Chapter 144 – Hymn

After learning that Seongjae would make a great contribution to the development of the Magitech Civilization in the future, I searched for everyone around me one by one using the Assistant AI.

‘Rai’s record is quite impressive too…’

It seemed to be even more so for those in the engineering field.

For instance, Kang Deokchan’s record was not insignificant either.

The most unexpected was Seongmin, Seongjae’s younger brother.

Having recently received all sorts of education from Seongjae, Rai, and Deokchan, he boasted a record as brilliant as Seongjae’s.

However, it wasn’t the case that those not in the engineering field didn’t contribute. For example, Sua, Seoyeon, and Minju all seemed to have contributed to some extent. Furthermore, the one with the longest career was—.

“Why is this so long…?”

It was me. In particular, it seemed that the future version of me was the person who directly designed various machines.

‘Is that why…’

Perhaps a lot of things were explained.

Among the machines I could utilize, there were many that felt as if they were tailored exactly to my taste. And my taste as a pro gamer went beyond simple preference.

Machines that boasted extreme efficiency, capable of taking the lead in a specific role on the battlefield. That was my taste.

For example, things like the Assault Cannon or the Interceptor.

But no matter how much they were made by humans, the machines of the Magitech Legion fit my taste too perfectly. It was as if the machines in my mind had been scanned and brought into reality.

But now, I knew the reason.

[Seong Siwoo]

[20XX, …….]

[20XX, Led the design of the Assault Cannon.]

[20XX, Led the design of the Interceptor.]

[20XX, Led the design of the Aerial Mothership.]

[20XX, …….]

Almost everything I liked was actually designed by me. Of course, there were some that weren’t.

For example, the Magitech Armor, the Mountain Breaker Soldiers, and even the Submersible Patrol Craft that resembled a human-faced fish were things I hadn’t participated in designing.

‘Is this why they felt like something was missing…’

Every single one of them felt slightly lacking compared to the level I desired. It seemed safe to assume that the things I designed myself were generally the things my future self deemed necessary.

In other words, they were proven machines.

Previously, I had occasionally felt a vague sensation, similar to, ‘When I look for what I need, it’s already in the Magitech Civilization.’

It was also the reason for the immense trust I had in the Legion’s machines. I felt that question had finally been resolved.

‘I should focus on these guys from now on…’

Looking at those machines, I nodded.

* * *

Meanwhile, I looked back at the questions I had asked before. Starting with the fact that the Magitech Civilization was established by humans—.

• Then, why did they create the Magitech Civilization?

[The Magitech Civilization was created to respond to the Monsters.]

• Where are the creators of the Magitech Civilization from?

[Earth, exactly the same as the Successor.]

Looking back now, it was full of hints.

In particular, the biggest hint was that the Assistant AI possessed information about Eugene Fitzgerald, who had been an Archmage Villain, and Kim Taesu, who had been an Evolution Villain.

“…Why did I only notice this now?”

I had felt a great sense of incongruity back then, but if the information the Assistant AI possessed was based on the future, it was a problem that could be easily solved.

I had even referred to myself as the ‘Magitech Civilization.’ In my own mind, it was because the name of my ability was ‘Successor of Magitech Civilization.’ It seemed that was truly the reason for the name of my ability.

Meanwhile, as I began to ponder those various hints, I felt confused.

‘This is a complete time paradox…’

As much as things were being resolved, I felt that more questions were arising.

‘Then what exactly is the identity of this ability?’

It was when I asked myself that.

[The manifestation of the ability is known to be similar to that of other species. However, seeing that there are exceptionally many Special Entities on Earth, a theory was proposed in 20XX by Ha Seongjae that Earth itself might be a Special Entity….]

‘You again…’

It seemed to be another one of Seongjae’s theories. However, the quality of information was different from when I had only six Essences.

[…As a result, methods to turn the past Earth into a Special Entity were also discussed.]

“What?”

It seemed that even turning Earth into a Special Entity was…

The work of future humanity.

* * *

On the other hand, there was a part that worried me slightly.

‘Now I can truly trust the Magitech Civilization with peace of mind.’

It was a pity that I could no longer hope to find allies who might exist in another dimension or somewhere else in another world. This was because nothing was as reliable as the machines I had devised myself.

Moreover, in other words, since this was a situation I had already overcome once, it gave me the conviction that it was entirely possible as long as I put in the effort.

However, this very trust was the cause of my worry.

‘I need to double-check the reason why the Ark was necessary.’

Whatever the machine… surely, it must have been created out of necessity.

The Assistant AI answered with utmost sincerity.

However, the content wasn’t significantly different from last time.

It said that when the Dimensional Predator arrives, most ordinary people who are not protected will die due to the rapidly increasing pollution levels.

The Ark was an object created to temporarily evacuate ordinary people from that pollution.

Afterward, it seemed that a Dimensional Barrier was necessary to return that pollution to normal levels.

In the meantime, the Final Predation Day was drawing even closer.

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-112]

It was said that it arrives faster in proportion to the number of dead Monsters. It seemed the impact of the recent battle was significant.

