Chapter 1088: Level 9 (6)
The Space-Thought Domain.
A miracle granted only to Ascendants who have reached Level 9, directly manifesting their answer in reality.
It is neither a Domain that projects the caster’s Root Mindscape, nor a Jurisdiction that actualizes their ideals. It is, quite literally, a divine art that directly manifests the answer achieved upon becoming an Ascendant.
Heavenly Sight’s Myriad-Reflecting Single Eye. Hermes’s Platinum Crimson Star. Jindun’s Hanghasa Labyrinth.
The Space-Thought Domains Lennok encountered were a continuous series of moments, reflecting the lives the Ascendants had lived.
Jindun’s Hanghasa Labyrinth, in particular, was a miracle in itself, reflecting the trajectory of his entire life.
The true secret of this world, which he had learned from Jindun at the end of the cradle.
From the message that day, stating there was no ‘fourth,’ to his current journey to create that ‘fourth.’
Every moment was so vivid and intense, yet he had never anticipated this moment.
That a replica of the Hanghasa Labyrinth was hidden in the deepest part of Kundara.
VWOOM!!!
A colossal magic circle unfurled above the endlessly vast labyrinth, enveloping Lennok.
A dazzling magical light, hundreds of meters in radius, violently rotated and tilted around Lennok.
GRRRROOOOOWL!!!
A magnificent resonance, loud enough to burst eardrums.
It was like listening intently to the roar of a massive engine right in front of him.
At the same time, the entire magic circle tilted towards Lennok, beginning to transform three-dimensionally as if embracing his entire body.
It was the Promotion Ritual, intended to elevate a challenger who had reached Level 8 to a Level 9 Ascendant.
The magic circle within the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation was activating, preparing to initiate the ritual with Lennok as the subject.
‘So, the Promotion Magic Circle itself transforms into an altar for the ritual.’
KWOOM-KWOOM-KWOOM-KWOOM!!!!!
Lennok observed the turbulent flow of mana at the center of the rotating magic circle that embraced him, deep in thought.
The magic circle rose three-dimensionally, ascending as if lifting Lennok himself.
The entire Promotion Magic Circle seemed to be transforming its shape into an altar.
But Lennok remained calm, directly facing the changes unfolding around him.
‘The mana consumption is unbelievably high. Does it really take this much mana just to barely activate the ritual?’
The amount of mana consumed by the forcibly activated magic circle for the Promotion Ritual was so immense that even Lennok could barely perceive it.
The ritual was currently active because Lennok was drawing mana from the labyrinth through his manipulation authority over it.
If he observed the situation further, the Promotion Ritual would begin with Lennok as the subject, and he would undertake the challenge in Maleon’s stead.
[M-Master! W-What should we do?!]
Davi, looking uncharacteristically flustered, fluttered out from Lennok’s embrace.
[I-If things continue like this, Master will challenge the Promotion Ritual alone… Huh?]
Davi, frantically flailing his front and hind paws, belatedly grasped the situation and tilted his head.
[Now that I think about it, Master can just become an Ascendant like this, can’t he?]
“…”
[Good! Let’s go!]
Davi, whose attitude instantly changed, leaped back into Lennok’s arms and declared proudly.
[We’ll think about the minor details after becoming an Ascendant—!]
“Are you going to keep saying things you already know?”
Lennok grabbed Davi’s cheeks with both hands and stretched them, speaking gruffly.
[Uwaaah.]
“Enough with the unnecessary chatter. Lend me your computational power. I need to fully restore my manipulation authority over the Hanghasa Labyrinth with this opportunity.”
Lennok said, extending his hand at the center of the colossal magic circle surrounding him.
“Temporarily halt the Promotion Ritual by manipulating the labyrinth. Under no circumstances can I participate in the ritual right now.”
[Master, but—]
“This isn’t about breaking a promise with Maleon. There’s a more critical issue.”
Lennok interrupted Davi and glanced down at his left arm.
“I just broke the seal and used the Forbidden Armament. The ritual will definitely fail if I proceed like this.”
