Chapter 457

Chapter 457
## Chapter 457: Visit (1)

The Crime Investigation Division of the Ability Management Bureau, the national agency overseeing superhuman crimes in Korea.

“…Wow, this is gruesome.”

An Seongjin, the black magic user called in as a consultant as usual, unwittingly clicked his tongue.

He pulled his hand away from the forehead of the man lying on the bed, who was salivating heavily with vacant eyes, and shook his head in disapproval.

“At this level, recovery is completely out of the question. The internal state is utterly shattered, as if dozens of nuclear detonations occurred simultaneously. He is essentially a vegetable… The surprising part is that the physical brain degradation isn’t as severe as one would expect.”

“The initial condition was significantly worse. We actually requested a cleric just in case divine intervention might assist, but as you can observe, it yielded no results.”

“Yes, that aligns with what I’d assume.”

Park Hancheol, the head of the Crime Investigation Division, let out a brief groan and roughly massaged the back of his neck at the indifferent response.

It was such an unconventional case that he had reached out to the black magic user An Seongjin on a whim, but it appeared to be yet another dead end.

Disregarding or simply indifferent to Park Hancheol’s inner thoughts, An Seongjin carried on speaking nonchalantly.

“There is really only one conclusion to draw: a cure is impossible. The core psychological framework has evaporated cleanly. What exactly are we supposed to mend? It would genuinely be simpler to forge an entirely fresh consciousness and convert this individual into a flesh golem.”

“…You understand that is complete nonsense, correct?”

Park Hancheol knit his brows and made a sharp sound with his mouth at An Seongjin’s shrug, a response typical of a black magic practitioner.

He was among the few rational black magic power users available, and they shared a good rapport outside of work, but instances like this proved he still possessed the standard dark mage eccentricities.

“The ironic aspect is that this individual was categorized as one of the more psychologically balanced Returners among the entire group.”

Occupying the role of head for the Crime Investigation Division, he had engaged with numerous Villains and understood the landscape perfectly.

Granted, the majority of black magic practitioners posed inherent dangers, but criminal behavior was not exclusive to them.

On the contrary, even those who refrained from breaking laws—specifically Returners who survived survival in brutal alternative dimensions—frequently developed perspectives that conflicted sharply with Earth’s societal standards.

Prolonged periods of hardships, lethal encounters, and acquired perspectives had fundamentally twisted their entire perception of reality.

It mirrored how individuals who achieved immense socioeconomic status firmly believed their personal path was the definitive reality.

‘At the very least, those who merely possess an inflated ego are somewhat controllable. But if they begin unleashing devastation simply because they command immense force…’

Civilization, meticulously constructed and protected by humankind, could disintegrate in a matter of moments.

Was the unconscious individual on the mattress not direct confirmation of that danger?

“So, what is the background on this individual? He hasn’t been placed in a medical facility, meaning he isn’t a standard casualty.”

“…The report states he attempted to assault a minor. According to the target, he unexpectedly lost control and disappeared instantly. His body was discovered collapsed a short distance from the location of the incident.”

“Ha! He got exactly what he deserved. Poetic justice? Is there even a valid reason to attempt a recovery?”

An Seongjin directed a harsh look at the figure on the mattress, scrubbing his palm—the one that had previously made contact with the man’s brow—against his trousers as though he had brushed against something deeply revolting.

“Restoring him is secondary. The true problem is the emergence of an Awakened possessing this specific brand of capability.”

Individuals with psychological attributes were classified as high-priority surveillance targets globally.

They encountered stringent constraints regarding international travel and faced persistent monitoring in their everyday lives.

This measure was entirely logical—psychological capabilities provided the most direct and effortless method to destabilize societal pillars through unconventional warfare.

“The primary action of the World Returner Association following the establishment of the Guardians was to gather psychological capability users for defensive operations. Destitution would have engulfed the planet long ago without that intervention.”

Spanning from minor offenses to global conflicts threatening the entire biosphere.

Consequently, practitioners of psychological capabilities had to be successfully brought into the fold or neutralized—without any allowances.

