Chapter 125

I’m dizzy.

My mind was hazy.

I wanted to throw up if I could.

These nauseating times.

Just how many times had I turned back time? I don’t know. I don’t even want to count.

Still, the effort was definitely rewarded.

Whoong-

Mana circulated smoothly within my body.

The twitching sensation I felt every time the Dragon Heart beat was completely gone.

So this isn’t the way of the untalented.

It’s the way of geniuses.

By borrowing the body of a genius, the likes of which there is no other under the sky, for an uncountable amount of time, it was forcibly ingrained into my body.

How on earth a species called “genius” understands and uses magic.

Now I get it.

Why they say things that make ordinary people’s jaws drop, like, “I just tried to solve it, and it worked,” or, “There are thousands of rooms in my head.”

I thought a person’s talent was something they were born with, but at this rate, has my own magic also achieved considerable progress?

Well, it’ll still take some time to become like Ian.

“Shall we get going now, then?”

My head turned.

I had handed over control of the body to Ian.

I could see Azadun smiling fondly at me.

How could he not be pleased when I learned ten things after being taught one?

“Get going?”

“The Demon King, I mean.”

“Ah, the Demon King.”

“Why is your reaction so lukewarm? You know an opportunity like this is rare, right?”

“You’re right. It is rare. The chance for us to come all the way to their Mainland.”

Thinking back based on Ian’s memories, entering the Demon Realm is extremely tricky.

Dimensional Travel magic is tricky enough, but the Mainland, where our enemies, the Demon Kings, reside, is of an unspeakable difficulty.

Breaking through the barrier of the one called the Demon God Chaos, the Demon King of Demon Kings, and entering the Mainland is something you have to risk your life for.

In other words, Ian and Saint Ajadun risked their lives to come here.

“It’s as Lu said. Chaos is currently away from his post. Ian.”

It seems that having broken through such tight security to get here, he wants to get his money’s worth.

But my thoughts, and Ian’s thoughts, are a little different.

“About the Demon King.”

“Hm?”

“Let’s not kill him.”

“…What?”

Azadun looked at me with an expression that said, what kind of bullshit is that?

“What… nonsense is this? Did you get infected by solitude or something?”

Azadun felt Ian’s head here and there.

“No. There’s no Demonic Energy.”

“I’m perfectly fine.”

“The words coming out of your mouth aren’t fine.”

“You should hear a person out to the end.”

Ian cut him off and continued.

“Not killing him doesn’t mean we won’t fight. Let’s just Seal him.”

Azadun’s face grew even more bewildered.

“So why. Don’t tell me.”

“No. I’m not that much of a scoundrel to backstab you after you’ve passed on Supreme Magic to me.”

“……What is it, then?”

“And my Mental Magic isn’t so great that I can read your mind, Lord Azadun.”

Azadun shut his mouth. As if to say he would at least hear him out.

Ian brandished Durandal.

“There are two reasons. First, we can induce their carelessness.”

“Carelessness?”

“The carelessness that the dimension, Elsland, is no big deal. The carelessness that it’s fine to leave it as it is.”

Ian shrugged.

“In reality, it wasn’t a big deal.”

Suddenly, my vision turned. Toward a corner of the empty air.

“You feel it too, don’t you? That at this rate, our destruction is a foregone conclusion.”

Azadun opened his mouth, then closed it again.

“That’s right. There’s no answer as things are. No matter what we do.”

“The moment that Almighty Lu you believe in and follow so much abandoned the dimension.”

There it was again.

The name ‘Lu’. In our language, the System.

But for some reason, Ian’s voice was full of malice.

…Is there something I don’t know?

Should I try to look back at more memories?

No. For now, I need to focus on this.

“Lu abandoned this place, and the Mainland has been almost completely invaded. In this situation, what do you think we can do?”

“Is that a question, or a test?”

“You can think of it however you like.”

“If I had to answer, it would be to plan for a later day. In another dimension, of course.”

