Chapter 42 – Avalokiteśvara (2)

Lee Hanseong was taken aback by Henrietta’s video, which was more condensed than he had expected.

“…The video is a bit short.”

Unlike the videos of Hans and Blundell, which he could view in considerable detail, hers could only be seen in sporadic, disconnected segments.

A video barely sufficient to grasp the general flow.

It seemed that, unlike the Heaven-Slaying Demon Sword or the Dark Heart, which she likely wore constantly, her other Legendary Equipment was stored in a subspace, resulting in a weaker Connection Point with those items.

In any case, regarding Henrietta.

Using the <Mutation> Skill obtained from the ghoul Medium, she accelerated the evolution of the goblins and Dire Wolves that had joined the Swarm.

She was smoothly developing the monster Colony.

Especially during her efforts to expand the Swarm’s size using the dominance extended by the <Clay Earth’s Contamination> contained within the Extreme Seal of Yato.

Witnessing cross-species mating served as a catalyst, leading to the Blooming of a new Rare Skill, <Crossbreeding>.

She gave birth to a new monster race, achieving the ‘Hybrid Birth’ Feat.

Simultaneously with obtaining the Third awakening skill 《Factor Synthesis》, she completed her Three-star promotion.

Henrietta’s promotion to Three-Star brought her one step closer to the Keyword ‘Mother of Monsters’ mentioned by the Clay Constellation.

Considering the message from that time, her smooth progress likely had the Clay Constellation’s assistance as well.

“If it’s an ability to mix the Factors of those connected through the Swarm… could it also combine the characteristics of Spirits?”

“No, it would likely be limited to combining physical characteristics.”

Although Mirinae mentioned the limitation, Lee Hanseong was interested in the utility of Factor Synthesis.

This would clearly lead to the fusion of summoned Spirits once he became able to summon them later on.

For him, who planned to only maintain contracts with the original twelve Spirits and promote them, a new variable like Spirit fusion was something to welcome.

Tap.

Placing the returned Extreme Seal of Yato behind him, he checked the next Light point.

* * *

Alter Goulds.

In the original history, after visiting the remote village ‘Kuruwari’, he discovered that the cause of the incurable disease plaguing the cannibal tribe was cannibalism itself and was subsequently eaten by them.

Before being eaten, Alter, adapting to the tribe’s level of understanding, shouted that a curse would befall those who ate humans, instead of using complex medical terms.

This later became the catalyst for the disappearance of the cannibalistic practice in that tribe, but he ultimately could not avoid the fate of being devoured.

However, Alter in the altered history, accompanied by the Throne of the Dharma Wheel, was different.

“I forbid cannibalism.”

“…!”

“…!”

He could solve the problem simply by forbidding cannibalism using the <Wheel’s Law>.

However, the Law created by the Wheel’s Law only exists while the Throne of the Dharma Wheel is present.

Thus, Alter became unable to leave Kuruwari.

“How should we conduct our funerals now?”

“Cannibalism was the funeral…? No, surely not…!”

Forced to live with the tribespeople of Kuruwari, he saw their distress at being unable to eat the dead and realized that the cannibalistic practice was not merely a savage act.

“The cannibalistic practice is simply their culture’s unique expression of mourning for the dead. Then, is the Empire’s way, which I believed to be right… truly right from their perspective as well?”

Gaining the ability to approach even the Empire’s culture, which he considered civilized, from a different perspective, Alter acquired the new General Skills <Funeral Knowledge> and <Relativism>.

Submitting a thesis on his epiphany to the Empire’s academic circles, he made a name for himself by presenting a new perspective on culture.

This became the ‘Dawn of Cultural Relativism’ Feat, leading to the Blooming of the Second Awakening Skill 《Relativity of Rules》 and the completion of his promotion.

“Alter’s ability is to ignore rules applied by others’ abilities. In exchange, he cannot enforce his own rules on others either.”

“Not bad.”

It was a quite useful Awakening Skill in that it could counter the methods of High-Rank Spirits, like ‘Domain Expansion’, which enforce their own rules within an area.

Harboring such impressions, Lee Hanseong sat on the returned Throne of the Dharma Wheel, making space between his legs so Mirinae could sit more comfortably.

The size of the Projection, which was initially about the size of a forearm doll, had now grown to that of an ordinary girl as Mirinae regained her Grade.

“Why dost thou look so?”

“Ah, no. It just occurred to me that you’ve grown quite a bit, Lord of the Throne.”

“All thanks to my splendid Steward. The recovery of my Grade accelerated as well, as Causality from other Spirits changed by the ripple effects of the Alteration gathered, beyond just the parties directly involved in the Historical Alteration.”

