Chapter 1328: Designed Transcendence (6)
The train station near the satellite city was, as always, packed with people, leaving no room to stand.
Hiss! (Sound of train)
“The maglev train bound for District 41 will depart in 3 minutes. All passengers who have not yet boarded, please do so now!”
“The Vylun Research Institute’s presentation is scheduled for 2 PM. If we’re lucky, a new Common Magic might be announced.”
“The 37th investment advisory meeting for the commercialization of Particle Sculpting technology is being held in District 49. Many observers from Machina are attending, so those interested in investing—”
Public maglev trains, equipped with anti-gravity engines, flew in a neat line along the Skyway of the terminal.
People walking the streets held cell phones or learning devices, and the electronic billboards were full of news about new Common Magic.
Delegates and researchers from Machina, who had arrived in Vulcan for the Particle Sculpting technology investment advisory, disembarked from the train in droves.
“……”
Every time he returned from a journey, the landscape of the mega-city changed subtly.
It was larger and more obsessed with power struggles than any other city on the continent, and thus, more vibrant.
Was the ancient city of Ars Nova, which once dominated the central continent and prospered, also like this?
Did Lennok, back then, also walk through that city, observing how people lived?
The more he learned, the more he looked back. The time spent in thought grew longer, and his worries increased.
He had never considered that fact a bad thing, but even so, there was something he needed to deal with first.
Hiss! (Sound of train)
As the train doors opened, a flood of people poured out.
Lennok stepped out with the flow, slowly raising his gaze.
An unprecedented state of emergency had struck the mega-city of Vulcan following the collapse of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.
The evidence of it could be seen even outside this satellite city, far from Vulcan.
“……”
Above the train station in the satellite city. The distant scenery of the mega-city Vulcan.
Above the mega-city, where the clouds had cleared and the blue sky was revealed at midday, an object that had never existed before now floated.
Kwoooh-ooh-ooh-ooh!!!!!
A colossal silver waxing moon, imbued with an antique light, as if woven from ancient silver.
Its sheer size, visible to the naked eye, easily surpassed several of Vulcan’s Outer Zones.
There was no need to state whose ability this was, appearing above the city with the premonition of an Ascendant’s visit.
Lennok’s eyes narrowed as he gazed up at the colossal silver waxing moon suspended in the bright blue sky.
‘Such a massive structure is floating there, yet I sense no presence at all. Does it possess such immense power that it’s visible to the naked eye without physical manifestation?’
A gigantic silver waxing moon, large enough to be seen from outside the satellite city, floating above Vulcan.
Yet, despite the existence of such a massive structure, Lennok’s Magical Perception couldn’t grasp its physical form.
This meant the silver moon was merely an embodiment of Will-thought, or something akin to an illusion, not yet physically manifested in reality.
A Transcendence capable of projecting a structure of such scale onto Vulcan merely by directing one’s Will-thought towards it.
There was no need to confirm how powerful a Seeker the opponent was.
“An Ascendant’s visit, huh…”
Having finished the conquest of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors and returned to Vulcan, it seemed there was still work to be done before resting.
Thinking this, Lennok walked out of the train station, then faintly winced, a sharp pain stabbing his side.
“……Ugh.”
Holding a ticket in one hand, he moved slowly, almost limping.
As soon as he sat on an empty chair in a corner of the waiting room, he sighed and bowed his head.
‘The Seamless spell effect is fading… It seems I can’t avoid the intense pain for a while.’
The final battle with The Grand General in the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors.
That decisive battle, where he had pulled out and detonated two Branching Points accessible under his alias, Cheonbeon, had severely taxed Lennok’s mind and body.
He had achieved victory, cloaked in various authorities and miracles, by borrowing Jindun’s Divine Barrier, the Black God Demonic Art, Seamless, and Quasi-Authority.
However, the indelible shock and aftermath left on Lennok’s body were unavoidable.
On The Agency’s Mothership, the lingering embers of Seamless had suppressed the side effects, but even that had reached its limit.
It wasn’t strange, as it was a future attainment temporarily acquired using the core of a Singularity Reactor as material.
Instead, he should be grateful that he even managed to reach near Vulcan intact.
It wasn’t an unfamiliar outcome. After a major battle, Lennok’s body always creaked as if it would shatter.
Rather, the fact that it ended at this level even after defeating The Grand General felt new.
“……”
Although The Grand General’s physical body was already dead, the opponent had clearly been an Ascendant who had achieved a full Level 9 during their lifetime.
In the past, facing such a monster would have resulted in irreversible injuries or a situation where his life was uncertain.
Indeed, in Kundara, hadn’t he overcome such crises several times, even using Life Vessels to escape death?
This seemingly minor yet strikingly different outcome made Lennok realize something had changed within him.