To observe the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation, he had used the Forbidden Armament on his left arm to erase the darkness of the Outer Sea.
The enforced ‘Penalty’ manifested on Lennok’s left arm was a power that caused anything it touched to fail and break.
At this point, less than five minutes after resealing it, attempting the Promotion Ritual would inevitably be affected.
In the worst case, Lennok’s left arm could completely destroy the Promotion Magic Circle itself.
It wasn’t a matter of whether Lennok challenged it, but a situation where the entire Ascension Plan could be utterly annihilated.
[H-Huh?! Th-That won’t do!]
Davi, finally coming to his senses, frantically gathered mana and began to assist Lennok diligently.
Assisting his computational power, Davi stretched his will towards all sides of the Promotion Magic Circle, forcibly halting the flow of mana.
While freezing the mana flow to prevent the magic circle from breaking, he simultaneously manipulated the vibrating labyrinth beneath their feet.
CRUMBLE-RUMBLE-RUMBLE…!!!
Following Lennok’s gesture, hundreds of labyrinth paths moved, stopping the operation of the Promotion Magic Circle.
Only then did the mana overflowing from the labyrinth abruptly cease, and the magic circle surrounding Lennok began to stop.
WHOOOOSH…!!
The vibrating sound was like a roaring engine, which had been warming up for a long time, rapidly cooling down.
“…It stopped.”
Only then did Lennok cut off the mana circulation and step down from the halted magic circle.
The magic circle, which had been floating and rotating above the labyrinth, was now suspended, as if time had stopped.
“So that’s how the magic circle for the Promotion Ritual was formed.”
Lennok meticulously observed it as he descended towards the lower part of the labyrinth.
“Both flat and three-dimensional… Is it maintaining the same form simultaneously in 2D and 3D spacetime?”
No matter from which direction he viewed the magic circle, it maintained a shape close to a flat circle.
This was proof that the magic circle was observed as a 2D form from any 3D coordinate.
“If the magic circle’s shape exists consistently regardless of specific coordinates, I’ll have to completely change the direction control method. I’ll also need to adjust the mana efficiency and rotation rate.”
Although he had paused the Promotion Ritual, merely observing its structure beforehand was a significant gain.
Interpreting the magic circle wasn’t difficult with his knowledge of Barrier Spellcraft and unique intuition.
The knowledge he gained just from examining the magic circle was enough for Lennok to create a new Promotion Ritual on his own.
“Davi. Record this interpretation of the Promotion Ritual we just obtained as a top-tier core data in the database.”
Lennok said, molding mana in his hands to create a replica of the magic circle.
“Even if it’s not for Maleon’s challenge right now, it will definitely come in handy someday.”
[I’ve already started scanning its full 3D structure into the database. Progress is 89%!]
For now, he would have to be content with a concrete understanding of the Promotion Magic Circle and its intricacies.
Lennok slowly descended near the labyrinth’s entrance, following the flow of gravity.
“I knew it, but it seems Jindun, during his lifetime, was truly an Ascendant who obsessively focused on Barrier Spellcraft alone.”
Thump!!
Lennok, having landed at the labyrinth’s entrance, gave a wry smile and looked up.
“To create something like this for the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation, hasn’t it already gone beyond the scope of a test to become an Ascendant?”
Lennok’s ability to enter the Hanghasa Labyrinth back then was only possible because Jindun, facing death, had opened it.
It was a miracle allowed because it was a process of surrendering his own death to the Director, according to an ancient promise.
Even if this entire labyrinth was a result of mimicking the Hanghasa Labyrinth, it would still be an extremely difficult task.
[Perhaps he just hated having other organisms tamper with his meticulously designed work?]
Davi nodded as if understanding Jindun’s feelings.
[When you’ve carefully balanced a game on the Deep Web vs. Play board, there’s nothing more annoying than someone criticizing it. I understand it perfectly.]
“…I don’t think that can be categorized in the same way. Can you even call that a ‘work’ to begin with?”
