< Chapter 180: Evolution (2) >
“Oh heavens! I’m here!”
Dragon Lord entered Heavenly God’s room with a bright face.
“How many times have I told you, you should ask for permission before entering…”
“I was right!”
Dragon Lord leaned in close to Heavenly God and grinned.
“Could you clarify? What exactly were you right about…”
“It’s true! Kang Seo-yul is Adam’s apostle!”
“…What?”
Behind the mask, Heavenly God’s eyes widened in surprise. However, the shock lasted only a moment. Soon, a calm and collected expression returned to her face.
“Did he say that himself? That he is Adam’s apostle?”
If so, it might be something to doubt.
‘Maybe he wants us to think he is Adam’s apostle, trying to make us let our guard down…’
But Heavenly God’s calm face quickly changed to one of astonishment again.
“No! I saw the evidence myself.”
“…Ev, evidence?”
“Yes. Kang Seo-yul didn’t even utter the ‘A’ in ‘Adam’s apostle’.”
“…”
Heavenly God’s mouth opened slightly.
“What kind of evidence…”
If Dragon Lord is making such a fuss, it can’t be ordinary evidence.
“Adam’s Mark!”
At her answer, Heavenly God’s eyes widened in astonishment.
“You mean, Adam’s Mark? The origin of all species? Adam’s blessing?”
“That’s what I’m saying! And it’s not an ordinary mark.”
Dragon Lord emphasized the point.
The Mark of Adam itself isn’t ordinary. That’s obvious.”
“The Mark of the High Elf.”
“What?”
“I said, the Mark of the High Elf! High Elf! Euhaha!”
Dragon Lord laughed heartily.
Heavenly God narrowed her eyes as if she was suspicious.
“Is there such a mark? The marks I know of…”
“There must be marks for the 16 races. I know that too. I’ve only seen 16 kinds myself.”
Of course, neither of them had seen the actual thing. They had only seen the ‘shape’ of the mark passed down through stone tablets. And those were merely ‘replicas’.
“But what can you do? The mark of the Elf Race on Kang Seo-yul’s shoulder…”
Dragon Lord’s eyes sparkled.
“It was even an evolved mark of the Elf Race. You have to believe it.”
“A much-evolved mark…”
Heavenly God’s expression grew serious.
“You’re not making a fuss over an ordinary tattoo, are you?”
Dragon Lord glared at Heavenly God with dagger eyes.
“What do you take me for? I’ve checked with my dragon eyes and even touched it with my hands. I’m sure. It’s the Mark of Adam.”
“I had never seen such a flow of magic before. No, I don’t even know if it’s magic to begin with. It was that mysterious of an aura.”
“…So, everything he said is true?”
“Yes. 100% true.”
Dragon Lord repeatedly nodded.
“Kang Seo-yul is the ‘High Elf’ who came back from the future to save this world, and the apostle of Adam who received power from Eden…”
A glint flowed from the Dragon Lord’s eyes.
“He is the savior and our hope.”
“…”
However, Heavenly God’s expression was ambiguous.
“Is there something bothering you?”
“No, it’s not that…”
Heavenly God hesitated before asking.
“Has Dragon Lord, by any chance, had any strange dreams? Like someone appearing in the dream…”
For example, Kang Seo-yul whom she met yesterday.
“…Dream? Do Angels even have dreams?”
“We don’t really need sleep, so I’ve never really dreamt…”
Heavenly God, returning to her usual expression, shook her head slightly.
“No, please forget what I just said.”
“…What is it? Now it’s bothering me.”
* * *
After Dragon Lord disappeared without responding to my words,
“The Mark of Adam…”
I met Edel’s sparkling eyes head-on and sighed inwardly.
“I never expected you to have such a legendary mark on your body…”
I didn’t expect that using the [Silent Assassin] in that situation would evolve the mark.
No, the evolution part is great. But why does it shine through the clothes?
‘And why was Dragon Lord looking at me exactly at that moment?’
Because of that, I was caught red-handed regarding the Mark of Adam.
‘Still, it’s not a bad thing.’
Dragon Lord’s reaction was favorable. I don’t know what he’s thinking, but I don’t believe being caught with the Mark of Adam will have any negative effects on me.
‘If this leads to better cooperation with the Savior, it’s a huge win.’
A glint appeared in my eyes.
“The Mark of the High Elf…”
I was jolted from my reverie by Edel’s mumbling.
“Thinking about it again, you truly are amazing.”
“…”
Edel’s gaze was too dazzling.
Her eyes were so bright, it felt like the Milky Way was embedded in them.
“Ah, Edel. About this matter…”
“Oh, I know! You want it kept a secret, right?”
“Yes. Can I trust you with that?”
“Of course! My lips are sealed!”
Edel made a gesture of locking her lips.
I couldn’t help but smile at her cute act.
“Thanks. I’ll head inside first.”
