848

 [Chapter 212]

[Mine Attack (2)]

Embody myth, and manifest it.

The first time Eun-ha heard about myth was when he met Armageddon for the first time in his third year of high school academy.

'─You seem to be the owner of a soul that can fully embody myth.'

At that time, Eun-ha didn't understand what Armageddon meant.

So he didn't pay attention to it.

He pushed the word myth to the back of his mind.

But as time passed, he could inwardly guess that myth referred to some kind of realm.

'Yes, unable to withstand myth, he finally perished. Let's stop this story here.'

7 years ago, during the Seoul disaster.

Baek Seo-jin said those words to Ji Yong-hyeon when he heard about <Iron Fortress>'s death.

Furthermore, when Eun-ha informed Baek Seo-jin about Mines operating in secret, he heard the word myth again.

'That bastard Ik-hyeon embodied myth, and also manifested it. When manifesting myth, the body begins to face extinction unable to withstand the weight of myth.'

Probably a realm that stakes one's life.

Eun-ha reached that conclusion through the given clues.

And he realized that the name living legend wasn't just an honor.

On the other hand, Baek Seo-jin seemed reluctant to mention the realm of myth.

Eun-ha could inwardly guess the reason.

Though he didn't know exactly what kind of realm it was, it must be a taboo area since it stakes one's life.

Information that doesn't come up even if you search the Player Library.

Eun-ha thought the living legends probably intentionally concealed the information.

If so, he shouldn't know anymore.

That's what living legends were.

In this country, sometimes an area that absolutely shouldn't be touched even more than the Fairy.

Eun-ha was also hesitant to intrude into their realm.

So he decided to ignore it, but─

'─You become the universe itself. You dominate and overlay all other small universes with your small universe.'

Living legend, <Sword Empress> Hwang Jin-hee.

She broke down Eun-ha's wall that had hit the limit of growth.

Eun-ha recalled her advice and intuitively realized.

The advice she gave wasn't simply leaving a clue for growth.

A realm that can't be explained in words.

She gave a clue to climb to that realm.

That must be myth.

And─

─A realm achieved through unification of will.

That must be the realm of myth.

During the Mana Church's half-soul ceremony terror.

Eun-ha covered the world in flames by becoming the universe.

At that time, he felt as if he had become an omnipotent being.

In reality, in the space he dominated, he implemented magic just as he imagined without consuming mana.

After that, Eun-ha tried to recreate that realm again.

Though we made consciousness magic that could be called a degraded version of that realm by putting our heads together with clan members...

It can't be compared to the real thing.

After stepping into the realm of myth.

Eun-ha couldn't recreate that realm even once.

Still, he was somewhat satisfied.

Just creating consciousness magic was quite an achievement.

After that, Eun-ha became even stronger after absorbing Magoo's providence.

Clan members grew stronger too.

So he thought if he and they combined forces, they could defeat the Mines.

But Armageddon was much stronger than expected.

How did On Tae-yang defeat him in the previous regression?

Even though I've clearly become stronger than On Tae-yang before the regression, I don't think I can defeat Armageddon...

Reaching this realm.

Eun-ha's eyes became more accurate.

He became able to gauge the opponent's strength.

But Armageddon was different.

Eun-ha couldn't gauge anything while exchanging blows with Armageddon.

That pointed to one thing.

Armageddon is at an extremely high realm that I can't gauge.

The impression he felt facing Mammon was that he could win if he went all out.

On the other hand, with Armageddon, he couldn't tell even assuming he went all out and clan members and Twelve Seats joined forces.

He was curious how On Tae-yang and the Twelve Seats defeated Armageddon in the previous life.

"Please tell me how to manifest myth."

So he sought out Hwang Jin-hee.

She should know the answer.

The method to reach the same realm so he could face Armageddon.

That is, manifesting myth.

☆

"After rebuilding this country, we decided not to tell anyone how to embody myth. There were many reasons, but fundamentally, to embody myth one had to accumulate achievements worthy of it."

This isn't the place to talk about this.

Let's talk somewhere else.

Hwang Jin-hee said that and moved to a place where they could talk.

Entering an unused meeting room, she put up a soundproofing barrier and began talking.

