Ch.115Repair (1)

The change in the gene that I was able to notice through the power of intuition by chance. The reason for this change was… because the gene ‘Former Master of the Other World’ that I had obtained from the Basilisk had strangely transformed.

The original form, ‘Former Master of the Other World,’ was actually a gene with rather ambiguous abilities, and was closer to a demerit gene with acidic body fluid…? Anyway, it had improved significantly and became an alternative.

Of course, objectively speaking, it does provide some minor stat boosts, so it’s not entirely unhelpful, and it was actually a crucial gene in the process of taming chimeras.

[This is the mark of one who was once a master.

A power that has fallen from grace, with only traces remaining.

However, you who have obtained this power, if you possess your own land, this power will shine once more.]

But even with the description engraved in my soul, it was in this sorry state, and although it seemed like something significant, I couldn’t understand what it actually meant.

My only guess was that if I somehow managed to obtain effectively controlled territory, there might be some kind of change…

-Master of the Domain (Provisional)(?)(Ability)

This cautious speculation was revealed to be true through the transformation of the gene now before me.

‘Master of the Domain… so that “provisional” was real?’

Master of the Domain probably refers to my control over the pioneer village where I’m currently serving as a lord’s proxy… a sort of temporary position, and the Chinese character for “provisional” attached at the end is probably evidence that I’m not an official lord but more like a proxy.

[This is the mark that identifies you as a proxy of the domain.

A power that has transformed anew after gaining qualification.

You who have obtained this power, you have finally possessed land and made this power bloom.]

‘Ohhh…’

Especially according to the changed description attached below, my speculation seems to be confirmed by the circumstances.

So while I was grinning and rejoicing at this unexpected acquired transformation of the gene, information about the changed gene gradually began to enter my mind as I visually processed the description.

Likewise, information related to the gene that made me smile.

The gene, ‘Master of the Domain (Provisional)’… or more precisely, the activated ‘Master of the Other World’ possessed so many abilities that it was impossible to express them all.

However, perhaps because of that “provisional” attached to the gene description, unlike typical Other World Master-type genes, several functions were locked and unusable…

Honestly, even excluding those, this gene possessed more extensive and comprehensive abilities than anything I had ever had before.

For instance, the first ability that caught my eye was the insane power to obtain genes or residues from creatures killed by my subordinates, such as those killed by Hanna.

‘No wonder, I thought it was strange that the amount of residue coming in has been fairly constant lately, even though I haven’t killed much myself…’

I cautiously speculated that perhaps I was absorbing the residues from wild animals that my subordinates, hunters, or werewolves regularly hunted.

Meanwhile, the other abilities were also filled with powerful special skills that far transcended the ordinary.

Enhanced detection of hostile entities approaching my territory, priority response rights to aggressive actions by creatures within my domain.

Furthermore, the authority to draw mana from the land’s veins (if they exist), refine it, and use it.

Each one could be considered an independent gene on its own, and they were all packed tightly into a single gene—an unprecedented situation.

On the other hand, what was unexpected… was the absence of the most basic ability that comes with being a Master of the Other World.

The power to enhance the overall abilities of myself and my subordinates, and even residents dependent on the Other World territory, when inside the Other World.

It’s practically the trademark that contributes to the Master of the Other World establishing dominance within their realm… but it’s missing?

‘…Hmm.’

So while I was initially pondering, unable to figure out why, I suddenly recalled the solution to this problem.

Right, come to think of it… my domain isn’t an “Other World” ruled by a Master of the Other World!

From the beginning, most of the human species in this world, including humans themselves, cannot become Masters of the Other World for some reason.

Although I’m somewhat of a problematic existence to be called a normal human, my physical body is undoubtedly human without the slightest doubt.

Rather than there being a clear reason, it seems that someone’s influence has blocked ordinary human species from becoming Masters of the Other World…

Nevertheless, there are still what we call loopholes in the world.

For example, while my body is completely human, my soul is mixed with many “genes,” making me far from a pure human.

Furthermore, this domain isn’t a natural Other World ruled by a “Master of the Other World,” but simply a territory outside the human realm.

In short, it’s a loophole made possible by being a Master of the Other World who rules an area where an Other World cannot exist, with a human body that can never become a Master of the Other World.

Perhaps because of this, I can use abilities like internal terrain processing or modification that utilize the characteristics of the Other World space, and other capabilities.

To use an analogy, it’s like a playable character somehow obtaining a boss mob’s passive ability, but unable to use some functions that would normally sync with other powers.

Instead, there was one unexpected gain.

‘…Huh? This is possible?’

I had killed virtually all creatures inhabiting the deepest regions of the Other World, and furthermore, even killed the master who had occupied the Other World, albeit in a textured form.

Then… it’s fair to say that I’ve conquered the forest’s Other World, and coincidentally, I possess a quasi-Master of the Other World gene.

And this was the identity of the (?) attached next to the ‘Master of the Domain (Provisional)’ gene above—the right to appoint a ‘Master of the Small Forest’ that had come under my domain.

It’s a form of exercising indirect authority because it’s subordinated to me… delegating only the actual master title to someone qualified.

Although its efficiency will inevitably be lower than a normal Other World and its master due to being reorganized as a subordinate Other World…

From my perspective, who originally didn’t qualify for this position, this kind of defect is actually something I can compensate for.

※ ※ ※

After conquering the northeastern forest’s Other World and acquiring the position of its master in an indirect form.

Naturally, I had to move quickly to somehow clean up all the matters I had set in motion.

First and foremost, the cleanup process I had to start with was, of course, cooperating with the land distribution project that I had initiated and then disappeared from.

“Ugghhh…”

“Kill… me… please…”

“Are those two okay?”

“Probably…?”

It was such an overwhelming task that the two apprentice administrators were completely worn out to the point of resembling slimes, but once we finished this land distribution project, the domain began to run relatively smoothly.

Until now, we had to allocate labor to work sites individually and handle tasks in a form close to raw manual labor, but from now on, we can just delegate most tasks and distribute only the 2/7 of the labor force for corvée.

Furthermore, if more manpower is needed, we can recruit and hire workers at the village level, resulting in a flexible labor structure that actually becomes advantageous.

Also, the ‘Master of the Small Forest’ appointment right that I somehow obtained was eventually passed on to the victor after making the two chimeras fight each other.

I heard that this position of master itself is a protector role selected for the Other World’s self-protection, and after learning that the master qualification could be revoked if one leaves the Other World for an extended period, I decided to have a resident master.

Well, even apart from that, since we’ve incorporated the forest into our birthright, forest management is necessary for safety, so it’s inevitable to have at least one chimera always staying there.

…Visiting occasionally is a bonus, in terms of preventing potential rebellion or treasonous plots.

Anyway, now that we’ve completely seized control of the surrounding lands, culminating in the conquest of the northeastern forest.

A new wind is blowing through our domain in many ways.

“Lord Alzar, it’s been a while.”

“…Ah! Lord Gafrang!”

It began with the domain’s knight, Lord Gafrang, who came with troops to escort the prisoners we were currently detaining in our domain…

“Then that person is…”

“Yes. A mage hired from the magic tower at your request.”

In this process, Lord Gafrang arrived with the mage I had been so desperately wanting… the one I had requested from Father through a magical communication device to repair the golem armor.

Finally, the day has come to transform that wretched pile of scrap metal into a mid-tier combat force.