Chapter 64


    Spiritual nucleus.


    A high-concentration mana energy source that exists in Baengnyeong Ind and other areas with high mana concentration.


    It usually settles deep underground and shoots mana into the atmosphere through leylines.


    The mana outlet of the spiritual nucleus created in this way is the spiritual vein, and the mana concentration in the area where these spiritual veins are mass-produced rises iparably with other areas.


    "I can''t believe they were excavating and researching a spiritual nucleus. Baengnyeong Ind researchers are really crazy."


    "......Yes."


    The study of the spiritual nucleus is taboo.


    There are many reasons, but the biggest reason is that it is dangerous.


    Think about it. The spiritual nucleus is a tremendous energy source that increases the mana concentration of the area up to twice as much.


    Could it be safe to study something like that?


    In fact, a country neglected the danger and studied a spiritual nucleus, but then experimented wrongly and half of the country was annihted.


    Experimenting with a spiritual nucleus is that much dangerous.


    "Anyway, how did they find this?"


    "I know, right."


    Obviously, it''s not just that it''s dangerous.


    How could researchers give up on researching such a heavenly mana tank just because it was dangerous?


    The main reason why researchers have no choice but to give up their research on spiritual nuclei is that it is nearly impossible to find one.


    There are many spirit cores that are located beyond the mantle and close to the outer core.


    Even if it is buried nearby, it is almost impossible to pinpoint its location because it extensively emits mana.


    This is the second time that a spiritual nucleus has not stopped functioning even after protruding, right?


    "Yes. The first one no longer exists in this world, so this is all that remains."


    And thest reason.


    A spiritual nucleus usually loses power when excavated.


    Research results show that as the ground structure surrounding the spiritual nucleus changes, the spiritual nucleus cannot function properly.


    In other words, even if you find it by any means, you can''t research a spiritual nucleus.


    For this reason, it has be an established theory in the academic world that researching a spiritual nucleus is impossible.


    It''s dangerous and hard to find, and even if you find it, it loses its function. Is there any way to conduct research?


    ''I really couldn''t believe it.''


    That''s why I didn''t think that the incident that urred on Baengnyeong Ind was due to the study of the spiritual nucleus.


    "Then, the recent increase in mana concentration."


    "Yes. It must have been since we started researching the spiritual nucleus in theboratory."


    Even now, the spiritual nucleus is running out of control. Just looking at it, the amount of mana it was spewing out was unusual.


    "Then the head of the research institute and the researcher left the ind because."


    They couldn''t control it anymore, so they backed out before it explodes. They ran away."


    Leaving the spiritual nucleus like this?


    Yes. If they get caught studying the spiritual nucleus, they will all fall off a cliff. Lets just leave it alone and let it explode. Lets make it so that the disappearance of Baengnyeong Ind is due to an unknown mana explosion. That is the only way for them to survive. They probably thought something like this."


    I told just enough so that Min Janghyun could understand.


    I couldnt say that the main culprit of this situation was the ck Magic Tower, so it was best to cover it up like this.


    "Those scumbags."


    Min Janghyun sharpened his teeth.


    "Ugh."


    Min Janghyun took a deep breath and let out his anger.


    "Then what shall we do?"


    "It''s one of two things. Let''s publicize this spiritual nucleus first, and then evacuate together."


    The weather is bad, there is no room for mana lines, and everything is unnecessary.


    In an emergency like this, they will send everything like a boat, a helicopter, or a high-ranking mage who can use flying magic.


    "Silence this spiritual nucleus outrage, and prevent it from exploding."


    Or, there is a way to calm down this spiritual nucleus.


    Realistically, the only way is to evacuate.


    Yes. That is correct.


    It is challenging to stabilize the spiritual nucleus that has already begun to run wild. The only option really is to evacuate.


    "The problem is time..."


    I opened Gods eyes again.


    "......Ugh!"


    At the same time, my head was spinning.


    I grabbed my eyes and sat down on the floor.


    I was overwhelmed by the mana emitted by the spiritual nucleus. Gods eyes could not handle the brutally vast amount of mana information.


    "Young master!?"


