Chapter 479

“Hmm...”

Meirin considered it. Typically, she would have dismissed such nonsense outright—knowing well how the Towers of Heroes and the Abyss of Demons were essentially minefield topics—but the suggestion had come from

Se-Hoon

.

If it’s him... well, perhaps he could really pull it off.

With Se-Hoon, the research field that was ninety percent scam and ten percent failure could be navigated. After all, the ridiculous attempt to carve out the influence of the Golden Ring had only succeeded because he had helped.

Deciding that hearing him out wouldn’t hurt, Meirin looked directly at Se-Hoon.

“This already sounds like a topic with a lot to unpack. Maybe you can start by explaining what this facility is supposed to do.”

“Understood. The foundation of it is tied to the Planetary Reinforcement project I’ve been working on...” Se-Hoon gave a concise explanation, highlighting how the core of his plan was Terra.

And through it all, Meirin just quietly stroked her chin in thought as she processed the information.

“So, in essence: you’re using Terra—the copy of the Seeker—as a vessel that you are injecting power into through the Towers of Heroes to create an artificial Perfect One or a system to protect the planet. Is that right?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Then, just from what I’ve heard, that should already be enough.... In the first place, why are you not using the Towers of Heroes and are instead creating an entirely new facility?”

Wouldn’t it be both easier and safer to just use the Tower of Heroes that Ludwig had spent so long researching than build from scratch?

“...I’ve realized something this time: the Golden Ring isn’t as lenient as I thought.”

Up until recently, Se-Hoon had simply regarded the Golden Ring as an all-powerful machine riddled with loopholes. For example, the selection process for Perfect Ones and how their powers were granted had plenty of loopholes he could exploit. In fact, he had technically stepped into the realm of ascension with unorthodox methods already.

“When it comes to using the rules and powers it has already defined, it doesn’t really interfere. You could say that part falls under the realm of science.”

Like how creating a fire was once seen as divine and taken for granted now, the powers of the Perfect Ones were similar. People only revered them because they were concepts that couldn’t be easily explained through conventional understanding.

However, as the Blessing of the Eternal and the Blessing of the Sacred Lantern proved, the powers of the Perfect Ones would turn into systems that anyone could understand and accept—and thus take for granted.

“But the moment you try to create those rules, or interfere with the concept of ascension itself, the world starts intervening to an unimaginable degree.”

Just recently, Se-Hoon had seen how the Golden Ring had forcefully suppressed Doppelganger’s authority and tried to make Kwang-Soo into a Perfect One to eliminate the cheater. And in the end, it had even erased Doppelganger’s very existence to prevent her revival.

Compared to how passive the Golden Ring usually was, its actions were extraordinarily aggressive.

“I see... so that’s why you’re not using a Tower of Heroes. If things go wrong, Terra might get erased from the world after painstakingly customizing her.”

“Exactly.”

The Seeker’s clone, who had been managing the planet for decades; the Seeker’s body parts stolen from Dawn; and the Five Element Equipment that had forged with what Li Kenxie discarded—not a single one could be obtained again. Furthermore, substituting them wouldn’t be easy either since they were all tied to Perfect Ones.

There were just too many risks, leading Se-Hoon to the decision that it would be better to proceed more safely by relying on the help of those surrounding him.

“

Hmm.

I get your intention and all... but I’m still not sure such a facility is even feasible.”

A structure that would extract the power of the Golden Ring to turn a fragile clone into a Perfect One while

also

blocking the Golden Ring’s interference? If the Golden Ring had a personality, it would most likely have seriously asked Se-Hoon if he was even hearing himself talk.

“I know it will definitely be difficult. But I already have an idea of how to approach it.”

“What is it?”

“Instead of messing with ascension itself, I’ll simply make use of the powers of Perfect Ones—like I’m doing now.”

Although Se-Hoon had partially stepped into the realm of ascension by modifying the powers of two Perfect Ones when crafting the Blessing of the Eternal and the Blessing of the Sacred Lantern, the Golden Ring hadn’t been able to interfere.

His position was far too ambiguous, being someone who was neither Wurgen nor Li Kenxie but still bore the mark of the Eternal Nocturne and wielded the Sacred Flames. That was why the Golden Ring had just watched.

“If I use that same logic, I should be able to make Terra a Perfect One and still avoid the Golden Ring’s intervention.”

Unlike Doppelganger, who escaped the Golden Ring’s interference, Se-Hoon was planning not to trigger it at all. By using the powers that the system has already defined and approved, he wouldn’t be restricted like Aria.

This is completely beyond conventional thought...

Trying to process it all, Meirin fell into deep thought.

It was already hard enough to combine normal skills to make something new, yet he was talking about doing that with the powers of the Perfect Ones? To do and speak of something like that, Meirin believed that only someone who had mastered all seven of the Perfect Ones’ powers had the right—and that someone was Se-Hoon.

“So, what role will the facility play?”

“It’ll keep Terra from being overwhelmed by the infusion of multiple powers. Also, while it’s at it, it’ll protect the planet.”

