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Chapter 211

“What do you mean?”

“You know what I mean. You started openly flirting with that guy halfway through.”

“That\'s a bit of an exaggeration, don\'t you think?”

“Anyway.”

Ignoring his words, Luize stared him down with a stern expression.

“You know better than anyone what those guys are like... so why?”

Facing her interrogation, Se-Hoon studied her gaze, which was sharp and relentless; she seemed like she wouldn\'t let a single movement slip by unnoticed.

Is she suspicious that something’s gone wrong?

Given that he’d mentioned Allen had used a mana corrosion device, her concern was understandable.

And in that case, Se-Hoon decided it was best to give her a simple answer.

“If you keep staring at me like that, I’ll be too embarrassed to—”

“Do you want to die?!” Luize threatened, her eyes narrowing in disgust. However, her suspicion had eased a little.

“I don\'t have any concrete plans yet. I just thought it would be better to observe them up close than to make a half-baked attempt from a distance.”

“Isn’t that dangerous, though?”

“Of course it is. Look who we\'re dealing with.”

Watchers were so tricky to deal with because they blended too well into society, making it nearly impossible to distinguish them from ordinary people. Therefore, unless one exhibited the same recklessness as the Three Dogs, their schemes easily drew most in.

“Well, that’s why I’m getting one step closer to them. If we keep our distance, they’ll gain plenty of time to prepare something.”

By giving them the impression that he was open to recruitment, Se-Hoon hoped to draw them in and find a way to handle them before the reverse happened. And even if they were caught, he could just follow the Three Dogs\' method—cutting off their heads and dealing with the aftermath. There was no need to overcomplicate things.

The best case is if they never find out.

While Se-Hoon fell into thought, planning his next move, Luize, who had been silently thinking, finally spoke up. “So what do you want me to do?”

“Hmm...”

If it was the fierce Blast Dog from before the regression asking, he might have asked her to watch from the shadows, but Luize wasn’t quite at that level yet. With that option gone, he pondered what she could do, and soon, a decent idea came to mind.

“Tailing.”

“Tail him? Hmm... I’m not really good at that...”

“Not Allen. Tail me.”

“...What?”

Luize looked at him, puzzled by his seemingly foolish suggestion.

Se-Hoon smirked. “They\'ve been targeting you from the beginning, right? Then, the more it seems like you’ve developed special feelings for me, the higher my value becomes.”

If they thought recruiting Se-Hoon would make it easier to bring Luize in, it would most likely prompt a more proactive response from them during the meeting.

“...”

Luize bit her lip, her earlobes turning slightly red.

“So you’re saying I should act like I... have a crush on you?”

“Exactly. Preferably, like you’re head over heels.”

“...”

Luize’s eyes twitched at his suggestion. Normally, she would have instantly dismissed it as nonsense, but somehow, his reasoning made sense this time.

If only I were stronger...

Grinding her teeth in frustration, Luize took a deep breath before looking at Se-Hoon again.

“Fine. I\'ll give it a shot...”

“Great. But don’t stress too much over it. Just a little act will do.”

“...Let me know when you’re about to leave then,” Luize curtly responded before heading toward the door.

Then, just before stepping out, she added quietly, “Take care of yourself.”

Bang!

She slammed the door shut as she left, making Se-Hoon snicker.

“Looks like her pride took a hit.”

Considering she had to take on such an embarrassing task because her skill level wasn’t high enough, it was a natural reaction. And at that thought, Se-Hoon started stroking his chin.

With how much more familiar she’s become with Incantation Magic... should I start forging her some proper equipment soon?

Though the masks he had made for her so far were technically pieces of equipment, they were more like auxiliary tools. Equipment designed specifically to amplify the power of Incantation Magic was an entirely different matter.

Pondering what to forge, Se-Hoon mulled over his memories of the various pieces of equipment that the Blast Dog had used. And while he was doing that, there was a knock at the door.

Knock, knock

“May I come in for a moment?”

Recognizing the voice as Lan Fei’s, Se-Hoon paused briefly before inviting him in, “Yes, please come in.”

“Excuse me.”

Entering the room confidently, Lan Fei glanced around.

“It looks like someone was just here.”

“Luize stopped by for a moment. What brings you here, Professor?”

