Chapter 185: The Logic of Power

Description

After meeting Robelate, Seong-jun returned once again to Hemeias.

“Did your conversation with Robelate go well?”

Looking at Hemeias, who asked with a smile on her face, Seong-jun felt a pang of something bittersweet.

“Hemeias, how much do you trust Robelate?”

At Seong-jun’s sudden question, Hemeias wore a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean by that?”

“You drove out the other gods and became the sole deity according to Robelate’s will. And you said your personal desires were not included in that. You said you made that choice unavoidably because of Robelate’s urging. Assuming that was true, have you never doubted Robelate even once?”

What kind of conversation did he have with Robelate to prompt such a question?

Hemeias wore a brief puzzled expression before speaking with a serene face.

“Robelate is the God of Insight. If he predicted the future, there can be no variables whatsoever. Of course, he only said a great calamity was coming and didn’t tell me the exact details. But his predictions have never been wrong, and preparing for the coming calamity is only natural for a god. Just as expected, the great calamity called Bakjehwang awoke. Furthermore, since you, his counterpart, have appeared, I see no reason to doubt him even more.”

In the end, Hemeias trusted Robelate without a single shred of doubt and did exactly as he instructed.

And as he said, after a thousand years, the great calamity called Bakjehwang arrived, so there was even less reason to doubt him.

Of course, Seong-jun didn’t fully trust Hemeias’s words either.

One of the reasons Hemeias took Robelate’s words at face value—no, one of the reasons she wanted to believe them—was likely because there was a precondition that she herself could become the sole deity.

In Seong-jun’s eyes, Hemeias was not that naive of a goddess.

‘I suspect Hemeias moved according to Robelate’s will because parts of it aligned with her own desires. But Robelate said everything would soon return to its rightful place. What does that mean exactly? That the other gods will find their places again? If that happens, Hemeias will no longer be the sole deity—how will she react? Either way, the world of gods is flowing quite amusingly. It’s entertaining to watch.’

The world of the gods, much like the world of humans, was filled with various interests and calculations, with all sorts of alliances and separations unfolding.

Perhaps that was why he found it inwardly amusing.

Of course, he didn’t reveal such inner thoughts outwardly.

“I see. Understood. But let me say just one thing. I may be only a human giving advice to a goddess, but don’t trust Robelate one hundred percent. If he can predict the future and his predictions converge to near perfection, then he could use that coming future to obtain what he wants for himself.”

Having spoken with Robelate directly, Seong-jun could tell he wasn’t someone who would merely predict the future with the power of insight and stop at preparing for what was to come.

Isn’t there a saying that physiognomy is a science?

His first impression was that of a squinty-eyed character manipulating the world from the shadows, and someone with that kind of impression didn’t seem like the type to create this situation purely for the good of the world.

Seong-jun’s guess was that there was definitely something Robelate wanted to obtain, something worth waiting a thousand years for.

Of course, Seong-jun’s guess could have been entirely wrong as well.

“Don’t fully trust Robelate? What is that supposed to mean?”

“It doesn’t mean much. Just that. The choice is yours anyway, Hemeias. By the way, don’t you have anything more to give me? I came all this way—if all I get is meeting Robelate, I’d be quite disappointed. You invited me here even at the cost of your divinity, so surely you’ve prepared a gift worthy of that?”

When Seong-jun blatantly demanded a gift, Hemeias let out a small chuckle.

“You’ve come to take my gifts for granted now. Take it. This will likely be the last gift I give you.”

With that, she lightly waved her hand.

Whoooosh!

An intense light burst forth from Seong-jun’s entire body.

[You have acquired the new Divine Authority [Light’s Guide].]

The last gift Hemeias gave Seong-jun.

It was a divine authority called Light’s Guide.

‘Light’s Guide.’

Seong-jun checked the authority with a puzzled expression.

[Divine Authority] Light’s Guide [1/10]

An authority granted to the sole existence recognized by Hemeias, the Goddess of Light.

-Acquire divinity identical to Hemeias for a set duration.

Casting Time: [Instant]

Duration: [1 hour]

Mana Cost: [1,500,000]

Cooldown: [24 hours] [Reduction effects from skills and titles do not apply.]