"Myth is no different from magic that dyes this world with your will. But dyeing the world with an individual's will is impossible without external help. Because the world is made up of not just your cognitive ability, but the cognitive abilities of all perceiving beings."

"So to unify cognitive abilities, there needs to be a target that can focus attention on one point?"

"Yes, that is achievement, and myth. Making all perceiving beings look at you, and creating a universe by evoking one image through the achievements you've built up."

"..."

"But achievements are hard to accumulate, and memories fade. The reason we used intuitive and concise aliases was precisely for that. The purpose was to make the world automatically recall our achievements the moment they hear our aliases. Jun and Ban Ik-hyeon were the ones who came up with that process."

The story Hwang Jin-hee told was new even to Eun-ha.

He had thought aliases were a means to easily promote players.

That's what they taught at the academy too.

But there was a hidden side to the story Hwang Jin-hee told.

"Now aliases have degenerated into a means of promotion, and flashy aliases with only superficial charm have emerged... But in the beginning, aliases best represented a player's identity. The results of all the achievements I've accumulated so far are contained in just the alias <Sword Empress>."

"..."

"The same goes for you. While players of this era obtain or create aliases for insignificant achievements, you obtained aliases by proving yourself through achievements anyone would know. <Quick-witted >, <Crimson Wing>... And now you've obtained the alias <Crimson Lotus Sword>."

"..."

"Going back to what I said at first, we thought there wouldn't be any more crises that could lead to destruction after overcoming destruction. No, we thought there shouldn't be."

"..."

"In the rebuilt world, achievements should only hold trivial value. But if someone tries to establish achievements worthy of manifesting myth, there's only one way to think of in a peaceful world."

"...It would be war."

"Yes, war. In other words, it would mean the era of warlords vying for power opens again. So we sealed all information so people couldn't embody myth. That's why I was wary of you. I judged that you could drag this country into war to reach the realm of myth."

Depending on the situation, I even thought about eliminating you early on.

Eun-ha paused seeing her speak like that in front of him.

Because her eyes were serious.

Soon she withdrew her gaze.

"Speaking now, I should have stopped you or eliminated you then. In the end, didn't the situation turn out like this? You became the monarch we feared, and gained authority that could stand above the Fairy if you wanted."

"..."

"However, I can't ignore that you've overcome disasters, assisted the next generation's Fairy, and tried to respect this government's authority. So I... decided to gamble on teaching you myth. I just hope you don't throw the world into chaos."

"I absolutely have no such intention. I'd be grateful if you tell me about myth."

If Armageddon hadn't appeared.

Hwang Jin-hee would not have spoken about myth until her death.

But Armageddon appeared.

She couldn't just watch.

So she's probably participating in the subjugation herself, and trying to pass on myth to him assuming the worst case scenario.

Eun-ha's guess was correct.

Eventually she opened her mouth.

"To manifest myth, simply put, is to reenact the achievements you've established in an area and make the world's providence revolve around you. That's why you suffer severe side effects after activating myth."

"Side effects? What kind..."

"You've probably felt it once too. The feeling of something falling away from inside you, and you becoming weaker."

"Ah..."

"To manifest myth, you must inevitably spread your will to the world. But if you spread your will so widely, what happens when you withdraw myth? The will that separated from you will assimilate into the world's will, not return and perish. Think of it as part of your soul disappearing. In the end, the more you use myth, the more it annihilates your soul."

"..."

"When manifesting myth, physical side effects can't be ignored either. Can the body withstand that power when a human freely manipulates the world like a god? Due to these two problems, we are currently facing a crisis of extinction where our bodies and souls are perishing. That bastard Ban Ik-hyeon must have changed his body into a Mine to overcome that problem."

Living legends are declining. That was the gist of Hwang Jin-hee's words.

She was the same.

She was declining too.

In contrast, Armageddon escaped the fate of extinction by becoming a Mine.

If the two of them clash─

"─Whether I win or lose. I won't escape extinction this time. So I'm entrusting the aftermath to you, preparing for the worst case scenario. Because you're the only one with the possibility of manifesting myth at this point."

"..."

