Chapter 44

Chapter 44
## Chapter 44

### Abyssal Conclave (2)

A peak situated a short distance from a estate.

“Argh… That defensive wall is far more robust than I anticipated. I didn’t expect it to drain me this much.”

Furthermore, he hadn’t managed to travel as far as he had calculated.

It was undoubtedly due to the restriction field deployed by Hahoe Mask.

“Sigh, his capability is higher than I guessed. I need to depart from this area immediately.”

Park Gwangcheon compelled his shaking legs to stand upright.

It was far too early to employ “Spatial Manipulation” once more, meaning he had to travel on foot as far as possible.

‘Even so, upgrading my distinct capability twice was worth the hardship. Distinct capabilities are potent, but their advancement is incredibly sluggish.’

While standard abilities develop steadily through regular usage, utilizing the Karma Store for accelerated advancement certainly had its advantages.

The capacity to deploy an undetectable ward, identify their intrusion, and conceal his own presence along with his followers was entirely due to that choice.

Ultimately, he had been forced to flee, but the upgraded performance of ‘Immediate Activation’ proved highly beneficial in this predicament.

‘The cooldown duration has also decreased. In just a few more minutes, it will be available again. Without a restriction field in the way, I can flee much further this time…’

[I have located you.]

Abruptly, from the rear.

A vocalization that had absolutely no business being in this location.

It sounded less like a human utterance and more like an echo bouncing through a cavern.

A cry that seemed to actively fracture one’s psychological fortitude.

Park Gwangcheon’s frame froze completely.

‘How did they track me? From the residual traces in the ward? But that should only provide a vague trajectory, how did they pinpoint my exact coordinates… No, that is irrelevant right now. I must stall for time. The moment “Spatial Manipulation” becomes available…’

Thud—

[You appear to be deeply lost in reflection.]

A freezing palm clad in a dark glove clamped onto the back of his skull.

It possessed none of the softness associated with human flesh.

It felt closer to something fashioned out of solid ice.

[Initially, I hadn’t intended to grant you a swift demise, but then it occurred to me that you might find a way to slip away. Consequently, I resolved to simply proceed with my standard method.]

“Ah… No…”

Pitch-black sorcery energy began filtering through the back of his skull.

Park Gwangcheon writhed his frame in defiance, but his entire form was already immobilized by dark tendrils of shadow.

“Gah! Just a moment… If I merely had a fraction more time… Urgh…”

His consciousness swirled, and his cognitive functions severed intermittently, mimicking the sensation of a iron spike being driven into his skull.

[Hehehe… Do not assume this concludes with your passing. In my domain, even demise offers no salvation.]

—

Hans’s malevolent sorcery mercilessly disrupted his cerebrum, carving into his recollections.

Naturally, this individual was also bound by a psychological restriction.

Perhaps because he had dismantled one previously.

It presented a slightly more intricate puzzle since this man was a high-ranking member, but it was not overly challenging to untangle.

The recollections I accessed were…

‘What is the meaning of this?’

Within the decelerated flow of time, I stumbled upon something entirely unanticipated inside the adversary’s intellect.

—I never anticipated you would possess the capability to bypass the defenses and penetrate this deeply.

[Oh? Who might you be?]

A humanoid silhouette radiating a verdant light.

Only the skull and extremities could be outlined, with no identifiable facial attributes.

—I possessed some awareness, but witnessing it in a ethereal manifestation is truly extraordinary. Such a concentration of malevolent sorcery… Hahoe Mask, you exceed my evaluations.

Upon hearing those words, I perceived that I, too, maintained a corresponding appearance.

In contrast to his, mine was a profound, solidified dark mass.

[Therefore, you have been lurking inside this idiot’s intellect, monitoring everything. In that case, you must be the intellect guiding the Abyssal Conclave.]

—Denial serves no purpose at this juncture.

He was a contemptible individual, remaining in a secure sanctuary while placing restrictions in the intellects of others to monitor them from afar.