The extreme vigilance displayed by the Crime Investigation Division was entirely justified under the circumstances.

Granted, they were provided exceptional benefits as compensation, based on the reports he had received.

Furthermore, if the perpetrator possessed the capacity to reduce even a Master-class elite to such a ruined condition, they were left with no options.

Psychological capabilities could typically be parried by individuals of identical standing, meaning the assailant must exist at a minimum of one tier above the target.

Evaluating the sheer tier of cognitive destruction… they might even belong to the Transcendent-class.

Acquiring intelligence through any viable method was vital to brace for catastrophic scenarios.

Any fragment of information regarding their designation.

“Well, there’s no path forward here. My apologies for the lack of results. Wouldn’t requesting assistance from an actual psychological capability user yield better outcomes than targeting me?”

“…A variety of specialists have already surveyed the scene. All mental pathways are severed, and every indicator has been entirely erased—they were powerless. I entertained the notion that a dark practitioner might possess an unconventional method, which is why I requested your presence…”

Park Hancheol observed him with a calculating gaze.

An Seongjin sensed a sudden premonition of trouble and began to back away quietly, only to freeze when a hand clamped onto his limb.

“The timing is ideal—a separate casualty was brought in displaying identical traits just prior to your arrival. Given your presence, evaluate him as well.”

“Hold on, we just established a verdict—what reason is there to involve me further…?”

“This subject is entirely unaltered by prior medical attempts. You are the premier asset with maximum authorization in this domain, correct? The upper echelons are pressuring me immensely; I cannot even return to my residence. I am asking nicely.”

Faced with that earnest request, An Seongjin gave an unenthusiastic sign of agreement.

He had accumulated several debts to the division commander in the past.

‘Ah, I have no structural obligation to pursue extra financial rewards anymore, yet here I am engaged in overtime.’

Talented individuals are never permitted an interval of rest.

An Seongjin moved his lips, reflecting on the substantial ‘endowment’ he had legally obtained via Hwetal.

He had purchased the commercial property operating his family’s business and allocated funds into secure holdings…

‘Hold on a moment.’

Following behind Park Hancheol toward an adjacent chamber, An Seongjin hesitated.

A profound impression of familiarity washed over him regarding the current events.

‘…Reflecting on it, crossing paths with Hwetal within that cognitive domain featured an identical arrangement.’

After a brief moment of contemplation, he let out a breath and resumed his stride.

In contrast to that past event, he currently possessed formidable institutional protection.

Regardless of how powerful this unknown psychological capability user might be, they could not match the scale of Hwetal.

As a corresponding dark practitioner who had interacted with him face-to-face, An Seongjin comprehended the sheer dread Hwetal commanded.

He had moved past mortal boundaries. He was the literal embodiment of demise.

Presumably—or regrettably—there was no replication of that specific event.

There were no identifiable indicators discovered either.

Identical to the initial perpetrator, the psychological landscape was completely obliterated—devoid of any remnants.

“Ah, this is a dead end.”

The lamenting division commander suddenly revitalized.

As if gripped by a brilliant inspiration.

“Of course, the alternative dimension holy figure! That Heinrich the White Knight. He remains active within our borders, correct?”

“Oh, that individual?”

An Seongjin was quite familiar with the alternative dimension holy figure Heinrich.

Any person connected to current affairs would be.

Particularly within the boundaries of Korea.

“But isn’t that an incredibly improbable solution?”

“No, a chance exists. He engages in philanthropic endeavors, manifests supernatural events, and restores those deemed unfixable.”

An individual wielding such capabilities might possess the power to reconstruct them.

He had heard accounts of recent state collaborations as well; emphasizing the necessity of maintaining stability against hostile psychological capability users…

“No, that is incorrect. Are you truly uninformed?”

“…Uninformed about what?”

Approaching a monumental figure of that status was no simple task.

Even with the backing of administration leaders, the logistical arrangements would be monumental.

Park Hancheol, with his thoughts racing through the administrative hurdles, grew irritated at An Seongjin’s persistent skepticism.

It would be preferable to dismiss him altogether—

“That individual is currently in America.”

“What?”