The description was extremely simple.

A single line stating that he would acquire divinity identical to Hemeias for a set duration.

But the meaning it carried was anything but simple.

“Whoa? I get divinity identical to yours, the sole deity? Doesn’t that mean I become a god for a certain period?”

“That’s right. Though it’s brief, once a day, you can use my full power. This is my last gift to you, who can no longer grow any further.”

A being who became a Gardnian as the first living creature, not a Gardnian created by a god.

That was why Seong-jun could no longer grow any further.

In Hemeias’s view, even though Seong-jun had become a Gardnian, a semi-divine being, he still seemed lacking compared to Bakjehwang.

So she granted him an authority that allowed him to use power equal to hers, even if only briefly.

But Hemeias didn’t know.

That there was a way to obtain full divinity beyond being a Gardnian, and that Robelate had already told Seong-jun about it.

‘Not bad. Until I obtain the Dragon Heart and achieve full divinity, this will be useful enough as an escape measure.’

What if he encountered Bakjehwang before obtaining the Dragon Heart?

He could find himself in a very difficult situation.

At that moment, if he could use Light’s Guide to fully project Hemeias’s power, he could at least manage the situation in a pinch.

“Nice. It’s a fittingly powerful authority for a last gift. I’ll use it well.”

“I don’t know what you discussed with Robelate, but there isn’t much time. We must stop Bakjehwang by any means before his reach extends beyond the Forest of Darkness and into the continent.”

At Hemeias’s words, Seong-jun nodded.

“Don’t worry. Next time I go to the Forest of Darkness, I’ll spread my divine power without filter. When that happens, he’ll definitely sense my presence and come after me. He won’t recklessly advance into the continent while leaving a risk factor like me behind.”

Securing the safety of the rear before engaging in war is the most basic principle of strategy.

No matter how much chaos Bakjehwang possesses, would he leave a threat that could stab him in the back within the Forest of Darkness and recklessly advance toward the continent?

He would absolutely eliminate Seong-jun first before eyeing the continent.

“I trust only you. Well then, it seems our time is up. May the light’s blessing always be with you.”

As Hemeias finished speaking, a portal immediately formed.

Whoooosh!

And through that portal, Seong-jun returned once again to his original world.

---

The conference room on the fourth floor of Seong-jun’s hideout.

The leaders of the top 10 domestic guilds had gathered there.

Naturally, Karl Buckman and his team were also present.

“What’s going on that you called us all the way here?”

“I agree. Isn’t this the first time Healer Kim Seong-jun has called us separately like this? Given that, it must be something important.”

Seong-jun often moved independently with his companions.

Of course, there were times he coordinated with other guilds, but those were connections made through the Association’s requests, not Seong-jun’s.

In other words, this was the first time Seong-jun had personally contacted the leaders of the top 10 domestic guilds to ask for a meeting.

As the leaders were exchanging various speculations about what was going on—

Click!

Seong-jun and his companions entered the conference room.

“Sorry for being late.”

When Seong-jun bowed his head in apology, Choi Gang-hyeok waved his hand dismissively.

“Forget the apology. Let’s hear why you gathered us all here.”

When asked the reason for the summons, Seong-jun went straight to the point.

“You’re all busy people, so I’ll skip the preliminaries and get to the point. As you know, dungeon monsters have been recovering their original abilities, making dungeon raids considerably more difficult than before. The problem doesn’t end here—monsters’ abilities will only rise further from now on.”

What was he talking about now?

Monsters’ abilities were going to rise even further?

“You’re saying monsters will get even stronger? On what basis?”

At Ju So-jeong’s question, Seong-jun continued.

“I do have grounds. The problem is I can’t show you proof right now. Regardless, monsters will become even more powerful from now on. Moreover, it won’t be a one-time thing—they’ll keep growing stronger continuously. When that time comes, will you be able to handle it?”

If they got even one level stronger from here, tremendous chaos would ensue.

A-class hunters might have to enter C-rank dungeons instead of B-rank dungeons.

And if it didn’t stop there but continued to escalate?