“That’s it exactly. Even if we catch the Demon King here, it will only delay our destruction.”

“But if that… Reincarnator you mentioned catches the Demon King.”

“That changes the feel of things.”

I quickly racked my brain.

So is he saying that this whole situation is happening for my sake?

Azadun crossed his arms.

If I could have, I would have done the same.

“…This is driving me crazy.”

That’s what I wanted to say.

“So you’re saying we’re just the supporting cast?”

“If you want to think of it that way. Well, that’s the only solution my head can come up with.”

“But why aren’t you running away?”

“Because I made a promise.”

He met Azadun’s eyes.

For a moment, I thought the eyes of the two people reflected in the Dragon’s pupils looked just like mine.

“That if you taught me, I’d grant your request.”

That was the deciding blow.

Azadun let out a deep sigh and nodded.

“Just Seal him. And then, let’s hand him over to the real protagonist.”

“Understood.”

My ears were ringing. It was the point where the Past Life Lucid Dream was ending.

My head was a mess anyway, so this was for the best.

Because my head feels like it’s about to explode right now, too.

Fwaa-

My eyes blinked.

It meant I had returned to reality.

I shot up from my seat and drank some water first.

The ring-form Durandal chattered on about what happened and how my Mana had suddenly stabilized, but I ignored it.

I had confirmed what I needed to confirm, and I had also stabilized the Supreme Magic that was my original goal.

But it felt like I had placed another burden in my head.

I couldn’t even begin to guess just how much effort Ian had put in for me.

What if I just decided I didn’t care and ran away?

The outside air felt better as soon as I breathed it in.

It felt like my head was clearing up, too.

I wanted to use Past Life Lucid Dream again right away to find out what happened between the System and Ian.

But more than that, my body was itching.

I was desperate to try out the Supreme Magic as soon as possible.

And against the arrangement Ian had left for me, no less.

It was absurd no matter how many times I thought about it.

To think that even the sealed Demon Kings were Ian’s handiwork.

“He gave it to me to eat, so I should eat it.”

What I had to do was simple.

I closed my eyes and focused my mind.

“Trace Tracking.”

The target was the 7th-ranked Demon King, Entesto.

The moment the words ended, Mana erupted from the Dragon Heart.

This wasn’t simply finding a trace nearby.

If it were, it wouldn’t have been named Supreme Magic.

My Mana stretched out toward all dimensions.

To track their traces.

As such, it would take quite a bit of time…

I tilted my head.

Huh. Why is this guy.

On the Mainland?

The opening ceremony of the International Awakener Association.

By the time the party atmosphere had ripened, the seating was naturally arranged.

The most honored seat was empty, with Lee Seok-jae to its right and Rachel Carson to its left.

And a moment later.

The face of Suzuki Shunichi, from the Japanese Awakener Association, hardened.

“The United States and Korea. These two nations will be named as permanent members of the council.”

The expressions of the dignitaries from various countries, who had been smirking at the Korean side until just a moment ago, were similar.

Their faces said, what kind of bullshit is that?*

The United States, sure.

But Korea, ahead of China and the United Kingdom?

There was even someone who asked again, thinking the real-time translator had made a mistake.

“…Who did you say were the permanent members?”

“The United States and Korea. For the purpose of peace and security, these two nations may request cooperation from the Awakener Associations of other nations in times of emergency.”

Lee Seok-jae, seated to the right of the head table, explained calmly.

It was called cooperation, but it was as good as mandatory.

Suzuki’s eyes darted around.

He swallowed hard and asked.

“Uh, why, was such a decision made so suddenly…”

“Because they have permitted the opening of their Buff Stones and Hunting Grounds.”

Ah. If it’s that.

“Then can we receive them as well?”

Greed flowed in people’s eyes.

Lee Seok-jae shook his head.

“The supply of Hunting Grounds and Buff Stones will be decided according to the meetings of the permanent member nations. If there are any complaints about this.”

Lee Seok-jae smiled after saying that much.

It was clear what he meant without him having to say it.