“Hmm...”

Mentally running some calculations in her head, Meirin asked, “Do we even have the materials to build something like that, though?”

Anyone could sketch a masterpiece in their head. Turning it into reality, though, required not only skill but also the materials, resources, and luck.

Considering he’s trying to balance various powers at the same time, he’d especially need related artifacts.

Even though Meirin knew of all of his connections to the Perfect Ones and mastery over their powers, she still thought Se-Hoon getting his hands on everything needed for such a facility would be far too difficult.

Can he actually pull such a thing off?

With that thought, Meirin seriously pondered it over. And the more she thought about it, the more she realized Se-Hoon, of all people, most likely could.

“I have enough resources to begin research,” Se-Hoon then said, affirming her thoughts with a firm nod.

He already possessed relics linked to five of the Perfect Ones: the Ascension Ring he received from Ludwig, the Eternal Nocturne’s Phalanx that he handed to Richard, the Five Element Equipment that Li Kenxie had left behind, the Pilgrim’s Incense Burner stashed in his storage, and the Fragment of the Heaven’s Well from the Inoue family.

Even if I can’t use the Fragment of the Heaven’s Well yet, I have plenty of items related to the Seeker, so I won’t need to worry about that.

All that was left were Baek-Yeon and Jason’s powers, which getting used to could become an issue. If push came to shove though, he could just use the Hero’s Ring to craft items imbued with those powers.

“...”

Meirin fell into silent contemplation, allowing the sound of the waves to fill their ears once again.

Swoosh-

The waves of the Netherworld’s ocean rolled gently. Just like in the shared synesthetic mindscape, the two gazed out over the black ocean side by side.

“I don’t know.” Meirin finally spoke, her calm murmurs filling the air. “I’m not sure if someone who almost brought about humanity’s extinction should really be allowed to create something so important.”

“...?”

At those words, Se-Hoon turned to her in faint surprise. The Meirin he knew was someone who had always been someone overflowing with certainty in herself, not the type to express her uncertainty.

“I never thought like this when I was alive... but is this really what happens when your goal disappears?”

The wish Meirin had pursued had driven her to act and take action with any means necessary the moment she deemed it efficient to do so. But with that wish just... gone, fulfilled by the forging of the Nameless Sword, Meirin found herself endlessly self-questioning.

“I am curious about how this will result... but honestly, part of me just wants to drop everything because it all feels like a hassle.”

“...”

“I do have an urge that makes me feel like I should repay you since you helped me, but then I wonder: wasn’t it all for ‘my

future

self’? It makes me question why

I

should be the one to do it.”

Thoughts she would never have considered in the past—concerning both herself and others—stirred complicated emotions she felt for the first time in decades. Meirin quietly touched her lips.

“I’m not as exceptional as you think I am right now. Not only is my Demonic Blood Art unreliable, but even my basic blacksmithing skills might be compromised.”

She had clearly lost her self-assurance, hinting that her synesthetic mindscape had destabilized. Knowing that, Meirin also knew all her abilities would weaken just like any other hero in that state. Someone like her was essentially suffering from an inner demon.

Yet Se-Hoon wanted to entrust someone like her with building a facility that could determine the fate of the world? Even she thought it was too risky.

“That’s why, setting aside any ties with my future self, right now I want to make a rational—”

“I already made the rational decision for you,” Se-Hoon interrupted, fully turning to face her.

His expression looked as indifferent as always, but there was a deep melancholy that could be felt behind it.

“First of all, allow me to clarify something: I clearly distinguish between the master I knew in the future and the Meirin in front of me right now. Never have I once seen the two of you as the same person.”

“...Really?”

“Yes. To be blunt... the future version of you was way cooler.”

She hadn’t crafted Blood Crystals into weird mohawk slimes, and everything from her blacksmithing to her way of handling affairs had also just been cleaner. Of course, decades separated the two, making it only natural—but even so, Se-Hoon couldn’t see the Meirin before him as identical to the one he knew before regressing.

“...”

Meirin frowned. She didn’t love being equated with her future self, but hearing outright that the other version was “way cooler” somehow irritated her even more.

“So then, why do you think I still want to bring

this

Meirin on board?”

“...How would I know?”

Hearing Meirin’s gruff reply, Se-Hoon softly laughed before sincerely answering, “Because I like

you

, too, Meirin.”

From their first encounter at the academic conference until now, everything about the current Meirin was different from his master. And yet, despite that, Se-Hoon had enjoyed every single moment he’d spent with her—and Se-Hoon was certain that even without his memories of the past, that feeling would’ve been the same.

“Even if you can’t teach me any techniques or you’re not as strong as you used to be, it doesn’t matter to me.”

“...”

“Stay by my side. That’s all I want.”

Before, he might have justified it with her talents or said something like, “You need to stay alive if you want to make up for your sins,” to persuade her. However, Se-Hoon had told Kwang-Soo he would follow his advice. That was why he spoke without embellishment, solely with plain sincerity.