—Hahoe Mask. It is quite astonishing how analytical you remain for a practitioner of malevolent sorcery. It truly is a misfortune. On another note, have you entertained the thought of aligning with us?

An unpredicted invitation to affiliate with their faction.

Nonetheless, it presented an excellent scenario to extract intelligence regarding their group.

[Ha! Placing reliance on an anonymous collective? Very well, let me inquire. What is your ultimate objective?]

—The liberation of the Returnees. To forge a domain where we hold dominance.

‘It sounds far too rehearsed. Is it sincere?’

It was difficult to ascertain if he spoke with sincerity.

Based on everything I gathered, it appeared to be merely a superficial justification to attract Hans, who was a returnee.

[Your objective appears overly grand for a faction that has only recently gained prominence.]

—Our existence spans far longer. We have perpetually been battling for our autonomy.

The term ‘battling’ somehow provoked my irritation.

As did the expression ‘for a long duration’.

[So, you are implying that you have been executing acts of violence all this time?]

—Violence… It could be perceived through that lens. Yet it was essential. Unavoidable casualties.

‘Just as I suspected.’

There it was, the classic ‘unavoidable casualty’ justification.

These individuals regarded the destruction of others as a given factor to achieve their aims.

Unquestionably ‘wicked’, and an ‘adversary’ attempting to justify their atrocities.

An unpredicted surge of recollection emerged, and I swiftly regulated the mounting sentiment utilizing 「Mind Hub」.

Likely due to my lack of familiarity with the ethereal state, a sliver of my sentiment seemed to escape for a brief instance.

Detecting a shift, his demeanor altered.

—Select your path carefully. Here within the cognitive domain, psychological capabilities carry more weight than sorcery capacity. You are incapable of besting me in this space.

[Oh? Displaying your actual intentions now. What occurs if I comply? Do you intend to implant a restriction inside my skull as well?]

—That would be a necessity. Should that displease you, you are welcome to offer resistance. Injuries sustained by the ether here will mirror upon the material frame. This presents an excellent scenario to eliminate an impediment.

His posture radiated absolute assurance.

If I silently complied with directives and remained subservient, excellent; but if I offered resistance, he could eliminate me at his leisure.

He possessed an aura of complete comfort.

—Render your decision. And be aware, fleeing will not be an uncomplicated task. Even if fortune allows you to depart, you will endure catastrophic harm and forfeit a great deal.

Duration within the cognitive realm continued to drift languidly.

A mere handful of seconds had ticked away since Hans had seized the upper member of the Abyssal Conclave by the skull and initiated the infusion of malevolent sorcery.

In other words, ample duration remained…

[Heh, heheheh— Within the cognitive realm… You claim we shall contest using psychological strength?]

That implied I possessed sufficient opportunity to completely reverse the circumstances.

[How dare you… To issue threats to me, the one who governs demise. It is laughably farcical.]

Within this specific dominion, I was the master.

—

“Heinrich? Heinrich! Are you unharmed? Curious. There appears to be absolutely nothing amiss with your physical frame…?”

My awareness gradually re-established itself.

Before I realized it, an aged cleric in ceremonial robes was minutely scrutinizing Heinrich’s features.

“Oh! Forgive me, Archpriest. I was merely captured by a passing thought for a brief second… Ahaha!”

“Ah, the youth of this era, where do they wander off to mentally? I assumed you had drifted off entirely with your eyelids parted. I recognize that the training commencing from daybreak has been grueling.”

It was simply a situation where he urgently required a moment of intense concentration.

However, since it constituted a dilemma he could not disclose to anyone else, Heinrich rapidly fabricated an explanation.

“Ah, I was merely reflecting on bygone days after capturing some progress. It has been quite a demanding road…”

“You exaggerate! To wield such sophisticated sacred arts in merely that duration demonstrates incredible aptitude. You possess the attributes of a phenomenal vanguard cleric!”

In truth, he had just observed the outcomes of his sacred art conditioning immediately before he ‘drifted off’.

[Through persistent conditioning, you have achieved comprehension. You have unlocked the capability 「Outerica Holy Technique」.]