A truly massive upheaval would sweep across the entire world.

Furthermore, if a Dungeon Break occurred in such a state, even a C-rank Dungeon Break would see countless countries failing to respond properly.

“Let’s say everything you’re saying is true. Bringing this up now means you have some kind of solution, doesn’t it, Kim Seong-jun?”

At Choi Gang-hyeok’s question, Seong-jun nodded.

“Yes. We just need to eliminate the root cause of the monsters growing stronger. However, doing so requires taking on considerable risk. That’s why I gathered you all here. I wanted to ask whether you’ll take on the risk and come with me, or stay here in safety while others risk their lives to eliminate the threat. Ah! And for your reference, if we fail, this place won’t be safe either.”

Though he said he was giving them a choice, putting it that way made it awkward to refuse outright.

If they said they wouldn’t participate, they’d instantly become cowards.

“I think we need more detailed information. We can only make a decision if we know what kind of risk we’re taking.”

At that, Seong-jun pulled out the Crystal of Dimensions and spoke.

“I was just about to explain. This artifact in my hand is called the Crystal of Dimensions. It’s an object that transports you to another dimension. And that other dimension is the world supplying dungeons to this one. We need to go there.”

For a moment, everyone wore expressions of bewilderment.

Another dimension?

A world that supplies dungeons?

“Wh-what are you saying? Another dimension?”

“Yes, the confirmation is already done. My companions and I have already been to that world. The problem is that a powerful being affecting that world has appeared. And because of that being, the dungeons on this side are being affected as well. If we leave that being alone, the monsters on this side will eventually become endlessly powerful like the monsters in that world. We must eliminate the root cause before that happens.”

They had to go to another dimension and fight a powerful enemy.

And the monsters in that world, influenced by that being, were far stronger than the monsters in this world.

Therefore, they had to go there and eliminate that being.

That was the gist of what Seong-jun was saying.

“Haah… I don’t know whether to believe this or not. Well, fine. Let’s say Healer Kim Seong-jun’s words are true. Can we handle this so-called powerful enemy on our own?”

“Dealing with that being is my job. However, the odds are high that he’s built up his own forces, so while I fight him, you all will need to clean up the surrounding forces.”

Eliminating the root cause of everything was Seong-jun’s role.

But Seong-jun and his companions alone couldn’t handle all of his forces.

That was why he needed their help.

“Hmm, I see. So, do you know how strong the forces led by this powerful being are?”

“I’m not entirely certain… but we might have to face a dragon called a semi-divine being.”

A dragon?

Everyone present wore dumbfounded expressions.

“Cough! A-a dragon?”

“Ha! A dragon? Those actually exist?”

“W-wait! If the dragon isn’t the final boss but just part of the surrounding forces, then the final boss is stronger than a dragon?”

At the news that they might have to face a dragon, everyone seemed to fall into a panic.

“If we end up fighting a dragon, it will certainly be a tough battle, but if we all fight together, it should be manageable. For your reference, the total number of people who can cross to the other dimension is one hundred, including myself.”

No matter how many dragons existed around Bakjehwang, ninety-nine EX-class hunters should be enough for a worthwhile fight.

Of course, the most important factor was whether Seong-jun could defeat Bakjehwang himself.

“One hundred people… So that means we need to dispatch additional guild members, not just ourselves?”

“Probably so. Of course, since this is a matter of life and death, we absolutely cannot force anyone. Naturally, I’ll only be bringing those among you here who wish to come. I’d prefer to select mostly S-ranks and A-ranks, but that wouldn’t fill the numbers, so I plan to accept applications from B-ranks with exceptional combat sense as well.”

At Seong-jun’s words, everyone seemed confused.

“Hmm…“

“Ha!”

Toward them, Seong-jun added one more comment.

“For your information, to go there, you need to adapt to EX-class, so I plan to keep everyone at EX-class continuously until we cross over.”

For those who had tasted EX-class, there was no sweeter temptation than this.

The Realm of Transcendence, which easily surpassed even S-rank.

And at the very pinnacle of that Realm of Transcendence was EX-class.

