179th Episode
“Ho boy, you’ve got everything here.”
Jack’s laboratory gave me that impression as I first looked around.
There really were all sorts of truly bizarre items. It felt more like an antique shop or a pawnshop than a department store.
The appearances of the items were all strange. Just by looking at them, you couldn’t even imagine what they were.
“My imagination knows no bounds!”
Jack proudly declared in response to my muttered thoughts.
Jack glanced at me and subtly adjusted his glasses. The light from the magical lamp reflected off his glasses, flashing.
“Take a look around and if you find anything you like, please pick it out. I’ll explain each item in detail!”
“Ah, um… got it.”
Jack’s… overflowing pride in his own field is ridiculous… Such a hardcore enthusiast.
People like him who love explaining their items are the most terrifying. A tsunami of unnecessary information is about to come crashing down.
Anyway, I have the Eye of Mimir, so I can just check the status window and know what the items do without any explanation.
‘Hmm, what’s this?’
I picked up something randomly visible and used the Eye of Mimir to examine it.
It was a giant rainbow-colored shiny object? No, rather, it looks like a parasol.
[Item Information]
[Name: Hurricane Parasol Ver. 2.01]
[Stats: Strength +10, Defense +700]
[Details: A masterpiece by Jack Osolde, the Chief Magical Engineer of Unterland’s Ivory Tower. Though mass production was unsuccessful due to Ethereal efficiency issues, it embodies creative ambition. Acquiring this will allow mastery of the skill ‘Storm Prison’.]
[Enhancement Possible: 3 times]
‘Naming sense though…’
I couldn’t help but frown at the name section.
Its performance is average. Jack himself did mention it’s an “auxiliary weapon”. The real value seems to lie not in the stats but in the attached skill.
But the name is ridiculous.
Sounds like a finishing move from a 90’s shonen manga.
‘Could the others be like this too?’
Suddenly, a feeling of unease came over me.
I hastily checked the statuses of other items nearby one by one.
[Item Information]
[Name: Run, Flame Man VOL.3]
[Item Information]
[Name: The Brilliant Spotlight Surrounds Me]
[Item Information]
[Name: Suckity-Suck Suck Siphon 2000]
[Item Information]
[Name: Have You Heard Of This, Gust Ring]
For real? Going through the list, the Hurricane Parasol seemed almost elegant.
“Haha! That ring you’re holding is called ‘Have You Heard Of This, Gust Ring!’ It’s a common ring with Ethereal Concentration technology, concentrating the highest quality wind Ethereal energy to the max. Besides boosting physical speed, it increases weapon sharpness and, by maxing out mana output, it allows you to fly through the air for approximately 30 seconds! Elegant high-tech accessory blah blah…!”
Ever since then, Jack kept following along and enthusiastically explaining each item non-stop.
Ah. My ears are starting to hurt. Now I’m scared to casually touch any item.
I suddenly waved my hand and asked straight out.
“Judging from what I’ve seen so far, the performance seems fine, but don’t you have anything with a normal name? I’ll take one that doesn’t sound like nonsense.”
“…Ah.”
And then, Jack’s previously non-stop chatter suddenly stopped.
Are you even capable of answering, Jack? Could it really be…none of them have normal names? Despite there being at least 100 items, are they all actually like this?
“Exactly what kind of life have you been leading…”
It’s almost admirable at this point.
I finally picked up a glove that caught my eye.
‘This one looks pretty cool…’
The exterior of the armored glove was surrounded by blue decoration and paintwork. The steel joints shone brightly. The tactical look was stylish.
Moreover, on the palm were circular electrodes, emitting an electric blue light and sparks.
It was so Iron Man-like that I picked it up without even realizing it.
[Name: Stun Mitt MK.3 (Rare)]
[Stats: Strength +10, Agility +5, Defense +500]
[Details: A masterpiece by Jack Osolde, the Chief Magical Engineer of Unterland’s Ivory Tower. Although mass production failed due to high cost, it embodies creativity. Acquiring this grants the skill ‘Stunning Current’.]
