abcnovels
Chapter 144
Chapter 144
Chapter 144
“...”
“...”
In his hospital room filled with heavy silence, Se-Hoon awkwardly looked at Eun-Ha. She had just been staring at him from her seat beside his bed for a while now.
What’s with this atmosphere...?
He understood that she was worried since he had been unconscious for a week, but her current reaction seemed far more intense than simple concern. Her eyes were full of guilt as if she had been the one to knock him out.
The awkwardness continued. Then, when he twitched slightly due to an itch and saw her flinch and glance at him nervously, he finally decided to break the silence.
“Um, Dean,” Se-Hoon cautiously began.
“...Yes.”
Her voice was calm but somewhat more subdued than usual. Se-Hoon forced a smile.
“Professor An said my condition is recovering quite well, so there's no need to worry too much. He said at this rate, I'll be able to leave the hospital within a month.”
“A month...”
Her expression grew even darker upon hearing the estimated hospitalization period.
Noticing, Se-Hoon quickly added, “And my hands are fine too. I won’t have any problems forging, so you don't need to worry about that.”
While An Jung-Wan hadn’t said that explicitly, Se-Hoon had used his experience repeatedly walking the line between life and death to make an educated guess.
That should ease her worries.
After all, for Eun-Ha, his forging ability would be the most concerning issue.
But contrary to his expectations, her expression showed no signs of easing.
“Still, this incident is partly my responsibility. If I had just stayed at Babel...”
Just as Eun-Ha said, many criticized Babel for not having a single S-rank staff member on duty during the incident. The presence of a high-ranking hero significantly mitigated damages in most cases, so in other educational institutions, one often stayed on duty like a watchman.
However, Babel had its own circumstances.
“You left because the Chairman was here. Honestly, this incident should be considered an exception.”
After all, it wasn’t just anyone; Ludwig, the Emperor of Ascension, himself had been present. As such, it was reasonable she felt secure leaving the premises. And on top of that, the enemy had simply timed their attack well, taking advantage of the chairman’s absence. So it wasn’t fair to blame those who had left.
“Even so...”
Despite his attempt to console her, Eun-Ha remained visibly gloomy. Thus, Se-Hoon decided to change the subject entirely instead.
“By the way, did you bring any get-well-soon gifts with you? I was kind of looking forward to them...”
Knowing Eun-Ha’s personality, she would have brought a few things. He hoped some casual conversation about the gifts would naturally shift her mood.
“Oh. I did bring some,” Eun-Ha remarked, grabbing her void pocket from her waist instead of a gift basket.
“A set of Jason Fruit Supplements to speed up recovery, talismans to dispel lingering curses in your body, a set of ointments for you to apply during rehabilitation...”
Shwoosh, shwoosh, shwoosh.
Gifts started pouring out of her void pocket, filling one side of the hospital room. Seeing the unending stream of gifts, Se-Hoon blinked rapidly.
What in the world...?
Taken aback, he remembered how Eun-Ha had only brought him a few health products whenever he was hospitalized before he regressed—a stark cry from the overwhelming amount before him.
Meanwhile, Eun-Ha explained each item she had prepared over the past week one by one, not noticing Se-Hoon’s shock.
“This device blocks long-range sniping. It operates based on the user's senses, so it can be tricky to use, but I'm sure you will be able to handle it.”
“Um...”
“And this is a Shadow Grit Armor Set that performs and has effects similar to the armor I lent you last time. As you can see, it's barely noticeable when worn, so you should be able to wear it under your uniform.”
She held up the small, disc-shaped sniping-block device and the black cube that decompressed into the Shadow Grit Armor Set to show him.
They were both highly convenient to use pieces of Hero-tier equipment with excellent performance. Together, they were enough to ensure survival unless he had the extreme misfortune of encountering one of the Ten Evils.
She must have been really shocked... Se-Hoon thought, watching Eun-Ha busily explaining without pause.
At first, he thought she was being a bit excessive, but then on second thought, he realized it was only natural. To Eun-Ha, he was the only person who had ever understood and met her needs; and he had almost died in her brief absence.
It must have been a heart-stopping moment for her.
“Dean.”
“And this is... yes?”
“I’m really sorry for making you worry.”
Hearing the sincerity in his words, Eun-Ha looked at him intently before straightening her posture.
“As both the Dean of Borsippa and a fellow hero, I truly respect and am grateful for the efforts you and your colleagues put in.”
“...”
“But personally, I ask that... you also take care of your own body.”
At her equally sincere response, Se-Hoon nodded.
“I will keep that in mind.”
He had only been so severely injured due to how shrouded this incident was. However, now that he was aware of the enemy’s ways, he would avoid such mistakes in the future.
Eun-Ha met his gaze for a moment.
“I’ll believe you,” she said, nodding in return.
Thanks to the heartfelt exchange, the gloomy atmosphere lightened slightly, prompting Se-Hoon to sigh in relief inwardly.
If I get hurt again, she might just lock me up.
Ending the matter with that frivolous thought, he changed the subject again before she could resume her gift barrage.
“Come to think of it, how are things outside? I checked the news on my phone, but there wasn't anything clear...”