At the moment he brought an end to a long-pursued project, perhaps something had changed within Lennok himself.
He still recalled the final battle against Kaiser Bajour.
Because all processes and outcomes of the Subjugation Operation were, in a way, close to the ideal he sought.
Because the sensation of perfectly controlling everything in that moment was still vividly clear, as if he could grasp it.
Because he believed that gaining Transcendence and reaching ascension would feel like that.
Perhaps, the true meaning of becoming a god—
[Master…?]
“……I’m fine.”
Lennok, who had been silent, leaned on the chair and staggered to his feet.
“I’m just a little tired. I’ll recover after I go back and rest.”
[……]
The subtle sense of unease he had felt since acquiring Extreme Lightning Magic had grown stronger after meeting The Grand General.
After discussing Ban-gung at the end of the Demonic Realm, a lingering emptiness occasionally colored his mind.
A floating sensation, as if he had already arrived somewhere else, even while standing on solid ground.
It was a strange feeling, as if the constraints binding Lennok to this world had loosened.
“But before that… I need to check the information about the Ascendant first.”
Lennok forcibly shook off his thoughts and turned his gaze.
“At least I need to find out immediately which Ascendant is visiting Vulcan and when they will arrive.”
He took a step, feeling as if he would lose consciousness if he lost focus for even a moment.
The latest news from the Eastern Continent streamed across the train station’s electronic billboards.
[Conqueror Baitan, who invaded the Pilenom Autonomous Region, clashed with Lighthouse Keeper Lapis Falcia.]
[The battle, which began around the Moon Island Lighthouse, is reported to have encompassed the entire Sea of Understanding…]
[The Eyes of Blue stated that the Lighthouse Keeper’s safety was secured, but they were unable to subjugate the Conqueror…]
[And warned of possible further attacks near the autonomous region…]
“……”
Baitan and Lapis clashed over the autonomous region? It was such sudden news that even Lennok, trying to divert his attention, was slightly surprised.
‘Baitan was presumed to be from the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors… Could it be?’
Did Lennok’s conquest of the Demonic Realm somehow influence Baitan’s actions?
He couldn’t be sure without clearly knowing what kind of being Baitan was, but…
[Shall I secure the combat records from near the autonomous region, Master?]
“No… Our situation isn’t so relaxed either.”
Lennok pondered for a moment, then slowly turned.
“It’s enough that Lapis herself is safe. Unless the Lighthouse Keeper is in critical condition, Vulcan’s matters come first.”
The Lighthouse Keepers, who inherited the mission of Heavenly Sight, observe the Outer Sea, delaying the acceleration of the world’s demise.
Regardless of her departure from The Eyes of Blue, Lapis’s condition needed to be continually checked and cared for.
He didn’t know why Baitan had directly clashed with Lapis, but having formally inherited the power of Heavenly Sight, Lapis wouldn’t be inferior in terms of raw power.
Hadn’t he gone to the trouble of turning Vulcan upside down to take Lapis to the Eight Directions Citadel just to help her with that?
Clang! Rumble-rumble-rumble-
Leaving the station, with the sound of the departing train on the tracks behind him, he headed from the satellite city to Vulcan on a maglev bound for District 49.
It had been several years since anti-gravity engines were commercialized, and all related systems and laws were already in place.
Not only were routes organized for all districts within Vulcan, but also Skyways via satellite cities were established.
All Lennok had to do was check the transit districts at the terminal and board the operating maglev.
Hiss! (Sound of steam)
“Hoo…”
Lennok, disembarking in the Outer Zone of District 49, stopped at a nearby construction site, took out a roll of tobacco, lit it, and inhaled.
As the analgesic components mixed in the tobacco began to spread through his body, he finally felt able to move.
“Let’s go to the bar. Jenny would have definitely investigated the current situation. However…”
Lennok exhaled a weak puff of smoke, then turned his gaze to the scene before him.
“I didn’t expect so many people near District 49. Is this really okay?”
Vulcan’s Outer Zone, still under extensive construction after being devastated by the Subjugation Operation.
However, most of the streets leading into District 49 had been completed, with smooth paved roads visible everywhere.
New buildings incorporating advanced engineering technologies gleamed, and skyscrapers that seemed to pierce the sky stood in rows.
The crowds were twice as dense as what he had seen at the train station, filling every street and intersection.
[The number of organic entities entering and exiting District 49 has increased by nearly six times since the Subjugation Operation ended, Master,]
Davi replied.
[Even with the massive expansion construction in District 49, the floating population is so high that it’s already nearing capacity.]
“That’s absurd… Did I miscalculate?”
District 49 was the main battlefield at the heart of the Subjugation Operation. He had expected it to be quiet for a while due to the aftermath, but the influx of people was excessive.
