years. Though it's insufficient time, that child absorbed all the content I taught with innate talent."

Armageddon succeeded.

And Shin Yeon-su succeeded too.

Armageddon even marveled purely at Shin Yeon-su's innate talent for absorbing knowledge.

Indeed, she was a child possessing <Miracle >.

According to the World Mana Management Organization's investigation, those possessing the gift of <Miracle > are highly likely to have some innate aspect.

That seemed to be almost correct.

In fact, didn't <Empress > Shin Seo-young freely handle wind even though she didn't have the gift of <Erosion >?

And didn't <Saint of the Order> Iriya have the ability to heal people without professionally studying medicine?

Shin Yeon-su must be like that too.

Anyway─

"─I'm looking forward to the soul-returning ceremony."

A grand experiment will begin soon.

The old man split his lips in a grin.