-Quest Info
▶ Failure to complete the events listed in this section will result in massive penalties!
◈ Fake Marriage - You have been chosen as Lord Noel's spouse.
Maintain your contract with your partner until the end!
◈ Act 1, <Institutional Rift> - Your frequency of contact with key figures in the scenario is increasing sufficiently. - Your presence will soon be officially incorporated into the scenario.
The direction of the scenario will be determined by your actions! - A related event will occur soon. (D-2)
Still, it is a spear that makes my stomach churn every time I look at it. Aiden scanned the sentences with a gloomy expression. That feeling was particularly amplified by the spear attached at the very end.
◈ Life is Beautiful - Katya Heinkel Craven desperately wants something from you.
Please help her as much as possible so that she can fully feel 'senses'! - A related event will occur soon. (D-2) … … No, well. Come to think of it, I did this on purpose to pique their interest in the first place, but seeing it actually listed in the quest log like this gives me a strange feeling. 'You said it was a sub-quest...' It seems the system works so that relatively less important ones appear separately as sub-quests, while only those that significantly impact the main scenario are listed in the main quest log. Why is it here again when I started with a sub-quest?
As if to hint that we will be meeting frequently in the future. 'We do have plans to meet again, though.' It was Aiden himself who summoned that guy just two days later. Saying he would teach him how to feel pain. It is something he would never normally do.
Especially considering the difficulty of the procedures required for Katya to feel pain. Theoretically, it is possible if he can deliver a blow powerful enough to surpass all the divinity that guy emits. Easier said than done. 'But he's immortal even when suppressing his power to the maximum?' He let out a deep sigh inwardly.
How could anyone do such a thing to someone born with such divine power that they couldn't die even if they wanted to? Right now, no one nearby comes to mind who seems capable of doing that. Including Noel.
If the two were to fight, it would be a fierce battle between a dragon and a tiger, but in terms of output, they are probably at a similar level. It would be difficult to 'overwhelm' her. It means that penetrating all of her divinity and making her 'feel' something is infinitely close to impossible.
And if she can't do it, then no one can. So, that is the point, except for one guy. 'The Protagonist.' In the end, everything boils down to that guy. The 'Savior' who must surely be somewhere.
He is a human being who would suit any grandiose adjective, but that is his representative title. The center of this entire world who will eventually save it from the forces of darkness engulfing the continent. The Savior of Humanity.
The Guardian of the World. The antithesis of evil. If it were him, he would surely be able to do what Katya desires.
The reason he specifically called Katya to meet was to drag her into the event two days later, where that guy is set to appear. After all, if she sees someone like that, her interest in him will quickly fade.
"... ... though I'm not entirely sure." There is no guarantee yet that he "definitely exists." Nevertheless, without that protagonist, this world is destined for destruction.
The story cannot progress unless we assume his existence in the first place. The protagonist must exist. He must.
"That is one thing, but..." And the immediate practical problem is... he needs to be in the place where the main scenario unfolds, no matter what.
In a scene where blood will surely flow and violence will fly. After all, whether it is Noel or Katya, he has to take action to take them down. If so, a means of self-defense is essential.
"Hmm..." Aiden examined the gun he had brought from the gun shop.
A classic revolver. One where pulling the trigger causes the hammer to strike the bullet and fire. He glanced around.
After confirming that no one was around, he immediately unleashed his abilities. After all, he was paying close attention to the security instructions the Emperor and Dunadan had entrusted to him. Although he was still not accustomed to handling them, he could now manage to unleash his abilities reasonably well.
First, Ki; second, Divinity. Fluffy white smoke and colorless flames immediately began to rise near his body. The first one floated quietly around him, but the Divinity one coiled up in mid-air, flicking its fiery tongue as if to thank him for summoning it.
It was just like a puppy meeting its owner after a long time… … "… … It seems to have some kind of self-awareness." He let out a wry laugh. In any case, it was a relief that they seemed to follow his orders well for now. He attempted to imbue each of the two abilities onto a part of the gun.