Though Lan Fei acknowledged the question, he didn’t answer immediately and just stared at Se-Hoon.

“I heard you’re meeting with Allen Morgan tonight. Is that true?” Lan Fei finally asked.

“Yes. He invited me to dinner and offered to show me his workshop.”

“...”

At the mention of Allen’s workshop, Lan Fei’s gaze deepened. Then, seemingly coming to some sort of decision, he spoke up. “I’d like to propose a deal.”

Se-Hoon looked up at him curiously, sensing that his demeanor was different from usual.

“Go on.”

“I want you to find out if there’s something special in Allen Morgan’s workshop.”

“Something special...?”

“Anything that you find unusual by your standards.”

Though Lan Fei had worded his request in that way because he trusted Se-Hoon\'s judgment, it was still vague.

However, Se-Hoon quickly realized what he meant regardless.

He knows something is in there but not what.

Considering Lan Fei’s proposal, Se-Hoon met his gaze and made his decision.

“Understood. I owe you one anyway, Professor.”

If Lan Fei hadn\'t accepted him as an on-site staff member during the expo, it would’ve been a lot harder to deal with the attack on Babel. And since the future was still as unpredictable as it could be, it was wise to maintain a flexible relationship with someone like Lan Fei.

While I\'m at it, I might as well confirm which group he belongs to.

Although Se-Hoon already had a hunch, it was better to make sure.

“Thank you. I\'ll make sure you\'re properly compensated.”

“I\'ll let you know once I return.”

“Then...”

Done with what he came to say, Lan Fei stood up and exited the room. Then, while Lan Fei was walking down the hallway, he began reflecting on their conversation.

...I still can\'t tell.

Which side was Se-Hoon on? Lan Fei had a feeling that, once this was over, he would likely have a better idea. Keeping it in mind, Lan Fei continued walking calmly.

***

Arriving at an upscale restaurant in the city’s center, Se-Hoon was escorted to an opulent private room. Upon entering, he glanced over at the person who had invited him.

“Welcome, Lee Se-Hoon.”

Seeing Allen greeting him with a smile, Se-Hoon returned the gesture with a polite nod and sat across from him.

“I\'m a bit surprised you invited me to such an extravagant place.”

“I have to put in the appropriate effort for an important guest, don’t you think?”

Grinning, Allen gestured to the waiter, who promptly started serving the meal.

They made small talk for a while, Se-Hoon quietly waiting for Allen to get to the point the entire time. Then, the moment finally came when Allen cut into his steak.

“Oh, by the way, there\'s something I\'d like to ask you.”

He paused, knife still in hand.

“Are you currently working on any kind of research?”

“Uh...”

“Oh, I don\'t mean to pry. It\'s just that people in my field, especially those with technical expertise, are very interested in your work.”

Putting down his fork and knife, Allen fixed his full attention on Se-Hoon.

“We\'re all curious if you’re currently tackling any problems that have long been considered unsolvable, like the mass production of sword aura equipment.”

Though Allen\'s tone seemed genuinely inquisitive, Se-Hoon could sense his true intent.

He\'s really piling on the pressure. It felt like Allen was trying to add to his burdens.

This was his chance, so Se-Hoon decided to play along.

“Yes, as you mentioned, I’m looking into projects that are generally considered challenging. But it’s not as straightforward as it was before,” Se-Hoon muttered with a bitter smile.

Allen\'s eyes gleamed.

“You seem to be struggling a lot. You’re also searching for something to ignite your passion again, right?”

“...”

“I understand that feeling well.”

Pausing, Allen took a sip of wine before looking at Se-Hoon again.

“Back when I could comprehend knowledge effortlessly and bring my imagination to life without any problems, I felt an exhilaration that made me think I might be an omnipotent god.”

“...”

“I wished fervently that the feeling could last forever, but... unfortunately, it didn’t.”

Allen set down his empty wine glass before continuing with a hint of bitterness in his voice. “At some point, the knowledge started feeling incomprehensible, my imagination became vague and uncertain, and my confidence in myself began to erode.”

As if recalling his past—the frustration, the despair, and the relief when he saved himself from those nightmarish days—Allen\'s voice rose slightly. He didn’t hold back and bared all of his emotions while staring intently at Se-Hoon.

