Chapter 183 (1/2)

Training Fight (1)

“The citizens… Does that mean saving the magic species of the forest left here?”

The letters of light continued to embroider the air.

– Magic species of the future. Upon accepting the contract, my soul, along with my power, will be absorbed by your Mana Heart. But you can be at ease. I will only continue to exist in there, and I won’t intervene with your mind at all. I, too, shall adhere to the agreements stated in this contract.

– Keep in mind that my power can only be transmitted to the soul of the contractor, in other words, to the body that contains your soul. This is to ensure that the contract will be fulfilled.

– This is the end of my letter. I don’t know how long it has been since my death or how many citizens will have remained when this document is read, but I think it’s a doable enough condition for you who has a monarch’s qualities.

I was lost in thought.

Would I be able to get the ability to increase the potential Mana in exchange for taking in the devils?

In fact, it didn’t matter much to me since I could just continue absorbing Cores, but for my colleagues and other Terrans, it was a very attractive option, considering it would strengthen their battle powers.

And it was tempting, considering it even as a successor, not as Seo Jin-Wook.

That was because it was an effective supplement to the situation where my current life’s destiny was certain to be Earth’s guardian.

It was then.

– Hey.

Genograche turned to look at me and continued.

– I can’t make this contract.

“Hmm?”

I thought for a moment and nodded.

“Oh, I see.”

The full text of the contract said the following.

The power would be transferred to the Mana Core of the body containing the spirit of the contractor.

But at that moment, Genograche’s soul was sealed in a sword.

He controlled the golden armor equipped with a Mana Core, but it was technically more of an empty shell without a soul.

And the power couldn’t be instilled in the sword that had no Core.

– I cannot fulfill that promise even if I make the contract with the Monarch of Evolution, either.

A separate contract with me subjugated him.

Therefore, realistically, it should be considered difficult to feed thousands of devils.

Genograche looked at me and made an unexpected proposal.

– So why don’t you perform the contract?

What?

Why did he recommend me to have all the good things all of a sudden?

“Why? Don’t tell me….”

Genograche explained, pointing to the shabby clothes worn by the Knight.

– It’s because it disgusts me to see descendants of the magic species hiding in a cave, like a ground rat, and trembling, not knowing when they’ll be hunted down.

He added a sentence as if he was embarrassed.

– Perhaps it would have been different if I wasn’t aware at all…

It was hard to believe that those words came from the one who killed so many devils in his lifetime.

“I didn’t know you were so close-knit, especially considering the past.”

Knowing what I was pointing out, he grumbled.

– You mean the devils I killed? There was a story to that that you’re unaware of.

Instead of giving me the full length of the story, he said something else.

– The power of the Monarch of Evolution is something that you desire as well. You have the ability to perform the contract, too. And these men are ready to follow orders and offer loyalty like a fanatic, worshipping you as a savior if they are taken in.

It certainly seemed to be that way.

I would lose the Mana Cores that I would spend to relocate all the devils on that planet to Earth through the [Door to Hope] and the cost of helping them settle on Earth.

On the other hand, I would gain thousands of Awakened individuals with an average S to SS Class level based on Earth’s standards and a special ability to evolve potential Mana.

No matter how hard I thought about it, it wouldn’t put me in red at all.

Although, there was one thing that bothered me.

“I don’t think anyone can get the power, seeing that contract is constantly mentioning Monarch-level devils.”

– You mean the qualification of the soul?

He said as if it was ridiculous.

– Are you seriously questioning that? Do you think your soul falls short of a monarchical demon? Or are you worried that the power attached to the soul will be particularly picky when it comes to the body and the genes?

Wel… the following was what a god once said about my soul:

‘It’s surprisingly tough and hard.’

“Well, the only way to find out is if we try it out.”

I wanted to know if I had the qualifications as well.

I reached out and grabbed the crystal.

Then, the laser-like text from the Knight’s skin faded and disappeared all at once.

We all waited in silence for what would happen next.

As we did so…

– You are…

That time, instead of a text message made of light coming up, the words rang directly in my mind.

The source was the crystal held in my hand.

‘It’s the sealed soul here.’

The Monarch of Evolution, who lost his body a long time ago and had been waiting for future generations to reach his hidden power, spoke to me directly.

– You are… Your flesh is not of the same kind as ours.

I answered back with what I had prepared because it was an expected reaction.

“However, I am determined to perform the terms of this contract faithfully. What do you say?”

The sealed soul seemed to ponder for a moment.

Then.

– … Thee. Your soul does not qualify as a Monarch.

What? That couldn’t be… the moment I almost asked back in that manner, he continued.

– You have a much greater and glorious soul than any Monarch I have ever met. Your soul is far superior beyond the bound framework of Monarchs.

Hmm?

– I’ve never experienced such a toughly polished soul. What a strange thing this is. But I can put my faith in it if it’s an entity like this.

Then the voice gave me a proposal.

– If one is qualified to guide my people, I must accept the frame that contains the spirit even if it does not belong to my kin. So, will you accept this contract?

I answered.

“Let the contract be signed.”

Paht!

Then a brilliant flash burst out, and the crystal I was holding disappeared as if it evaporated instantaneously.

But I was aware that it was being converted into pure energy and flowing into my body.

A unique red Maana pattern combined with the soul flowed into my heart then into the Core.

And after a beat, I saw a text string that was different from any other.

As the force was instilled in me, a phenomenon more than mere contact occurred, causing [The Successor’s Eyes] to react.

The explanation of the new skill came up.

[Ordeal for Transcendence (Rank: EX)]

– An ordeal will be given to the Awakened being designated by the user, and only they shall be able to recognize and be affected by it. The Awakened that has overcome it will have their potential Mana grow further and beyond their initial limits.

※ Be aware that only subjects that have completely activated and unlocked all of their potential Mana, leaving no potential Mana in reserve, can be affected by the skill.

※ If the subject fails to overcome the ordeal, the subject will be penalized for some time, not being able to cast this skill on the same subject. The penalty application period is subjective.