[Enhancement Possible: 0]
The name was as cheesy as before. Nevertheless, when I put on the glove and wiggled my fingers, a state window suddenly popped up in front of my eyes. It seemed the system had judged that I had decided to wear this for testing.
[You have gained knowledge about the skill ‘Stunning Current’.]
[Name: Stunning Current]
[Effect: Creates a magnetic field within a 10-meter radius for 5 seconds. Induces stunned state after 2.5 seconds + a seconds. Cool-down: 5 minutes]
[Details: Creates a powerful magnetic field that induces the status effect ‘Stun’. The closer the distance, the longer the stun. Complete unconsciousness after contact activation. Increases duration as skill level rises.]
‘Hm. This one is rather good.’
Turns out the ‘Stun Mitt’ truly means a glove that induces a stun state.
A crowd control skill (CC), and a wide-area CC at that for personal use.
‘The production cost must’ve skyrocketed.’
Startled by the absurd skill, I let out a hollow laugh. After a brief silence, Jack suddenly spoke up.
“Hmm… To answer your question about how I’ve lived my life… I’ve spent my entire life experimenting and researching.”
“Pardon?”
“Ever since I matured 25 years ago, I’ve spent my whole life on this. I started constructing Leviathan and researching items to save people suffering on the ground. I’m nothing more than a researcher, so please forgive my naming sense. Haha.”
“Ah.”
I instinctively stopped in my tracks and turned my gaze towards him because of the sudden seriousness in his tone.
Sure enough, Jack’s face wore a bitter smile.
“I’m from District 10. Oh, forgive me. For those from other regions, you’re probably more familiar with ‘Valley of the Dead’, right?”
“!!”
“The Valley of the Dead… When Zadkiel appeared, District 10 began to be called that. Presently, the area known as Gaisers is called District 10.”
“…”
The familiar name of the Valley of the Dead made me unconsciously hold my breath.
Jack continued in a low voice.
“When the Black Blood Disease spread, my parents turned into monsters. Luckily, I survived. And thanks to my fortunate talent in magical engineering, I was recognized and taken in by Director Knightrea. Because of those lucky breaks, I was entrusted with the construction of this floating fortress.”
Jack emphasized the word ‘luck’ repeatedly.
Without that good fortune, he surely would have died long ago. There was an element of self-deprecation in his tone.
“When I was young… Mother used to tell me an old tale about a great dragon named Leviathan. It’s the only memory I have left of her.”
Jack’s eyes were brimming with tears as he looked around at his inventions.
“Feared as a great monster due to its immense power and terrifying appearance, yet it loved humanity and went against divine laws to help people. Rejected by both humans and gods, even the divine feared its strength.”
“… I see.”
I listened quietly, keeping my mouth shut.
As expected, this is a ‘Flashback Moment’. I wasn’t so dense as to interrupt his emotional buildup with a ‘Merchant out of Business Request’.
“I deeply admired Leviathan. Despite the gods blocking my way, despite not being understood by anyone, my conviction remains! Isn’t that grand? Mother… she wanted me to become someone like that.”
Leviathan. The name of the mighty dragon that loved humans in the old story is the name given to the fortress I now stand on.
The chief contributor to lifting this fortress into the sky seemed to have wanted to say this.
“Sir Hero, I wanted to bring Leviathan back.”
But the overconfident tone that Jack had maintained until now drastically softened.
It was an alarming drop. It was hard to believe it was the same person who was beaming with dreams just a moment ago.
“A dragon that could not be touched even by the cruel god who hates humanity, and the ugly Demon King. A true savior who protects our vulnerable beings. A powerful and kind dragon.”
Soon, Jack’s brows tightly knitted.
His meaningful gaze conveyed an indescribable sorrow.
“Frankly speaking, I’m not so sure anymore. Every time I see this enormous parasite that merely bears the same name… I feel this way.”