The 「Outerica Holy Technique」, a sacred energetic art he had acquired shortly after obtaining a divine favor.

It had required significant effort to master due to its sharp variations from the alternative dynamics he was accustomed to utilizing.

“My gratitude, Archpriest. However, I shall soon ascend to the rank of Paladin. I will endeavor to utilize the sacred arts you have imparted to protect even more individuals as a Paladin!”

“Quite right, it slipped my mind that you are ascending to Paladin status. I harbor no apprehensions regarding you; your advancement multiplies daily. It is truly startling.”

Naturally, ‘requiring significant effort’ was a metric applicable only by his personal criteria.

The combination of the modifications bestowed upon the awakened in this parallel world and the rapid advancement of my 「Avatar」 ‘s duplicated frame yielded a velocity of progression that left the inhabitants of this realm bewildered.

After exchanging parting words with the Archpriest who had instructed him in the sacred arts, Heinrich exited the conditioning chamber and gazed up at the ascending dawn sun.

‘I have finally accomplished my initial milestone!’

Indeed, in short order, Heinrich would be formally designated as a Paladin, a long-cherished ambition.

He had submitted the documentation for obtaining 「Blessing: Fortitude」 the previous twilight, satisfying the prerequisites to ascend to a Paladin, which received immediate authorization.

It stood as an extraordinary feat for Heinrich, who had aligned with the Holy Order a mere six months prior.

Understandably, achieving the rank of Paladin within a half-year window was entirely unprecedented.

Heinrich’s circumstances were exceptionally unique.

It was not merely a matter of raw aptitude; the chronology of events had been incredibly advantageous.

The structure of the Holy Order, which permitted rapid elevation provided one possessed sufficient sacred energy and competence, also contributed to the outcome.

‘Matters are progressing smoothly in this domain, and that alternate situation concluded favorably as well… Pfft, though what did that individual proclaim a moment ago?’

That even if fortune permitted my escape, I would be gravely mutilated and forced to forfeit a great deal?

Heinrich let out a quiet chuckle and directed his steps toward the practice fields to exert himself a bit before the morning meal.

“Huh… Fortunate, am I?”

He departed with an enigmatic smirk, intended for no one in particular.

—

Within a magnificent chamber adorned with lavish crimson and gilded embellishments.

“Cough… Argh— Ack!”

Crash!

An individual in his thirties resting upon a seat suddenly discharged crimson fluid and plunged onto the floorboards.

“Curse it…!”

“Lawgiver! Are you unhurt?!”

His protectors, concealed until this moment, materialized to protect the sector, but the action was pointless given that the assault had not originated from an external source.

‘This is preposterous…! Bested? Me? In a conflict within the cognitive realm?’

The engagement with Hahoe Mask had unfolded entirely within the mental dominion.

A recognizable theater of war and a recognizable type of combat.

Save for the unrecognizable nature of the antagonist.

“Ugh—!”

Crimson fluid mingled with fragments of his internal organs erupted forth.

Furthermore, a pale, fluid-soaked substance was beginning to discharge from his left socket.

Slam!

“Lawgiver!”

“Quickly! Organize medical intervention immediately!”

The entrance to the visitor’s chamber was thrown open as followers and practitioners of medicine converged in a panic.

‘…Cough, though it is likely of no utility.’

This did not constitute a trauma of the material flesh.

It was the severe reverberation of trauma inflicted upon the etheric soul.

Nonetheless, it surpassed having no intervention, so he yielded to the assistance of his followers and lowered his eyelids.

Crimson fluid persisted in draining from his mouth, but due to the restoration capabilities applied, the condition ceased worsening.

[Hehehe—! Captured you—!]

As he lowered his eyelids, the concluding sequence within the cognitive realm reeled through his intellect.

The precise instant when the dark silhouette, resembling a condensed pit of damnation, extended a hand toward him accompanied by a bizarre burst of laughter.

“Ugh…”

At the absolute final instant, had it not been for his distinct capability, 「Mental Projection」, the outcome would have proven vastly more catastrophic.

