Chapter 399: Symbiotic Mystic Eye (3)

A holographic anatomical diagram of a human body, with Mystic Eyes awakened in both eyes.

Mana circuits, evenly spread between the optic nerves, were distributing the output, thereby reducing the load.

[This is also why single-eye awakeners are relatively more unstable than dual-eye awakeners. The more frequently you use the Mystic Eye, the more strain is placed on just one optic nerve, leading to a situation where the body can no longer endure it.]

Olivera continued.

[The best method isn’t to tamper with the Mystic Eye itself, but to adjust the excessive output. Rather than draining or suppressing overflowing water, it’s best to gradually redirect it elsewhere.]

“So, awakening a Mystic Eye in the right eye is the solution…”

Lennok’s Mystic Eye, unlike those of other Mystic Eye users, was like a mirror that directly reflected his Mind Imprint.

Therefore, it was natural that the output of his Mystic Eye grew stronger as Lennok’s Mind Imprint became more firmly established.

Was it that the power flowing from Lennok’s Mind Imprint, which had found answers and direction in Jindun’s Labyrinth, had grown to such an extent that a single left eye could no longer contain it, causing it to malfunction and break down?

Yet, the absence of any significant abnormalities in Lennok’s body or eyes was possible precisely because his Mystic Eye was thoroughly based on his Mind Imprint.

Olivera didn’t know the exact process by which Lennok’s Mystic Eye awakened, yet she accurately pinpointed both the cause of the problem and its solution.

“Frankly, what you’re suggesting sounds like grasping at straws.”

That is, if one overlooked the fact that the solution was excessively drastic.

Lennok, arms crossed, looked up at the hologram and spoke.

“It’s not like I haven’t tried to awaken a Mystic Eye in my other eye.”

Ever since realizing that the Mystic Eye’s ability was connected to his Mind Imprint and that its efficacy was beyond imagination, Lennok had consistently attempted to awaken Mystic Eyes in both of his eyes.

However, unlike his initial awakening, which followed Eolara’s mana flow, he simply hadn’t been able to achieve positive results.

The ability of the Mystic Eye was closer to an innate, physiological power, completely distinct from a wizard’s spellcasting abilities, making it an area Lennok’s talent couldn’t freely influence.

He had even tried imitating the mana flow in both eyes of other Mystic Eye users whenever he met them, attempting to arbitrarily stimulate his own eyeballs, but he only strongly felt the side effects of mana addiction.

“Awakening a Mystic Eye isn’t something a wizard can do at will. I don’t know if that can even be called a solution.”

If the excessive output of his Mystic Eye was a side effect caused by the strengthening of Lennok’s Mind Imprint, then to alleviate that output, the Mystic Eye to be awakened in his right eye would also need to connect with his Mind Imprint in a different way.

Could the answer to “awaken the right eye as well” for an innate ability that couldn’t even be awakened at will, let alone have its powers chosen freely, be considered a normal solution?

‘Should I contact Ballak O’Edon? I did get a heads-up about The Vanguard, but…’

While Lennok was thinking that he might need to contact the “Abnormal Ability Awakening Vanguard” separately, which dealt with innate, physiological abilities including psychic powers,

Olivera abruptly turned on her heel.

[Follow me.]

“…What?”

There was no reply.

Whoosh!!

The gigantic book, which had unfolded into a laboratory, instantly folded completely and stood upright, and the two individuals caught between its pages sank deep downwards, eventually landing near a staircase.

A colossal book situated within a hundreds-of-meters-wide glass sphere. Below that vast book lay the eerie landscape of a basement.

Could such different spaces exist within the same crystal?

In contrast to the laboratory, which used bookmarks to fold and store space, there was a hidden basement on the other side of that space.

That meant Olivera was also utilizing the concept of imaginary dimensions and applying it to real-world domains.

Whoosh…!!

Unlike the somewhat warm atmosphere of the laboratory, the air in the basement was incredibly cold and gloomy.

As Lennok shivered from the biting wind, Olivera, who had walked down the stairs, spoke.

[Even before the mega-cities were built, there were countless wars.]

“…”

[Many strong individuals died and left behind only their remains. What is stored in this basement is part of the evidence of those repeated mistakes.]

Only then did Lennok’s expression subtly change, realizing what Olivera was saying.

“Wait, does that mean…?”

Before Lennok could finish, she gestured, and the massive metal wall filling the cold basement began to vibrate intensely.