He stopped completely, staring in absolute confusion.

He had been entirely unaware.

His focus had been fully consumed by tracking down the enigmatic ‘Mind Breaker’.

The public engagements of Heinrich no longer fell within his operational scope.

“…For what reason is he in America? What is the date of his return?”

“How could I possess that information? I do not share his identity. He isn’t even a citizen of Korea. Based on media broadcasts…”

That wasn’t the core issue, even if his instinctive inquiry had strayed from the point.

His primary path forward evaporated before it could even begin.

Exhaling a long breath, he only partially attended to An Seongjin’s commentary while massaging his neck.

“Something regarding a journey to the main base of the Pantheon?”

—

Kiyuuung—

San Francisco International Airport, California, West Coast USA.

“The transport has arrived. Proceed this way, Brother Heinrich.”

Leaving the chaotic terminal environment behind, Heinrich walked behind a heavily built cleric in his forties toward the designated automobile.

“It is a true privilege to finally provide transport for Brother Heinrich. Genuinely inspiring.”

“Regrettably, I must apologize for the extended delay. My current obligations prevent me from dedicating my focus to a singular task.”

“Haha! Do not dwell on it. We fully comprehend. There is an enormous amount requiring your attention, and structural temporal variances cannot be avoided.”

The brunette, cleanly bearded adult—Jason, a cleric sent directly from the US Pantheon main base—emitted a robust laugh and dismissed the apology with a gesture.

Devotion was his core focus, so he approached his assignments without any sense of urgency.

Additionally, he found the pleasant interactions with the Korean clerics quite rewarding.

Engaging in casual conversation with Jason, Heinrich observed the passing scenery through the glass.

The territory of America was drastically distinct compared to Korea.

He had crossed into this territory once prior to manage the scribe incident, but arriving on an authorized diplomatic journey felt entirely different.

‘I have finally arrived. I kept delaying this trip by utilizing operational obligations as an explanation.’

There was no alternate motive for his arrival.

While organizing data regarding the Reverse Heaven Society Leader, he had come to recognize that he had overlooked an essential reality.

Efficient assistants managed to hold their ground, but the accumulated lifespan and established structures of the opposition were staggering.

Even so, they maintained their positions primarily because the adversary dreaded becoming visible.

‘And that reality is entirely a consequence of limitations surrounding the Reverse Heaven Society Leader himself.’

He had compiled data with great persistence.

Yet he remained completely uneducated on the most critical inquiries.

The reason behind the absence of indigenous supernatural forces on Earth.

The reason the Akasha System utilized Earth as a central junction point.

The reason behind obliterating alternative planes of existence simply to cultivate fresh supernatural phenomena on this world.

Staring outside, Heinrich lowered his eyelids.

Data on the Reverse Heaven Society Leader rotated in his consciousness as his reflections grew more complex.

‘He lacks the capacity to exert authority over dimensions without restrictions.’

This limitation applied perfectly to Earth as well as external realms.

Much like Kosias, he possessed the structural power to splinter realities, yet he never initiated it—from the very beginning.

He was incapable.

‘Had he been capable of utilizing his unrestricted power at the onset, we would have failed to overcome him within Outerica.’

The identical rule applied to Strong World, Divoe, and even the devastated Kosias.

Alternative realms required spans of multiple eras to collapse entirely, did they not?

From a doctrinal perspective: divine entities are restricted by their internal parameters, segregated from the mortal domain.

‘I require a more profound investigation concerning divine entities. Not merely limited to Outerica—but across the doctrines of all alternative dimensions.’

The location where he acquired his authority, its ultimate origin point, the process of spiritual elevation, and self-contained divinity. The intricate connection between the Akasha System and divine entities.

This specific territory was selected precisely to uncover those answers.

“We have reached our destination, Brother Heinrich.”

The epicentre of spiritual frameworks originating from alternative worlds connected to Earth—the central hub of trans-dimensional theology.

“This structure is the Temple of All Gods, the main base of the Pantheon.”

The holy figure of Outerica and the chosen instrument of the Main God crossed the threshold into the Interworld Religious Alliance Pantheon.