“So, Lee Se-Hoon, how does it feel to be turning into an ordinary person?”

“How does it feel?”

Se-Hoon gripped his knife and fork tightly in response to Allen’s question.

Crunch!

As Se-Hoon’s expression twisted with anger, the handles of both utensils bent under the pressure.

“It feels absolutely awful. Like right now.”

At the sight of Se-Hoon’s face, which revealed a mixture of emotions—anger, inferiority, and desperation—Allen’s eyes lit up.

This is not bad at all.

Once Se-Hoon witnessed the miracle, all of those negative emotions would transform into faith in the One. The discovery of Se-Hoon’s state made Allen smile.

“I apologize if I was too blunt.”

“I don\'t need your apology.”

Se-Hoon gave him a cold stare.

“The fact that you’re mentioning this to me means you think you can solve it, right?”

“...Yes, to some extent.”

“Then show me. If you fail to convince me, we won’t be seeing each other again.”

Wasting no time, Se-Hoon abruptly stood up like he couldn\'t wait any longer.

What an arrogant brat... Allen thought, narrowing his eyes at Se-Hoon.

He really wanted to snap at Se-Hoon, however, he knew that his heightened state of agitation could make the process easier. Pressing down his annoyance, Allen stood up as well.

“Very well. Since we’re on the topic, let’s head over right away.”

Settling the bill, the two of them got into a taxi. When the car started moving, Allen discreetly glanced behind them.

He had discovered Luize watching from an alleyway, her eyes fixed on their taxi. She hadn’t followed them yet, and she wasn’t making any moves to do so either.

I could have dealt with both of them in one go.... What a shame.

But it was fine since he could just attend to her later.

The taxi soon arrived at Allen’s workshop on the outskirts of the city, and Allen led the way in.

“Please, come in.”

“...”

Following Allen, Se-Hoon stepped into the workshop, keeping his expression neutral as he surveyed the surroundings.

This looks like a butcher’s shop.

As he observed all the prosthetic limbs hanging from the ceiling, Allen turned back to glance at him.

“Please don’t tell anyone about what you see here.”

Click!

Pulling one of the prosthetic limbs hanging from the ceiling, Allen opened a hidden staircase leading underground.

The sight of it made Se-Hoon\'s eyes gleam with interest.

Bold move, he thought.

Despite not being certain of the opponent’s intentions, Allen didn’t hesitate to show his hand.

So, he\'s decided to deal with me today, one way or another.

After all, Se-Hoon had willingly walked into his trap.

Descending the stairs with Allen, the two entered the underground storage area. Allen then walked over to an elegant wooden box that was placed to one side and unlocked it. With a click, the lid opened to reveal a neatly arranged prosthetic arm.

“This is...”

“This is a prosthetic arm designed for high-ranking heroes. It\'s a finished product, ready for delivery.”

Picking it up, Allen brought the prosthetic arm before Se-Hoon. It looked different from the ones Se-Hoon had seen earlier that day, and he didn’t take long to recognize that it was identical to the ones he had seen at Antonio Rehabilitation Hospital.

So, this guy was responsible for making them.

The prosthetic arms had seemed impressively well-made, and now that Se-Hoon knew it was a member of Dawn behind them, everything clicked into place.

“It\'s certainly well-made, but... I don’t sense anything special about it,” Se-Hoon puzzledly said after gazing at the prosthetic for a moment, continuing the charade.

“That\'s because the main part is on the inside.”

After saying that, Allen manipulated a few spots on the prosthetic and the outer casing opened up to reveal the internal circuits.

A certain green gemstone inside the mechanism instantly caught Se-Hoon\'s eye, and he feigned surprise.

“This is a Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device that I created. It stores the user’s synesthetic mindscape, eliminating any resistance the user might feel when using the prosthetic,” Allen calmly explained, pulling out the green gemstone to hold it up for Se-Hoon to see.

“You can also use it to transfer that synesthetic mindscape to another person."

At those words, Se-Hoon stepped back, his eyes filled with suspicion. Noticing, Allen raised both hands, signaling that he had no ill intentions.

“I understand your doubts. But as you can see, this Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device isn’t something an ordinary person could create. Someone far beyond a genius—someone truly extraordinary—made it.