Lennok rubbed Davi’s head, who was trying to understand the Ascendant in a strange way, and fell into thought while gazing at the labyrinth.
“Jindun wasn’t an Ascendant who bothered challengers unnecessarily. If he created this trial by mimicking the Hanghasa Labyrinth, there must be a reason.”
[So he thought the labyrinth was the most efficient way to drive away annoying organisms—]
“What if it’s the opposite? What if he didn’t install the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation by mimicking the Hanghasa Labyrinth, but rather—”
Lennok ignored Davi’s words and asked himself.
“What if it required mastering the intricacies of the Hanghasa Labyrinth to create the gateway that blocks the Ninth Tribulation?”
[Heeh.]
“Even a Level 9 Ascendant wouldn’t know many ways to become an Ascendant. So, when designing the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation, he used the method that he himself had successfully achieved.”
Lennok murmured, placing one hand on the solid outer wall of the labyrinth.
“If a being is qualified to challenge ascension, they would be able to break through the labyrinth and reach the Ninth Tribulation in some way. If we assume that, it’s not incomprehensible.”
[Then, Master, should we investigate the labyrinth a little?]
Davi wiggled his tail within Lennok’s embrace.
[It would be good to at least know how much of the Hanghasa Labyrinth’s deepest map in my database is effective here.]
“This labyrinth isn’t the real Hanghasa Labyrinth, but a gateway designed as the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation. Only the core principles of the Hanghasa Labyrinth were used for its essence.”
Lennok shook his head.
“The possibility of breaking through the trial with only this data is extremely low. If we fail ambiguously and Maleon’s challenge is also blocked, it would be putting the cart before the horse.”
[Eh? Then what should we do?]
“Let’s return to the Eighth Tribulation first.”
Lennok said, rising to his feet after a moment of contemplation.
“I need to explain the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation and discuss how to perform the Promotion Ritual. Things seem more complicated than I thought.”
He hadn’t expected things to go smoothly for a Promotion Ritual that would birth a new Ascendant.
But he had never imagined that a part of the Hanghasa Labyrinth would remain in the deepest part of Kundara.
Even after a considerable amount of time had passed since Jindun’s death, did the gateway he designed still exist, maintaining its presence like this?
Lennok, about to leave the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation without regret, stopped as if something had occurred to him.
“…Should I try one last experiment?”
Flap!!
He unfurled the Blood-Thought Scribe and let a drop of blood fall into it.
=Oh, Great Ascendant. What do you wish to know?
The Blood-Thought Scribe’s power, which had been depleted immediately after arriving in Kundara, had recently returned a little.
If he could find out anything about the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation using this blood-based database.
Lennok wrote a query on the page, and an answer quickly appeared.
=The Trial of the Ninth Tribulation is a massive labyrinth-shaped gateway designed by the Ascendant Jaegis Eternor.
=The condition for passing the trial is ‘qualification.’ No other passing conditions have been identified.
There was no need to ask what the Blood-Thought Scribe meant by ‘qualification.’
Adding an unnecessary clarification would only waste a question opportunity.
Lennok silently gazed at the other information appearing on the page.
=To date, six challengers have attempted the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation in Kundara. Four of them were eliminated.
=Among the eliminated, two gave up midway. One died. One went missing.
=The identities of the two challengers who gave up midway are available for viewing. Do you require additional information?
Lennok immediately wrote another question in the Blood-Thought Scribe.
=Can I view the identities of the successful challengers who passed the trial?
The answer returned instantly.
=Currently, no officially successful challengers have passed the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation.
“…”
Six challengers. Four eliminated, but no official successful challengers.
Lennok reviewed the Q&A record again and only then realized that the Blood-Thought Scribe had not made any mention of successful challengers.
Was it because, unlike the four who definitely failed, the remaining two’s outcomes were unknown—whether they succeeded or failed?
Thinking that far, Lennok understood why the Blood-Thought Scribe had given such an answer.
