Chapter 214

A prophecy, in the end, cannot become an absolute answer.

Even the Inviolable Prophecy, which only truly eminent Prophets rarely observe, has a small probability of change.

Moreover, ordinary prophecies are essentially just like taking a snapshot of a certain possibility in the future—that is, they are merely valuable information.

However, even so, depending on the specific situation, they can hold greater worth than anything else.

“Is that person such a remarkable Prophet? Without even knowing my exact purpose.”

Yeon Jaki’s doubt was natural.

It was hard to believe that she had found her purpose and the suitable candidate just by observing a mere possibility.

But of course, I had an excuse prepared to convince her.

“What if it’s someone who will be by your side in the future?”

In essence, that is the most certain sign. If it’s a being chosen by the future Yeon Jaki, it’s highly likely to be a suitable candidate matching her purpose.

Realizing this, Yeon Jaki’s eyes gleamed faintly.

“That makes sense.”

“While I can’t be certain it’s the correct answer, it’s at least worth checking.”

Nodding, Yeon Jaki then began to ask me about that person’s identity.

“So, who is this remarkable talent?”

“Yoo Haon, affiliated with Korea’s Cheonghwa Academy, currently under the protection of the Baek Family.”

“Yoo Haon…”

It’s probably an unfamiliar name to Yeon Jaki. Although he showed considerable activity during the second Night Parade of One Hundred Specters, his fame hasn’t spread far and wide yet.

However, Yoo Haon, the protagonist of the first installment of the Exorcism Academy Series, is undoubtedly the suitable candidate Yeon Jaki is looking for.

Somehow, I ended up being the bridge, but as Yeon Jaki observes Yoo Haon, she will likely realize it herself.

“Alright, I’ll find out once I check for myself.”

With that, Yeon Jaki glanced somewhere beyond the building and soon left, disappearing.

And left alone, I watched the spot where she had vanished and prayed in my heart.

‘……’

Hoping that amidst the great crisis to come, she will surely help Yoo Haon and fulfill her role.

Afterwards, the sudden disturbance that had struck Korea quickly subsided.

The Chinese detainees, whose goal from the start was simply to cause a disturbance, were swiftly subdued or fled, and the members of the Night School also disappeared.

‘Of course, this isn’t the end…’

But at least we’ve bought a little time.

Since Luke has targeted me, he will reveal himself again someday.

So for me, the best course was to focus on what needed to be done immediately and prepare for that time.

‘Anyway, I’ve already taken measures.’

By now, Arietta and Baek Soyool, whom I had requested in advance, should have completed their respective tasks.

That was the destruction of the mobile Magic Circles prepared at various foreign Headquarters and other locations that were to be the Night School’s next targets.

Without Xiao Chen now, they wouldn’t be able to restore them, so it was safe to say that widespread activities were effectively no longer possible.

We could roughly predict the direction of their unpredictable movements.

‘But, in the end, it’s also true that we’re left in an ambiguous situation.’

Ultimately, Korea’s Headquarters collapsed, and although most of its personnel survived, it will take considerable time for the system to be reestablished.

And the crisis will surely arrive faster than that.

In such a situation, it remains uncertain whether the Exorcism Headquarters can fulfill its role.

Yoon Haecheol’s message that the survivors had gathered to hold Baek Woongkyoo’s funeral.

I read it with a bitter feeling and opened my Status Window to check my information.

【Han Kangyoon】

▶Level 54

‘…It seems it wasn’t enough after all.’

The condition to undergo the trial of Cheonghongyeong is Level 55.

I had thought to achieve it through this battle, but unfortunately, it seems I fell short.

Perhaps the talent of my body is gradually reaching its limit.

‘There’s no use falling into anxiety.’

That part is something I can’t do anything about anyway.

There’s no need to rush. I just need to find and act on the best method at each moment.

‘Then, the first thing to do is…’

Regardless, it’s to fill the remaining levels, challenge the trial of Cheonghongyeong, and increase the capacity of my vessel.

At least as far as I know in the current situation, that is the fastest method of growth.

And coincidentally, a method that piqued my interest and could also help with leveling up had just emerged.

It was the story about the Eternal Labyrinth.

“You said you hear a voice?”

“Yeah. Even now, sometimes.”

Seoa’s reply as she rested after returning to the residence Hwang Jincheol had arranged.

If so, this could be considered an event quest in game terms.

And the reason I became directly interested in it was precisely the Witch’s Resonance Trait, which had proven its worth in this battle.

‘Something was strange about it.’

No matter how much it originated from the same source, and no matter how much it’s an A+-Rank Trait, the power this Trait showed against Imeris’s Cursed Technique was too incredible.