    "Its... it''s okay. Maybe it''s because I took too much mana, I just got dizzy for a while."


    I desperately opened my eyes again. I can see the mana emitted by the spiritual nucleus. My head still hurts, but it wasn''t unbearable.


    "......As expected. Less than an hour left."


    "Less than an hour left?"


    "Until this spiritual nucleus explodes."


    "You, you mean this will explode within an hour? That means."


    "Yes."


    I deactivated Gods eyes and stood up.


    "It seems that evacuating is impossible. Time is running out."


    There is not enough time to evacuate.


    "If evacuation is impossible, the remaining method is."


    "Yes. We have no choice but to stabilize the spiritual nucleus."


    "Stabilization of spiritual veins. Is such a thing possible?"


    ".......We have to do something."


    I pressed my throbbing temples and kept thinking.


    Fortunately, we are not in a situation where nothing can be done.


    Stabilizing would be possible with my knowledge, the information I gained, and Gods eyes.


    ''A way to stabilize this spiritual nucleus is.''


    The spiritual nucleus status based on the information about the nucleus in my head and the state of the nucleus as determined by my current Gods eyes.


    And I find a way by conglomerating all the information I have recently acquired. It wouldn''t be impossible for me as of right now.


    "Mr. Min Janghyun. Can you call the shadows and search the research center thoroughly? Anything is fine. I just need information about this spiritual nucleus."


    The more, the merrier.


    We need as much information as possible. In order to find a way to calm down the spiritual nucleus more securely.


    "Yes, will do!"


    Min Janghyun murmured as he quickly ran to the first floor.


    "This is A1. Emergency. Gather everyone. I repeat. Emergency. Gather everyone."


    Min Janghyun''s voice quickly faded away.


    * * *


    "......What?"


    Meanwhile, at the president''s office of a building affiliated with the Magic Shin n in Seoul.


    Shin Inhyuk was shocked to hear Kim Seokhyun''s report.


    "The spiritual nucleus of Baengnyeong Ind is about to explode?"


    "Yes. This is a message from Janghyun. Here is a picture Janghyun sent as well."


    Shin Inhyuk quickly nced through the handed photo.


    It was definitely a spiritual nucleus.


    The photo was taken in the basement of the centralboratory on Baengnyeong Ind.


    "Howdid they find this?"


    It was a question with a double meaning.


    How did the researchers discover this spiritual nucleus?


    And how did Shin Hayul find the spiritual nucleus that the researchers had abandoned and ran away?


    "That......."


    Kim Seokhyun noticed the CEO of the affiliate who was quietly listening.


    "Ahem. I''ll be out for a while."


    The CEO of the affiliate left the room with a clear cough.


    After the CEO left, Kim Seokhyun even put a sound-blocking barrier around him.


    I dont know how the researchers found the spiritual nucleus, but I assume that Young Master Hayul found the spiritual nucleus in a neglected state.


    "Hayul? How?"


    "As the situation is, I couldn''t ask that far."


    "Is the situation serious?"


    "Yes. This is also what Master Hayul said. He said there is less than an hour left before the spiritual nucleus of Baengnyeong Ind explodes."


    "......An hour?"


    Shin Inhyuk''s expression became even more serious.


    "How about evacuation?"


    "It is reported to be impossible on its own. Due to the bad weather, the boat can''t float, and the only mana line is broken."


    "How about sending evacuation ships?"


    "Impossible. Time is running out. Likewise, sending helicopters is not possible."


    How about a mage that can use flight magic?


    "Currently, there are no wizards with more than 6 circles on Baengnyeong Ind."


    Shin Inhyuk frowned.


    "Then, the only way left is to dispatch a mage who can use flight magic."


    "Unfortunately, that''s also impossible. Likewise, we dont have much time. Due to the long distance, most mages can''t even get to Baengnyeong Ind within an hour."


    It would be possible if mages from 7 circles or higher were avable.


    It would have been possible normally, but now it is impossible.


    Kim Seokhyun looked pale.


    "We have confirmed that the storm currently surrounding Baengnyeong Ind is making mana in the vicinity of the ind unstable."


    Is it because of the mana emitted by the spiritual nucleus?


    "Yes. It seems that way."