“The other two weren’t individuals who broke through the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation and became Ascendants.”
Lennok murmured, closing the Blood-Thought Scribe.
“They were already Level 9 Ascendants when they stood before the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation.”
[Master, does that mean…]
“Two different Ascendants visited Kundara’s Ninth Tribulation. This is certainly significant information.”
One was the Ascendant Crimson, whom Maleon had mentioned, who visited to store Kaiser’s body in the Ninth Tribulation. The other Ascendant, whose purpose was unknown.
If two Ascendants visited the Ninth Tribulation at different times for different purposes, what could their reasons be?
Lennok put the Blood-Thought Scribe back into his embrace, gathered mana, and immediately turned back.
“I need to hurry with the ritual. Let’s return to the Eighth Tribulation right away.”
WHOOSH…!!!
Lennok stepped out from within a spherical mass of darkness rotating like a black hole.
“Hmph…”
As a consequence of using the Penalty from his left arm, which had transformed into a Forbidden Armament, his senses began to dull and ache.
In front of Lennok, who was rubbing his left arm, stood a young man with blue hair, arms crossed.
The young man, pushing back his long hair that reached his waist, looked at Lennok with an expressionless face and spoke.
“You’ve returned alive.”
“…”
“I thought you would be swallowed by the darkness of the Outer Sea. For a human, you are quite a resourceful spellcaster.”
A face he had never seen before and an overbearing tone. An oppressive, even chilling, demeanor.
Even the flamboyant, antiquated ceremonial robe the young man wore was unfamiliar.
Lennok, frowning and staring at the young man, belatedly realized his identity and made a baffled expression.
“Could it be, Regnus Aerom himself?”
A Supreme Committee Member of the Elder Council, just like Maleon, and the administrator of the Eighth Tribulation.
He, a True Blood lineage known as a Crown Reindeer, was waiting for Lennok, having assumed a human form.
However, upon hearing Lennok’s words, Regnus’s expression immediately soured as if displeased.
“Who permitted you to address me by that name in such a manner?”
“…”
Unlike his reindeer form, his emotions were easier to read when transformed into a human.
Was he waiting for Lennok, standing before the sphere of darkness leading to the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation?
Lennok, about to ignore Regnus, realized that the surroundings were unusually quiet and turned his head.
The hall, which had been bustling with dozens of Long-lived Beings when Lennok entered the darkness, was silent.
Even Olivera’s presence was only detectable far away, on the outskirts of the hall.
Only then did Lennok realize what had happened and his lips tightened.
“Wait, how much time has passed…?”
Time flowed differently inside and outside the darkness, similar to the Outer Sea.
That was why the change before and after Lennok entered the darkness had been so drastic.
Was that why the Fearsome Blood King hadn’t contacted Lennok, even with the Blood-Thought Scribe in use?
“Forty-five hours have passed since you entered the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation.”
“…”
Had nearly two days passed while he was briefly investigating the Hanghasa Labyrinth?
Only then did Lennok understand why Regnus had remained here and shifted his gaze.
“You stayed here because you are the administrator of the Eighth Tribulation.”
“Indeed, for it is my role to manage and control the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation.”
Regnus calmly conceded and turned to walk away.
“If you understand, then move. Maleon is waiting for you.”
“Where is Maleon now?”
“He is in the midst of preparations to ensure every possible measure is taken before the Promotion Ritual.”
Regnus said calmly.
“Maleon has yearned for ascension for a very long time, so the arrangements and supporters prepared for this grand endeavor are countless.”
“…”
“As he chose the timing while all of Kundara watched, Maleon also carefully selected the spellcasters and spellcraft necessary for himself.”
The young man said as he walked through the corridors of the vast hall, guiding Lennok.
“The fruit of all those accumulated arrangements and patience lies right there.”
GROOAAAAH…!!!
A colossal, circular hall located within the inner part of the palace.
Dozens of Long-lived Beings revealed their true forms and knelt.
Giant cranes and scorpions, swallows, and high-ranking Long-lived Beings with mysterious, unidentifiable appearances.