"The only way to counter someone who can manifest myth is to manifest myth yourself."

"What should I do?"

"You already know how. The reason you haven't manifested myth yet despite all conditions being met is... because you haven't found the reason why you met those conditions."

"Why? I don't really understand what you mean."

"What do you mean asking me that?"

"..."

"What forms the basis of your myth now. Use that as a medium and imprint it on the mana dissolved in the world. In short... yes, it's better to say it like this."

Hwang Jin-hee took a breath.

Eun-ha focused on her words.

She spoke with emphasis.

"Recall the time when you achieved what forms the basis of your myth. If you just do that, the mana dissolved in the atmosphere will create a universe for you."

The Mana Church's half-soul ceremony terror is an example.

Memory, thoughts, emotions, etc. are dissolved in mana.

Hwang Jin-hee's words meant to awaken the mana that forms the basis of his myth from the atmospheric mana.

The problem is─

─What forms the basis of my myth.

What exactly is that?

That was it.

Eun-ha vaguely understood Hwang Jin-hee's advice.

But when it came to his own problem, nothing readily came to mind.

"Who are you? When were you happiest and saddest in life? When was your prime, and when do you think people were most enthusiastic about you?"

"..."

"Ponder endlessly. Find the truth in your own universe, and implement that truth as the core in the world."

Like an ascetic seeking truth.

Endlessly ponder about yourself, and draw an unwavering definition.

Eun-ha remained lost in thought even after Hwang Jin-hee left.

No answer came no matter how much he thought.

"Who exactly am I?"

He thought he would gain enlightenment and have a clear mind after hearing advice.

But rather, his mind became more complicated.

After questions with no answers, he reached a situation where he knew nothing about himself.

Who am I?

Noh Eun-ha.

Then what kind of person is Noh Eun-ha?

I am...

So? What's next?

Why? For what reason?

Questions leading to more questions.

And the more sophisticated the questions became, the more answers didn't come.

The advice Hwang Jin-hee gave Eun-ha made him look back on the life he had walked so far.

Several days passed from then─

[─Seven Devils' terror confirmed. Twelve Seats and each clan urgently...]

The Seven Devils' terror resumed.

☆

5 days after the Seven Devils' terror warning.

They carried out terror.

As the Mana Management Organization predicted, terror occurred in Seoul, Gyeonggi, and Incheon.

The first place terror was observed was Namyangju, Gyeonggi-do.

"Large-scale disturbance confirmed in Namyangju! According to on-site information, the being causing the disturbance is similar to Samael! Currently clans in Namyangju are countering! They urgently request reinforcements!"

Mana Management Organization Management Bureau monitor room.

Controller Yoon I-byeol identified information and disseminated it to players.

Im Ga-eul, who quickly connected via video after hearing news of the Seven Devils' terror, instructed through the monitor.

[We'll proceed according to the plan. Controller Yoon I-byeol, what is <Time Witch>-nim doing now?]

"Yes, Fairy-nim. She's currently preparing a long-distance movement magic circle on the rooftop. She says it can be activated in 3 minutes. However, continuous use is difficult, and it can only be used 10 minutes after activating the magic."

[Okay, I understand. Then let's first deploy people assigned to subjugate Samael to the scene.]

Im Ga-eul's gaze moved.

At the end of her gaze were Lee Do-jin and players rising from their seats.

Their number was 20 in total.

They were elite forces prepared by Silla Clan to subjugate Samael.

[Player Lee Do-jin. Can you do it?]

"Yes, Fairy-nim. I'll go quickly, subjugate Samael and return."

[I'm counting on you.]

The reason for looking at players' backgrounds when selecting Twelve Seats was to draw in forces in crisis situations.

By having Twelve Seats, the Fairy Government could also use players from clans the Twelve Seats belonged to.

In a situation where the Seven Devils were causing terror, the Twelve Seats and their clans were especially helpful.

Lee Do-jin immediately led clan members out of the monitor room.

After that, more Mines were detected.

"Pandemonium appeared in Gangbuk-gu! Demon-type monsters confirmed, and a being with identification code identical to Mammon confirmed!"

[Player Chong Eun-ju. Please deploy to the scene immediately.]