‘I need to accelerate the production of the Arks.’

I began sending messages to various locations via Apoin.

The time given was not that much.

* * *

After a long time, we headed back home.

[Time remaining until Final Predation Day: D-104]

Instead of going to South Africa personally, the US Western Alliance, where I had previously exerted influence, decided to take charge of evacuating the refugees.

The way back home was generally smooth, but—.

“Kweeeeeek!”

As always, we were slightly delayed thanks to numerous Monsters.

However, while replenishing one crashed Photon Destroyer, thanks to Minju’s now considerably grown ability, we were able to bring in one more Photon Destroyer each from Incheon and the Western Alliance.

My fleet now had as many as four Photon Destroyers.

‘She’s been visiting those famous market spots so often lately.’

Minju was someone who would visit three or four times a day when she was busy. Thanks to that, her ability had grown to the point where she could transport a Behemoth-Class Photon Destroyer if she pushed herself a bit.

Thanks to this, without losing too much time, we headed further east. Crossing the Indian Ocean, we passed through India once more and stopped briefly in Vietnam.

As always, they welcomed me with extreme hospitality.

“Ah, Lord! Welcome!”

“It is an honor to see you again!”

I decided to make things clear to them this time.

“Just take this opportunity to come under my faction entirely.”

It took the form of a suggestion rather than a question, but in truth, it wasn’t even a suggestion. Come under my faction. It was practically a command.

Of course, this was also for their own sake. Although they were within my sphere of influence, they hadn’t been perfectly integrated into my faction. That was the problem.

‘Soon, all ordinary people must be loaded onto the Arks, and it would be a headache if Vietnam, which still maintains an independent force, pushes back.’

Population is national power.

This was especially true after abilities were unlocked. In such a situation, if I said I was taking people somewhere? There was no way they would permit it with a smile.

“Is this regarding the production of the Arks this time?”

…No, that shouldn’t have happened.

“That’s right. A major event is scheduled to occur soon. Let’s just say there is a necessity for everyone to evacuate.”

“Thank you so much for not forgetting and considering us. Just as we have done until now, we will also join—”

“I understand if you find it difficult. However—”

“…?”

“…?”

Question marks crossed over each other’s heads. It seemed the other side had already made up their mind. Even before I could speak.

Taken aback, I suddenly became curious about the identity of the man who was beaming in front of me, eager to enter my service.

“What did you say your name was?”

“I am Tteonjung. Nguyen Tan Trung.”

He bowed deeply toward me.

* * *

Tteonjung, a scout with the Invisibility ability, had witnessed the first artillery barrage of the Photon Destroyer with his own eyes.

Due to his overwhelming information acquisition and analysis ability, he was a high-ranking official with significant standing within the force currently leading Vietnam.

And he had originally intended to be satisfied with that.

“This is the chance to break free from the shackles of the Magitech Civilization—”

“That’s a great idea. We are the indomitable Viet people.”

…That was before he realized that idiots beyond imagination were occupying key positions. His face turned pale at the sounds he periodically heard among the Vietnamese high society.

‘This cannot go on.’

He was a survivor who had seen the ruthless artillery barrage of the Photon Destroyer before his eyes. He knew that destructive power better than anyone.

He had to avoid the possibility of that barrage being directed at them.

So, he decided.

‘I must increase my voice. At least more than those idiots.’

He decided to get involved in this matter directly.

Thus, using the status he originally held, he began to gradually increase his political influence. And those who tried to check him or block him…

Squelch!

Using his Invisibility ability, he assassinated them. There wasn’t a shred of guilt on his face as he wiped the blood-stained dagger with a handkerchief.

‘This is all because you are stupid.’

If he had left those idiots alone, the number of people who might have died would have been at least in the tens of thousands.

As time passed.

When the Magitech Legion returned, seeing the now four Photon Destroyers, he felt once again the conviction that he had not made a mistake.

“Yes. I did the right thing.”

‘How could we possibly fight something like that?’

He nodded repeatedly.

* * *

I tilted my head while looking at the man named Tteonjung, who was grinning at me. He seemed to have considerable political influence, but compared to that, he was being excessively polite.

‘Well… does it matter?’

But it was better this way. Thanks to his very cooperative attitude, I was able to clearly ‘explain’ that the ordinary people had to be loaded onto the Arks without much difficulty.

…And this was an ‘explanation,’ not a ‘persuasion.’

Furthermore, he made various requests to me.

“So, Lord. If it’s alright, would you consider constructing a production facility here as well?”

“You mean an Ark production facility?”

“Yes, and besides the Ark production facility, I see that in the Western Alliance—”

It was a request appealing to be incorporated into my faction.

And a very active one at that.

I decided to meet his expectations.

“Fine. While we’re at it, I’ll leave one Photon Destroyer here too.”

Seeing Tteonjung’s expression, filled with a joy that looked like he might die of happiness at my words, was a bit overwhelming, but…

‘Well, if it’s good, it’s good.’

It was better this way.