Boom!!

As cracks appeared in the wall, a hidden space was revealed.

Beyond the opened wall, an incredibly chilling cold wafted out.

The artificially created ultralow temperature felt cold, as if it were intentionally designed to preserve something.

Lennok followed Olivera inside, his mouth slightly agape.

Floating in giant glass tubes were various human body parts: arms, legs, eyeballs, hair, and more.

Not only were there corpses missing their lower halves, but also the remains of men and women with intact limbs, and even bodies where only the head remained.

The aura of death that permeated this space, where only a faint hum echoed without any other sound, made the entire scene even more horrifying.

“Insane… Have you really compiled this many human specimens for research?”

[The remains of those with rare constitutions or powerful innate abilities are, in themselves, valuable data and assets.]

Olivera replied nonchalantly.

[They are among the most valuable and precious possessions among my assets and treasures.]

“…Hiding these remains is extremely dangerous. If the City Council found out, there would be an uproar.”

Even the Vulcan City Government, which tends to overlook crimes in the outer districts and underworld, is exceptionally strict when it comes to the mishandling of high-level superhuman corpses.

In this world, where various spells and sciences thrive, there are many ways to tamper with human corpses and lives.

[When I awakened The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye, I was prepared to use any means necessary. If I couldn’t resolve the madness before being consumed by power and going insane, I was facing self-destruction.]

“…”

[No answer, I see.]

A faint hint of a smile began to mix in her telepathic voice as she turned to face Lennok through her veil.

[Surely you’re not thinking of expressing disappointment in my humanity now, are you? Someone with your talent and skill wouldn’t be upholding trivial morals, would they?]

“…No.”

Lennok slowly shook his head.

“It’s just that I think I understand why you seemed to have become a completely different person at some point.”

[….]

Olivera, perhaps not expecting that answer at all, instead fell silent.

After a long silence, she let out a small chuckle and began to walk again.

[…Did you perhaps meet an old sorcerer? I can guess what she might have said, so I won’t ask any further.]

“…”

[However, if you meet her again, tell him to watch her mouth.]

As expected, Olivera still remembered Grisha clearly.

Lennok confirmed that fact but didn’t press further about what had happened in her past.

For now, he needed to focus more on the objects she was showing him than on her past.

[As I mentioned before, I have organized the remains of those with unique constitutions or innate abilities in this basement.]

She stood before a shelf with three glass tubes lined up and spoke.

[Among them are superhumans who possessed exceptionally powerful Mystic Eyes. The ones categorized here are the remains of Mystic Eye users who reached the Archmage level.]

“This is…”

Lennok stood there, quietly holding his breath.

Three different types of eyeballs floated in their respective glass tubes.

This was because those eyeballs seemed to be alive, turning to stare down at the two of them.

[The one on the far left is the ‘Mystic Eye of the North Star Leader’ possessed by a great warrior of the Southern Blood Spirit Tribe. It’s a hereditary innate ability passed down through the tribe, said to allow one to glimpse the future by borrowing the power of the stars.]

Between the two transparent pupils, a radiance flickered, like a morning star shining.

Olivera began to recount stories about the Mystic Eyes, calmly walking between the glass tubes.

[The one preserved in the middle is the ‘Mystic Eye of Measurement’ possessed by a spatial manipulation sorcerer from the Machine City. It had the ability to precisely cut and measure space itself according to absolute coordinates. Its power was so extreme that it could sever and reattach space merely by looking at it.]

“…This isn’t even an eyeball.”

Lennok, looking closely inside the glass tube, was speechless.

This was because, instead of an eyeball, a half-torn human head was floating entirely within the glass tube.

On the perfectly preserved retina of the eyeball within the remains, colorful geometric patterns floated.

Was it to preserve the remains as intact as possible for the sake of storing the Mystic Eye?

Even so, its appearance was undeniably excessively gruesome.

[And the one preserved on the far right is the ‘Mystic Eye of the Outer Thunder White’ possessed by the Grand Commander of the Central City, Arsnova. It’s an innate ability of a great noble who supposedly lived normally for decades even with only one eye.]

Unlike the previous two cases where both eyes were perfectly preserved, only one eyeball remained in the third glass tube.

Yet, its gleaming golden pupil seemed no less potent than the other two Mystic Eyes.

All three Mystic Eyes were indeed rare treasures possessing extraordinary origins and potential.

Realizing how rare a treasure and artifact each of these Mystic Eyes was, Lennok silently clicked his tongue.

