Chapter 160: Time. (2) (1/2)

I repeatedly used [Midas’ Hand], relying on the mana recovery offered by the crystal water to apply different effects to first the wood steel, then also my suit jacket, coat, and shoes.

—— [ Geork Suit Shoes ] ——

◆Special Effect

: The foot supports the entire body. So, wearing these shoes makes the whole body comfortable.

: The efficiency of walking increases since the body is well-balanced.

: It easily resists any kind of restricting magic.

[Midas’ Touch: Level 5]

In addition, the jacket and the coat were given anti-magic and protective functions. Multiplication was added to the defensive wood steel, which would multiply it for a short time when activated. For the support-specialized wood steel, Taping arose after combining them with Duct Tape for a self-healing function.

—I’m still amazed by the Professor.

Epherene spoke then. I answered as I examined the results.

“What do you mean?”

—You’re not asking about what happened in the future, nor are you afraid of why you aren’t there.

“Really?”

—Should I tell you?

I raised my eyes to look across from me. The chair remained empty.

—If I tell you…

“Forget it.”

I shook my head. Of course, I didn’t know how this world would progress or how it would continue. It was unknown how the scenario would be twisted by Kim Woojin’s intervention. But, it appeared that there was no need to twist it forcefully. No matter how much I thought about it, this kid’s future didn’t seem too bad, so it wouldn’t be bad to continue the same. In the first place, the worst outcome of the main quest was the collapse of the continent.

—…I can’t tell you~. The future Professor asked me not to. I absolutely can’t tell you~.

Epherene forced a brightness into her voice. At that, another five thousand mana had recovered, and I applied [Midas’ Hand] to the last wooden steel.

Screeeeech—!

The mana sparked, marking the end. I expected it to last for about a week, but I finished it in just two days.

—Are you finished, Professor?

“Yeah.”

I maneuvered each wood steel. No, there was no need to control them directly. The nineteen wood steel moved as naturally as if they were alive.

“At this point.”

I looked into the dark. The monsters had more than doubled from two days ago.

“Those kinds of garbage are easy to deal with.”

—Yes. Good luck, Professor.

“…That’s all you have to say?”

I rose immediately; I didn’t need to wait for my mana to recover. The mana consumed by the wooden steel through Psychokinesis was zero anyways.

—Do you want me to confess? Even if it’s a one-sided love… but still, our bond is not to that point right now.

The words she blurted out were ridiculous. I frowned and looked toward the chair.

“…As long as you know.”

—Yes.

There was no need to continue that conversation any further. I moved over to the darkness where the light of the crystal could not reach. Then, the monsters lying in wait convulsed and rushed me.

—!

Their outcries shook the ground, mixing with their stampede to make it seem as if the world was quaking.

“This garbage.”

I frowned as I warmed up the wood steel.

Gooooo…

All nineteen of them were filled up with mana, moving as one system.

Schwaaaaa—!

They cut through the air. Beyond them, thousands of monsters flooded in, but each piece performed its role in the battle. Some dismantled the bodies of the incoming monsters, some swung and shook the ground to trip them, and some rose like a trap to protect me. Division of labor and specialization; I didn’t need to lift a hand due to this efficient combat structure. Just one step, then another. I moved in between the monsters.

Gaaaaaaaahh—!

The sound of flesh splitting and animalistic shrieking filled my ears. Blood gushed, splattering the corridor with filth. All those disgusting things were completely blocked by Psychokinesis as I cleaned out the garbage…

*****

…Meanwhile, Epherene arrived in the northern village where she met the future Deculein with Sophien.

“I think I can find him here!”

Epherene spoke enthusiastically while Sophien sniffed the air. The future and the present had a different air about them; Sophien could feel it.

“Hmm… let’s see…”

Epherene looked around the market, quickly finding her target.

“That’s him!”

Sophien’s eyes followed to where she pointed.

“Hey, you!”

She quickly ran and grabbed a man’s wrist.

“Herbalist!”

It was the herbalist she met last time. He seemed surprised by her sudden charge, but he nodded when he saw Epherene’s face.

“…Oh, yes. Are you the wizard Epherene?”

“Nice to see you. We meet again.”

“Yes.”

Then, Sophien approached with her hands behind her back. The herbalist glanced at her in her robe before turning to Epherene.

“So, you’re here again.”

“Yup. I have something to ask.”

“Yes, go ahead.”

This herbalist was cooperative as expected. He had an unsociable face, but he was kind.

“Professor Deculein? Do you know where the Professor is?”

“…What?”

Then, the herbalist looked surprised. His eyes, which were as small as a thread, grew large and fixed on Epherene.

“Why? What’s wrong?”

“That… you don’t know?”

“What? What don’t I know?”

Epherene asked back with an unknowing expression. After thinking about it more than necessary, he scratched his cheeks and opened his mouth.

“You see… the Professor….”

He looked at Epherene and Sophien beside her, in turn like he was reading the atmosphere. He looked increasingly reluctant to say anything. But, eventually, he spoke with a deep sigh.

“He’s gone. As far as I know.”

“…Huh?”

Epherene innocently tilted her head, and Sophien looked at him seriously. There was a moment of silence between them. The noise of the marketplace rang a little quieter.

*gulp*

Epherene swallowed.

“He’s gone… you mean back to his hometown? Oh~, to his hometown?”

“No. That’s not… hmm… after traveling to the Reok Kingdom… he came back here, but….”