Chapter 149: Invaders (9)
“Just in case. I should make use of everything that can help.”
With my racial traits like the Mirror Mind, Mental Barrier, Magic Affinity, Dream Contact, and so on, I gathered all the useful traits from the shop that I could use once.
They all had one thing in common: they were traits that could enhance or protect my mental power.
Moreover, it wasn’t just these disposable racial traits available for purchase at the store. Another shop opened as my level increased, which contained various items as well.
The items were none other than the unique powers that players had actually used. Besides the racial traits that were the powers of units, I could also utilize the powers of other players in this way.
Amidst the many things that I didn’t completely understand, a few familiar ones caught my eye: ‘Celestial Soul’s Spiritual Resonance’ and…’Resonance Method of the Legion’.
“The Resonance Method isn’t really for me. It was created by Eve, taught by Eve, and can only be used with Eve.”
[The system has defined you as a special existence; that is, a being that can be both a unit and a player. It is not against the rules. In fact, there are many beings that achieve a brief unity through possession or descent.]
“…Anyway, that’s fine.”
I finished my shopping there. At this moment, I didn’t care where the copyright of the Resonance Method lay.
Armed with various items purchased through extravagant spending, I began my search for Isabel.
[What have you resolved to do?]
“I have a feeling you already know. I’m going to stand equal to Eve once again. That’s not my goal; it’s just a necessary condition.”
It was no longer possible to put a collar around Eve. No, it had never been possible from the start.
However, a chance to stand on the same level remained. Certainly, I was qualified now.
In the past, it would have been impossible to seize this opportunity because Eve’s voracity and instinct were too simple.
But Eve had grown too much now. She had become too strong. The fact that she had gone to such lengths to recruit Liam was proof of that.
Having begun to experience a broader world, Eve now harbored higher-dimensional desires for conquest and domination, rather than simple growth and evolution.
And thus, gaps had opened. I would force my way through that gap.
“I will become one with the Legion’s Collective Consciousness and share that dominion with Eve, becoming another hive mind. I can do it now. Eve will surely give me the opportunity.”
[You are becoming a part of a super-being that manages an entire universal force. You will need to continue computation on a planetary scale; can you maintain your own identity? And if you become a monster like Eve, which side do you intend to take? Will you join forces with Eve to spearhead slaughter and destruction? Or will you fight Eve and aim to oust her from the Legion?]
Words appeared as if they had been waiting for this moment.
My gaze, which had been set firmly, trembled violently. Although two choices were provided as examples, neither was a viable option for me.
I was already acting to prevent the rampaging Eve from engulfing the entire universe. Joining her served no purpose.
But… to fight Eve and oust her? I didn’t know if it was possible or impossible, and it was absolutely a choice I could not make.
“I can’t give a definitive answer yet. For now, I need to finish the immediate matters. In my current state, I can’t do anything.”
Delaying my response, I took another step forward.
“You returned quite quickly, didn’t you? I take it you sensed the urgency.”
“I want to hear more details.”
Isabel was in the room, engrossed in a game while holding a game console. However, upon my arrival, she guided me to another room as if she had been waiting.
“It’s not some grand holy artifact. In our order, there are those who sometimes get carried away with the granted divine power and go berserk. This technique was created to save those who’ve lost themselves, buried in the power of the gods. I thought it might be of help to you.”
Inside the room she directed me to, a complex magical circle was drawn on the floor in a red substance.
The faint metallic scent of blood still hung in the air. As I looked, she gave a sly smile.
“Can I use this power to protect myself from the great god that seeks to oppress me?”
“Of course, Kang Shin Woo. Lord Ratel’s divine light will protect your heart. His grace won’t overlook you as a human from another world.”
There was certainty in Isabel’s eyes. In the end, I made my decision. According to her explanation, this power could serve as another means to protect my identity, which aimed to merge with the great Collective Consciousness.
“What can I give to the Sacred Lady? Should I tell you about the Resonance Method?”
“That wouldn’t be a fair exchange. When you truly reclaim your real power someday, help me then.”
“…Help? Me?”
“You might not realize it, but this world is currently entangled in a great authority.”
Unaware that I was a player, she vaguely explained the game system. However, I had no problem understanding.
