Ch.214EP.49 – The Most Dangerous Creature in the World…(1)

…it’s disorienting.

That was Ihan’s first impression when he regained consciousness.

“Urrrgh!”

It felt like a hangover, and a terrible one at that.

It was as if his mind and body had been separated and were only now reconnecting…

Based on his recollection of the conversation with that “Gatekeeper,” his consciousness might have been lingering at that gateway or whatever it was.

That would explain the profound disconnect he felt between his mind and body.

And as if to prove this hypothesis…

“…Are these guys dead?”

“……”

“……”

“No, they’re not dead… but they’re in a suspended state.”

Maximus and Lac.

The two men were collapsed with their eyes closed.

Knights of their caliber showed no reaction even to Ihan’s muttering.

They were breathing and their hearts were beating, but they lacked their usual energy, confirming they were indeed in a suspended state.

This meant their consciousness was likely trapped in the gateway where he had just been.

“…It might take some time?”

It wasn’t a complete certainty, but Ihan was confident they would need a bit more time to pass through the gateway.

Ihan had unintentionally fulfilled the “conditions” needed to break through the gateway, but there was no guarantee they would be as fortunate as he was.

At least, since they possessed soul strength equal to or greater than Ihan’s, as the Gatekeeper had mentioned, they wouldn’t be deceived by the gateway’s illusory world.

Therefore…

‘It might take some time, but they’ll wake up. …Probably?’

Though uncertain, Ihan was confident. Instead of worrying about them, he decided to examine his surroundings more carefully, and within less than ten seconds…

“…Life really does show you all sorts of things.”

He couldn’t help but marvel.

<Sacred Treasury>.

The treasure vault where sacred relics were stored was literally a “picture-perfect world.”

…Or more specifically.

‘Is this like being inside a watercolor painting?’

Ihan, feeling as if he had become a resident of a mysterious world painted with watercolors, couldn’t hide his amazement for quite some time.

* * *

If one were to name this watercolor world, “Museum” might be appropriate.

While it resembled the Parthenon temple in form, it was structured like a museum with various relics on display.

“Oh….”

Splash!

Even walking felt strange.

It was like walking on water, or rather, on paint, and the more he walked, the more it felt like sinking into a swamp.

However, as if to show that this was merely a minor dissonance, Ihan was immediately overwhelmed upon entering the museum.

Whoooosh!

“……”

…Countless sacred relics, too numerous to count, each exuded an incredible presence.

Not counterfeits, but only genuine articles (眞品).

Only real sacred relics were present, and even one of them would be enough to cause a sensation if taken outside.

With hundreds, no, thousands of such treasures, he was not only overwhelmed but felt a strong pressure crushing his entire body, as if he might be crushed to death.

If he hadn’t been a knight who had trained his body to its limits, he would have collapsed long ago.

Splash!

“…So they exist but can’t be touched?”

Ihan, overcoming the pressure bearing down on him, tried to touch one of the sacred relics.

But when he touched it, rather than feeling solid, it was like splashing water.

Despite clearly having physical form, his hand passed through it like touching liquid, and this phenomenon wasn’t limited to just the relic he tried to touch.

“So everything is in this state.”

Everything in this space clearly existed but flowed like liquid, making it impossible to touch.

Kyeonghwasuwol (鏡花水月).

Like the moon reflected in water or flowers reflected in a mirror, visible to the eye but impossible to grasp with the hand…

‘Indeed, it’s no simple matter.’

This was the mysteriousness befitting a treasury of countless sleeping sacred relics.

Well, it was to be expected.

Even a single mystery is considered miraculous, but here were hundreds to thousands of treasures containing such mysteries…

This mysterious phenomenon was, in a way, merely a minor manifestation.

‘Those guys summon the souls of mortal enemies from past lives, so this is probably nothing to them.’

Ihan abandoned any lingering attachment after confirming that despite the sacred relics being right before his eyes, he couldn’t touch them.

These were clearly beyond his capabilities.

So…

“What now?”

It was incredibly perplexing.

* * *

“Bringing back a sacred relic will probably not be easy.”

He had received advice before coming here.

From whom?

“What do you mean by that, sir?”

From Raphael, his helper who wasn’t really a helper.

He had said:

“There’s a prohibition on this matter, so even if I wanted to tell you, I couldn’t. In fact, no one can recite information about the Sacred Treasury. It’s impossible to leave information about it through voice or writing.”

“?”

“So, I can only offer this advice. Simply act ‘as you are guided.’ That will be your answer.”

“…What are you talking about?”

“Hehe, the Light of Radiance will guide you.”