Thanks to having seen Noel do it before, he was able to mimic it.
-System Message
▶ Imbuing abilities onto 'Revolver'.
▶ 'Pure White Heart' and 'First Vow' are not combined but are imbued into each part.
The first Ki contained in the trigger. The second Divinity contained in the hammer. 'Contained... ...it is contained.' As he wrapped the parts as if coating them with his supernatural ability, the Ki and Divinity subtly contained on the surface of those sections became visible. Looking at it this way, there was nothing difficult at all, but immediately, a strange spear rose before Aiden's eyes.
-System Message
▶ The presence of the unique skill 'Omnipotence' has been detected.
▶ The user's unique characteristics are granted during the 'Supernatural Ability Imbuement' process.
▶ Power increases, but conditions are imposed!
-System Message
▶ A total of 3 supernatural abilities are required to use the target weapon as a medium for the 'Omnipotence' skill.
▶ Currently, 2 have been granted.
▶ It cannot unleash its full power!
Aiden frowned slightly. He couldn't help but pay attention to the content written at the end. '... ...Did something like this originally exist?' Since he had never seen anyone in the game possess the skill called Omnipotence, there was no way to verify it. Aiden clutched his forehead as a throbbing headache surged up inside him.Imbuing a weapon with supernatural abilities is practically a fundamental skill in combat.
It’s not as if Noel taught him the details for nothing. But why is it that Aiden is the only one with these various conditions attached, unlike everyone else? 'Still...' To be honest, I don't know exactly how much 'his power' is being referred to here, but considering the power of the Omnipotent Skill I saw before, I do think it will certainly not be insufficient. However, even so.
If we assume a 'what if,' it would be right to choose the safest path. 'I can't use anything other than a gun...' It is absurd to even think about honing weapon skills for an incident that is only two days away. It would be best to find the solution close at hand. Aiden tapped his chin and fell into thought.
The supernatural abilities he possesses are Ki, Divinity...
-Skill Info
◈ Weaver of Fate . . . 『 Dunadan U`zal 』 - Bond: Level 1 <Copied Skill>
◆ General-purpose Ability: An ability bestowed by Urgan, the God of Magic Power Ascension. It can be operated by imposing a restraint upon oneself. … … There is even this.
Three fits the exact number required to unleash its full power, though. I don't know about the others, but the problem with this is that I don't even know how to handle it in the first place. 'Then I guess I should ask how to use it.' Fortunately, there was at least one person nearby I could ask. ▣ It is a well-known fact among most people that if you want to meet the Dragon Hunter, Dunadan U'zal, you just need to go to the training grounds. After all, anyone would know that a high-ranking official of a nation that serves the God of Ascension and reveres martial values is a man addicted to training.
It was clearly the same within the Empire, where he was staying briefly for an exchange event, and indeed, as soon as Aiden stepped into the place, he spotted Dunadan at a glance. If he were exercising by pushing a house-sized block of iron with his bare hands while monopolizing this vast indoor space, well. He would certainly stand out to everyone.
“…….” Aiden watched with narrowed eyes as a ton of iron slid across the floor. '… … Isn't that not human?' He ruminated on a thought he had crossed his mind once before.
What was even more terrifying was that a human possessing this level of strength wasn't even a 'leading role' in the main scenario. It meant that the humans he was currently entangled with, like Noel and Katya, were monsters even worse than this… … .
“That’s a familiar face.
Did you come to train?” Dunadan stopped his workout and turned to look at him, seemingly having spotted him in the meantime. The sight of his muscles twitching, looking as if they could deflect a spear or sword, was incredibly intimidating.
“……I came to ask for some instruction.” Aiden uttered those words, calming his body as it involuntarily flinched.
In any case, no matter how terrifying the opponent looked, one had to do what needed to be done.
“Instruction?
From me?” Swallowing dryly, Aiden continued to speak to Dunadan, who tilted his head in bewilderment.