“Those intoxicated by that authority dare to distort the will of the goddess to justify their actions and enforce them by force. War, massacre, torture… they are already faithless.”
“Are you asking me to fight them?”
“Naturally, ending them someday is my duty. I simply ask for a helping hand when that time comes.”
She looked up at me with a serious expression, devoid of any laughter.
“Alright.”
And I accepted her proposal. Ultimately, what she requested was akin to forming an alliance in the ongoing competition.
*
“Sit down inside the formation. From now on, I will temporarily instill Lord Ratel’s divine power into you.”
“Understood.”
I quietly sat in the center of the room as directed.
Isabel stood in front of me, her entire body ablaze with a bright golden light.
Following the blood she had drawn on the floor, golden lines began to wrap around my body. At the same time, I started to feel a powerful pressure against me.
[The Formancy you’ve built up in your body is resisting the force attempting to invade from outside. You know there’s no need for concern; it’s merely a simple energy mass that cannot engage in any tricks.]
If this pressure was indeed caused by resistance, then I just needed to relax. As the resistance waned, the brilliant golden light enveloping me began to seep into my body.
“When you lose your way someday, follow the light before you. Depend on that light and do not lose yourself.”
My consciousness came to an end there. The Resonance Method transformed even the divine power I absorbed into my own strength. Although I didn’t feel much change, Isabel nodded, affirming that the consciousness had been successful.
“It’s merely a small marker I’ve set for you. Now the rest is up to you.”
“Thank you.”
I got up from my seat. Now that I had received my final help, only one thing remained. I left her room and returned to my own.
Just before entering my room, I used everything I had purchased from the player shop. Strengthening or fortifying my mental power didn’t feel very tangible.
Taking a deep breath, I opened the door. Inside, Eve was sitting quietly, just like when she left her room.
“Did you see anything?”
Eve looked at me and spoke with a smile.
“Liam has become our Submind. He’s the commander leading the fleet.”
Eve, oblivious to where I had been or what I had been doing, proudly boasted about her accomplishments. In that moment, there was not the slightest hint of doubt or curiosity directed at me.
It was an indication of how far Eve had grown.
“I’ve made my decision, Eve.”
“Really?”
Holding back the various powers I had consumed, I spoke to Eve as planned.
“I will become one with you. With the Collective Consciousness.”
This statement seemed to take her by surprise, as her eyes widened slightly.
“Suddenly? Why?”
Eve first asked for the reason, and I was relieved it wasn’t a rejection.
“I feel like I’ve been too powerless. With strength that doesn’t even reach the level of a Submind, it’s not enough.”
“You fought alongside me as a human until now.”
“I need to become stronger.”
I stumbled over my words, but I thought it was enough. Until now, Eve had not been satisfied with my half-hearted state.
“In the past, I didn’t understand and thought it was foolishly primitive. But now I know how important self-awareness is for humans. You finally realize it too. Indeed, one cannot obtain everything. You have to discard what needs to be discarded. It’s a power that cannot be compared to humanity; there’s no reason not to abandon it, right? It’s about evolving to be superior.”
With a smile, Eve stood up and approached me. As expected, she was convinced that I would succumb to the Collective Consciousness and lose myself.
The past Eve would have agreed without understanding anything; however, the current Eve surely understood the significance of my declaration to abandon my human identity.
She knew very well, yet she granted permission.
“Yes. Evolving is correct.”
“Even now, we will be together forever. Until the day this universe perishes.”
The atmosphere was strange. As Eve slowly approached, I felt an unfamiliar energy that I had never sensed before.
“Actually, I learned something from Reina to prepare for situations like this.”
“…How strange?”
“It’s the last feeling of being human. A gift is necessary. I will give you the most intense pleasure that a human can feel.”
Before I realized it, Eve had pressed herself against me and was reaching for the front of her clothes. Only then did I understand the strange energy was of a seductive nature.
“Ouch!”
“You’re legally a minor. Let’s not make a big deal out of this and begin.”
“I… you hit me…”
I flicked Eve’s forehead in response to her playful attitude. Reflexively, her large eyes welling with tears widened, but perhaps because she managed to compose herself, I found myself laughing instead.