Beings who had perfected their hierarchy unfolded their Miniature Universes and Domains, completely unleashing their mental images.
The power of their unfolded mental images, will-thoughts, and mana surged forth as immeasurable, brilliant halos of light.
FLASHING!!!
At the center of the intensely rotating halos of light, Maleon sat with his eyes closed, in a lotus position.
At the core where the overlapping Domains simultaneously unfolded by the Long-lived Beings converged.
Maleon seemed to be absorbing and receiving their mental images and spellcraft entirely within that space.
With each moment, Maleon’s presence and will-thought grew incessantly, swelling as if about to burst.
A peculiar form, as if forcibly inflating his own existence to fill the space.
“That’s…”
“He is receiving blessings for all of Maleon’s abilities and origins.”
Regnus, who had stopped beside Lennok, explained.
“It enhances his mental image and will-thought, physical abilities and mental stability, spellcraft output and mana manipulation; it boosts luck and wards off curses and evil energies.”
“…”
“All those who followed Maleon here have personally adjusted their spellcraft solely for this moment.”
The young man glanced at Lennok with his blue eyes.
“Originally, he planned to complete preparations in the Seventh Tribulation and then enter the Eighth Tribulation to immediately begin the ritual… but the schedule changed when you paralyzed the Eighth Tribulation’s gateway.”
“That was…”
“I have no intention of blaming you. In fact, completing preparations in the Eighth Tribulation will be beneficial for the ritual. In that sense, what you did was helpful to Maleon.”
Regnus looked down at Lennok and said calmly.
“I heard you are an exceptionally skilled knight and spellcaster. You must possess outstanding talent in handling Barrier Spellcraft as well.”
“…”
“Therefore, please lend your strength to ensure the success of the ritual. If you are a helper chosen by Maleon himself, you will surely be of great assistance.”
With those words, Regnus turned away without hesitation.
“When Maleon awakens, the ritual will begin immediately. I will be waiting.”
He had only walked to escort Lennok, but now, fitting his position as the administrator of the Eighth Tribulation, he intended to return to the entrance of the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation.
Lennok, watching Regnus leave without hesitation, opened his mouth.
“For someone who says that, you seem to hope Maleon doesn’t succeed.”
“…”
Regnus’s steps halted.
“No, it’s slightly different.”
Lennok said after a brief thought.
“You don’t hope he fails; you believe he will fail.”
“…You.”
“You knew that time flowed differently inside the Trial of the Ninth Tribulation, yet you waited for me in front of it.”
Lennok tilted his head, looking at the expressionless Regnus turning back to face him.
“You knew Maleon couldn’t focus on this side while preparing for the ritual, so you wanted to speak with me alone for a moment.”
“…”
“If you weren’t trying to kill or subdue me, then it must be because you have something to say about my role in this plan?”
Waiting for Lennok before the trial. Personally bringing Lennok to Maleon.
All these actions were unnecessary from Regnus’s perspective.
If it was to create time to speak with Lennok alone and gauge his reaction.
And if his interest wasn’t in Lennok, but in Lennok’s role in adjusting the Promotion Magic Circle.
Wouldn’t that mean Regnus believes the success or failure of this plan depends not on Maleon, but on Lennok’s entrusted role with the Promotion Magic Circle?
Lennok glanced at Maleon and said,
“Maleon and the Long-lived Beings are deeply concentrating, so they probably haven’t noticed us yet.”
“…”
“Even if they did, they wouldn’t be able to hear our conversation. So, I’d like to hear your answer right here.”
Lennok asked,
“Do you believe Maleon will fail?”
“…Yes.”
After a silence, Regnus nodded.
“If an outsider like you has noticed that much, then I suppose it’s alright to speak.”
“…”
“As things stand, Maleon will fail. At least, not with a method that relies on the Promotion Magic Circle.”
He murmured, looking at Maleon, who was enveloped in halos of light in the distance.
“That is a trap left by Jindun.”