“Okay. Take care!”
Just as I was about to turn and head back to my room,
“Oh, right. We were talking about how to use that Wind Arrow, weren’t we?”
“Ah!”
Edel seemed to have momentarily forgotten as well. Granted, the Mark of Adam did have quite the impact.
“Hmm. Today’s timing is a bit off… Are you free at this time tomorrow?”
Considering that the Elf Race’s mark should be in a deactivated state now, it shouldn’t be a problem.
Since its activation was just for about a minute, by tomorrow the mark should be reactivated. By tomorrow morning, I should be able to demonstrate and teach its detailed usage.
“Of course! As long as I don’t get any sudden deployment, I’m free anytime!”
“Okay. Then let’s meet at this time tomorrow.”
“Yes!”
* * *
After returning to my room, the first thing I did was take off my shirt and stand in front of the mirror.
“…It really has changed.”
The mark on the top of my right shoulder.
The Elf Race’s mark had transformed quite spectacularly.
Just as Dragon Lord mentioned, the World Tree was in full bloom, surrounded by fairies, with the tree’s leaves encompassing it.
‘This must be the Mark of the High Elf.’
Considering Dragon Lord, who mediated this world for 4,000 years, said so, it must be accurate.
‘Anyway, it’s now certain.’
Every time I use an ancient relic – or, in terms of this world, an artifact – my mark evolves.
‘Both the Demon Race’s mark and the Elf Race’s mark changed in form right after using a new artifact. It’s clear.’
The fact that I used the Elf Race’s artifact the most until now supports my hypothesis.
‘The next step is to determine the effects of the evolved mark.’
I have a rough idea of the effects.
‘As the mark evolves, it likely activates the advanced characteristics of the respective Race.’
For instance, for the Beastman, it could be the Blessing of the Beast King, Bloodline, Adrenaline, Bloodline Acceleration, and so on.
‘For the Elf Race, it could be “Beauty of Nature”, Nature’s Guardian, Child of the World Tree.’
Becoming a High Elf probably means I can utilize all these characteristics. That’s my guess.
‘The key is whether there’s an increase in capabilities.’
When the mark evolves, perhaps using the artifact of the respective Race boosts abilities.
It’s my personal hope, but it would be nice.
‘…Should I check using the Demon Race’s artifact?’
Not just waiting for the Elf Race’s mark to reactivate – the form of the Demon Race’s mark has changed as well.
‘I’ve been holding back because I was worried about excessive magic consumption…’
Wouldn’t it be okay for just a short while?
Come to think of it, I should also test my abilities using the necklace I took from Lilith for the Mongma Race.
“Oh, right.”
Remembering the Mongma Race’s necklace reminded me.
‘I still have some experiments left to do.’
I picked up the bag of nothingness I had placed in a corner of the room.
And took out two artifacts.
‘I wonder what happens when using two Race’s artifacts simultaneously.’
To conduct this experiment, I took out the ‘Greatsword of the Beast Race’ I borrowed from Alfheim and the ‘Necklace of the Mongma Race’ I recently seized from Lilith.
At that moment.
Zap, sizzle!
A fierce current surged.
“Ouch, damn!”
Feeling an intense pain unbearable to hold onto, I quickly let go.
“Whoa…”
Severe burns appeared on the hands that had been holding the two artifacts. It wasn’t even 0.1 seconds, and I already had such burns.
“…So it doesn’t work.”
It seems using the artifacts of two Races simultaneously is not possible.
‘That’s a bit disappointing.’
The realization that I couldn’t use multiple racial artifacts simultaneously hurt a bit. It was a fun method I looked forward to using against the Unknown.
“Look, just by holding it for 0.1 seconds, it’s already turned black.”
I chuckled as I gazed at the Mongma Race’s mark, which had quickly turned from white to black, and the mark of the Demon Race.
Just then.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
I heard someone rushing toward this direction.
Bang!
My room door was flung open roughly.
A very flustered Luna, with cold sweat on her forehead, exclaimed.
“Son-in-law! The magical aura of the Mongma Race in this room right now…”
“…”
It seems the magic of the Mongma Race leaked out from just that 0.1-second touch.
‘…I should give up on testing the capabilities enhancement with the Demon Race’s artifact.’
I made that resolution.
“Luna! The magic in this room…”
“Oh my goodness! Did you just feel that?”
Following Jin and Rena,
As I observed the horde of people rushing in, I resolved once again.
“That magic just now leaked from this necklace. I was trying an experiment…”
“Ah!”
“So that’s what happened.”
I shouldn’t use artifacts of the Races affiliated with Demonic Faction in such close quarters.
I don’t want to be wrongly labeled a traitor for no reason.
* * *
That night.
Unable to sleep, I strolled through the garden. Due to the wartime circumstances, the garden hadn’t been properly maintained,
Yet the ruggedly blooming flowers and tree branches held their own charm.