Eun-Ha paused briefly.
“Well, we’re currently conducting thorough investigations on all staff members and companies involved in this incident. Other departments are also starting a comprehensive sweep.”
The main reason the enemies could pull off an incident of such scale was due to the moles they had planted long ago. Upon the reveal that many were staff members who had worked for over ten years, the entire hero industry became more vigilant.
“The fact that the Ten Evils acted together is also causing global unrest.”
Unlike the manageable demon-related crimes that had been on the rise recently, the Ten Evils—practically living disasters—joining forces to launch an attack on humanity was an entirely different level of threat.
A single misstep against such a force could lead to thousands or tens of thousands of casualties. Thus, the world worked to devise appropriate countermeasures.
“Hmm... what direction is it heading?”
“It's not clear yet, but there's talk led by the Heroes Association about strengthening cooperation among institutions and also talk about the extermination of the Ten Evils.”
Until now, there had been a cold war between humanity and the Ten Evils, with both sides avoiding taking significant moves against each other. However, now that the Ten Evils attacked a Perfect One first, humanity could no longer remain idle.
Extermination of the Ten Evils...
Such a thing had previously only been seriously discussed after the emergence of the Six Harbingers of Destruction. Yet, it was being mentioned right now, decades earlier.
Given the potential of the Ten Evils becoming Harbingers of Destruction, dealing with them as early as possible was definitely beneficial—and he wanted to be a part of it.
After a moment, he asked another question, “Are there any changes in Babel?”
Given Ludwig's character, Se-Hoon was sure he wouldn't remain quiet after being hit like this.
Yet Eun-Ha made an uncertain expression.
“I'm not sure. It seems like he's preparing something, but...”
“Hmm...”
While contemplating what Ludwig would likely do, Se-Hoon suddenly felt his phone vibrate in his pocket.
Vrrr!
Taking out his phone, he checked the screen to see a message from Jake: The Chairman is making a major announcement right now!
“...A major announcement?”
Sensing something unusual, Se-Hoon quickly grabbed the remote control on the table and turned on the TV. Then, without needing to change the channel, the screen changed and the words “Urgent News” appeared at the top of the screen. It was followed by a live broadcast showing Ludwig speaking to the camera from a podium appearing under it.
?I feel a deep sense of responsibility for this incident, both as the person in charge of Babel and as a hero.?
He was speaking in the central square of Babel, with the Tower of Pristine as his backdrop. Seeing how serious he looked, Se-Hoon’s eyes narrowed.
What’s he up to?
Was he going to declare war against the Ten Evils? Pondering whether it was likely, Se-Hoon focused again on Ludwig’s words.
?Through this incident, I realized Babel's closed academic system has prevented it from keeping up with the times. Therefore, I intend to reorganize our system to adapt to the changing circumstances.?
What exactly did he mean by a new system? Everyone waited for Ludwig's next words with bated breath.
?Starting today, Babel will be collaborating with the UD Group and the Pilgrimage Church to revamp our curriculum and security policies, focusing all of our efforts on nurturing the heroes of the future.?
Every location watching Ludwig fell silent, Se-Hoon’s hospital room included.
A collaboration between Babel, the UD Group, and the Pilgrimage Church—on the surface, it seemed like the three were merely joining forces with one another, but the real issue lay with the leaders of each group.
The Eternal Nocturne and the Pilgrim...
They were both Perfect Ones like Ludwig himself. To the whole world, Ludwig had announced that three individuals, who previously operated independently just like the Ten Evils, were declaring an alliance.
This... is the real deal.
Externally, Babel’s reputation and influence would grow naturally, while internally, an intense power struggle would begin between the people under the Eternal Nocturne, the Pilgrim, and Babel. Additionally, it was guaranteed that the alliance of the three Perfect Ones would provoke a fierce reaction from the Ten Evils.
It was an absolutely unprecedented event.
Feeling unsettled, Se-Hoon gazed at Ludwig through the screen.
?May Babel and humanity be blessed as we overcome this new challenge.?
Ludwig ended the announcement with his familiar, gentle smile.
***
Within the opulently decorated halls of the Dream Castle, which stood on the boundary of dreams, a mocking voice echoed loudly in the spacious conference room.
“You boasted about burning down the entire garden, but came back having only killed a few dozen people? That's quite the achievement,” sneered Beast King, his hulking white lion frame draped in a gold necklace and a Hawaiian shirt. He revealed his canines with a mocking grin.
“Do you even have the right to say that?” Puppeteer indifferently asked, glancing up to stare at Beast King, who was sitting across from her.
“Does one need qualifications to mock fools?”
“You do.” Smirking, Puppeteer then looked at Beast King and added, “Especially you since you almost get your ass whooped by an S-rank.”
“...”
Beast King’s eyes narrowed slightly at Puppeteer's remark. After a brief pause, he responded in a low voice, “That one was on the verge of becoming a Perfect One.”
“Oh, so it's okay to lose then? In that case, why are you so eager to mock us for losing this time?”
Beast King’s golden eyes narrowed further at Puppeteer's continuous taunts, his white mane beginning to bristle with murderous intent.