“And this person also helped you overcome your slump?”

“Yes. They effortlessly shattered the wall I’d been struggling with my whole life.”

“And what was the price?”

“Nothing.”

Allen stared straight into Se-Hoon\'s eyes, his expression unwavering.

“All that was required was to gain enlightenment and spread that knowledge. That is all He desires from us.”

Spreading the truth and disseminating the right knowledge and magic—that was Dawn’s mission, one they would do anything to accomplish.

Warily watching Allen, Se-Hoon finally bit his lip after a long moment.

“If something happens to me, the Chairman won’t just stand by.”

“You won’t need to worry about that,” Allen said with a smile, holding out the Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device.

“Someone that incompetent will forget about you soon enough.”

Suddenly, a brilliant crimson energy that was tinged with dark blue erupted from Allen’s right arm and surged into the Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device, forcefully transferring that power directly into Se-Hoon’s body. The green mana that had been lying dormant within Se-Hoon then responded eagerly, and the two forces intertwined, rapidly spreading throughout the entire system.

The ensuing rate of corrosion made the previous experience with the mana corrosion device feel like a joke. Strange whispers began to echo in Se-Hoon\'s ears, swiftly overtaking his temporary mana circuits.

Countless whispers were ceaselessly entering his ears, softly answering his worries. It made him fall into a daze.

Seeing Se-Hoon’s state, Allen gently ran his hand over his own right arm, smirking.

“It\'s done.”

Both the purification and assimilation processes were complete. Now, it was only a matter of time before Se-Hoon was ready to have the Heart transplanted into him.

Satisfied with how much easier than expected it had been, Allen turned to Se-Hoon and asked, “How do you feel?”

“Something... something keeps whispering to me...” Se-Hoon mumbled.

“Those are the teachings He is willing to share with you. Keep listening to them and absorb them gradually.”

“Understood.”

“Tomorrow, while you’re exploring the workshop, I’ll secretly give you another Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device just like this one. When the moment is right and chaos ensues, you’ll implant it in Luize. The one who will guide you on the process will be Him.”

“Yes.”

At the sight of Se-Hoon nodding obediently, Allen couldn’t help but feel pleased.

Everything is falling into place nicely.

Once he successfully assimilated Luize as well, Allen could profit handsomely from his dealings with the Dream Demon and then extract both of them. He couldn’t hide his joy at the thought of the two new Regions he would soon create.

So, he planned to ambush us during this field study after all. Se-Hoon thought to himself, keeping his expression blank as he pretended to be under Allen\'s control.

The Synesthetic Mindscape Storage Device’s mana had indeed overtaken all of the temporary mana circuits in his body and spread throughout him. However, while such a rapid invasion would have resulted in severe personality disruptions, Se-Hoon’s situation was a bit different.

Having been trained by Wurgen, he had adeptly used the power of Boundaries to push the invaded mana circuits into a liminal space—beyond the boundary, it wouldn’t disappear, but it couldn’t fully control him.

Those mana circuits are in an ambiguous state, neither fully corroded nor fully intact.

While he wasn’t entirely free from influence, he could just shove the invasive mana across the boundary and eliminate it there if things became too dangerous. That was why Se-Hoon had been able to contain the corrosive mana confidently and why he had followed Allen without fear.

But this feels even stranger than I expected...

Though he knew he was partially corroded by mana, hearing whispers of knowledge was something he had never experienced before. What was the source of the power that allowed such effects?

“Well, maybe it’s part of my power.”

Power...?

Se-Hoon\'s eyes widened in shock at the unexpected reply that was whispered in his ear.

Then, once again, the voice whispered, “Hey, hey, keep your expression in check. You\'ll give yourself away.”

The voice seemed to be concerned for him.

Pressing down his confusion, Se-Hoon quickly regained his composure since he had experienced something similar during the semester evaluation exam.

“Who... are you?”

“Hmm. How should I explain this to you so that it makes sense...? Ah! That’ll work.”

The voice chuckled softly before continuing in a playful tone, “I’m the Seeker.”

The being whispering in Se-Hoon’s ear was the one who hadn’t appeared until the end of the world’s destruction.

“I’m already dead, though.”