“I want to learn how to wield magical power.” The moment he heard those words, a fierce smile spread across Dunadan’s face.
“You already wield pure white energy and royal divinity, don’t you?
And yet you want to wield a new supernatural ability? You’re quite greedy.” Although he said that, Dunadan’s eyes were scanning Aiden up and down with a look of intrigue.
“Is there a special reason?” “......Yes?” “I mean, is there a reason to devote yourself to training to that extent?
The talent you already possess is beyond ordinary blessings.” “.......” Generally speaking, that’s true. 'Since it’s related to the Main Scenario, you never know what might happen… …’ … … I don’t want to die. The Main Scenario—a life-threatening situation that operates on a world-scale—requires no safety net whatsoever. Above all, I want to return to my family and live a normal life.
That may be true, but. Here, it would be best to come up with a suitable excuse. There is no need to stir up trouble unnecessarily.
“…There is someone I want to make a good impression on.” “…….” “Shouldn’t you become a better person?” Anyone could tell that saying something like this while being newlyweds would bring Lord Noel to mind.
It might even reach his ears. In that case, if things went well, his favorability might go up. That intention was included to some extent. '… … What a load of bullshit.' It was a preposterous thought.
Aiden chuckled to himself. Even if he did hear it, the most likely scenario was that he would just brush it off without giving it much weight. After all, the premise of their relationship was a contract marriage, so even if he heard something like this, he wouldn't take it seriously.
Above all, considering the 'gap' between the two of them, it was even more so. Although they had made some contact here and there, he was ultimately just an ordinary person you could find, while Noel was someone who could leave a mark on history. There was no way his goodwill would be taken seriously by someone like that.
“Then, I’ll easily help you get started.
It’s not that difficult.” But since there was nothing wrong with what he said, Dunadan grinned and seemed to accept it upon hearing it.
“Do you know the basic concept of magical power?” “Roughly.” Magical power possesses quite unique characteristics.
After all, Urgan, the God of Ascension, has lifted the restrictions on magical power for everyone, not just his own subjects. While wielding multiple supernatural abilities is certainly not an ordinary talent, the fact that the concept is not particularly rare is entirely due to magical power. In terms of simply 'manifesting' abilities, magical power has the easiest conditions.
Even those not belonging to a tribal confederation can manifest them immediately if they properly take the oath of prohibition. However.
“When you first start, you naturally won’t be able to do as well as me.
An average person has to work hard for a full ten years just to barely rise to the level of an apprentice warrior.” “……Ten years to become an apprentice?” “Ten years to become an apprentice.” Apart from manifestation, the problem is that the difficulty of that 'mastery' is beyond imagination. It is better than Ki, which cannot even begin training without any talent, or Divinity, which is granted only to those with limited potential for manifestation; nevertheless, the difficulty of simply 'handling' it is truly beyond imagination, so it is just as rare for anyone to use it. Opportunities are equal.
However, strictly based on skill. It must be a characteristic befitting the divine spirit of Urgan, who pursues progress.
“Well,“Then, shall we give it a try right away?” With those words, Dunadan reverently wrapped the rosary around his hand.
It was Urgan’s sacred relic. An object used to offer prayers to him.
“O Jewel.
O Lotus. Embody your light.” In response to the mantra offered to Urgan, a radiant light filled the rosary. It was a sight he had witnessed once before.
Subsequently, magical power surged up near Dunadan’s body. If Qi manifested as a mist and divinity as flames, magical power was a halo of light enveloping everything in all directions, emitting radiance. At the sight, which resembled hundreds, even thousands, of brilliant fireflies fluttering in all directions, Aiden involuntarily opened his mouth and scanned them with his eyes.
“The method of handling magical power itself is simple.
From this flow of moving energy…” With those words, several of the light clusters flying nearby began to coalesce and take on a distinct 'form.' It appeared as though Dunadan was precisely timing the collisions of the wildly flying clusters to coalesce. A perfect circle. A sphere of light emerging from the coalesced clusters.