The Mines that the Twelve Seats and their clans would face were as follows:

Mammon - <Earth Dragon>, Samra Clan.

Lilith - <Wind Mage>, Myeongwang Clan.

Mastema - <Holy Mother>, Regulus Clan.

Abaddon - <Silent >, Tempest Clan.

<Great Tree> Seon Gi-jun and Donghae Clan would defend the Mana Management Organization.

The Mana Management Organization had to be protected just in case, as it gave instructions and housed the Player Library.

And Beelzebub will be handled by Chang-jin hyung, idiot hyung, and our clan.

Eun-ha organized the situation while listening to Yoon I-byeol's broadcast.

Coincidentally, Eun-ha would face Beelzebub in this life too.

No, to be precise, Eun-ha isn't deployed in that operation.

The people deployed in the operation were Jin Pa-rang, Han Chang-jin, Bae Su-bin, etc.

Eun-ha is deployed in another operation.

Me, <Yama >, and <Sword Empress>-nim. And Blaze Clan members will face Armageddon.

Besides me, 20 Pandora Clan members will handle Beelzebub.

Armageddon who claimed to be the Seven Devils' leader.

So the Mana Management Organization identified Armageddon as the most dangerous being.

 The judgment wasn't wrong.

So Eun-ha agreed to subjugate Armageddon at the Fairy's request.

I'm not without worry for the kids going to subjugate Beelzebub, but...

It's okay, the kids are strong.

There was Ryu Yeon-hwa, and Han Chang-jin.

There was Ilya, and Noh Eun-ah.

And other reliable people.

They should be fine without him.

However, what was concerning was─

─Some Mines' secondary terror locations changed, but...

Beelzebub appeared in Suwon as in the previous regression, which was unsettling.

Eun-ha looked at the Pandora Clan members rising from their seats upon hearing of Beelzebub's appearance.

Bae Su-bin caught his eye.

Suddenly, memories from before the regression came to mind.

"Su-bin."

"What?"

Eun-ha called Bae Su-bin.

She was about to follow the clan members out, but turned back gruffly.

Eun-ha approached her.

"Well, you see..."

"What? Why are you hesitating? We're in a hurry, so speak quickly."

"..."

In the previous life.

Bae Su-bin was attacked by Beelzebub and transformed into a monster.

So they had to kill her.

Eun-ha recalled that day's memory and placed his hand on her shoulder.

"Be careful. Don't get bitten by monsters hiding in piles of corpses."

"What are you saying? Do you think I would?"

"Yeah, I think you would, that's why I'm saying this."

"You're really looking down on me. Even if I get bitten by them, I won't turn into a monster, so keep that in mind."

"Don't do anything to get bitten in the first place."

Bae Su-bin snorted.

She brushed off Eun-ha's hand.

Bae Su-bin walked forward confidently and turned back before closing the door.

"Hey, Noh Eun-ha."

"Yeah, what?"

"If a death flag has been raised because of what you said, know that I'll die later. Not only did you drop me in the sea, now you're praying for me to get infected by monsters."

"No, that's not what I..."

"I have no intention of letting things go your way, so let's see when I return after this is over."

Whatever Eun-ha's intentions were.

Bae Su-bin was fired up.

Soon she left the monitor room.

"Oh my..."

Eun-ha was dumbfounded.

There was a limit to worrying.

"Is she saying she won't die out of spite... Well, that's better."

Based on experience so far.

Strangely, bad things tended to happen exactly the same as in the previous regression.

Was it fate?

So Eun-ha could only pray that Bae Su-bin's death wasn't decided by fate.

"...broadcasting again from the bureau. I will broadcast the confirmed locations where Mines have appeared so far. Namyangju City, Gyeonggi-do, Samael. Gangbuk-gu, Seoul, Mammon. Gwacheon City, Gyeonggi-do, Lilith. Bupyeong-gu, Incheon, Mastema. Seodaemun-gu, Seoul, Abaddon. Suwon City, Gyeonggi-do, Beelzebub. Confirmed in these 6 areas."

Armageddon, the Seven Devils' leader, has not been confirmed yet.

Yoon I-byeol said again.