“…”
“Perhaps the reason I saw the world, including the humans around me, as ugly and cruel… was because they were indeed ugly and cruel. These impious thoughts…”
Jack’s monologue began with a subtle confusion and concluded with a quiet rage.
Involuntarily, my mouth moved first. I looked at his profile silently and then asked,
“Have you told this story to Knightrea?”
“No. You’re the first.”
“…”
“I don’t even understand myself. Why am I spouting such nonsense? Haha.”
And right after that, Jack returned as if he had forgotten everything, with a bright smile.
Upon seeing the glove I had on, he immediately brightened up.
“Will you take this one then?”
“Ah, yes. It… just looks cool.”
I responded reflexively, startled.
Jack, as if he hadn’t just had a serious conversation a moment ago, cheerfully patted the glove.
“Stun Mitt! Excellent taste, sir hero! A person like you, who excels in mobility, power, and utility, becomes invincible with a crowd control device! Haha!”
“Yes… Um, haha.”
What is wrong with this guy? Does he have a split personality? The temperature difference was hard to adjust to, and I stumbled around for a while awkwardly. Eventually, I left the lab in a rush guided by Jack.
Thud… thud… for a while, only our footsteps echoed silently in the corridor.
“Sir Hero.”
As we were walking down the corridor, Jack suddenly called out to me.
Without responding, I just raised my gaze. Jack continued talking without turning back to look at me.
“I don’t know your relationship with Director Knightrea or what she’s thinking. I’ve been nothing but a fool who has done nothing but research since I lost my parents at the age of 11.”
“…”
“But I do know that your purpose for coming here is the assassination of Zadkiel.”
Jack slightly bowed his head without showing any expression on his face.
It was completely different from the frivolous demeanor he previously displayed—an attitude of utmost solemnity and respect.
“I’ll support you. Sir Hero.”
Resuming his walk, he continued.
His tone was so faint that I couldn’t imagine what expression he had.
“Whether your purpose is good or evil and whatever the result may be, I don’t know what Unterland’s government thinks… But I’ve lived these 36 years for the day when Zadkiel’s days end. I absolutely support you.”
“… Thank you.”
“When that long-held wish is finally realized, I will finally be freed from the legend of Leviathan. And in that empty space, I will inscribe the name of Sir Hero.”
As Jack quickly distanced himself with words befitting someone more literary than I expected, I realized something late.
The title he used to address me had changed from ‘Jeong Yong’ to ‘Sir Hero.’
“… Phew.”
For no particular reason, I felt down. To soothe myself, I didn’t return to Knightrea but instead locked myself in my room to stare out the window.
An empty sky. The fortress sliding over the endless cloud sea presented a beautiful panorama.
“…”
Among the things I had seen since arriving in this world, it was the most peaceful. The safest looking and the most well-guarded futuristic city.
People walking by and the guards had care-free expressions and walked tall.
“Perfect Utopia, huh. Damn.”
Not even the Cross Phase or the capital of Mittelrand were on this level. The people’s faces didn’t carry the unique tension of ‘when will the Demon King appear.’
It really seems like another world up here on the fortress. If there was a new humanity aboard Noah’s Ark, it’d probably feel like this.
‘Complicated…’
I idly fidgeted with the blue glove on my hand and mindlessly replayed the baseless musings that Jack left behind.
“Because all the humans around me were equally cruel and ugly, the world seemed cruel and ugly to me. Such an impious thought crossed my mind.”
It’s not that impious.
Me? When I was struggling with debt, what was the first thing I did after waking up every morning? Praying for a meteor to destroy all humans and solve the world debt crisis—that was my morning report.
“Black-haired beasts being ugly is a given.”
Anyway, I’ve heard that Witch Hunter Park Jeong-yong even has hardcore fans now.
To be honest, while I had set aside the complicated background story of the witch hunts, which gave me a headaches, after all this, it seems I must finally settle things with Zadkiel.
I remember coming to a simple conclusion and smirking at it.