"It starts with the process of coalescing them into a core so they can be used like this.
This is a measure of a magic user's skill. It is the total number of cores one can coalesce." As he listened to that explanation, Aiden's expression grew increasingly gloomy. Just looking at it, the difficulty of 'handling' this was practically visible.
Aiden answered blankly, gazing at the clusters of light swirling around Dunadan's body. It was enough to make one's eyes and head ache just by following one or two paths, yet there were hundreds, even thousands of them. It was obvious at a glance that to create a core by precisely targeting the moment these things coalesced, one would need extraordinary reflexes and intuition.
"If Qi is the process of filtering impurities from within the body and Divinity is like taming a disobedient horse, then magical power is often referred to as 'communion.' Do you understand the meaning?" "...Roughly." To skillfully utilize these things in sync with their movements, one would have to derive every single path, every possible scenario, every variable, every vector, and every branch of the case to analyze their motion... ... 'I can't do that... ...!' It is not just that; it is something impossible for the majority of humans.
The reason it is described as "communing with magical power" likely stems from this very point. It is not something done through calculation, but rather something that must be handled by "feeling," matching the movements.
"Would you like to give it a try?" "Try it?" "You seem like a body that has never had a restraint cast on you before.
I will transfer my magical power to you, so try the task of consolidating the core." "...Was that something that could be transferred?" "Normally, it wouldn't be. However, if you consider only the output and operational capability of the magical power itself, I fall within the reach of the entire Great Plains." No wonder the amount was so overwhelmingly superior compared to the halos of light from the warriors I had seen before. It was clear that the restraint cast on him was no ordinary power...
"Then, begin." With those words, an alien energy surged into Aiden's body.
Immediately, a halo of light—though significantly less than Dunadan's—still dazzlingly bright, shot up sharply near his body.
"..." Aiden blinked and scanned his surroundings. 'Is this even learnable...?' The difficulty is too high right from the first hurdle.
They tell us to coalesce into the core the moment we converge, but it feels like trying to catch an insubstantial phantom with bare hands. I simply cannot keep up… … .
▶ Confirm the operation of 'Magical Power'.
▶ Confirm that an additional ability has been unlocked.
▶ The level of [Skill: Omnipotence] increases.
▶ Additional effects are attached to the skill.
And, right before his eyes as he was having such thoughts. Suddenly, such a spear appeared attached to it.
<Skill Info> Omnipotence [ Level 2 ]
- Combine two or more abilities to produce effects more powerful than before.
- Can see through the source of abilities, making mastery and exploration easier.
▶ Currently discovered combination
〓 Guardian's Flame (Pure White Heart ↔ First Vow)
※ As the skill level increases, the number of abilities that can be combined increases, and additional effects are added.
※ Increase the number of abilities you can handle to raise the skill level!
“……?” Aiden stared at the spear that had suddenly appeared before his eyes.
Come to think of it, I had heard that skill levels rise as the number of supernatural abilities one can handle increases. Was that possible even with abilities given to him by others?
“…….” Then, Aiden looked around blankly.
As soon as the spear appeared, he immediately felt that something was clearly different compared to just moments ago. '… … Huh?' Something. Is visible. Amidst these clusters of light that had been moving wildly and sporadically just moments ago, a kind of 'law'.
Distinctly. As if it were within reach.
“Don’t be too greedy.” Dunadan spoke with a benevolent smile, crossing his arms as if thinking Aiden, who had been silently glancing around, was flustered by the movement of the light clusters.
“Even I, who was called the tribe’s greatest talent, took a year to create the first core and be promoted to apprentice warrior.” “Right now, the only thing is to somehow get used to the movement—” His sentence cut off abruptly.
It must have been because he had spotted a fist-sized sphere of light appearing near Aiden’s body. It was less than five seconds after the halo of light had appeared.
“… …” Dunadan’s face stiffened.