Chapter 236

Chapter 236. Second Trial (2)

Currently, there were only six players known to possess spatial-type mana.

“There might be some who are hiding their attributes.”

But overall, not many possessed spatial-type mana.

Among them, the only one with the ability to cast a dual barrier with 4th rank spatial-type mana was Persona.

“Though spatial-type lacks firepower in battles, its usefulness is unparalleled.”

Thanks to this, Persona’s influence was considerable.

I, too, was in the midst of a mana exchange with Persona.

If nothing unexpected happened, we needed to maintain cordial relations without any major conflicts.

The reason why this person was anxiously awaiting me was simple.

‘Wasn’t it said that his girlfriend is infected?’

Hearing the news, he must have dashed out to greet me.

That Persona met me instead of her was also straightforward.

‘Because she’s on Earth.’

Lily was in the midst of forming a global treaty related to player activities, making it impossible for her to come to Bihar.

So, I received a message saying Persona would guide me instead.

I headed to the fourth floor of the building with Persona.

The number of players visiting the association was significant, so we moved to a sealed private room to begin our conversation.

“Is purification truly possible?”

At his hurried question, I nodded.

“I have no reason to lie.”

“Of course, but given it’s a matter of people’s safety…”

His anxiety over potential troubles for his loved one if he trusted me blindly was evident.

Amidst this, he seemed careful not to offend me with his words.

It wasn’t the most pleasant reception, but it was understandable, so I chose to overlook it.

“I tried it on one of my party members.”

“Ah!”

Only then, Persona seemed relieved, letting out a breath.

“So, can we proceed immediately?”

It was why I came, so of course, it could be done. Though there were conditions.

Upon mentioning this, Persona watched me tensely.

“Please, go on.”

“Let’s keep it small. Additionally, everyone must be blindfolded and their ears covered.”

I didn’t wish to widely broadcast the fact that I was the Alpha.

Though there were many suspicious glances, it was “merely suspicions”.

I’d never provided info that confirmed these suspicions.

Under these circumstances, was there any need to reveal that I was the Alpha and could purify unknown pathogens?

Moreover, there were currently 47 infected individuals affiliated with the association.

This was due to a mass infection that occurred in a high-rank corrupted area where they went for funds.

‘They happened to encounter an 8-star leading a separate unit.’

The information about Kerak and the pathogens leaked in the community due to that incident.

I didn’t want to be encircled by over forty players.

‘Who knows what kind of lunatic they might have among them.’

With such odd characteristics found in certain artifacts, it was never wise to face infected groups as a whole.

Thus, I mentioned the potential risks and implied responsibilities.

It was a sort of threat.

If something went wrong during this purification work, I might refuse further purification for association members.

Having laid it out like that, hardly anyone would ignore my conditions.

Persona also accepted, and soon enough, the first subjects for purification were brought in.

Two Gold Rank members, with one firmly holding Persona’s hand.

‘He brought his girlfriend first.’

I had no intention of nitpicking petty details.

I merely added a note to my evaluation of Persona: Not someone who entirely separates private matters from public ones.

* * *

After purifying all the infected individuals, a whole day had passed.

The thought of resting due to the late hour crossed my mind.

Seeing Kim Yul unable to sleep properly as the timer pressured him, I continued the task.

During the process, my trait’s proficiency increased significantly, allowing me to handle more people.

‘Even though I stayed up all night.’

Considering the speed, it was swift.

I got up, stretching sore muscles from sitting for so long, ready to leave since the work was done.

When suddenly,

“Hmm?”

Karlos’s divinity approached suddenly.

It even prodded my left shoulder.

The one who typically observed from a distance, what wind brought him today?

Beyond the window to my left, someone abruptly appeared in a shadow and popped out from the alleyway as if they were pasted there.

“This place… It’s not Habon but Loborre?”

Muttering to himself while glancing around, he finally looked up at me from the window on the fourth floor and said,

“Gilenios Begram.”

Upon my murmured words, he chuckled.

“Were you waiting for me?”

When I frowned to show annoyance, Gilenios shrugged nonchalantly.

“Or not. Anyway, are you going to stay up there? Why not come down?”

Sighing lightly, I opened the window and jumped down.

“We don’t have time; let’s get moving.”

Gilenios, like before, held out his hand, inviting me to join him.

Rather than taking his hand, I narrowed my eyes at him.

“Do I have to faint again like last time?”

“Do you intend to sprint all that distance? If you’re gone that long, your world’s god will wither away. The portal route is fastest.”

In other words, he urged me to stop wasting time and come.

“It’d be troublesome if others find us while delaying.”

Gilenios signaled for me to hurry with a gesture.

Instead of taking his hand, I crossed my arms.

“Huh?”