“It might have been better to move the exchange, even if it meant abandoning the Domain. It’ll be hard to move around the district normally at this rate.”
[But all the privileges the Central Council handed over to Master are centered around District 49, aren’t they?]
Davi peeked her head out from Lennok’s embrace.
[If you leave the Domain, you’ll be hit with all sorts of tariffs and regulations, and a tax bomb. That’s why that seaweed-head (Jenny) is also trying to handle things within District 49 as much as possible.]
“I didn’t know you cared so much about the Magic Tower’s budget, Davi.”
[Hmph, all the Tower’s assets are Master’s property, aren’t they?]
Davi puffed out her chest and spoke confidently, extending her front paws.
[As a Cybernetic Spirit managing Master’s portfolio, the Magic Tower is also Master’s property, so I need to pay attention!]
“……”
[For now, I’ll leave it to that seaweed-head since she’s doing reasonably well, but if there’s even the slightest loss, I’ll immediately seize the financial department, won’t that be okay?]
“How could that be okay?”
[Phew-eeep.]
Davi was a Cybernetic Spirit who had no expectations of any organic entity other than Lennok.
If Lennok tacitly approved, she would seize all of the Tower’s payment systems within a day and wield them as she pleased.
It was remarkable that Jenny’s abilities were impressive enough to satisfy this finicky spirit, yet he had no intention of letting Davi manage the Tower’s budget.
“If you used the Tower’s budget your way, the continental stock market would go into an uproar. The Magic Tower’s finances aren’t just there to generate profit, to begin with.”
[Isn’t it the mark of a true gambler to make even bigger money in such a chaotic market?]
“……”
Lennok, who had been looking down incredulously at Davi, who was excitedly stretching her front paws with a Kya-oh, resumed walking.
Davi, seemingly not entirely serious, peeked her head out from Lennok’s embrace and wagged her tail.
[Anyway, there’ll be a lot to do once we return to District 49. Should I create a separate schedule, apart from the Ascendant’s visit?]
“I don’t know. I haven’t decided what to do first… For now, grasping the current situation takes precedence.”
Lennok walked slowly through the bustling crowds, lost in thought.
“The reconstruction of the Magic Tower is too complex an issue and requires further discussion. The promotion of the Tower’s management authority, as decided at the ceremonial reform, is probably the only manageable task.”
[And then?]
“I need to check the progress of the Particle Sculpting technology’s commercialization and coordinate with City Councilman Meyer. I’ll probably need to contact the Mayor at least once more to deal with the aftermath of the Subjugation Operation…”
While organizing and addressing the achievements gained from the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors was important, there were also various unfinished tasks from before he left for the Demonic Realm.
Having acquired the core of a Singularity Reactor on this journey, he also needed to ponder how to best utilize it.
‘The core of the Singularity Reactor alone won’t power the engine. In the Demonic Realm, I could force the engine to run using The Grand General’s True Blood as fuel, but…’
The Demonic Realm’s environment was unique and separate from the Material Realm, so events there shouldn’t be taken as precedent.
At the very least, a process of examining the Singularity Reactor’s core in the laboratory and inspecting its internal structure would be necessary.
He mentally organized, segmented, and categorized the things he needed to do, wanted to do, and could do.
Lost in thought, Lennok soon found himself in front of Jenny’s bar.
“……”
Even before opening the tightly shut bar door, a bustling presence could be felt from within.
Lennok glanced up at the colossal silver moon floating in the sky, then immediately opened the door and headed for the lobby.
Click.
As he pulled back the curtain covering the hallway, the bright lights of holograms and screens illuminated the room.
Dylan, who had been checking footage and analysis data of Vulcan’s airspace, spun his head around with a surprised expression.
“Van…?”
“Sorry to interrupt while you’re working.”
Lennok leaned against the wall, resting on his staff, and nodded.
Looking at the colossal silver moon displayed on the screen, Lennok asked,
“I think I know what data you’re looking at. Can I get a copy?”
“No, wait… This isn’t the time for that.”
Dylan put down the hard drive and video he was holding in both hands and hurried towards Lennok.
Grabbing Lennok’s shoulder and fumbling with it, Dylan muttered in an incredulous tone,
“What happened to you? Why is your body…!!”
“Adamant Thunder? Adamant Thunder is here?”
“Oh, you’re back sooner than expected. I thought we wouldn’t see your face for about half a year?”
“Idiot, it hasn’t even been two months since the Subjugation Operation ended. Resting too long can actually worsen your condition—”
With Dylan’s voice, the bar became bustling, and familiar faces popped out from various places.
Tower colleagues, who had stopped what they were doing, emerged from the back office, storeroom, or stairs.
But even they, upon seeing Lennok’s appearance, momentarily stopped speaking.
Mercenaries, who had been about to chatter at Lennok, blinked, a strange silence descending.
