Chapter 60

“This is the Research Department of Eclipse.”

Right after leaving Astra’s office.

I left Riru with Gayeon for a while and took Betrayer1 to the Research Department.

“Oh… This is almost on par with Z Bio’s main project lab, isn’t it?”

Betrayer1 looked around in awe at the size of the Research Department.

“Then, I’ll leave it to you, Doctor.”

“Since this is a valuable talent brought by Maker-nim, we’ll treat him with the utmost care.”

“Don’t treat him too kindly, just work him hard.”

“Ma-Maker-nim…?”

Well, when he agreed to come in, I did say he’d be worked to death.

“Then.”

*Snap!*

“Take him away.”

“Yes!!”

“Wuhahahaha!!!”

“Uh, uh…?”

As the Doctor flicked his hand and gave the order, researchers appeared out of nowhere and grabbed Betrayer1 by both arms.

“He’s our junior!!”

“Welcome to hell!!!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaaah!!!!!!!!”

“Kyaaaaaaaah!!!!”

“Research kyaaaahouuuu!!!”

The researchers, with their dark circles and hollow eyes, laughed maniacally, clearly having lost their minds.

Feeling a chill, Betrayer1 desperately looked at me.

“Take care~”

With a bright smile and a wave from me, Betrayer1 was dragged away by the researchers.

‘Really, take care.’

He’ll probably be busy for a while with handovers and whatnot.

At the same time, since I’ve also entrusted Riru’s health check to them, his life might get so busy that death would be preferable.

Anyway, the important thing is that I won’t have to see his face anymore.

“…Maker-nim?”

“Ah, sorry. Where were we?”

As I smiled refreshingly, the Doctor looked at me suspiciously.

I quickly regained my composure and asked the Doctor.

“…It’s about the analysis of the item you were entrusted with.”

“The item I was entrusted with?”

“The ‘Mysterious Branch.'”

Mystic Trace, the Mysterious Branch.

That would be the branch of the World Tree.

After stealing the item from Ido-geop’s party and auction event, Astra and I immediately consulted and entrusted the analysis to the Doctor.

“How much progress has been made?”

“In terms of percentage, about 30%.”

It really must be a Mystic Trace.

Even though about two months have passed since then, the progress is only at this level.

Considering that when I entrusted the analysis of the Whip, it took less than a week, the current difference is quite significant.

I wondered if they were slacking off, but…

*Thud!*

“Please kill this worthless me who couldn’t live up to Maker-nim’s trust.”

*Thud! Thud!*

Seeing that, it seems that’s not the case.

“…Please get up.”

I said, looking at the Doctor who was bowing his head to the floor as if in apology.

*Thud!*

“I can’t do that!”

Despite my words, the Doctor shook his head and slammed his head again.

*Bang!*

“Please kill this worthless…!!”

“Get up. That’s an order.”

“Yes.”

At the word ‘order,’ the Doctor raised his head, blood dripping.

Are all researchers like this, not normal?

“Sigh…”

A sigh naturally escaped my lips.

“I naturally assume that the analysis will take a long time. It’s a Mystic Trace, after all.”

Many have tried to analyze Mystic Traces before.

Most of them achieved some progress.

‘The problem is that after making some progress, they end up destroying the Mystic Trace by mistake.’

Because of that, the already rare Mystic Traces became even more precious.

And now, to avoid damaging the trace as much as possible, the research period naturally extended.

“Did you damage the Mystic Trace during the research?”

“No.”

The Doctor looked at me with a stiff expression, as if he’d rather bite his tongue and die than do that.

“That’s enough. In fact, I’d like to praise you for making 30% progress without damaging it.”

Other researchers wouldn’t have been able to maintain the Mystic Trace intact and achieve the same speed as the Doctor.

‘And originally, analyzing the branch of the World Tree was purely my own greed.’

More precisely, it was for preparation.

Anyway, as long as it wasn’t destroyed, it’s fine.

“So, please get up, Doctor. I’d like to go check the Mystic Trace.”

“…Understood, Maker-nim.”

At my words, the Doctor stood up abruptly with a strangely moved expression.

***

*Hummm-*

The pure and clear energy felt as we approached the branch.

“This is the analysis room where we analyze the Mystic Trace.”

As we opened the door and entered, we saw the branch, surrounded by reinforced glass, emitting a noble aura.