He roughly guessed.

It likely meant that individuals like Alex Million, who triggered a bishop-level Miracle in Hanna’s Historical Alteration, also provided Causality to Mirinae.

It was a good thing, but he felt a tinge of regret at the now burdensome size of the Projection, which was no longer easy to place on his shoulder or head.

It also meant that as Mirinae recovered, Constellation Descent would become more burdensome for Lee Hanseong.

‘Even if I balance the Spirits through this Historical Alteration, the period I can maintain Constellation Descent won’t be very long.’

Struggling to hide his regret that the time to part from Mirinae, who had always been with him, was not far off, Lee Hanseong checked the next Spirit’s Light point.

* * *

Rian Shin.

In the original history, Rian made a name for himself as the sole survivor among the Tomb Raiders who plundered an ancient empire’s Imperial Tomb.

But that became his poison, putting him in a position of being hunted by those coveting the ancient empire’s relics.

Of course, thanks to his sense that instinctively detected traps and his Intuition for finding paths, he could survive being hunted for quite a while.

But he was ultimately driven into a dead end with no path and died.

However, now that he possessed the North Star Crown, which could generate attractive force to draw people in using <North Star Guidance>.

Rian was rewriting history by receiving revelations of new paths.

“Hail the legitimate successor of Ardenia!”

Following the revelation, he acted the part of an ancient Emperor’s successor to deceive the secret society ‘Golden Dawn Society’, which aimed to revive the ancient empire.

Normally, a mere Tomb Raider’s words wouldn’t have fooled a member of a secret society.

“A successor now? Whether it’s true or not, the fact that you activated the Imperial Seal is true.”

“Let’s take him to headquarters for now.”

But after Rian poured all his abilities, including <Ancient Knowledge> and 《Path Revelation》, into the effort and luckily figured out how to activate the <Imperial Seal>, an Emperor’s relic.

And after the attractive force generated by <North Star Guidance> drew the favor of the society’s members.

The Golden Dawn Society, half-doubting, half-believing, came to accept him.

During this process, Rian acquired the General Skill <Acting>.

“If thou art truly the legitimate successor of Ardenia, we expect thee to possess the appropriate etiquette.”

“What if I cannot learn it?”

“Then it would mean thou lackest the qualifications of a successor, and we would have to kill thee.”

“…I will learn it.”

Thereafter, while learning the complex etiquette of the ancient empire passed down within the Golden Dawn Society, he also acquired <Etiquette Knowledge>.

Achieving the ‘Emperor’s Successor’ Feat, he Bloomed the Second Awakening Skill 《Emperor’s Majesty》 by borrowing the authority of the two newly learned Skills and the Seal.

Gooooo!

“Darest thou violate Our command?”

“Thy etiquette is now perfect. No further tests regarding the Seal’s owner are needed. All members of the Golden Dawn Society shall pledge loyalty to His Majesty Rian from this moment forth.”

Thanks to this, Rian passed the Golden Dawn Society’s final test and became the head of the secret society.

Thud. Thud. Thud. Thud.

The scene of dozens of secret society members in identical robes kneeling before him marked the completion of his promotion.

After the video ended, feeling the weight of the returned Crown on his head, he evaluated Rian’s Second Awakening Skill.

“Emperor’s Majesty… this is just for show, isn’t it?”

As an Awakening Skill corresponding to a Legendary Skill, it did project an aura that seemed impressive, but it lacked any physical coercive power.

Moreover, for its proper effect to manifest, the opponent needed the knowledge and Eye of Insight to recognize the etiquette and dignity embedded in the movements displayed, making it a useless ability against ignorant savages.

But it wasn’t bad.

“Well, misconceptions can be utilized depending on the situation.”

Considering Rian’s case, it could prove useful in certain situations.

He checked the next video.

* * *

Non Smith.

In the original history, he was a talentless blacksmith who, after dedicating his life, became capable of creating a demon sword.

However, at the Starting Point of the altered history, he already possessed Demon Sword Crafting and the Steel Gauntlet.

“Hahaha! Yes, this is it!”

Non, who had never been able to bring the finished product in his mind into the world, creating only degraded failures due to his lack of Dexterity, laughed heartily upon seeing the iron sword completed through <Steel Alchemy>.

It was the feeling of releasing the resentment accumulated over the years, enough to rename himself Non Smith, acknowledging he was not an Artisan.

Plip. Plip.

Despite the clear sky, water droplets fell around Non’s feet.

“Ahem. Hmm. Is it raining from somewhere?”