“There you go again, trying to waste your energy on such useless banter,” said Tuner disdainfully, interrupting the two. He had been watching from beside Beast King in his beak-like mask.
“What are you going to achieve by taking it out on a puppet? Grow up, will you?”
“...”
At his words, Beast King, who had been ready to pounce at Puppeteer, begrudgingly calmed down. He could indeed crush the puppet's head with a mere punch, as Tuner said, but what was the point of venting his anger like that?
Taking in a deep breath to calm his anger, Beast King then glared at Puppeteer.
“One day, I’ll chew on your corpse after I murder you.”
“Sure. I'm also planning to turn you into a puppet to use for a long time, so don't worry.”
With that final barbed exchange, the two looked away. It was at this moment that the Dream Demon, who was sitting beside the head seat, softly said, “They have arrived.”
Two figures promptly appeared in the previously empty seats.
One was a man whose face was obscured by a swirling black vortex, devoid of any features, and the other was a long-haired man with small straight lines etched into his forehead and cheeks.
Seeing the newcomers, Tuner waved cheerfully.
“Long time, no see. Doppelganger. Heaven Eye.”
“Was it you who leaked information to the Broken Sword?” asked the man with the swirling black face, Doppelganger, turning his head slightly.
At the blunt question, Tuner hesitated briefly before joining his thumb and index finger together and awkwardly answering, “A little?”
Swish-
A chilling slicing sound filled the room, and both of Tuner’s arms fell to the floor. In the blink of an eye, Doppelganger had severed Tuner's arms.
He then indifferently asserted, “Next time, it will be your head. Stop meddling with our business.”
With nothing more to say, Doppelganger turned his head away, leaving Tuner sighing.
“Can’t we help each other out as fellow Ten Evils...?”
“Shall I reattach them for you?” asked the Dream Demon softly.
“No, thank you; I'll do it myself.”
Crack-
Two thin, elongated hands then emerged from Tuner’s back, retrieving the severed arms and reattaching them as if nothing had happened.
“All set,” he then said, stretching contentedly.
At that moment, the long-haired man, Heaven Eye, spoke up. “Exactly what were you thinking when you guys started all this?”
“Well, I thought I’d give the Emperor of Ascension a little visit since he seemed to be getting a bit cocky lately—”
“I don’t want to waste time with your useless talk.”
A scar running down Heaven Eye’s cheek slowly widened, and his crimson pupils twitched, glaring at Tuner.
“Because of you, the Emperor of Ascension, the Eternal Nocturne, and the Pilgrim have joined forces under a single cooperative system. How do you plan to take responsibility if a full-scale war starts because of this?”
When the seven Perfect Ones revealed themselves to the world, the Demon Force realized they were no longer at an advantage and decided to unite their strength for future survival. And with preparations for that still unfinished, provoking the Perfect Ones and causing them to unite was a fatal mistake, regardless of what their motive might have been.
“Responsibility, huh...?” After a moment’s hesitation, Tuner continued, “If things go according to plan, there will be no need for us to step in. Once the Fragments planted in the Demon Realms fully manifest, our victory is certain.”
The Fragments of Origin were the cores of the Six Great Demon Realms, created in the primordial ages of the Abyss of Demons. And once those fragments had manifested and were handed over to those qualified, even the monstrous Perfect Ones could be defeated single-handedly as they would have the overwhelming advantage of being the antithesis to the Perfect One’s mere power.
But disadvantaged as they currently were, there had been no need to provoke the Perfect Ones further.
“But things have strayed far from what we had planned,” Tuner claimed.
All of that had been based on the assumption that things would go according to plan.
“Heaven Eye, you saw it too. That mass-produced sword aura created by that Lee Se-Hoon guy.”
“...”
“If humanity is able to fully develop that technology, equipment that can manifest people’s own synesthetic mindscape will also be developed soon. And it’s very likely the Emperor of Ascension will lead Lee Se-Hoon in that direction.”
Producing sword auras en masse was just the beginning. Once the synesthetic mindscape could be reproduced and applied in earnest, humanity's weapon system would completely transcend the existing one.
“So what do you think all of this will lead to?”
This time, it was Puppeteer, who had been sitting apathetically, that answered the question.
“They will start mass-producing the powers of Perfect Ones.”
“Exactly.”
During their assault on Babel, they discovered the furnace of the Sacred Craftsman. In fact, part of the reason Tuner had planned the attack on Babel was to verify the existence of the furnace he had only heard rumors about.
“Time is not on our side anymore. It’s now about who is able to reach the end first,” the Tuner concluded.
“...So, what do you propose we do?” asked Heaven Eye.
“Let’s go wild.”
Turning toward the dark, shrouded seat at the head of the conference room, Tuner, declared his plan with trembling anticipation.
“Let’s kill those we don’t like, research the Fragments of Origin to accelerate their growth, and just go wild!!!”
Since things deviated from the initial plan, they had no choice but to lead the flow into greater chaos in the direction they desired.
The other Ten Evils all turned their heads to look at the head of the table.
There, within the darkness, something wriggled once. Then—
“You may proceed as so.”
With just those five words, the world began to move in a new direction.