So I considered various possibilities and was able to narrow down a few plausible hypotheses.

‘What if the ability to possess such defensive power wasn’t due to the Witch’s Resonance Trait?’

Actually, while the Witch’s Resonance Trait itself was something I created, as I said before, I never precisely imposed its effects.

That is, now that it has become reality, there’s no way to know what effect it is causing.

‘At first, I thought it was just a metaphorical expression.’

For example, even if a Trait called Heart of Steel exists, the heart of its possessor doesn’t literally become steel, right?

I thought Witch’s Resonance was similarly just a name implying another meaning.

But what if it was the literal meaning, not a metaphor?

‘Did the Witch take an interest in me and leave some kind of Mark?’

Perhaps the Witch’s Resonance Trait itself was additionally created by such a Mark.

That is, it meant the Witch referred to by the Trait had something she wanted to convey to me, even going that far.

‘The message being transmitted to Seoa might also be related.’

I can’t be certain, but if she’s calling this earnestly, it wouldn’t hurt to go once.

Moreover, to prepare for unknown variables in the upcoming events, I need to acquire even more.

‘The risk is high, but it’s worth taking.’

Unlike last time when I was suddenly swept in, this time sufficient preparation and planning are possible.

Thankfully, I already possess the passage leading to the Eternal Labyrinth.

However, the problem is not knowing which of the three regions besides the Black Forest we cleared it connects to.

‘The place to head for is the Blind Mountain.’

Although I said it was the labyrinth with the worst difficulty, unfortunately, that’s the correct destination now.

The Blind Mountain was the only labyrinth not cleared in the series even by the time I was in the modern era.

And from the other three labyrinths, one could only obtain the Witch’s knowledge and respective rewards, nothing else.

So if there’s a secret related to the Mark engraved on me and the voice Seoa hears, it’s highly likely to exist in the Blind Mountain.

‘…Is this also karma if it’s karma?’

The space where I used the Fissure Stone in the Black Forest to forcibly move Xiao Chen was also the Blind Mountain.

Of course, it’s hard to believe she’s still alive, but it’s still a truly ironic coincidence.

‘First, of course, I need to take Seoa.’

Besides, I need powerful forces who can help.

It would be good if we could move directly to the Blind Mountain, but if we end up going elsewhere, we must clear all labyrinths and obtain Fissure Stones to definitively head for the Blind Mountain.

It’s only natural that such a process would be extremely arduous.

Therefore, the selection of personnel to accompany must be careful.

‘Will roughly this many be enough?’

Thanks to the relationships built here so far not being in vain, personnel suitable for labyrinth conquest instantly lined up in my mind.

First is Sophia Charlotte.

She was strong from the start, but her power, having grown even more through the Night Parade of One Hundred Specters Crisis, needs no further explanation.

Since the school closure order was issued, she said she has nothing to do for a while, so she likely has ample time.

Second is Shin Noeul, Unit Leader of the Jeokhwadan.

I heard Shin Noeul is still busy with activities, but he is a talent I must bring in somehow.

‘Thinking about the name makes it simple.’

Why would the labyrinth be named Blind Mountain? I don’t know the exact stage concept either, but it’s safe to say that Shin Noeul, who specializes in Detection Art, would be absolutely necessary there.

‘And lastly…’

The Gatekeepers of the Blind Mountain, expected to be absurdly strong. I needed a powerful individual capable of facing them.

‘The only certain information is that there are Synthetic Beasts of the Witch exceeding Level 70 there.’

And among those I know, there aren’t many who can face such monsters.

This part seemed to require a bit more thought.

Finishing my thoughts, I first asked Seoa, who was also one of them.

“What do you think? Do you want to go check it out even if it means taking risks?”

“…I’m not sure. Honestly, last time was extremely dangerous too.”

That’s certainly true.

Not to blame, but if it weren’t for me, who knew about the Black Forest well, Seoa or Yoo Taejin’s group also wouldn’t have escaped the labyrinth in the end.

However, acknowledging that, Seoa continued with an unwavering voice.

“But I do think I need to go someday.”

That’s enough. My thoughts aren’t much different.

Once the third Night Parade of One Hundred Specters begins, there won’t even be leisure for such worries, so if there’s a chance, it’s only now.

“I’ve found the passage. And I also have something to check inside.”

“…Is that really true?”

“I intend to go. So think about it for a day and decide.”

Although it’s an unknown space in many ways, it’s worth challenging.

At my words, Seoa nodded and sank into deep thought.

And I too began busily making contacts for the preparation.

‘I need to increase my strength a bit more.’

Time won’t wait for us. So to avoid falling behind, I need to desperately chase it.

This labyrinth expedition will be the stepping stone for that.