“So, the Chairman of the Cartel can collect and stash away treasures of this caliber in her basement? Truly immense wealth.”

[I only collected these specimens during the process of conducting Mystic Eye research; I never used them. A Mystic Eye only reveals its true value after direct transplantation, and I had no intention of replacing my own eyes.]

It was an extremely arrogant remark, but Lennok understood.

The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye that she possessed was the power symbolizing Olivera Ron Maize and the key that allowed her to reach the Archmage level 8.

While he didn’t know the exact nature of the power of the Mystic Eye that emitted seven different lights, it certainly seemed no less potent than the three Mystic Eyes gathered here.

[I have collected a few other Mystic Eyes, but these three are the only specimens that match your level and are in the best condition.]

Olivera said, arms crossed.

[Choose one of these three Mystic Eyes, and I will transplant it into your right eye.]

It was an incredibly unconventional offer, but Lennok wasn’t particularly surprised.

He had already guessed such an offer would be made the moment Olivera brought him here to show him the Mystic Eyes.

[Then you won’t need to try awakening a Mystic Eye; it will naturally distribute the output, allowing you to handle it. Your Mystic Eye, free from cracks, will also naturally grow.]

“…”

[Since you’ve decided to cooperate with the Cartel, risking a disadvantage, I too am willing to offer an appropriate reward.]

She continued in a slightly softened tone.

[I am also fully aware of your talent and power, and I don’t want that power to go wild in this city. If there’s a need, I believe there’s ample room for us to cooperate.]

Indeed, simply handling the troublesome matter of Executive Ayoon by dealing with him adequately was practically a benefit for Lennok, as it meant being offered a rare Mystic Eye.

Considering that Mystic Eyes themselves are unobtainable with money in the market, and that they are treated as near-relic-grade artifacts the higher their rank or power, Olivera was being generous at this point.

Perhaps it was to reaffirm that even if she sat at the same negotiation table as Lennok, it was she who ultimately granted the generous reward.

“I’m sorry, but that’s not the answer I’m looking for.”

Yet, while agreeing with Olivera’s words, Lennok ultimately slowly shook his head.

“I’m not particularly keen on discarding a perfectly healthy eye and transplanting someone else’s. If I had intended to swap out body parts like that, I would have done so a long time ago.”

Although he had endured countless hardships due to the cycle of penalties afflicting his body, Lennok had never once considered modifying his body or transplanting body parts.

After all, talent is a power that is influenced by both mind and body.

No matter how crude or fragile the physical body, it remains the most perfect vessel to contain Lennok’s talent and its accompanying burdens.

Lennok had no intention of disrupting this balance with clumsy methods like human modification or transplantation.

He was already aware that the probability of escaping his predicament through such artificial replacements was extremely low.

[You asked about the Mystic Eye, so I simply gave you a corresponding answer.]

Olivera casually uncrossed her arms and responded.

[If you don’t like the offer, there’s nothing to be done. It’s been a long time since I encountered a wizard who could raise their Mystic Eye’s ability to this level, so I humored you, but it seems there’s nothing more I can do.]

It was natural for her to think of Lennok’s answer in that way.

If he refused after she brought him to her hidden laboratory, showed him the Mystic Eye samples, and offered her own solution, she would naturally consider that she had done her best.

However, despite her response, Lennok immediately shook his head.

“Even if not these three types of Mystic Eyes here, isn’t there one more person’s Mystic Eye left?”

[…What?]

Before replying, Lennok silently met Olivera’s eyes, hidden behind her veil.

From the very beginning, there was only one Mystic Eye Lennok had in mind.

Only then did Olivera, realizing what the wizard before her was thinking, slowly tilted her head.

[Surely, you….]

“Forget about Executive Ayoon. I never intended to gain something from you just for that.”

This was because Olivera’s eyes, which had reached the Peak of Extremes for Archmages and fully assimilated the power of her Mystic Eye, would almost certainly be deeply connected to her Mind Imprint.

He didn’t just need a Mystic Eye that was powerful in terms of its innate ability or scale.

What Lennok wanted was to investigate cases like his own, where the Mystic Eye’s ability was strongly linked to the user’s Mind Imprint, and to research its manifestation process.

And there was only one person in this city with a power that met Lennok’s conditions.

“I want to propose a new deal: in exchange for allowing me to study The Seven Debts Jewels Mystic Eye that you, Chairman, possess.”