    "That means."


    "......Yes. Even if Mr. Inhyuk heads towards Baengnyeong Ind, it is impossible to arrive in time."


    There is no way to evacuate Master Hayul and his party, who are currently on Baengnyeong Ind.


    * * *


    "Yes. I see. I''ll try to do something."


    Min Janghyun came to me after a short phone call.


    What did Mr. Seokhyun say?


    "......He said there is no way to send a rescue within the remaining time."


    "I see."


    I expected Mr. Seokhyun and father to have some sort of solution.


    But, I guess it is too difficult for them either.


    Did he say that the mana around Baengnyeong Ind is causing a gap?


    "......Yes. It seems to have spread quite extensively by storm. The range is so wide that even Mr. Shin Inhyuk says it is impossible to reach Baengnyeong Ind in time."


    "......."


    My eyes widened.


    "......Even if fatheres?"


    "Yes. Even the 8-circle magician Mr. Shin Inhyuk couldn''t..."


    "No. That, the 8-circle mage isn''t the problem. You said father wanted toe himself?"


    "Yes? Yes. He thought about it if it was possible."


    "......."


    "Why is that?"


    "No. Just..."


    I was genuinely surprised.


    That father thought of flying all the way here from Seoul to save me.


    It must be proof that he has high expectations from me.


    Something felt weird


    "Young master?"


    "It''s nothing."


    I shook my head to clear my thoughts.


    Anyway, what happened to Ade?


    "Oh, they said she is almost here"


    "Please tell her toe this way as soon as I arrive."


    "Yes, I will."


    I informed the seniors and instructors, including Ade, regarding the current situation.


    I didn''t tell them to be particrly anxious.


    I just let everyone know since we need their help.


    "Since then, have you found anything else?"


    "Yes. I looked all over the inside of theboratory, but there was nothing else. The research journal I gave you just now is thest one."


    "Okay."


    "......Is there anythingcking?"


    "No. Nothing iscking. We alreadypleted the n for the operation to stop the spiritual nucleus outrage."


    The n for the operation has already beenpleted.


    No matter how much I think about it, there is no better strategy than this.


    The only thing left is just taking action and wishing for the best.


    Then why did you talk about other journals?


    "Just because. I''m curious about something other than the research results."


    "Curious?"


    "Yes. Not the information about the spiritual nucleus but about theboratory itself."


    We need evidence that links this research institute with the ck Magic Tower. If only such evidence remained, Shin Jihan could be ensnared.


    "Oh! It''s to punish the researchers who ran away. You''re brilliant."


    "......Yes. Well, that''s correct."


    Min Janghyun seemed to be misunderstanding something, but I couldnt deny it, so I decided to leave him alone.


    "Okay. Then, for the rest of the time, I will see if there''s any information left in theboratory."


    "Yes. Please."


    After those words, Min Janghyun went upstairs.


    Once again, I was alone in the spiritual nucleus.


    A spiritual nucleus that looked like it would explode any moment.


    I looked at the spiritual nucleus and took a deep breath.


    ''Shin Jihan. Youve really crossed the line.''


    A hot breath containing a lot of anger.


    It was a breath full of anger toward my older brother, Shin Ji-han, who requested the ck magic Tower to explode the spiritual nucleus.


    ''Are you trying to destroy an ind just to kill me?''


    Shin Jihan is behind this incident.


    There is no evidence, but I am certain.


    Would the ck Magic Tower be crazy and try to twist the shaft of the spiritual nucleus and explode it without receiving a request?


    It is clear that Shin Jihan requested and nned this to disguise my death as an idental death.


    It''s also something an ''executive'' of the ck Magic Tower has done.


    Im 100% sure.


    ''......I have to bring down Shin Jihan as soon as possible.''


    If you keep Shin Jihan in that ce, you don''t know what will happen to the Magic Shin n. Shin Jihan must be brought down as soon as possible.


    And in order to do that, I need to get over this crisis first.


    "Hoo."


    For now, I calmed my mind.


    ''......I hope it goes well.''


    Contained in the side bag is the key to solving this case.


    I touched four bottles of the elixir, ''Blessing of Mana''.