Clearing his throat, Non Smith wiped the moisture dampening the corners of his eyes and composed his emotions.

In truth, his Dexterity was average.

It wasn’t at a level so talentless that he needed to belittle himself.

The problem was that his ideals were too high.

The level of the finished product envisioned in Non’s mind was so high that his ordinary Dexterity couldn’t realize it in reality.

But <Steel Alchemy> was an ability to Refine the ideal in his mind directly into reality.

Since imagination was more important than Dexterity, Non’s previously unseen talent began to Bloom.

“With this, I can begin. The creation of Demon Armor.”

Whir— Clang. Whir— Clang.

The fact that the only metal Steel Alchemy could handle was steel was not a problem.

Steel refers not to pure iron, but to an alloy.

As long as it was an alloy mixed with iron, all of it could be recognized as steel.

Shooooo—

Handling alloys through Steel Alchemy, he completed a steel Full-Body Armor.

Finally, using the principles of Demon Sword Crafting, he infused the power to move the Demon Armor.

Fwoosh!

His life and soul left his body and flowed into the Demon Armor.

He made himself the ego of the Demon Armor, completing it.

—This is the steel body. The Demon Armor.

In truth, while Non called his creation Demon Armor, it was closer to a prosthetic body.

A new body capable of displaying perfect Dexterity, replacing the physical body that couldn’t keep up with his ideals.

Clang! Clang!

Non, residing within the steel armor, began hammering without using Steel Alchemy.

—Haha! Hahaha! Hahahaha!

Power control and delicate manipulation that worked exactly as envisioned.

The realm of blacksmithing he had dreamed of was gradually being embodied through the precise functions surpassing the human body.

The General Skills <Dexterity> and <Basic Crafting> Bloomed, completing his Two-star promotion.

Lee Hanseong showed interest in the fact that Non’s Second Awakening Skill was not Demon Armor creation, but 《Perfect Body Control》.

“So the core of the Two-star promotion completion Feat wasn’t creating the Demon Armor, but the Demon Armor’s body control ability that perfectly followed Non’s will.”

It was an Awakening Skill that would be a great help not only in crafting ability but also in combat.

Soon, wearing the returned Steel Gauntlet, he touched the last remaining Light point.

* * *

Utangka.

The era he lived in was the distant primitive age.

The very fact that he could use Awakening Skills led to significant changes.

Kwa-rur-rung!

He catches prey that would normally be unattainable using the lightning fire of Heavenly Thunderflame spewing from his hand.

He makes inedible fruits edible by roasting them with fire.

He bakes clay with fire to make vessels.

In the original history, Utangka died hunting a giant beast not long after bringing fire.

But in the altered history, he thrived through Heavenly Thunderflame and began to influence subsequent developments.

It was a natural result for Utangka, who held power like heavenly lightning in his hand, to be revered as the shaman and great chieftain of the tribes.

Not only did he realize the existence of Starlight through his Awakening Skill.

Possessing even the Epicenter’s Jewel that amplified Starlight, he sought to utilize even Starlight beyond fire.

“Dance, shiny thing moves. Sing, moves better. Move shiny thing, wish comes true.”

As a result, although Utangka’s efforts couldn’t directly manipulate Starlight.

They led to the General Skills <Primitive Spell> and <Spell Knowledge>, which indirectly utilized Starlight through primitive beliefs and rituals like dance and song.

One day.

Ku-rur-rur-rung!

—Was it you who awakened me?

“Lightning fire, speaks! We made alive. You, help us.”

—Indeed, is it your faith that gives me existence? Very well. I shall help you, and you shall offer me your faith.

“Understood.”

The Heavenly Thunderflame amplified by the Epicenter’s Wave and the shamanistic ritual accidentally interacted, giving birth to a primitive Elemental.

It was an Achievement more than sufficient to complete his Two-star promotion.

The Second Awakening Skill that Bloomed for Utangka at this time was 《Spirit Awakening》.

An Awakening Skill that awakens the essence of Elemental Power pushed to its limit into an Elemental.

“Ooh. A good ability in that it adds an ally with independent judgment.”

Perhaps Utangka would later walk the path of an Elementalist.

Thus, he had confirmed the promotions of all the Spirits who began Historical Alteration through Legendary Equipment.

Having retrieved all the Legendary Equipment, including the Epicenter’s Jewel, scattered into history, the Skill that had been itching in his mind also fully materialized.

[Conditions met. Rare Skill <???> Blooms into <Sleeve Insert>.]

Seeing the Great thief’s technique of secretly passing an object to another, a method to complete the promotions of Hyu and Duren together came to mind.