Ch.100Chapter 100. Ominous Premonition

# Spirits.

Like mana and divine power, they are a concept that doesn’t exist in the original world, but since they clearly possess will, perhaps they should be classified as a race like the Demon Tribe.

Such thoughts grew stronger as I watched the cluster of spirits manifested before me behaving like a person.

“Elder, this little one is mimicking me, right?”

“Yes, as its form takes shape by imitating the being that guided it, it mimics behaviors too. The more it continues such actions, the more distinct its sense of self and personality become.”

-Woooong.

The cluster of spirits stared at me intently while making a quiet crying sound, as if responding to my words.

I felt I could somehow understand what it was saying, but I decided not to pay too much attention to it.

What’s important is that these beings recognize my existence, and that accelerates their growth.

“And the mana control ability demonstrated by a being that has awakened such self-awareness reaches an unparalleled level. Humans, no matter how much they cooperate, can only exert the will of ten to twenty, at most a hundred people, but a spirit cluster essentially has countless individuals each controlling mana.”

In other words, if one can secure the cooperation of spirits, the precision of mana control can far exceed human limitations.

As he spoke, the man standing before me gripped his staff firmly and began to concentrate deeply on the hand holding it, taking deep breaths.

“However, even if they mimic human form and thought patterns under human guidance, it’s ultimately a temporary phenomenon. If the concentration needed to guide the spirits wavers, the cluster disperses, which can be seen as the extinction of personality and self-awareness.”

“Disappear? You mean they die?”

To use an analogy, it’s like a person being assembled at the cellular level, then broken apart again.

Naturally, when that happens, the person dies.

If the same cells cluster together again, a similar personality might emerge, but how could such a created being be considered the same as before?

“That’s what communing with spirits means. With each attempt, endlessly facing the birth and death of a being that reflects myself…”

-Uuung.

The spirit cluster continued making crying sounds beside me.

Does it understand what Jean is saying now? Or perhaps it doesn’t even comprehend the concept of death in the first place?

“Then, isn’t this communion we’re sharing meaningless?”

I felt somewhat bitter, but more than that, I began to doubt the purpose of practicing spirit manipulation.

No matter how precisely spirits could handle mana compared to humans, I thought it impossible to seek cooperation from beings that are essentially newborns each time they take form.

“It’s not entirely meaningless. Even if they die, disperse, and decompose, tiny remnants still remain with the practitioner.”

“Remnants?”

“It means that each time a spirit’s personality is born and disappears, traces of them are gradually imprinted on the practitioner.”

-Uuung.

An aura began forming around the raised staff, gradually stabilizing.

It was like when I sliced through the Undead before.

Despite wielding a force that generates physical power in response to will, not even the slightest vibration could be felt in the hand controlling the mana.

Intrigued by this strange sensation, I closely examined his hand and soon realized something had changed.

“So if you repeatedly commune with spirits and accumulate even these remnants through continued practice… Eventually, those learned remnants will reach a level where they can refine mana according to the practitioner or instantly demonstrate the pinnacle of power.”

What appeared on his hand was different from the rings (circles) that form when power flows concentrate.

A translucent form overlaid his hand, without the characteristic vibration sounds or light distortions that occur when mana concentrates.

For a moment I thought it might be a glove made of mana… but no, that wasn’t a glove but a hand.

He had successfully manifested just a fragment of a being more distinct than the unstable cluster formed beside me.

“This is the pinnacle achieved at the end of that path.”

-Slash!!

A boulder was cleaved in half by the swung staff.

Though an aura emphasizing blunt qualities should normally increase destructive power, what appeared where the staff swung was a clean line as if cut by a sword.

The force seemed entirely focused on cutting, as the split rock remained firmly rooted in place rather than being pushed aside.

“Because I remember handling aura with a sword, I can achieve that level even with this staff.”

Yes, that is the result of borrowing power from a being capable of precise mana control.

Furthermore, it’s the pinnacle reached through endless training, retaining and remembering the remnants of such beings in one’s body.

“Well, do you think you could do it?”

“…Not at all.”

Such a level seemed impossibly distant to me.

At least among the Heroes I knew, none had demonstrated such feats using pure mana alone.

How could I, branded as a Foreign Laborer, even attempt something that Heroes couldn’t achieve?

“Yes, as you expect, handling spirits isn’t something that happens overnight. Typically, aiming to clearly manifest even part of a body takes at least 30 years.”

“…Haha, 30 years.”

Right, it certainly wouldn’t happen overnight.

This made me understand once again why the Empire was so desperate to summon Heroes.

Nevertheless, Jean continued to smile, speaking to me in a gentle voice.

“You needn’t be so intimidated. In your case, haven’t you already caught up with five years’ worth of growth from the start?”

Five years.

Does it normally take that much time to manifest even such an incomplete form?

Does the fact that I could manifest it immediately mean I possess some talent or blessing I wasn’t aware of?

“I understand your anxiety, but don’t worry too much. If you don’t give up, I won’t give up either and will help you until the end.”

Upon hearing this sincere encouragement, confidence began to well up from within my heart, gradually turning into certainty.

Yes, this person wouldn’t have arranged this opportunity without reason.

So whatever happens, let’s see it through to the end.

“…I’ll be in your care from now on, Elder.”

“Hoho, I hope you’ll follow along well.”

Thus began my training to handle spirits.

Under his guidance, I focused entirely on dedicating myself to practice and training.