‘…I wonder how Jia and the others are doing.’
Perhaps it was because of the conversation about the past, present, and future with Ai. Today, in particular, I found myself missing and worrying about Jia and the others.
That’s probably why I can’t sleep.
‘It’ll be okay, right?’
A groundless fear crept in.
The anxiety of the possibility that their existence might disappear due to my actions surged within me.
‘Even though I believe it’ll be okay…’
As I told Ai, the probability is much higher that whatever I do in this past timeline won’t affect the modern timeline where I originally belong.
The mere existence of Ai and me is proof of that.
‘But it’s not 100%.’
That’s the nature of hypotheses.
There’s no such thing as 100%.
And that’s what’s terrifying.
‘If my actions lead to their disappearance…’
Chills run through my entire body.
‘Even if I believe this is the best approach…’
Fear is still fear.
Whether it’s a 5% chance or even 1%.
Imagine having to press a switch where, at a 1% chance, all of your close friends would perish.
How many would not be afraid to press it? No matter how low the probability, if the penalty is great, fear inevitably rises.
“Sigh…”
As I was lost in thought, letting out a series of sighs and gazing at the sky,
“Oh, ancestor.”
“Edel.”
I ran into Edel, who was in light sleepwear.
“Woke up from sleep?”
“Yes?”
She had an expression as if asking how I knew.
“Your hair.”
Whether she had been sleeping or not, Edel’s hair was unusually disheveled.
“Oh.”
I approached Edel and straightened out her tousled hair.
“Ah, thank you…”
Perhaps she felt embarrassed showing such a disordered appearance.
Edel expressed her gratitude with a slightly flushed face. Every gesture of hers reminded me of Jia.
“It’s okay.”
I gently patted her head and looked straight into her eyes.
“Why are you taking a walk at this late hour instead of sleeping?”
Edel gave a weak smile.
“Just… I couldn’t sleep because of a dream.”
“A nightmare?”
“No, not a nightmare. Just… a rather intriguing dream.”
Leaning back, Edel scanned the ruggedly blooming flowers.
“What kind of dream was it?”
Then, she squatted down, tenderly caressing a red flower, a gentle smile gracing her face.
“I dreamt of training with you, ancestor.”
Watching the picturesque sight of Edel, I also broke into a smile.
“Were you excited about learning a new technique tomorrow morning, which led to such a dream?”
“Could it be?”
Edel smiled sweetly.
“That intriguing dream you spoke of, is that all there was to it?”
“No, there’s more.”
That night, Edel stood up from her spot and faced me. As if competing with the moonlight, Edel’s golden hair shone even more brilliantly.
“I played with the princess in my dream.”
With an unfathomable expression, she stared intently at me.
“With Rena? Where?”
Was it a reflection of her desire to get closer to Rena? I asked nonchalantly.
“It was a place I’ve never seen before. Perhaps, wasn’t it your home, ancestor?”
…A place in my home she’s never seen before?
I felt an odd sense of déjà vu at her words.
“In that place, I played with the princess and a girl with a bright, beautiful smile.”
“…”
A girl with a bright, beautiful smile…
“We cooked together, looked at a sparkling wall, and had dinner with you, ancestor, who returned late.”
My pupils seemed to tremble a bit. I had an inkling of what Edel’s dream might signify.
“And we went to a place like a school. We studied together, ate, and trained.”
With a distant look in her eyes, Edel smiled softly. I just gazed at her, stunned.
“When I was in danger, you saved me, ancestor.”
The more I heard, the more I felt convinced about my hypothesis.
“It’s fascinating, isn’t it? In a completely unfamiliar place, with people I’ve never met, I laugh and chat. It’s very enjoyable.”
A sadness clouded Edel’s eyes.
“Since meeting you, ancestor, I have this dream every night.”
Edel looked up at the sky. The Milky Way painted a beautiful night scene.
“It’s a happy dream, but strangely sad. That’s why I keep waking up from it. I wonder why?”
Eyes shining like the Milky Way stared into mine.
“Ancestor? Why are you making that face?”
Edel approached me with a worried look. What expression was I wearing to make her look at me like that?
“Are you feeling unwell?”
I didn’t know.
“Ancestor?”
I didn’t have the presence of mind to consider my facial expression right now.
“Are you really feeling ill…”
“Edel.”
I called her with a trembling voice.
“Yes?”
“That dream… the one you’ve been having recently.”
“Ah, yes.”
With trembling lips, I cautiously asked,
“In that dream… were you ever called by a different name?”
Edel’s eyes widened slightly.
“How did you know? That I was called by another name in the dream.”
My lips trembled even more severely.
“Shin Jia.”
It was a smile as beautiful as the roses in the garden.
“In the dream, I was called Shin Jia.”
I felt a sense of numbness in my head.
< Chapter 180: Evolution (2) > End.