The air in the bar, which had been momentarily quiet, instantly became heavy.
“……Oh?”
“Van, your Will-thought is…”
Weian faltered, and Jenny, seeing Lennok’s face, frowned.
Felix and Tatiana, walking from the opposite direction, looked gravely concerned.
“Van. Your presence is dangerously faint… What in the world happened?”
“The mana density is incredibly thin. Did you intentionally drain your internal mana?”
Lennok’s Will-thought and mana, which always radiated a commanding presence, were extremely faint.
The internal power that usually filled Lennok was so depleted it felt as empty as a hollow shell.
The Tower colleagues had sensed this anomaly the moment they saw Lennok.
“Van, what happened? Did someone beat you up somewhere?”
“He doesn’t look seriously injured for that, though? He seemed incredibly dangerous, but he’s fine when I touch him.”
“No, look closely. He only looks fine on the outside, but he’s empty inside. Something’s wrong.”
“If Van had just fought someone, it wouldn’t feel like this. What kind of research have you been doing?”
Dylan, Weian, and other mercenaries crowded around, touching Lennok’s arm and shoulder.
They poked and prodded his body curiously, as if gauging his reaction.
[Kee-eht.]
Davi shrieked and hid in the Cybernetic Space, but Lennok let the spirit go and turned his gaze.
“I’ll explain the circumstances later. More importantly, I want to know the current situation in Vulcan.”
Lennok ignored the mercenaries and turned to Jenny, who was looking at him with a puzzled expression.
“I heard news that an Ascendant intends to visit Vulcan. I’d like to hear any additional information you have.”
“Van. It seems you haven’t heard much from the outside world for quite a while…”
Jenny, crossing her arms and shaking her head, said,
“Currently, the official visit schedule for the Ascendant and preparations for it were announced less than 36 hours ago. We’re only just starting to grasp the situation ourselves.”
“Is that so.”
“A few days ago, the entire continent suddenly went into an uproar, and Vulcan became chaotic. I’ll explain the detailed situation later, but…”
He didn’t need Jenny to tell him what news had transpired two days prior.
It was the period when the conquest of the Four Archangel Demonic Mirrors had ended, and monsters across the continent were reacting to the news.
Considering why this particular Ascendant would consider visiting Vulcan at this specific time, it wasn’t strange.
“The Ascendant planning to visit Vulcan has announced that they will personally descend upon the mega-city within three days.”
Jenny said,
“They needed at least some time to prepare, and we also have time to receive them. So, Van.”
Jenny stepped closer, looked up at Lennok, and spoke firmly.
“For now, you should take some rest. You’ve been away for quite a long time, and you haven’t been resting at all, have you?”
“……”
“I don’t know what kind of training or research you’ve been doing, but your entire body’s energy is completely depleted. I’ll explain later, so go and rest for a bit. I’ll take care of all the necessary procedures.”
Despite the Seamless spell effect leaving no major injuries on Lennok’s body,
Did his condition appear so dire to others?
“Alright. I’ll do that.”
Lennok nodded in compliance and asked,
“However, can I at least confirm what kind of being the Ascendant coming to Vulcan is?”
“……What kind of being?”
“An Ascendant who, immediately after scheduling a visit to Vulcan, floats such a massive structure above the city… Such a being wouldn’t be an ordinary Transcendent, would they?”
Lennok’s eyes darkened deeply.
“After all, among all the Ascendants throughout history, those who convey their Will-thought before moving themselves are extremely rare.”
Were there any such Transcendent beings left among the current Ascendants who could consider ‘worldly matters’ in that way?
With Heavenly Sight and Jindun having departed, he thought there were no such Ascendants left.
But upon hearing Lennok’s question, his other colleagues remained silent for a moment instead of answering.
It was a subtle reaction, as if they were choosing their words before speaking.
Before Lennok could ask anything, Jenny opened her mouth.
“Perhaps not many people in the current era would know. I only found meaningful information after inquiring through my connections.”
Jenny hesitated and said,
“What’s floating above Vulcan right now isn’t an Ascendant’s airship or a sky fortress. It’s more like a ‘mark’.”
“……A mark?”
“A mark for the Ascendant to shoot themselves directly towards this city. To be precise, it seems to be a target imbued with their Will-thought.”
Jenny glanced up.
“That’s probably only possible because the Ascendant about to arrive in Vulcan is a Transcendent Archer, a level unprecedented in history.”
“……”
“Ascendant Dadam. A recluse who sequestered herself even before the Empire’s fall, not appearing for decades, and…”
Jenny’s gaze shifted to the colossal silver waxing moon floating on the screen.
“A superhuman from the Eastern Outer Lei Clan who earned their qualifications. In short, an Ascendant who came from the Outer Continent.”