“Every time I see it, I feel its noble, pure energy.”

“Noble, indeed. That seems accurate.”

“Yes, even though it’s just a trace now, if it were the real Mystic, how much more magnificent would it have been…?”

The Mystic Trace is what remains of a Mystic that once existed.

In a way, the Mystic Trace is like a degraded version of the Mystic’s power.

Of course, the original Mystic would have had even greater power.

“If Mystics still existed, I’d like to see one.”

The Doctor, burning with academic passion, looked at the branch emitting energy.

Looking at the Doctor, I chuckled and turned away.

“I’d like to see the research data. Where is it?”

“Please wait a moment.”

*Flick-*

At my question, the Doctor’s eyes rolled back for a moment.

“Ugh, ugh… Did you call me, brother…?”

Trembling, his sub-personality, Sad, emerged.

“Yes, Sad. I’d like to see the data on the Mystic Trace.”

“Wait… a moment…”

Tears streaming down, Sad approached a nearby drawer.

*Beep-beep-beep-beep! Beep-beep-beep!!*

He quickly entered a several-digit password and opened the drawer, pulling out a stack of papers.

“Sniff… I printed it in advance… Sob…”

“Thank you, Sad.”

“Sniff… Thank you for praising me…!!”

Something must have triggered his tear glands again, as Sad started crying profusely.

The contrast between the Doctor’s previously expressionless face and Sad’s tearful one was quite jarring.

But I quickly decided to ignore it and started reading the documents.

“…I think I know what you’re thinking, brother.”

*Rustle… Rustle…*

“Ah, perhaps you want to use your ability to replicate the Mystic Trace…?”

*Rustle, rustle…*

“Indeed… I’m impressed by your idea… If that happens, it’ll be easier to prepare for any situation…”

*Rustle…*

“I’ll do my best to meet your expectations…! Of course, since the analysis isn’t fully complete yet, trying to replicate it now might be dangerous, but I’ll work hard so you can perfectly replicate the Mystic…!”

*Tap.*

“Alright, shall we give it a try?”

“…Huh?”

I put down the research documents and started stretching my hands.

“…What did you think I said!!”

“Huh? What did you say?”

I was so focused on the documents that I didn’t hear anything else.

Seeing my genuinely blank expression, Sad looked a bit hurt.

“…Uh, anyway, it’s dangerous…! If you doubt my words, call the others and discuss it together…”

“Hmm.”

I took a moment to recall the contents of the research documents.

‘Hmm…’

Well, I might die, but…

*Hummm-!!*

I activated my ability.

“Ahhh!!! Crazy human!! Crazy brother!!”

Tears streaming down, Sad grabbed my shoulders and shook me vigorously.

The noise from beside me was annoying, but as I focused on creation, his voice gradually faded away.

‘Just memorizing information isn’t enough.’

*Hummm-!!*

‘You need to try making it yourself.’

Even with limited information, the understanding gained from the process of creating it yourself definitely exists.

The difference between knowing something in your head and feeling it with your senses by making it yourself.

My ability is a tricky one that increases in efficiency the more you understand and possess knowledge about what you’re trying to create.

‘But just memorizing knowledge reduces efficiency.’

If perfect reproduction is impossible, I reproduce up to the part I know by feeling it with my hands.

Simply put, I only make what I’ve read.

In a way, it might seem like a simple and basic method, but it’s the most efficient way.

*Hummm-!!!*

If I had complete memory as a passive like the Knowledge Sharing in the Training Room, I wouldn’t have to go through this trouble…

‘But since I don’t, I have to make do with my body.’

I’ve always expanded the scope of my ability this way, so I have no complaints.

*Hummm-!*

I’ve failed many times, so it’s fine.

It’s just that my mana drains a lot.

So, even if I fail a few times, it’s okay…

…

*Hummm-!*

*Hummm-!!*

*Wahhhh-!!*

‘But why isn’t it stopping…?’

My mana was draining crazily, more than I had anticipated.

Even with my S-rank mana pool, which I pride myself on.

‘This is bad…’

Finally realizing something was wrong, I tried to cut off the mana supply, but before I could, my mana ran out.

“Pfft…!”

*Thud. Thud-thud…*

With red blood flowing from my mouth, I lost consciousness.

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