Swoosh-

Only the sound of waves filled the silence.

Instead of answering, Meirin just stared at him wordlessly. Her thoughts were unreadable too, making Se-Hoon fidget anxiously under her heavy gaze.

Thankfully, after seemingly reaching some sort of decision, Meirin finally parted her lips.

“...Now I’m curious about one more thing.”

“Go ahead.”

“Was I... in a relationship with you in the future?”

“That’s...”—Se-Hoon froze, then started blinking rapidly when the words belatedly sank in—“E-Excuse me?! I mean,

uhm

, where did

that

come from all of a sudden...?”

Did he ever say anything like that when recounting the past? Completely caught off guard, Se-Hoon flailed and fumbled for a response under Meirin’s gaze.

“Well, whatever. Just wondering,” she said nonchalantly.

“That’s not the kind of question you just ask casually...”

“You’re one to talk. Didn’t you just say all that crazy stuff about liking me and wanting me to stay with you?”

“That’s...” Se-Hoon faltered, caught somewhere between flustered and indignant, unable to argue back.

And upon seeing him stumble, Meirin shook her head.

I’ve totally derailed my discipline.

If Se-Hoon’s life ended as a melodramatic romance tragedy, she’d have no one to blame but her future self. With that thought, Meirin shifted the topic naturally.

“Anyway. I’ll accept your proposal.”

“R-Really?”

“Yes. But forget about the whole disciple thing. I haven’t changed my mind. It doesn’t sit right with me.”

No matter how she thought about it, the thought of being someone else’s subordinate just didn’t feel right. However, she didn’t mind a

different

type of relationship.

If anything... no, what the hell am I thinking?

An idea, one so ridiculous that even she was baffled by herself, popped into her head and left her dumbfounded.

“

Umm...

Are you sure you’re going to be okay with this?” Se-Hoon hesitantly tried to confirm again.

While he was happy that his sincerity had gotten through, if she’d only agreed because she felt cornered, it would do more harm than good in the long run.

His sincerity could be felt clearly, making Meirin stroke her chin.

“Well, to be honest, I didn’t decide purely because I was happy about it.”

“

Ugh...

”

“But still.” She glanced at Se-Hoon. “That’s what life is, isn’t it?”

Accepting someone into your life was confusing and unfamiliar... but it wasn’t unbearable. Perhaps one day it would be, but that was a problem for the future.

No need to worry about falling off a cliff when I’ve only just taken the first step.

Right now, all she had to do was lean on the fool who kept giving everything to her as she slowly relearned how to enjoy the world.

Settling her feelings, Meirin held out her hand.

“That sword you showed me earlier. Let me see it.”

“Huh? Oh—just a second.”

Realizing she meant the Nameless Sword, Se-Hoon quickly pulled it out of his dream storage and handed it over.

“

Hm.

Yeah, no way I can use this the way I used to.”

The Nameless Sword was now tightly bound, prevented from ever leaving the Golden Ring’s influence again. Observing it, Meirin then abruptly drove the blade into her own chest.

Immediately, Se-Hoon flinched—a stark contrast to the indifferent Meirin.

“Help me with this. You’re the one who’ll be using it, anyway.”

Hearing those words, Se-Hoon’s eyes widened upon realizing what she intended. But then, a second later, he smiled and nodded.

“Yea, you better make it well.”

Seeing Se-Hoon place both hands over her hand that was gripping the sword, Meirin settled her left hand over his. Then, as if they’d been doing it together forever, they jointly activated the Demonic Blood Art.

[A bond has been successfully established with the subject ‘Ryu Meirin’.]

And for the first time, both before and after his regression, their souls were connected.

Woong-

A red light flared, briefly dyeing the sky of the Netherworld, and once it slowly dimmed, a red hammer now rested in their hands in place of the Nameless Sword. It resembled the Ember Hammer he had used before the regression, though it looked rougher and radiated a gentle warmth.

“This is...”

“I left it unfinished on purpose. I don’t know what kind of weapon you’ll end up needing yet.”

Handing the incomplete hammer to Se-Hoon, Meirin stepped back.

“I’m not going to revive for a while. There are a few things I want to confirm down here, and I need time to collect my thoughts.”

Hearing her, the words, “Can’t you come with me?” rose to Se-Hoon’s throat, but he swallowed them.

“Then stay in touch, okay? Otherwise, I’m going to bother you with letters delivered by the undead.”

“What a persistent brat.... Fine, I will.”

With their conversation coming to a close, silence settled between them. But it was comfortable, not like the heavy one before—so both Se-Hoon and Meirin were able to look at each other with light hearts.

“I’ll be waiting for you.”

“Sure.”

The two parted ways. Left to a nervous skeleton explaining how the rules in the Netherworld work, Meirin turned to look back at the sea.

Swoosh-

The somber yet mysterious landscape of the shadowy dark sea under the jet-black sky was reflected in her eyes.

“This is beautiful,” she whispered, a soft smile on her face.