When Gilenios raised an eyebrow as if to question me, I preemptively replied,

“Does it mean there’s a risk of divinity being detected if we’re late?”

“Yes, Palao’s seal is undone, so the divinity leaks out.”

Like small divinity spreading divinity around them.

“They’ve been abandoning small fragments to manage the larger core.”

Roughly understanding the ongoing situation,

“That means Agnotia, or others, finding the divinity is just a matter of time?”

After the first trial ended, and Gretman came for me.

‘Startled by the torn and tangled land and sky, I didn’t notice, but there were monster corpses.’

Considering the blood hadn’t dried, they were killed recently.

“If the seal breaks, divinity leaks out, and the enemies can detect and come for it.”

Upon confirming, Gilenios replied,

“You just realized that?”

If you understand, hurry up and let’s move.

Gilenios pressured me to leave, but I shook my head.

“I don’t think I can go right away.”

“Pardon?”

While Gilenios grimaced at my refusal, I remained composed.

I had been contemplating ever since the events in Santorna wrapped up.

“The fact that the enemies target Palao’s divinity is certain.”

Thus, they might already possess a collected amount like Agnotia does.

“I can’t simply allow that.”

If the enemies had stashed away any divinity, confiscating it was vital.

But to do so, information was necessary on where they stored divinity.

Why they needed to gather divinity.

Whether there was any left unclaimed during excavations.

‘Following Gilenios now means I won’t acquire this intel.’

Additionally, I had to prepare for seizing status along with divinity retrieval.

“For that, I need to capture at least a General-rank enemy.”

However, within the main scenario, general-ranks were scarce and elusive.

The element mana stone auction progressing over the past month consisted of just seven cases.

Three of them were put up by me.

Even if there were cases where the dropped mana stones were directly used, the frequency was excessively low.

So, what can I do? Whether it’s a General-rank or higher,

“The only option is to summon them myself.”

Whether capturing them for insanity invocation or using Finelpenia’s authority upon their deaths, the methods to extract information were ready.

Upon refining my thoughts, I chose to explain rather than hold Gilenios’s hand.

Initially frowning and expressing discontent, Gilenios seemed lost in thought listening.

“Cooperate if you understand.”

Gilenios scoffed at the one-sided briefing, bemused.

But he didn’t refuse or say no, which prompted me to start messaging busily.

With the D-day fast approaching, it was essential to rally those I’ve prepared.

“When exactly will you begin? As I said, it’s hard to leave my spot for long.”

While I typed furiously, Gilenios grumbled, nudging for an answer.

“I’d say we need a day or two.”

I replied evenly, posing another query,

“The thing about our world’s god withering, what did that mean?”

“Um… Well, it’s not exactly a secret. I’m holding back a —– that can’t cross over, as well as blocking your god.”

It wasn’t the friendliest explanation, but clarity struck immediately.

The conversation during the meeting between the system and the 7 Great Gods before the servers connected.

“The entity that the system was said to be blocking, that would be it.”

Possibly another unconventional entity from the abnormal exemptions.

‘The system holds the front while Gilenios restrains from behind.’

Could that be why the system disappears from my side at times?

‘Indeed… There was never once when the system and this guy were in my presence at the same time.’

Long-held curiosities from ages past were finally receiving answers.

I mulled over the new truths I learned before speaking again.

“Tell me exactly where the divinity is. And come back at this time the day after tomorrow when the dawn breaks. I’ll be prepared by then.”

Gilenios’s fingers snapped after gazing intently at me for a moment.

Unaware before, now I understood immediately.

A thin barrier of divinity spread around us.

“This conceals us from the gods’ eyes.”

If I could use it, it’d be perfect for planning maneuvers away from other gods’ sights.

I could also use it for respite from the system when needed.

While surveying the divine barrier, Gilenios offered the exact location of the next divinity.

“In the west of Angrimart Empire, beneath Zamol Lake in the Orkal Canyon.”

I heard the Angrimart Empire had fallen long ago.

So, this time’s divinity was naturally at the heart of a corrupted area.

“Convenient timing.”

With a nod to affirm, Gilenios vanished instantly, as if gouged out from the scene entirely.

I stared at the now-empty alley and turned back around.

Given exactly two days, I had to be diligently prepared within that timeframe.

* * *

A deep, expansive space.

Holding off the presence trying to breach through was no simple task.

Even for an entity most similar to what could be deemed a god, it was exhausting.

Especially daunting without support from beyond.

Despite this, holding on was driven genuinely by a wish for the safety of lives on the other side.

For Hyunwoo, a being known as the system, truly desired it.

Thus, it bore the tiresome entity alone while enduring.

Until the previously vanished presence on the other side eventually returned.

「You’ve held up alright, haven’t you?」

With the words directly transmitting to my mind, the oppressive force on the system lightened significantly.