Chapter 132

Calm down.

I repeated to myself.

In fact, this unpleasant gut feeling surfaced the moment I heard about his “background.”

The psychic parasite recalled achieving self-awareness somewhere in the middle of the Mythic Age. This narrowed down the list of possible creators significantly.

If the parasite primarily dealt with divine power, it might be a mystery, but it’s clear that it uses ‘magic’ effectively.

Magic is the creation of the Wizard King.

Not the ancient esoteric arts like spirit summoning or shamanism, but the modern magic system established under the Ten Towers always traces back to the Wizard King at its origin.

If the parasite was born during the late Mythic Age, when the Theistic Order and the Wizard King began their major conflict, there might have been other suspects besides the Wizard King.

However, the parasite claimed it was created and sealed long before the open war between the Theistic Order and the Wizard King began – even before the name “Wizard King” was known.

Isn’t it absurd that an organism optimized for using magic existed before the word “magic” was even coined?

In my opinion, the most plausible hypothesis is that the Wizard King created the parasite as part of his preparations before fully revealing his presence.

To weaken the Theistic Order’s power and break their unity before launching the war.

He meticulously prepared to bring down the order from the shadows, and he succeeded.

‘To prevent its reconstruction, he even implanted an instinct to destroy the Theistic Order into an entire species.’

It was truly an incomprehensible scale of planning.

While I consider myself quite destructive, I clearly don’t match the legendary status of the main character.

‘Thousands of years of continuous automated chaos…?’

Even with hundreds of administrators, it’s an exhausting evil deed. The Wizard King had reached the level of setting up automatic hunts for chaos.

When the number of unchecked incidents exceeded a certain threshold, they would be sacrificed for his resurrection. How could anyone come up with such a plan?

Still, this was advantageous news for me right now.

‘I’ve found a clue to prevent the Wizard King’s resurrection.’

I slowly gripped my sword and took a step forward.

***

Ortes. The youngest and most cruel of my kind approaches.

“Your life has been worthless. The time you have lived is equivalent to sin. For the sake of the Creator, vanish quickly.”

Does someone whose existence is denied have any reason to live? The psychic parasite couldn’t answer its own question.

The purpose after metamorphosis wasn’t because metamorphosis was the final stage of life…

‘But because the Creator abandoned our kind.’

The psychic parasite attempted self-destruction as Ortes suggested. Their joy in life was to follow the mission given by the Creator.

If the Creator withdrew the mission, then returning one’s life was the proper course. The parasite was ready to succumb to despair.

Letting go of everything – attachments and obsessions – allowed it to see the world more objectively. It looked at the herald of death sent by the Creator one last time.

‘Hmm?’

The psychic parasite realized something was off. Its species’ ability to detect mental activities could sense all types of cognitive abilities from senses to inspiration and mana.

It had noticed something strange about Ortes’s cognition initially, though it was overwhelmed by how bizarre it was.

Now the parasite carefully analyzed Ortes’s mental activities: the five senses any human would have.

Spiritual senses for communicating with spirits. Even concealed knightly ki perception could be detected.

And that mysterious “incomprehensible cognitive ability” which even it couldn’t understand. But adding everything together…

‘Mana is missing?’

“…You.”

“Cast some magic.”

***

Damn, caught.

***

“Magic? You’re so outdated you can’t even sense my mana -”

The psychic parasite regained vitality.

Not showing magic while trying to talk one’s way out was evidence itself.

“You! You’re not of our kind!”

Ortes detected magical incantations from five locations. Each intended to kill. No room for words anymore, only savage attacks.

Tsk.

Ortes leapt away immediately. Tree roots like spears erupted from the ground to pierce him. He cut them with a high-frequency blade.

The severed roots headed toward incoming fireballs from behind. Not enough to stop them completely, but sufficient to reduce the heat.

Out came Ortes’s mana-infused drive. A water ball of the lowest tier elemental magic activated.

“Hah! That childish water trick won’t stop this firepower!”

But Ortes was waiting for another lightning spell aimed at him. The bolt followed the water path. His eyes captured the moment.

The lightning connected with the fireball.

Three elements fused momentarily. The chaotic mixture caused a backlash.

“You bastard!”

Explosion. Flash, fog, and thunder swept through Algus City’s night streets.

Ortes hid within the confusion.

The parasite gritted its teeth. To be tricked by such a creature into considering suicide – it would have been a disgrace to its race.

“Did he escape…?”

Ortes had disappeared into Algus City’s darkness. Given his strange cognitive abilities, it would be difficult to find him even with full power.

Who could impersonate its kind and mock the Creator’s will?

“The Theistic Order!”

Indeed, that made sense. The sudden growth of the declining order.

If the silver-tongued manipulator was behind it, it made sense. The abnormal cognitive abilities could be divine power intervention.

No. Even divine blessing or powerful relics couldn’t explain those abilities. Too strange to be within the realm of saints or holy spirits. Rather…

Perhaps a demigod directly inheriting divine blood. The parasite recalled the ancient terrors who once ruled the world.

Satisfied with its deduction, the parasite concluded that whether Ortes was truly a demigod or not, he represented a formidable threat. It was reasonable to assume the strongest possible opponent.

‘Do we follow the Creator’s will while our ancient enemies follow an old monster?’

An unnamed demigod resurrected from ancient times. The Theistic Order following his guidance. Overcoming their interference to achieve metamorphosis.

The parasite was filled with renewed mission.

***

Hidden in the darkness observing the parasite’s thoughts, I almost sighed.

Fortunately, I realized making noise might alert it.

Overestimating me much, aren’t you?

“Who says I manipulate the world with just words? Do you think I’m some cartoonish mastermind?”

If I had that ability, I’d already be enjoying retirement without worrying about the Wizard King.

Things got considerably complicated. Right now, I have no way to completely erase the parasite’s mind.

With Carisia’s help, burning every body in this city would be simple, but if he hid even one far away, capturing it would be uncertain.

‘Let’s think calmly.’

As much as I’m wary of him, he’s cautious of me too. Isn’t he slowly moving his bodies away right now?

I close my eyes fully and minimize my energy field. Getting caught while he’s escaping would be troublesome.

Neither side is ready to act immediately. I should have some time to plan.

Confirming his departure, I was about to sigh.

“What are you doing?”

!

A far more terrifying voice than the approaching psychic parasite’s threat. A voice that seemed to pierce straight through my spine whispered from behind.

Clutching my twitching left ear, I turned quickly.

“Chairman?”

“I didn’t send you here.”

“Just a moment, Chairman. I can explain.”

I see Carisia standing with arms crossed. Her presence stands out even in the dark. Her golden eyes seem sharper than usual.

“While the chairman runs around dealing with competitors personally, what has the secretary general been doing, shall we hear?”

Carisia’s questioning was half-joking. Which means it’s also half-serious.

Cold sweat gathers on my forehead.

But first, a certain inspiration passed through my mind.

Carisia outsourced the Argeyirion suspect investigation to me – technically within the same company – because my eyes have suitable abilities for that kind of work.

Then,

Wouldn’t it make sense to subcontract the false god extermination to the Theistic Order, who have ample experience in deity hunting?