Skill Books and all, there would be no mercy.

Currently, the Awakeners of every nation were crazy for Skill Books.

If they poked the beehive the wrong way, a large number of S-Rank Awakeners might just change their nationalities.

The dignitaries from each country naturally looked toward the Korean side.

Head of department Kim Yoon-joong was sitting with his legs crossed leisurely.

‘Damn it. That bastard knew from the beginning.’

And he had given him a talking-to, ignorant of that fact.

Suzuki’s mind raced.

From the looks of it, it seemed impossible to dare oppose Lee Seok-jae.

The same went for the leaders of other nations.

In other words, now was the time to suck up to the US and Korea.

Especially Korea.

First, after apologizing to Head of department Kim Yoon-joong…

It was then.

The president of the French Awakener Association gestured toward the head seat with his chin.

“The Chairman’s seat is vacant.”

Usually, the chairman of an international organization like this is chosen by a rotating vote.

In other words, it meant they still had a chance.

People’s eyes began to shine again.

“You’re right. We should vote for a Chairman first.”

“No. There is already a Chairman.”

“Hm? Rachel. Are you the Chairman here? Well. I can’t agree to that.”

Rachel Carson shook her head.

“Don’t worry. It’s not me.”

“…Then? Who is the Chairman?”

“Mr. Choi.”

People tilted their heads again.

“Mr. Choi? Who is that?”

“Choi Gi-woong. You don’t know him?”

“……”

A silence fell over the assembly.

A silence much deeper and thicker than when Korea was announced as a permanent member.

Unable to hold back, the representative from Germany spoke.

“Why is Choi Gi-woong suddenly coming up?”

“Not even you, Rachel, but Choi… Gi-woong? That person is taking the position of Association President?”

“Do you think that makes any sense?”

Rachel Carson nodded.

“His name didn’t just pop out of nowhere, and he’s alive. It makes sense, too.”

“I cannot accept it. Why Choi Gi-woong all of a sudden?”

“Accept? Whose acceptance? Henry Povil, your acceptance?”

Rachel tapped her pen.

Her eyes were fierce.

“Do you think something like that is necessary?”

The head of the UK’s Awakener Association, Henry Povil, shook his head firmly.

“This time, threatening us with Skill Books won’t work. At the very least, we must prevent a dead man from sitting in such an important position.”

Henry Povil looked at Head of department Kim Yoon-joong.

Not just him. Everyone’s gaze turned to the Korean side.

“Answer me. Choi Gi-woong. Is he even alive? If he’s not dead, shouldn’t he have appeared at a gathering like today’s?”

The leaders of the other nations made eye contact with each other.

When one reaches this level of position, there are things that are understood without being said.

And they understood each other.

Germany’s secretary-general rose from his seat.

“Let’s say we accept Korea being selected as a permanent member. No, honestly, there’s a lot to say about that too, but let’s let it slide for now.”

He looked around the assembly.

“But this is not right. There’s a limit to blatant favoritism. Doesn’t this mean you intend to make the rest of us supporting actors under Korea?”

“I didn’t know Mr. Lee’s patriotism was this strong, but you’d better think carefully.”

“No matter how coveted the Buff Stones are, isn’t this going too far?”

People strongly objected.

“If you want to be a dictator, just say so, Rachel.”

“Is there no respect for the member nations?”

It was inevitable.

Suzuki Shunichi’s mind was spinning.

He immediately canceled his plan to stick to Korea.

Looking at the way things were going, it seemed Korea had gotten too greedy and was about to stumble.

“Japan feels the same. I will be direct. We oppose the selection of Korea as a permanent member.”

Suzuki looked around the assembly. The dignitaries who had flown in from 12 countries showed their approval of his stance.

It seemed like he could push a little more.

Excited, Suzuki continued.

“Furthermore, we demand the full opening of the Hunting Grounds and Buff Stones. If this is not accepted, Japan will withdraw from the International Association…”

Crack-

It was then.

Space began to split vertically.