“??”

“…I never understood till the end.”

Even recalling that memory now, it was still perplexing.

It was completely unusable information.

Instead, it only deepened his questions.

“…Sir, I’m not being guided by anything here?”

While he respected the old man, at times like this, he was a bit annoying.

He could have explained things more clearly…

“What does it even mean that the Light of Radiance will guide me?”

[Don’t overthink it. Actually, that old man you mentioned explained it well. If you follow where you’re led, the answer will come.]

“That sounds like the same level of nonsense as ‘believe and you’ll be blessed.'”

[Hey! That’s irreverent!]

“Irreverent my ass, I’m actually holding back from cursing even more colorfully, not that—!”

Wait, who am I talking to right now?

Ihan was startled.

When something suddenly appears in a place you were certain was empty, anyone would be surprised.

He was so startled that his fist flew out reflexively, but unfortunately, it passed through the target without hitting anything.

Splash.

More precisely, it only made the sound of hitting liquid, just like with the other sacred relics and spaces.

[You’re violent.]

“…You?”

[We meet again. Yes, it’s me.]

– The Gatekeeper.

The owl with its head held stiffly high introduced itself.

* * *

It seemed today was a day for many unusual experiences.

Entering the Sacred Treasury, meeting old connections in that strange gateway space, and now…

‘…Even seeing a talking owl.’

Life is truly full of experiences.

[Don’t look at me like I’m so strange. We were talking just 10 minutes ago, weren’t we?]

“That’s exactly why it’s so disconcerting, isn’t it?”

After all, he was suddenly meeting again someone he thought he’d never see again.

[Ah, is that so?]

“What do you mean ‘is that so?’ What exactly are you? Weren’t you supposed to be confined to the gateway?”

It was understandable why Ihan was bewildered.

This creature had given off mysterious vibes, talking about trials and such.

It had even ended their meeting with an air of mystery.

So to meet again in this situation was naturally perplexing.

However,

[Should I leave then? I came to help, but don’t you need my assistance?]

“……”

[Should I really go?]

“…N-no.”

How could an owl have such a range of expressions?

Though its smug smile was quite irritating, the one in need must bow their head.

Ihan considered this unexpected meeting as fortunate and had no intention of engaging in pointless arguments.

Still…

“But why did you reveal yourself? And why in that form?”

He had to ask what needed to be asked.

[Humans like cute creatures, don’t they? When I approach in this form, they lower their guard. I could also appear as a cat or dog, would you prefer that?]

“You really understand humans well, don’t you? …No need, rather than wasting time on transformation games, it’s better to have a productive conversation.”

[I like that rational mindset of yours.]

The owl flapped its wings in great delight, and Ihan momentarily thought the owl Gatekeeper was quite cunning.

‘It really is adorably cute…’

Not only was its snow-white fur glossy, but its plump body made it look like a doll.

And a very high-quality one at that.

Looking at it naturally evoked affection, and Ihan gave it high marks for knowing how to penetrate human psychology.

Then.

[You must be wondering why I, the Gatekeeper, have appeared before you, an illegal intruder.]

“……”

The owl exuded an ominous atmosphere that contrasted with its cute appearance, and Ihan’s expression hardened.

He didn’t want to imagine it, but he sensed something ominous in the Gatekeeper’s sudden appearance and demeanor.

Sure enough.

[It’s nothing serious…]

Swoosh!

[Huh?! W-why are you suddenly acting like this? Did I do something wrong?]

“No, you didn’t do anything wrong. It just seems like someone else found us first.”

[…Ah.]

The owl didn’t understand the situation at first, but after a beat, it seemed to sense something and flapped its wings widely.

Ihan didn’t have time to take in that sight before…

CRASH!

He blew off the head of the opponent trying to pounce on him.

In an instant, a headless body was created, but unfortunately, the opponent hadn’t accumulated enough achievements to become a Durachan, so he perished immediately.

However, unlike Ihan, the guy seemed to have luck with companions.

Whoosh, whoosh!

One after another, men dressed exactly like the one whose head had just been severed gathered around.

There were easily over fifty visible, and Ihan calmly gazed straight ahead.

“……”

Of course, he wasn’t looking ahead because he was wary of those insignificant men.

The reason he was staring straight ahead was…

“Oh my, already taken down?”

…because there were four presences he couldn’t ignore.

[That’s what I wanted to talk about. Can you drive them away? I’ll compensate you.]

“…I think I’d have to do that even if you didn’t ask.”

Because if he didn’t kill them, they would tear him to pieces.

……He’d be dead.