Until a month had passed since I entered this land.

Devoting myself to building strength more than ever before.

****

Commonly known as the Dragon’s Tomb.

An excavation site formed under the leadership of the Empire, humanity’s last hope.

However, with the Empire’s core military force, the Legion, stationed there, it was essentially a military outpost.

In other words, Marcus Cradle, who led the Legion under imperial orders, was effectively the highest authority and commander of this place.

“Commander, scouts have reported that numerous Undead have gathered at the entrance of the ravine.”

For someone in his position of responsibility, protecting everyone involved in the excavation and eliminating threats was more important than the excavation itself.

Naturally, as the internal Undead extermination was nearing completion, new dangers approaching from outside needed to be monitored.

“…So the Lord of Corpses is targeting this place too.”

“Yes, if they’re moving as a group, it seems certain.”

Marcus’s expression hardened rapidly at the soldier’s confirmation.

It wasn’t particularly surprising.

Even before they had stationed themselves here, Undead had been wandering around the mountain, with some appearing to search for something or even digging the ground.

After most of those advance Undead were killed, it was reasonable to assume that the Undead army, growing cautious, had begun stationing troops nearby.

“How many troops? Any signs of the Four Knights?”

“The confirmed forces are at battalion level, and according to the scouts, they’re led by a lich. They’ve probably sent an advance party for reconnaissance or to test our defenses.”

“Don’t let your guard down. While I continue inspecting the defense line, instruct the scouts not to leave their positions until further notice.”

The soldier saluted and left as Marcus directed.

Afterward, Marcus crossed the garrison area with his adjutant and hurried toward the barrier being constructed at the excavation site’s perimeter.

“Commander. Will we really be alright?”

His adjutant questioned during this time.

Though it was just a precursor, with the Undead army directly targeting them, the possibility of a full-scale battle breaking out soon was significant.

Of course, reports indicated that the Lord of Corpses himself was currently engaged in a power struggle with the Demon Lord’s army, but even that wasn’t entirely reassuring since he hadn’t brought his entire army.

If even one of the Four Knights came here, disaster would surely befall this land.

“Don’t worry. Our duty is to protect humanity on behalf of the imperial family… Whatever happens, we must maintain morale and do our best.”

But regardless of the opponent, the Imperial Army’s duty remained unchanged.

Marcus knew his mission to protect humanity well, and therefore was focusing on strengthening the army and maintaining morale.

Whatever the outcome of the coming battle, at least they would be able to exert their maximum fighting power.

“…And that’s why we’ve brought many Heroes as well.”

Yes, with such an army and Heroes joining forces, there would be nothing to fear.

-Boom!

After arriving at the defense line being constructed in the valley area with this conviction, he found construction work in progress with laborers, proceeding three times faster than initially planned.

All thanks to one Hero working among them.

“Hyaaah!”

A helmeted man struck the ground with a shovel, letting out a powerful shout.

As the earth received his strength and seemed to defy gravity, soil moved along the trajectory of his swinging shovel, piling up in the form of a wall.

Though temporarily hardened by magical power, it would serve as a framework for laborers to build upon, greatly helping to construct a solid defense line.

“Phew~! Good! We’re done with this section, so let’s move to the next location!”

“Thank you, Hero! You’ve made our work so much easier!”

“Don’t mention it. I’m getting paid for this shoveling too, so I should work for what I earn.”

Hero Nam Jaseong.

A Hero who had grown a minor religious order without special patronage, and an oddity among Heroes who preferred humble labor rather than being intoxicated with his own power and achievements.

However, his earth-reversal ability was demonstrating excellent efficiency in expediting construction work that would normally require numerous laborers to excavate and refine.

It would be no exaggeration to say that since his sincere participation in the construction, the speed had increased nearly tenfold.

‘In addition to leadership and inclusiveness that even the labor class, typically resistant to Heroes, follows… I might consider appointing him as a battalion commander when forming units later.’

Marcus evaluated him from a distance.

Overall, he concluded that Nam Jaseong was a necessary talent for this garrison, but he couldn’t help feeling something was lacking.

No matter how efficient a Hero’s power might be compared to hundreds of laborers, it would still be difficult for him alone to construct defense lines to protect the entire mountain range.

If only one more Hero could come and help.

-Thud, thud!

Just as he was thinking this, bricks flew in from a distance and began covering the earthen wall.

Despite not being placed by human hands, the bricks maintained proper balance, forming a plausible wall structure.

In the blink of an eye, a defensive wall with proper framework, mass, and durability was created.

If the laborers could focus just on the finishing touches while repeating such work, a defensive line as solid as the Empire’s sturdy walls would be constructed in this ravine.

“So I just need to stack these bricks on that wall over there?”

A twin-tailed girl rushed into the scene, apparently looking to help with the process.

As Marcus recognized her as another Hero, Nam Jaseong, who had been working on the defense line, turned to the girl and expressed his delight.

“Oh, kiddo! You’re here to help too?!”

“I’m not a kid, I’m Garam!”

She snapped back irritably, but only for a moment.

Soon the girl’s anger subsided, and with a slight smile, she confidently lifted bricks with her power.

“Well, I’m free right now, so I can help as much as needed.”

Hero Garam Lee.

The only Hero helping with the garrison reinforcement alongside Nam Jaseong, and a super rookie who eliminated several fallen Heroes immediately after being appointed.