…Even after deploying that asset and still emerging defeated from the conflict, his self-assurance had completely shattered.

‘For what reason did I fail? It is not merely a metric of psychological strength. A disparity in capabilities? It is highly improbable that my cognitive capabilities are deficient. It is something far more elementary…’

Initially, the engagement was relatively balanced.

Honing his intellect to cleave at the antagonist, constructing defenses to obstruct one another’s incursions.

Yet at a particular juncture, the antagonist’s reactions shifted.

His own incursions felt like slicing through vapor, inflicting no damage, whereas the counterstrikes were fatal, channeling the collective insanity and venom of the universe.

So immense that they pulverized what he had conceptualized as his impenetrable cognitive defense.

The manifestation of the antagonist at that specific moment was anything but typical.

A fusion of destructive sentiments: terror, hopelessness, misery, agony, wrath, demise.

It mirrored an engagement with a monstrosity, rather than a human being.

‘I failed to detect that insanity during our dialogue. By what means could he conceal such madness? Or, from the very beginning…’

Is it within the realm of possibility for a mortal to contain such wickedness?

Was Hahoe Mask truly a mortal being?

‘His manifestation was closer to a supreme undead entity… No, that cannot be.’

Within the parallel realm, if an awakened individual transitions into an undead state, they are classified as deceased, rendering them incapable of returning to Earth via the Karma Store.

Even if they appeared to retain an awareness, it was nothing beyond a concentrated, distorted vestige of their mortal era.

If it constituted an undead native to that parallel realm, it could not bypass the parameters of Earth, and engineering such an elevated undead entity on Earth was virtually impossible.

‘Yet when I initially encountered him in his etheric state, he was unquestionably a mortal. He commanded a staggering quantity of malevolent sorcery, but that detail was definitive.’

Granted, he had altered fundamentally during the course of the engagement.

Still, there remained vestiges of mortality within him.

If anything, faintly matching his own nature.

The scale of insanity and variance was exponentially vaster, however.

‘…Did he possess a fiend confined inside his being?’

And had he shattered the containment during an emergency…

‘Presently, that theory appears the most plausible. In that scenario, he will not have emerged undamaged either. Re-establishing containment on such an entity would demand a steep toll.’

Reflecting on the notion that it was not a completely one-sided annihilation provided him a modicum of solace.

He exhaled a heavy breath and parted a single eyelid.

“Lawgiver! Are you unhurt?!”

The foremost protector who identified his agony questioned with urgency.

Alternative followers were persistently attempting to administer restoration to his frame.

His internal systems were shattered, the left socket permanently ruined, and all sensation had vanished from both lower limbs.

A segment of his soul had been severed away, and his sorcery pathways had sustained vital trauma. His current condition was essentially that of a breathing cadaver.

However, there remained responsibilities requiring execution, meaning he needed to act swiftly.

“Dispatch an immediate directive to the Seoul sector. Halt all operations instantly, obliterate records, and enter concealment. From the Blood Alliance, salvage solely Alpha, sever all minor associations, and obscure our path.”

He paused to recover his breath and persisted, “Issue a primary-grade mandate to all sectors across Korea. Terminate existing strongholds, wipe away all evidence. Formulate alternative strongholds at your own discretion and submit records at a later date. Terminate all endeavors until subsequent notifications… Cough!”

Articulating such an extensive message caused him to discharge crimson fluid once more.

“Lawgiver! It is imperative that you recuperate now!”

The restoration practitioners vociferated, but he clenched his jaw and articulated his concluding directive.

“And communicate to the Master that a monstrosity resides within Korea… I require a minimum of several years to recover.”

With those whispered utterances, he relinquished his forced awareness and his skull dropped forward.

Taking his directives, a protector rapidly departed the chamber, while alternative members who had concluded the provisional medical care initiated his relocation to a more fortified sanctuary.

With the incapacitation of the Lawgiver, who supervised the maneuvers within Korea, the Abyssal Conclave’s operations encountered an abrupt cessation.