What hunter wouldn’t be captivated by that unprecedented power they’d felt for the first time in their lives?

“Y-you’ll let us maintain EX-class?”

“When exactly do you plan on crossing over?”

To their questions, Seong-jun answered immediately.

“First, I plan to visit that place once more with just my group. We’ll move together with all of you after that. Probably around two to three weeks from now.”

Two to three weeks left plenty of time.

And in that period, they could clear at least a dozen or more A-rank dungeons.

EX-class abilities were that indescribably powerful, after all.

“When do you need our answer by? It seems we’ll need to discuss with our guild members.”

“Haha, the Path of Glory will consider this very positively.”

They seemed more excited about sweeping through dungeons using EX-class abilities than worried about being sent into a potentially dangerous situation.

Of course, there were those who thought rationally as well.

“Kim Seong-jun, you said you and your companions would go there first, right? Let me go with you then. I’ll make my decision after seeing the place with my own eyes.”

Choi Gang-hyeok wanted to verify that world with his own eyes.

“Me too. I’ll also make my decision after confirming that world myself. Take me along next time you go.”

Ju So-jeong, an S-rank like Choi Gang-hyeok, also wanted to see that world for herself.

“Come to think of it, I am curious what that world looks like.”

“A dimensional world. I thought dimensional travel was something that only happened in novels, but it’s actually possible. I’d like to go see it too.”

The other guild masters also seemed to want to experience that other dimensional world.

But he couldn’t bring all of them.

“Originally, I planned to go with just my companions first, but since everyone wants to see it at least once, I’ll do that. However, I can’t bring everyone. The first time I went, it was a two-day trip. This time, I plan to go on a four-day schedule. Since I don’t know what might happen here during that time, I can’t take everyone. Let’s have just three people accompany us to that world in advance.”

If he went to the Forest of Darkness this time, he planned to stay there for four days.

That should be enough to wipe out all the dark-attribute S-rank packs near the Dark Elf village.

But what if Seong-jun and all the leaders of the top 10 domestic guilds were absent for those four days?

If something happened here, it would be difficult to respond efficiently.

That was why Seong-jun said he’d bring only three people.

“Since I’m S-rank, it’s only natural that I go.”

First, Choi Gang-hyeok asserted his S-rank status to claim a spot.

“Hmph! If that’s how we’re playing, then as an S-rank, I should obviously go too.”

Ju So-jeong, also S-rank, tried to claim a spot as well.

Of course, the other guild masters weren’t about to just let that happen.

“What are you saying! We’d all be EX-class anyway once we receive Healer Kim Seong-jun’s authority, so there’s no need to divide things into S-rank and A-rank. I believe someone who can make the most objective judgments should go.”

“That’s right. Besides, if we’re all EX-class once we receive the authority anyway, is there really a need to bring up current ranks?”

At that, Choi Gang-hyeok frowned and spoke.

“So you’re saying I’m someone who can’t make objective judgments? Can you take responsibility for those words?”

“Hmph, that’s not what I meant. I’m saying we shouldn’t try to claim seats by flaunting ranks.”

Prioritize selecting those who could make objective judgments regardless of rank.

That was certainly a reasonable argument.

But no matter how reasonable and well-founded it was, in the world of hunters governed by the logic of power, strength took precedence above all else.

“So you’re saying you want to throw down with the Changcheon? That’s not bad either. Water stagnates and rots, after all. Perhaps it’s time to reorganize the top 10 domestic guilds.”

Choi Gang-hyeok, an S-rank, and Changcheon, the number one guild in the country.

Frankly speaking, Genesis was the only guild in the country that could match Changcheon.

The other guilds were called the top 10 domestic guilds in name only—in reality, they were far behind those two.

When Choi Gang-hyeok threatened them like that, everyone flinched involuntarily.

And Ju So-jeong drove the nail in.

“I think Choi Gang-hyeok’s idea isn’t bad. From now on, anyone who thinks it’s unfair for me and Gang-hyeok to go to that world will be considered as wanting to throw down with Genesis.”

With Changcheon and Genesis forming an alliance, no more noise came out.

That settled at least two spots as confirmed.